Luna of Light

Actually, I took her

Dawson

She was going to be an even more powerful Luna than I had thought. I had almost knelt before her, and the only soul that I had ever bowed to before was my father, the former Alpha.

I glanced at her beside me in the black town car that Khason now drove at a much slower speed than yesterday, taking us back down to her city. It had taken us maybe twenty minutes last night to reach the edge of the forests. It had now been several hours since we left the pack house and we had only just reached the outskirts of the city. She bounced eagerly, face pressed to the window, as if she could see her father from here. My fingers itched to reach for her, to take her hand, to wrap her up in my arms and soothe her fears. But I resisted the urge, giving her space.

What if she doesn’t want to come back? I felt a wave of anguish. Of course, if my Luna did not want to return to the pack, I would have to stay wherever she was, abandoning our pack and giving up the Alpha to Khason. My very being clenched at the idea, but I already knew very well, between my pack and my mate, which one I could not live without.

You okay back there, D? Khason’s amber eyes were on me in the rear-view mirror.

Just drive, Khase. I responded dejectedly. I nodded in acknowledgement, steering the car through the downtown streets. Gaia continued bouncing as we stopped in front of her father’s building. Her fingers drummed her knee, exposed by the skirt of the dark blue sundress I had found for her to wear. She looked gorgeous. I wish I had the chance to tell her. I got out of the car and extended a hand to help her out beside me. Khase, loop the block, I’ll let you know when we need you.

Yes Alpha. He responded dutifully.

He really was a fantastic Beta. I let Gaia lead the way into the building. Her father’s scent was noticeable as soon as we stepped onto the elevators, but I imagined that was a common thing. Gaia continued to bounce as the elevator ascended.

“Breathe, baby.” I murmured quietly, feeling the slight hitch in her temperature that indicated the wolf was emerging. Unable to hold back any longer, I reached for her hand. Instantly she weaved her small fingers through mine, and I heard her exhale as she visible relaxed. My wolf roared with pride. See? See how good we are together, baby? We’re made for each other!

I rubbed small circles on the back of her hand as the elevator dinged floor after floor. I repressed my frustration as we finally slowed and stopped and the doors slid open. I let her pull away from me and dash through the small lobby, down the hall. I trailed after her, ignoring the confused expression on the receptionist’s face.

She ran down the hall and barreled into her father’s office. “Daddy!”

“Oh my God, Gaia!” I could hear the intense relief and surprise in the man’s voice as I approach slowly and stopped in the doorway, giving them a moment. Gaia threw herself at her father as he dropped the phone he had been holding and jumped up from his desk. He clutched her tightly, a lone tear sliding down his cheek. I averted my eyes.

“Where the hell have you been? I’ve been calling your phone non-stop! I called all of your friends, your school, everywhere I could think of!”

“I’m sorry, Daddy, I didn’t mean to just disappear. It…it’s complicated…” She pulled away as her father moved his hands to the sides of her face, eyes scanning her body for any sign of harm. I liked him. He seemed rather protective of her, and I liked anyone who understood how important it was that my Luna was safe.

He seemed to notice me in the doorway for the first time and his eyes widened in surprise. “Vargas! I…I’m so sorry, my receptionist didn’t tell me you were here! This…isn’t a great time, could we reschedule…?” He kept glancing at his daughter, as if she might evaporate.

She cleared her throat awkwardly. “Actually, Daddy, Dawson brought me here.”

I loved how comfortable she was becoming with my given name. The only people who used it so freely were my mother and Khason.

Her father gaped at her, and then back at me. “You…you found her?”

I sure did! And then… “Actually, I took her.”

He stared. Gaia glared at me, and I felt the warmth of her presence at the edges of my mind. I opened immediately, letting her in.

Maybe not the best way to break it to him?

I couldn’t suppress my grin. She was mindlinking me. I wondered if she even knew it.

I’m a ‘rip off the band-aid’ kind of guy. I responded sending a mental caress back at her. She looked slightly dazed for a moment and I could scent her becoming aroused. My body responded instantly, my wolf awakening with a surge of desire. I swallowed hard, forcing the feeling down. Now was really not the time. Easy, Luna. Focus. We can’t rip each other’s clothes off in front of your father.

Her cheeks turned a gorgeous pink and she returned her eyes to her father’s who was simply staring at her. “Gaia…?”

“Um…maybe we should sit down?”