“There’s no need to apologize, Mom,” Caelan interrupted. “We know everything got a little out of hand last night.”
“Yes. Thank you for taking care of everything. I’m sorry that I created such chaos,” I apologized, sheepishly. “All the hard work you put in on planning the party too. I’m sorry it all got destroyed.”
“Don’t you dare apologize, young lady. It wasn’t your fault,” Maty declared. “And either way, it was just food and decorations. All that can be replaced. We can have everything fixed and ready to go for the full moon next month.”
“Actually,” Caelan interjected, offering me a sly smile. “We have something else in mind.”
“You do?” she asked in surprise. “Please tell me that you aren’t planning on ignoring tradition. The Elders will not be pleased.”
“No. We’ll honor tradition,” he assured her. “Tonight is still the full moon and many of the guests are still here, so let’s continue with the party, just twenty-four hours later than originally planned.”
“But…the decorations…the dress…the food? I mean, the ballroom is still a mess,” Luna Maty said a little frantically. “I don’t know how we can manage to pull something together in just a couple of hours.”
“Mom, chill,” Caelan insisted. “It doesn’t have to be perfect. We don’t care what it looks like or what we’re wearing. We just don’t want to wait any longer. I’ve almost lost Shade too many times. I won’t wait another month to officially make her mine.”
Luna Maty sat silently for a moment, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
“Well, I suppose we could rethink the location, and we have some decorations from past events in storage. Something in there could probably work. And the pack would be happy to pitch in if we made the whole thing a potluck.”
We jumped as she clapped her hands loudly, a huge smile on her face.
“Yes! I can make this work!” she announced as she hurried toward the door. “You two get some rest. I’ll make sure everything is ready for tonight. Come along, Leal! There’s work to be done!”
Alpha Leal grinned, shaking his head in amusement before turning to the two of us. “I’m glad you both are safe. Caelan, we’ll need to discuss the matter of Dark Moon’s disbandment. We’re holding their remaining pack members until that’s finalized, but that can wait a couple of days.”
“Leal!” Maty shouted.
“I better go,” he grumbled. “You know how your mother gets when there’s things to be done. She’s going to be a lot today. Get some sleep. See you both tonight.”
He shut the door gently behind him. We heard people rushing by in the hall, all hurrying to fulfill the orders of their luna.
“Come on,” Caelan sighed, climbing out of bed and helping me up. “We aren’t going to be able to get any rest with this racket going on. Let’s go home.”
“I thought you’d never ask,” I joked as I covered a yawn.
We leaned against each other as we shuffled out into the hall, ignoring Dr. Eirny’s protests as we made our way to the pack house.
A Different Shade
SHADE
“Come on, guys!” Taffy called from the hall as she knocked incessantly. “It’s after five, and Luna Maty told all the guests to be here at seven. You need to get ready!”
I rose from the bed, yawning as I shuffled toward the door.
“Tell her to go away and get your cute butt back over here,” Caelan groaned.
“I wish I could. Believe me,” I sighed. “But she isn’t wrong. I need time to get ready, and so do you.”
I stopped, smiling at him over my shoulder.
“Fine,” he grunted as he rolled off his side of the bed, sitting up and rubbing his hands over his face.
“I’ll see you in a couple of hours,” I promised, walking over and placing a gentle kiss on his cheek.
“You’d better,” he teased. “Nothing is going to stop me from marking you tonight. Not a damn thing.”
His declaration caused a sensual shiver to run through me, carving a path straight to my core. He pulled me into him, planting a passionate kiss on my lips and leaving me breathless as he pulled away.
