“Breakfast on the morning that my mother died,” I admitted.
“You haven’t been allowed to sit with them since you were seven?” he grumbled, clenching his fists. “No one should have to get used to something like that.”
“Come here,” I commanded with more authority than I ever expected from my own voice.
He leaned into me, and I reached forward, gently running my fingers through his hair. His reaction was instantaneous.
He sighed loudly, his shoulders drooping in relief as he eased into my touch. A look of peace swept across his handsome features as he closed his eyes. “There is something that I’m worried about though,” I admitted, chewing on my lip as he looked at me.
I watched his gaze drop to my mouth and smiled. No matter how eager I was to feel his lips on mine again, there were more important things that we needed to talk about.
“What?”
“What if Sunny was right? I don’t know anything about being a luna.” I gulped, the words feeling like sandpaper in my throat. “All I’ve ever known is how to be a warrior. What if I can’t do it?”
“Shade.” He shook his head, pulling away from my touch as he sat back on his heels. “Lunas come in all shapes and sizes. You are kind, caring, protective, and loyal. I have no doubt that with a little time and maybe some training, you’ll be exactly the luna that Harvest Moon needs.”
“But what about the pack?” I asked. “What if they can’t accept me because of what I am? Thunder Moon feared me. What if Harvest Moon does too? Not everyone is going to see me the way you do.”
“Well, I hope no one ever sees youexactlythe way that I do,” he teased, giving me a flirty wink. “You’re my mate. I don’t want anyone else thinking the things I do when I look at you.”
“Caelan,” I replied, rolling my eyes. “Be serious.”
“I don’t know how the pack is going to react, Shade,” he sighed. “But I promise they won’t be like Thunder Moon. My pack is very welcoming and accepting of all walks of life. Most will probably be happy for us. But whatever happens, we’ll figure it out together, okay?”
He cupped my face, his hazel eyes intense as he gazed at me. “All that matters is that you’re my mate and the only one I want to be with. So, what do you say, Shade? Will you do me the honor of becoming my luna?”
I smiled, nodding even though I wasn’t sure I had what it took to lead a pack.
Caelan’s eyes brightened with hope. He grinned as he pulled me slowly toward him.
My breath caught as his lips hovered over mine.
“I’m going to need to hear you say it, Shade,” he whispered. “This is a big commitment, and I want to be certain you’re sure you want to do this.”
My fingers curled into his shirt, pulling him against me as I murmured, “Yes, Caelan. I want to be your luna and your mate.”
I kissed him, feeling his excitement race through our bond as we embraced.
Suddenly, Caelan swept me up into his arms, lifting me off the couch with ease. He spun around a few times, causing a small giggle to slip past my lips.
“Nowthatis my new favorite sound,” he breathed, beaming as he set my feet back down on the ground.
He sighed deeply, resting his forehead against mine, and I placed my hand against his cheek, feeling the soft stubble graze my palm. He shivered.
“You’ve made me the happiest wolf in the whole world,” he whispered.
“I doubt that,” I replied, sure that my own joy might rival his. “So, what happens now?”
He sat down, settling me into his lap.
“Well, we’ll introduce you as my mate and initiate you into the Harvest Moon Pack. After that, you’ll meet with my mother for luna training. We can hold off on the ceremony officially naming you until you’re ready, but my father will want to know that you’re at least preparing to take over for her.”
I cringed, wondering how Luna Maty would feel about a cursed omega taking her place. I knew Caelan said she had known whoI was for a while, but that didn’t necessarily mean she was ready to pass down her title to someone like me.
“My father has been planning their retirement since I graduated from high school,” he continued, shaking his head with a chuckle. “In the meantime, there are other traditions we need to observe. After I introduce you as my mate to the pack, there will be an opportunity for others to challenge my right.”
“Challenge?” I questioned.
