“What about Marigold? Does your mom know about her situation?” June asked, curious. She couldn’t imagine any mother wanting to be away from their child in such a state. Of course, she didn’t have much experience to go off on other than how her Aunt Lenore used to dot over Dani, her, and Bran when they were ill as kids.
“What can she do that I haven’t already tried?” Donovan retorted with an eerily calm façade.
June could tell that the alpha didn’t want to talk about his family anymore and turned to Thelma, asking, “How long have you lived in Ashby?”
At the change in topic, the blonde perked up, looking relived as she smarted, “What told you I’m not native? My accent or fiery disposition?”
June pretended to think it over. “Definitely your disposition.”
“It’ll be thirty years this August,” Thelma disclosed. “Roji and I met while he was road tripping across Europe. The van he was renting broke down outside my family’s bakery in Wales. He came inside looking like a drowned cat that had seen better days. He knew I was his the second we saw each other. He stayed in town even when the van was repaired and a week later, after he told me his secret, we eloped. I still remember my mother’s face when I came home with a ring on my finger.”
“You weren’t born a shifter?”
“Nope, I’m a turned outsider,” Thelma answered and jerked a thumb to Harper, “so is that old bag.”
“Call me that one more time today and I’ll give you the ass kicking of the century,” Harped seethed.
“Promise?” Thelma grinned, quirking a brow. “Bring it, old bag.”
Harper responded by yanking her glasses off and tucking them into her shirt pocket. She rounded the island with determination in her eyes as the other women shared a look. Kelly sighed and stopped Harpers advance by wrapping her arm around the other woman’s chest.
“Alpha, do you mind getting Roji and Larry?” Ann piped up from where she stood, annoyed. To June, she said, “Don’t mind them, Luna. This happens all the time.”
Donovan nodded and as his eyes glowed as he used the pack mind link. When his eyes returned to normal, he addressed the room, “They’re on the way.”
Harper was less than pleased about this. She broke out of Kelly’s grip and crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at Thelma. “One day, I swear to the moon, I’ll give you what you deserve.”
“Promises, promises,” Thelma tutted.
Before Harper could retort, two older men barreled into the room, both out of breath. June stopped herself from laughing when the Indian man’s eyes snapped to Thelma. Exasperated, he huffed, “Are you serious? I left you alone for twenty minutes!”
“I can’t help it, Roji!” Thelma shouted and pointed to Harper. “Just look at her!”
“You won’t have to look at me anymore when both of your eyes are swollen shut!” Harper threatened.
The white-haired man, Larry, shared a look with Roji who nodded. Larry went to Harper’s side, taking her hand in his. He guided around the back of the island, out of Thelma’s reach. “Alright, that’s enough for today. How about we take a walk in the garden, dear?”
Harper muttered a string of profanities but didn’t protest as he led her out of the kitchen. When they were gone, Thelma exhaled. “Thank the goddess. That woman is senile.”
Roji groaned as he come over to his mate’s side. He opened his mouth to speak but then his eyes landed on June. “Are you new?”
“June is my mate,” Donovan answered.
“You’re the…wow.” Roji’s eyes went wide. “Oh. OH! I am so sorry if that came off as rude. I never imagined I would ever meet the True Luna in this lifetime. It’s an honor.”
June felt her face blaze from the attention she was getting. “It’s great to meet you, too, Roji.”
The older man smiled softly, and his eyes twinkled. “Thank you, Luna.”
Donovan saved them from having to make small talk when his eyes glowed for the second time in ten minutes. “That was Creed. Dinner is ready to be served in the ballroom.”
June froze. Donovan had told her about dinner, but she had assumed it would be a small affair. Having it in the ballroom sounded like a big deal.
Thelma clapped in excitement. “Our first dinner with the True Luna! I don’t think life gets more exciting than that!”
June almost swayed and was grateful that Donovan was there to hold her up. Her feet wanted to take her far away but the heels she wore suddenly felt like shackles tying her to the floor.
“Can my mate and I have the room, please?” Donovan asked, his tone while polite left no room for discussion. “I’m sure you all want to find a good table before Creed notifies the rest of the pack.”
“Of course, Alpha,” Roji nodded, speaking up for everyone in the kitchen. Without hesitation, they shuffled out of the room, the women offering June kind smiles.
Thelma was the last to exit, her hand found June’s shoulder, squeezing it tenderly. “Don’t be scared dear. You’re the luna.”
June responded with tight nod attempting appear confident but dropped the act when she and the alpha were finally alone. Her mind was a vortex of anxiety. Out of habit, she started scratching her arm but was stopped when Donovan her hand. She stared at his finger wrapped softly around her wrist, admitting, “Crowds make me nervous.”
She froze as he cupped the side of her neck, his thumb making small circles on her skin. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’ll keep you safe.”
“You won’t let them eat me alive?” June tested. Her eyes closed as his lips moved over her eyelids and cheeks. With each tender kiss, her body relaxed until she was nothing but putty in his arms.
“Never.”
/CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO/
Donovan’s hand clutched June’s as they stood outside the closed doors of the ball room. Despite the smile she forced her lips into, blood roared in her ears. The last time she had been in front of a crowd, she had ended up face down in the dirt with a bullet in her back. While she knew that that wasn’t going to happen again, acid pooled in her stomach and her shoulder ached with phantom pain.
She was also beginning to realize that this was a lot worse than Dani’s execution. Back at the complex, no one expected much from her. If June disappointed them, it was no big deal. Here, however, she was labeled as their savior. Even if she didn’t believe in the prophecy, the thought of letting the shifters down made her nauseous.
“Remember what Thelma told you,” the alpha said and squeezed her hand twice. “You’re the luna, June.”
“Right, got it,” she muttered, the words doing nothing to calm her racing heart.
“Nope, that’s not good enough,” Donovan stated. His eyes pinned her in place, commanding, “Say it back to me.”
June thought he was joking but when he didn’t laugh, she conceded with a sigh, “I’m the luna.”
“Sorry, I didn’t catch that. What’d you say?”
Realizing he wasn’t going to give up easily, June held her chin high. This time, she let the words come from her chest, confidently claiming, “I’m the luna.”
“Without a doubt,” Donovan confirmed. “Ready?”
“Yeah.” June nodded, feeling more at ease than she was five seconds ago. As much as she disliked acknowledging the freaky bond between her and the alpha, having him at her side was the equivalent of being swaddled in a warm blanket.
Donovan’s eyes flashed and a second later, the doors to the ballroom were pulled opened. The first thing June took note of was the grandeur of the room. The vaulted ceiling hosted a crystal chandelier that made the gold trim along the white walls shimmed with elegance. The marble floors were swirled with obsidian that contrasted with the long red rug that stretched from the entrance to the front of the room. It stopped at a table that rested on a raised platform where Creed and Thalia waited with narrowed eyes.
June turned away from cold stares to observe the crowd.
The pack sat at round t
ables covered by black tablecloths and white roses in clear vases set in the center. Tucked among the flower petals were small golden lights that shined like stars in the low light.
Chairs scarped against the ground as the pack stood in unison. It was eerily quiet, making June hold her breath as she and Donovan stepped into the room. With each table they passed, the shifters tilted their necks to the side, exposing their jugulars.
June tried to keep her eyes forward, but it was impossible. She had never witnessed this kind of loyalty before. There were no traces of fear reflected in the eyes of the those that met her gaze.
At the front, although she didn’t need it because it was one step of the ground, Donovan helped her on to the dais. Stepping up beside her, she let him pull her into his side while his voice filled the room, “My pack, my family, I gathered you all here today to address the rumors circling Ashby. As all of you know, I have never been interested in choosing a mate. Unlike my ancestors, I believed that the goddess would grant me what I deserved. If that meant spending my life alone, so be it. However, I am grateful to say that I was wrong.
“For a hundred years, alphas have not been bestowed the gift of having a true mate. Without the guidance of a born luna, wars have been waged and countless packs have been erased from history. Because of our suffering, many have cursed the creator and banned her religion from being practice. Today, it’s my honor to tell you all that this era is over. In the name of Nyx, we welcome June Gilley, the missing part of my soul, and the True Luna, into our home and our hearts,” Donovan finished.
A hundred pairs of glowing golden eyes looked upon June. The crowd was one as they declared, “Resurrecto ut luna.”
“Rebirth of the moon,” June quietly translated.
With that, Donovan guided her around the table. Thalia and Creed bent their necks as the alpha pulled out the empty chair in the middle of theirs. Dropping June’s hand, he sat and then patted his lap. Getting the gist, June gaped at scoffed sharply, “Seriously? Were all the chairs taken?”
The alpha shrugged and patted his lap again, smirking. With a promise to lecture Donovan about gender equality later, June huffed and sat down in defeat. She kept as much distance between the two of them, half off his lap, but apparently that wasn’t good enough for the alpha. His hands found her hips and he pulled her backwards so that she rested against his chest.
A rush of heat had her heart rate spiking. She faced the front again, flames heating her cheeks as Donovan…little Donovan that was, went stiff beneath her.
His voice was strained when addressed the room again, practically choking, “Please, everyone sit and join me and my luna in celebration.
She gripped the arms of the chair with white knuckles as the pack obeyed. When their conversations replaced the silence, and once she was sure no one could hear her, June turned to glare at the alpha from over her shoulder. “For the love of everything holy, can you please control yourself?”
“Definitely trying,” Donovan grunted, his composure slipping. Hie jaw was clenched, and his eyes were sparking. Breathlessly, he groaned, “We’ve haven’t been this close in a while. It’s making my wolf go on a rampage.”
“Well, tell him to chill out,” June dictated, feeling stupid for sounding perturbed. A low chuckle had her head snapping to Creed who was doing nothing to conceal his amusement. The inferno raging inside her grew as she snapped, “I swear to God, I’m not below throat punching you in front of all these witnesses.”
