The Luna is a Royal Guardsman

The Grand Tour

Two months passed quickly, and a lot has happened in those 60 days. Becca gave birth to twins, and to everyone's surprise, they were a boy and a girl. Chris cried with joy when he saw them, although he was slightly disappointed they weren't a pair of girls. If my niece and nephew take after their parents, they are going to be a handful when they start walking.

Mom and I had a heart-to-heart after she arrived from the Palace. She was mad that I didn't tell her right away what had happened with the Crown Prince, but was very understanding and caring. She understood the conflict in me between my loyalty to the crown and my own sense of self-preservation. It's something that she understood very well.

She and I talked over the past few months about what to expect when mating an Alpha. She shared funny stories about how pig-headed Dad used to be and his clumsy attempts to win her over. She also shared his dismal performance of court etiquette at the first few balls they were invited to. It was hard to imagine my calm and composed Dad acting like a fool in his early years. Still, I suppose the criticism he received from the Lycan Court explained his loathing of Lycan society.

She also convinced me to go to therapy, which was a ridiculous idea for a werewolf to do so. Having a second voice in our heads was usually enough for werewolves to deal with trauma. But the constant night terrors that had my family waking up at 3 am from my screaming convinced me to go. Fortunately, Mom had a friend who was a wolf that had a Doctorate of Psychology and specialized in PTSD. We did our sessions via video chat, but since her office is in the city near Bloodstone Pack's territory, we will now continue our sessions face-to-face.

Mom also insisted that I visit the Oracle for guidance. I told her that I had already done so before I left the Palace. The Oracle actually wanted me to stay at the temple for 30 days for a cleansing ritual. I had refused since I needed to solidify the agreement. Mom scoffed at the idea that I needed to be "cleansed" when I did not sin. Still, the Oracle gave me instructions for a ritual she wanted me to perform every 1st waxing crescent at midnight. It would take longer than staying at the temple, but it should eventually have the same effect.

I let out a deep sigh as I looked up at the large mansion in front of me. It was gonna take a while to get used to. I got off my Ducati and removed my helmet. The people out front to greet me gave me a once-over. They acted as if they'd never seen a woman in black riding leathers. I shook out my helmet hair and fluffed my bangs back over my forehead. My hair grew out a little and was now a pixie bob, but I couldn't stand to have it any longer.

"I have sent out my crew to escort you and move your things here," Said Alpha Cole as he approached me, somewhat irritated. I smirked, seeing him tower over me and lean forward—such an Alpha thing to do.

"I know. My brother called me when I was halfway here to tell me they had arrived at Crystal Falls," I said. "I must have missed them on my way here. I just told them to bring my Mustang and the few boxes I packed that I was gonna move here later anyway."

"You were on your phone while riding that thing?" he asked incredulously. He must not have a lot of riders in his pack. I snorted. Obviously, I was supposed to swoon at his overprotectiveness, and not see it as controlling.

"There's a Bluetooth connection in my helmet," I said dully, rolling my eyes. "Safety first." Bite my butt.

"Ah, welcome LtCol Larson," said Beta Spencer, interrupting the display of Alpha dominance. "I hope you remember me. I'm Beta Jonah Spencer, but everyone calls me Spence. I'm glad to see you made it here safely. Delta Simmons and Gamma Benner are not here right now because they were part of the crew that went to pick you up."

"Nice to see you again, Beta Spence." I greeted him warmly. I gave Alpha Cole a sharp glare. This is how you are supposed to welcome a guest. "You can call me Min or Addie. Just don't call me Minuette or Minnie."

"Will do, Min. Why don't I have one of the Omegas move your motorcycle to the garage and have you come inside?" he said as he signaled to one of the people on the steps. I unzipped the front of my leathers to my stomach. I reached into the inner breast pocket to take out the key fob and toss it to the Omega. The Omega caught it but seemed to take a second to look where it came from. I heard a low growl from Alpha Cole, and I rolled my eyes. It starts. Ishtar’s fingernails, I'm going to have to give this Alpha a can of butt whooping.

"Be careful with my baby. If she gets a scratch, I'm gonna kill you," I say as I pat the Omega's shoulder. The Omega stood there terrified as I walked away. Thor's Bunion, can these people not take a joke? I look back and wink at him, but that causes another growl to erupt from Alpha Cole. I shook my head and walked toward the entrance. Yup, a big ol' can of butt whooping.

Alpha Cole leads me through the packhouse as the entourage of people follow behind us. Beta Spence starts giving the tour as we make our way around. It was a typical packhouse. A large community room and dining hall on the ground floor. A nice restaurant-sized kitchen as well, which most of the entourage dispersed into. It was there that the Head Omega and Delta Simmons's mate, Trisha, introduced themselves. They seemed like nice women, and their body language showed genuine welcome. Trisha seemed a little nervous, but that was to be expected. I can't believe such an i***t lucked out with having a decent person for a mate.

They took me to the grand staircase that led up to the second floor. That floor had a large conference room and several guest rooms for visiting people from other packs. It also had an elevator that served the other floors. Beta Spence went on to explain that the third floor houses some of their unmated warriors and vital staff for the packhouse. He then explained the fourth floor is divided into Beta, Delta, and Gamma wings. Finally, the fifth floor has the Alpha Wing and the offices of the ranked wolves. By the time we were done with the tour, only two other people were following us. They seemed like young Omega females in their early twenties. We stop in front of a huge door in the middle of the Alpha Wing.

