The Pack Survives

[8] Closet Space

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Celeste’s POV

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    Waking up in the morning was surreal, to say the least. I woke up to a huge tattooed arm encasing my body making it hard to move. I tried to slip out from Evan’s grasp, but it only made him tighten his hold on me. I had to pee so bad unconsciously started whimpering. Evan’s eyes shot open and he lurched forward, throwing a protective arm across me and letting out a growl that vibrated the whole bed.

    “What is it? What’s wrong?” he began yelling, eyes shifting from blue to black, his fingers beginning to turn into sharp claws. Unfortunately for me, he was holding me down and I felt his nail’s start to press into my stomach.

    “Ev!! OW!!!”I cried out, seemingly ripping him from his half sleeping state. His eyes bulged out of his head practically when he noticed his hand and the speck of blood on my stomach, caused by his overreaction.

    “Oh Goddess, Celeste, I am so sorry. Please, please forgive me. I thought I was dreaming, I thought I heard you crying. I thought… I thought someone was taking you from me and hurting you. I was hurting you. Dammit!” He started rambling, jumping out of the bed and pacing the floor, letting out a stream of curses while he chastised himself and his wolf. I sat there stunned, and slightly amused. Before he had even gotten out of the bed I was healed. I mean, seriously, I had done more damage to myself just shaving! Regardless, I heal almost instantaneously…. Hello…. Vampire??

    “Babe…” I said chuckling. “It WAS me whimpering.” I saw hurt cross his features, turning swiftly into rage, but I stopped him before he could go off on a self-deprecating tangent again. “I was whimpering because your LOG for an arm was pinning me down and I have to PEE. You didn’t hurt me, see?” I had crossed the room and stopped in front of him, lifting my shirt….HIS shirt…. up over my hips and to the place that now held the faintest sign of a scar. Barely noticeable to the human or supernatural eye.

    “See?” I repeated. “I am fine. So if you are done being dramatic, move, or I am going to pee on the floor.” I stared dead panned at him not even blinking. His jaw loosened and his mouth dropped open. I took that as a yes and as I passed him to get to the bathroom, I could hear him start to chuckle. It started as a low snorting, just pushing out air but by the time I was done in the bathroom he was in full on hysterics. I walked out of the bathroom to find him on the floor laughing, tears just streaming down his face. He held his hand out to me motioning for me to pull him up, to which I obliged.

    His laugh was contagious. In no time I was cracking up in each other’s arms. I don’t know why it was so funny. Maybe because I told him I was going to piss on his floor? Or that I compared his arm to a log? Or maybe it was the stress of the last day taking it’s toll on each other, the adrenaline finally wearing off and we are just losing our minds. Whatever the reason, I could care less. The sound of his laugh is like a symphony to my ears. We kept on like that for who knows how long before finally pulling apart.

    “I need to get dressed Ev. I don’t even know where my bags are.” I said. My leather outfit and duster were ripped to shreds at this point and I was truly heartbroken about that. I could feel him shift slightly on his feet next to me and looked up at him. He looked… guilty?

    “Mind link babe. I am sorry I ripped your clothes. I will have them fixed I promise.” He said.

    s**t, I didn’t mean to make him feel bad! Before I could protest, his eyes glazed over and I knew he was mind-linking someone. Within a few minutes there was a knock at the door.

    “Come in Nic.” Evan replied.

    “Good morning Alpha! Luna! How did you guys sleep?” she said, practically dancing on her feet as she pushed through the door. Her eyes took in the disarray of the room and a smirk began creeping across her lips. “Well, well, well….. I see we got VERRY comfortable… huh?”

    A low growl came from the other side of the room where Evan was now seated on the large plush gray love seat. I liked this girl. She was just my type! I decided to play along in embarrassing Evan.

    “Well, you know what they say…. If you can’t mate them, join them!” I said with a full grin on my face. I looked from Nic, who’s expression was pure shock, to Evan’s who was purely MORTIFIED. Not a half a second later Nic was gasping for air, snorting with laughter. I couldn’t help it and joined in. We were holding each other up, and each time we looked at Evan we broke into fits of laughter again.