The gamma held up his hands in surrender. “My apologies, Luna.”
June rolled her eyes at his formality, knowing he said it out of showmanship for the alpha. She was about to comment on it when Donovan’s warm breath caressed her neck. Her lungs stopped working when he wrapped an arm around her midsection and rested his chin on her shoulder. June’s voice shook as she asked, “What are you doing?”
“Relaxing,” Donovan answered gruffly, inhaling deeply.
“Lovely,” June muttered and turned to Thalia, the only person at the table who had yet to annoy her. “How long do we have to stay here?”
“Usually until dinner is over but given the circumstances, it’s going to be a long night,” the beta said dryly, not looking up from her phone as she leaned back in her seat. “Everyone’s falling over themselves to talk meet the new luna.”
June sighed. Not for the first time, she wished she had a phone. At least then she wouldn’t have to sit here with nothing to do other than listen to Creed and Donovan discuss the ways they could improve pack security.
As if summoned by her thoughts, a wave of waiters dressed in white button-down shirts and black pants flooded the room. Her interest peaked as she stared at newcomers, inquiring, “Are they from the pack?”
“No, they’re humans from a small city few hours from here,” Donovan answered. “The pack used to have omega servants, but that ended when I became alpha. Now we hire a small catering business for all of our events.”
“Isn’t that risky? What if they see something they shouldn’t?”
“Most of them here tonight have worked with the pack for years. They know that we’re not dangerous,” Donovan countered, “besides, who would believe them? The hunters already know about Ashby. Why should we hide?”
He had a point, but it was feeble.
The very reason behind the organization was self-preservation, to entail the continuation of humanity. The hunters were born from those that had witnessed something they couldn’t comprehend. They turned their fear into destruction.
She contemplated whether she should tell him when a waitress stopped by their table. The blonde flounced by quickly, leaving two uncorked bottles of dark red wine and four glasses in front of June.
Never one to pass up a free drink, June reached forward and filled one of the glasses halfway. She held it out to Donovan. “Wine?”
He waved her off. “Not tonight. There’s still some work I have to get done after dinner.”
“More for me,” June shrugged, taking a sip. The taste hit her instantly, making her cough as she swallowed down the ghastly liquid. She would’ve choked if Donovan hadn’t patted her back. She put a hand on her chest as the liquid forced its way down. “Why the hell is it so bitter?”
“That would be the wolfsbane,” Creed chimed in as he grabbed a bottle and glass for himself.
June smelled the wine, and sure enough, it had the same faint scent as the air back in Asylum. “I didn’t realize shifters like to roofie themselves.”
“It’s a low dose,” Donovan said. “It would take an entire bottle to get one of us buzzed. I promise it’s safe to drink, even for humans.”
Weighing her options, June decided getting slightly drunk was better than sitting through dinner bored out of her mind. She quickly downed the wine, blocking out the taste. While on her second glass, she was surprised to find that the bitter tones were growing on her.
“Easy there,” Donovan remarked, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear, “it’s stronger than what you’re probably used to.”
She took another sip, unsure whether she was proving a point or trying to ignore how he was wrapped around her body, scoffing, “I can handle my alcohol.”
But, as it turns out, she could not.
When the servers through the service door thirty minutes later with the main entrée, June had switched positions on the alpha’s lap. She sat sideways, with one arm around his neck, and her feet pointed towards Thalia. Lazily, her fingers danced across Donovan’s chin and to his nose, tapping it twice. “Bop.”
“June, what are you doing?” he asked, turning away from Creed to give her the same wary look he had been sporting for the past half hour.
“Um, I’m bopping you,” she slurred. Her finger tapped his nose four more times before he gently grasped her wrist, pulling her hand away from his face. “Hey!”
Donovan ignored her, his eyes going to the empty wine bottle on the table. “For the love of the goddess, please tell me you didn’t
drink all of that by yourself.”
“I did,” she sang and put her face close to his, “kiss me.”
“June—”
“Kiss me.”
“Can you please—”
“Kiss. Me,” June commanded, unrelenting. She stayed put until he gave in, placing a chaste peck on her lips. Not letting him get away so easily, she tangled her fingers through his hair and pulled him towards her.
Donovan’s lips were stiff against hers as he freed himself from her grip. He both her hands in his while addressing Thalia, “Go get her cousin, please.”
She watched Thalia put her phone away and rise without complaint. The beta’s form was fuzzy as she disappeared amongst the sea of circular tables. Turning back to Donovan, June ruefully admitted, “I might…may…may be drunk a little bit.”
“You think?” Creed asked.
Anger flooded June and her head whipped towards the gamma. “I wasn’t talking to you, asshat!”
“Hey now, June, baby, look at me,” Donovan pleaded as his hands grasped her face, turning her head so that she had no choice. “Dani will be here soon and she’s going to bring you home, alright?”
June’s brows furrowed and she pulled her hands out of his. With blurry vision, she watched as they messed with the collar of the alpha’s shirt. “I want you to take me home.”
Genesis: (Book One of the True Luna Series) Page 18