"This is the Luna's room where you'll be staying," said Alpha Cole as he opened the door like a TV gameshow host.

I snort and walk into the room. It was huge. It looked more like a luxury suite than a room. There was a living area with a couch, coffee table, and what looked like an 86" QLED TV. I nodded in approval at the TV. There was a kitchenette and a bar nearby. The bedroom was actually in a separate area with a private bath. Also, there were two walk-in closets. Honestly, this room rivaled the Crown Prince's room at the Palace.

"So what do you think?" said Alpha Cole expectantly. He man must want me to fawn all over him and his "riches". Little does he know...

"I'm impressed, but this is too much. I honestly thought you were going to put me in a guest room until the Mating Ceremony. That's why I didn't pack much," I explained, dropping my modified military ALICE pack on the floor with a thud. "I also was expecting to walk into a pastel explosion when you said Luna's room, but I really like the color choices here." Might as well throw him a bone.

"Alpha Chris had let me see your room at your house before I left Crystal Falls," Alpha Cole replied proudly. "You seem to like gray and dark colors, so I had the Omegas redecorate your room." Should I be touched or creeped out? I am so going to make sure the twins are going to be Chris's only children when I get my hands on him next.

"Actually, Alpha Cole had them knock down some walls and expand the room for you." Interrupted Beta Spence. That earned him a seething glare from Alpha Cole. "It's been completely remodeled. This used to be a guest suite since we never had a Luna Room before."

"Oh, thank you. But I don't need so much room. I've lived a militaristic life most of my childhood because of my Mom, and I pretty much spend most of my time in the officer's quarters in the barracks on palace grounds," I say.

"You're going to be this pack's Luna, and I'm going to give you everything you need," Said Alpha Cole firmly. Okay, moving towards creeped out.

"I still say it's too much, but I'll accept knowing you guys put so much work into it," I replied calmly. I wonder if the man would get angry or burst into tears if I had said no firmly.

"My room is across the hall if you need anything. I assigned Dora and Penny to be your personal maids. They'll help you unpack your…backpack." Said Alpha Cole, looking down at my olive green pack. The two females who had been following us stepped forward from where they had been standing.

"I don't really have much to unpack," I say as I walk to the coffee table. "Besides, I don't think they should be handling my weapons."

I unzip every pocket on my leather and pull out knives from each one before I find my cell phone. I reach into my boots and pull out another pair. I place them on the coffee table as I pull them out one by one. I see the eyes of Beta Spence and the maids get rounder and rounder with each knife. I then unzip the front of my leather all the way and peel it off me. They seemed relieved that I was wearing a tank top and jeans under it. However, they were stunned again when they noticed my pocket Glocks in the holsters on both sides of my chest, and on both thighs. I pulled out each one, disengaged the magazine, slid the bolt back, and caught the bullet that popped out. I set everything on the table and take account of everything there. Alpha Cole just looked on impassively.

"Um…. I'll draw a bath for you, LtCol Larson," said one of the maids as she scurried to the bathroom.

"It's okay," I tried to call after her. I guess I'm taking a bath. I'm more of a shower girl.

"Um, I'm assuming you don't have an armory on your pack lands," I say carefully. "Maybe I'll turn one of the closets into a gun locker for the time being."

"It's your room. Do as you want. I have to get back to my office. Since we can't mind-link yet, here's my phone number. Text or call me if you need something from me; otherwise, you can tell your maids," he answered as he punched in his number on my phone after I unlocked it. He walked out of the room with Beta Spence following him. I know they are regretting letting me on their pack lands.

"Um…what was your name again?" I asked the petrified maid.

"Uh…uh, Penny, Ms.… I mean…LtCol Larson." She stammers. The poor girl looked at me like I was about to tear her limb from limb.

"Okay, Penny. When Delta Simmons and Gamma Benner get here, can you ask them to move the boxes here?" I asked her with the brightest smile I could muster.

"SSS....Sure. LtCol Larson." She replies with a stutter. She looked like a cage animal that didn't know whether to pass out or run.

"Please call me Min or Addie. I would like us to get along," I said gently. "Oh, please don't touch the weapons; I'll put them away. I think I'll use the closet on the left for weapons storage. Can you ask someone to put a heavy-duty lock on that door?"

"Yes…LtCol…. Ms. Addie," replied Penny. "I'll unpack your backpack in the other closet."

She tries to lift my ALICE pack off the floor and fails. I stifle a giggle and help her get it in the closet. I leave her alone to unpack after I reassure her that there aren't any hidden surprises in the backpack. I grab my weapons off the table and start stowing them away in the 2nd closet. What was Alpha Cole thinking giving me so much closet space? I hardly buy any casual clothes other than workout gear, and I definitely don't own that many pairs of shoes.

Dora, I assume, timidly pops her head in the closet and says, "The bathwater is ready."

I walk up to the giant bathroom next to the bedroom. It had a full-sized shower on one side. A double sink with a full-length mirror on another. One of those fancy Japanese toilets in a separate "room". And in the middle of it all was a deep bathtub that looked like it could fit 4 people. No wonder it took Dora so long to prepare the bath. It looked like she put in some bath salts or something flowery in the water. Hmm... maybe I'll enjoy this.

I stripped off my sweaty clothes, which were stuck to my body by then. I sighed as I sank into what felt like a private pool. It was the right temperature and the stuff in the water smelled nice. Maybe I could get used to this.