CROWNED AS THE RUTHLESS ALPHA'S CELESTIAL LUNA

COUNCIL

HEIDI’S POV

Taking the warm white ceramic mug directly from his large hand, the dark liquid smelled completely intoxicating, and a cautious sip proved that he actually brewed the coffee perfectly to my exact preference.

The rich flavor coated my tongue, providing an immediate burst of much-needed caffeine to start the busy day. Because I expected him to act like a traditional and arrogant pack leader, his willingness to stand in a kitchen and cook breakfast for me felt incredibly surprising and highly appreciated.

"You actually make a wonderful cup of coffee, Alpha, and I would love my eggs cooked over easy with a side of crispy bacon," the request left my mouth smoothly while I walked further into the bright kitchen.

Pulling out a tall wooden stool located right next to little Leo, my body settled onto the comfortable seat at the marble kitchen island. Leo looked up from his coloring book and smiled widely at me, completely ignoring the crayons scattered across the counter. He looked much better after a full night of sleep, and the dark circles under his brown eyes had vanished entirely.

Kurt nodded his head to acknowledge my request, and he turned his massive body back toward the stainless steel stove. He cracked three fresh eggs directly into a hot metal skillet, and the loud sizzling sound filled the quiet room while the clear egg whites quickly turned solid. While he monitored the cooking food, his broad shoulders flexed under the thin fabric of his gray shirt, and his thick arms moved with practiced efficiency.

After a few minutes had passed, he used the metal spatula to slide the perfectly cooked eggs, several slices of thick bacon, and three large pancakes onto a clean white plate.

He carried the heavy plate across the hardwood floor and placed the warm food directly in front of me on the marble counter. Instead of walking around the island to sit in a separate chair, Kurt leaned his tall frame against the edge of the counter right across from me. He crossed his muscular arms over his broad chest, and his dark eyes locked intensely onto my face while I picked up a silver fork and knife to cut my pancakes.

"You were incredibly bold last night when you stood outside your bedroom door, Heidi, and you completely caught me off guard when you pulled my shirt," Kurt spoke in a very low, deeply sensual tone that made my stomach flutter nervously. "However, you should know that playing games with a very hungry wolf is an extremely dangerous activity, because I will not always let you run away and hide behind a locked piece of wood."

Chewing a small bite of the sweet pancake, my jaw moved slowly while I processed his dark warning. I swallowed the delicious food and took another long sip of my hot coffee, completely refusing to let his possessive words intimidate me in front of his son.

"I am not playing any games with you, Kurt, because I simply expected you to keep your promise about proving your loyalty," the sassy response slipped from my lips while I cut a piece of crispy bacon with my silver knife. "If you cannot handle a simple challenge from a wolfless girl without losing your strict control, then perhaps you are not the terrifying Warlord you claim to be."

Kurt chuckled deeply, and the low sound vibrated pleasantly through the warm air of the kitchen. He uncrossed his arms and reached his large hand across the marble surface, gently pushing a stray lock of dark hair behind my left ear. His thick fingers lingered against the sensitive skin of my neck for several long seconds, and the intense physical chemistry between our bodies spiked dramatically once again.

"I have complete control over my actions, Heidi, but you are deliberately pushing my boundaries to see exactly what I will do," Kurt whispered, dropping his voice so little Leo could not hear his intense words.

"You can tease me all you want during the day, but eventually you will realize that I always play back, and I absolutely never lose a challenge."

A deep blush started to form heavily on my cheeks because his intense gaze carried a massive amount of physical desire, yet the highly domestic atmosphere of the morning kept the situation entirely grounded.

We spent the next twenty minutes eating our breakfast together in comfortable silence. Leo finished his food quickly and asked for a glass of apple juice, which Kurt poured immediately and handed to the young boy. I ate every single bite on my plate because the eggs and bacon tasted absolutely perfect, and the stressful events from yesterday made me incredibly hungry.

Just as I picked up my white napkin to wipe my mouth, the peaceful domestic energy inside the large kitchen shattered completely. The heavy wooden doors swung open violently, hitting the hallway walls with a loud banging sound. Jason rushed directly into the room, and the sharp sound of his heavy boots stomping across the hardwood floor indicated a highly urgent situation. The Beta looked incredibly tense, and he did not even apologize for interrupting our quiet morning meal.

"We have a massive problem developing right now, Alpha," Jason announced loudly while stopping near the edge of the marble island. "The patrol guards stationed at the southern border just sent an emergency radio transmission to the security office. When we threw Robert, Susan, and the three senior elders out of the territory last night, those three elders did not leave the region quietly. They walked directly across the southern border and sought an immediate audience with Alpha Thomas of the Blood River pack."

Kurt immediately dropped his relaxed posture, and his entire body went completely rigid. The heavy, suffocating pressure of his dominant aura flared aggressively into the room, causing the coffee inside my ceramic mug to ripple slightly from the sheer physical force of his sudden anger.

"Tell me exactly what those useless old men did when they reached the Blood River territory, Jason," Kurt demanded in a harsh, deadly voice while his hands curled into tight fists at his sides.

"They told Alpha Thomas that you claimed a wolfless runt as your Luna, and they convinced him that your decision completely violates the ancient supernatural laws," Jason explained quickly, his facial expression remaining completely serious. "Alpha Thomas is incredibly arrogant, and he always wanted to conquer our lands. He is currently standing at the southern border right now, and he brought over two hundred heavily armed warriors with him. He is officially demanding that you hand Heidi over to his guards immediately so he can deliver her to the Supernatural Council for judgment."

"He wants me to hand my destined mate over to a group of arrogant fools?" Kurt growled loudly, and the terrifying sound echoed dangerously throughout the large kitchen. "Thomas is a completely pathetic excuse for an Alpha, and I will tear his head straight off his shoulders for daring to threaten my family. Tell the security forces to prepare the vehicles right now, Jason, because we are going to slaughter every single warrior standing at that border."

Jason nodded his head firmly and turned his body to walk out of the kitchen, fully prepared to execute the violent orders. Kurt started to follow his Beta toward the hallway, completely intending to leave the estate and start a massive war in the dirt.

Reaching out my hand quickly, I grabbed my ceramic mug and finished the last few drops of my black coffee. I set the empty cup down onto the marble counter with a loud, definitive clicking sound, and I stood up from the tall wooden stool. I smoothed the wrinkles out of my dark denim jeans and adjusted the sleeves of my black shirt, maintaining a completely calm and unbothered posture despite the sudden threat of violence.

"Jason, please tell the security forces to prepare an extra seat in the main vehicle," I ordered loudly, completely halting the Beta in his tracks near the open doorway. I turned my head and looked directly into Kurt's angry dark eyes, refusing to let him fight my political battles without me. "I am absolutely not going to sit inside this house and hide while some arrogant Alpha demands my arrest, so I am going to the southern border with you right now to speak with Alpha Thomas face-to-face."