    “Ok enough! My god you girls are going to be the death of me! Thank the Goddess my sister isn’t here. Nic, please take Celeste’s clothes to the seamstress and advise that the Luna’s clothes need…. salvaging. In the interim, do you know where her luggage is?

    Nic and I regained composure and she quickly nodded. She might have fun with Evan, but he is her Alpha. “Yes Alpha, her bags are in your closet already. I had the assistants bring them in last night while you had your meetings.”

    “Thank you, Nic. I appreciate that!” I answered honestly. I didn’t think the wolves would have been so receptive to me being here, let alone their Luna. I have had little time to think of their feelings with everything that happened. It’s been only 36 hours or so since the attack and less than 24 since I arrived to survey the damage. Sensing my increasing distress, Evan requested Nicole take my clothes down right away and he called for someone to summon Norah and my parents for breakfast.

    “Come my love, lets get your bag and get ready for breakfast? What do you want to eat?” he said while escorting me to his huge walk in closet. I barely had time to register what his room looked like. I was staring straight ahead into a huge closet, the entire right side was suits, suits, suits. In the back was shelves filled with dress shoes, sneakers, and boots and on the left side of the closet was his casual where. Each section and shelf were lit. Suitcases and travel bags lined the top of the closet and in the middle of the room was an island. I walked over to it and ran my fingertips across the granite countertop that outlined the glass shadow box on top. It was like a case at a jewelry store. Inside were some of the most stunning watches, cuff links, chain necklaces and rings I have ever seen. I have never preferred jewelry on men, but this man was otherworldly.

    While I was admiring the room and ambiance it held, I felt a hot breath on my neck. “Like what you see, little cat?” My legs started to shake with the depth of his voice. I knew it was his wolf taking over. I had not realized I was bent over the case wearing nothing, and I repeat, nothing but his shirt. I whipped around planting a hard kiss on his lips. I stood on my tip toes and wrapped my arms around his neck, sliding my hand up into his hair and grabbing a fist full. “My clothes…. Where are they?” I whispered in his ear, surprised to hear a growl at the end of my sentence. I shook off the confusion when I felt his chest begin to vibrate. He was growling in response. I lit up. I love this. This reaction we have to each other. This is why the Goddess chose us to be mates. No one can make me feel this way.

    I was quickly ripped from my thoughts when his hand shot up the back of my legs, grapping my thigh and wrapping it around his waist. Before I could register that move, he repeated the action with my other leg. He effortlessly picked me up and placed me on top of the case I was previously fawning over and pushed his body between my legs.

    30 minutes later he was helping me up off the couch in the closet and showing me to my bags. He took me right there on the jewelry case. I will never look at his watches the same again! I glanced around and didn’t see my bags. He motioned for me to come forward and reached behind a pair of black leather shoes pulling a handle. He backed up and I instinctively followed him, confusion etched on my face for sure. Suddenly, the wall holding his shoes popped out and Evan pulled the door open to expose an entrance into another closet.

    I gasped. I found myself in a trance, walking through then threshold of a closet almost twice the size of the previous room. On a counter on the back wall I saw my bags, but I was distracted by the rows and rows of shoes. Converse, Vans, stilettos of all heights, colors and style. There were knee high, thigh high, ankle, utility and fighting boots. I ran my hands through some of the most luxurious fabrics I have ever felt and noticed some of them seemed to be older. Vintage even. I walked over to the wall that held purses, clutches, duffel bags for missions and wallets. I spun around on my heels and glared at Evan, a thought taking over my mind.

    “Who’s. Are. These?” I seethed. Would he really bring me into a closet full of clothes that his ex, possibly owned?? Could he be that belligerent??

    I saw confusion and then understanding cross his face, then it gave way to compassion. He felt bad for me! “Baby… stop… these are not my ex’s. Trust me. Yesterday I called out to my assistant and had her run out to the shops and pick out clothes and shoes for you. She went a little overboard, I am sorry about that. There are some items in here though, that are not yours. Not originally, and I hope that you will keep them. They were my mother’s…” he explained, his voice wavering when he mentions his mother.

    I was speechless. We had stayed up the majority of the night talking to one another when we weren’t making love. I told him all about my past, even including Micah, and he told me all about his ex, Anna. I wasn’t jealous then when he told me about her, but the thought of him hanging onto some other woman’s clothes just pushed me over the edge. I turned back to face the dresses that I presumed were his mothers and began inspecting them. They were exactly my size. They were elegant, princess like. Some were tea length, some were cocktail. Many of them were strait up ball gowns. Long sleeved lace, short capped sleeves, strapless and adorned with diamonds, crystals, gemstones.

    My eyes flitted across the room at another shelf where there was a single glass box. Inside laid the most precious head piece I have ever seen. A tiara made of gold, crystals glittering across band and beautiful massive diamonds at each arch. The piece pulled me to it, almost like a spell. My feet felt like they were gliding across the white carpeted floor. Instinctively my hands reached out to the box. Evan came up behind me hesitantly and leaned over, placing his chin on my shoulder.

    “It was my mom’s. It’s meant for the Luna of this pack. It’s been passed down from generation to generation. We don’t know how old it is. It’s said to possess magic, used to help a Luna guide her pack to strength and prosperity. It’s been in here since she died. All of her possessions, dresses and purses, that are deemed for Luna purposes are in here. That is, if the new Luna would have them?”

    I felt something splash on my forearm and looked down to find water. My fingers reached up and swiped across my now damp face. I hadn’t noticed I was crying. I ducked down slightly so I could turn and face him, not wanting to break physical contact with him. I stared into his eyes and I knew this was where I was meant to be.

    “I have spent the better part of my life on this earth resenting my place in it. Holding power over absolutely nothing. Training to be the strongest and most fierce fighter of my coven. I never felt that was to be my purpose. I have never felt like I belonged. And it is because I don’t. I don’t belong there , I never did. I belong here, beside you. With this pack. I believe I have trained all this time to be the strongest and most fierce Luna. Not to harm or scare them, but to protect them. To protect you. I would be honored to carry on your mother’s legacy. I promise to take care of her belongings, Evan. I am so grateful for them.” I said before pulling him down to my height, our lips meeting for a kiss. It was filled with passion, love, grief over his parents, fear of the unknown, but mostly happiness. I could feel a smile in his kiss.

    We broke apart, knowing we don’t have time to get lost in each other’s bodies again. I changed into a pair of jeans and a sweater along with a pair of ankle boots. He was dressed in a pair of blue slacks and a long sleeve shirt showing off his biceps, and a pair of brown boots. He was perfection. We joined hands and began walking to the kitchen when a thought crossed my mind. “Evan, doesn’t Erin want any of those belongings? I mean, she has Alpha blood. She will end up mated to an Alpha and will become Luna one day.”

    He let out a gruff chuckle and squeezed my hand. “No, hunny, she took most of what she wanted to keep. Regardless, you both look to be about the same size. I am sure now that you’re with her brother, she will have no problems raiding your closet! She has always wanted a sister!” That made me smile. Norah is the closest thing I have had to family. Erin is strong and independent. I have grown to love her already.

    We walked into the kitchen and the sight in front of me warmed my heart. My mother was with Nic and Erin cooking breakfast, Erin running around them all bringing plates of food out to the boys. At the large oak tables sat my father along with Brian, Eric and Clarence, sharing war stories and roaring with laughter. I looked up at my mate and his expression mirrored mine. Knowing I was looking at him he let out a small growl and I yipped in response. He scooped me up and carried me out to the kitchen, plopping me down next to my mother.

    “Oh my dear! You slept in so late I almost came to break down your door. Alas, Mi Amore told me to leave you alone.” She said with a pouty face that made me laugh. “Come on everyone! Chop chop! Breakfast is served!” I grabbed a plate full of steaming eggs and carried them to the table placing them between the bacon and sausage. There were warm fresh baked muffins, pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit, pitcher’s orange juice, apple juice and water and a carafe of coffee. 

    The boys jumped up and started digging in while Erin was yelling for them to leave some for the rest of us. I couldn’t move. I just stared at everyone at the table and smiled, never in my life feeling so content. No matter how happy I was, in this moment, I knew deep down something terrible was coming. And it was coming for me.