Sleeping With The Moon Goddess

Heading Home

Camille

I was so grateful to be heading back home. Even though physically I didn’t feel tired, mentally I was exhausted. It took some time to convince Vander and Eli to take over as Alpha and Beta of the pack. They agreed to remain under the supervision of Blood Moon and follow along with the ways of our pack. In exchange, we will help support their pack financially and work with their warriors to train them into elites as long as Blood Moon can call on them when needed.

Alpha Vander and Beta Eli had been friends since they were young kids, so they knew they could trust one another and that they would work well together. I knew that, given time, they would earn the respect of the pack and be great leaders.

Since the day didn’t go as planned, it was now almost dark, and we still had a few hours left to drive until we were back home. The guys took turns driving and sitting next to me in the backseat holding on to me. Today was an emotional roller coaster and I think we all just needed to be close to one another; I just wish Ian was here with us.

I must have fallen asleep in Aiden’s arms because, next thing I know, he is whispering that we are almost home. I open my eyes and look out the window, I can’t help but sigh a breath of relief when I recognize the buildings as we drive past.

Damien finally brings the car to a stop in front of our house. Aiden grabs my bag along with his own and we all eagerly head inside.

As soon as we walk through the door, I’m immediately pulled into Ian’s arms.

“Thank Goddess you’re home, are you ok? Did you get hurt?”

I wrap my arms around him and just enjoy the feeling of being back in his arms.

“I’m fine, I promise.” I say as I snuggle into his chest. “It was you I was worried about, how are you feeling?” I still feel guilty for leaving him home alone to heal by himself.

“I’m good as new baby, you don’t ever need to worry about me.” He said as he kissed the top of my head. “I should have gone with you.”

Damien huffed hearing his remark. “Turns out she was the one who kept us safe instead of the other way around.”

Ian looked around, “What are you guys talking about?”

After everything that happened at Fallen Leaf, I guess no one updated Ian on what we had walked into. Oh boy, he wasn’t going to like this.

“Why don’t we go soak in the jacuzzi for a bit before bed and I will tell you everything?”

Ian hesitated, guessing that he wasn’t going to like hearing whatever it was we weren’t saying.

“And this is where I head to bed. We have a lot of work to do so I’m going to head into the office early.” Aiden said as he came over and kissed me. “Good night princess, come into the office tomorrow whenever you’re ready.”

I kissed him back and after saying good night, he headed up stairs. Damien, Ian and I were short to follow. We headed into the bathroom, letting Aiden rest, and waited silently for the jacuzzi to fill up before the three of us got in.

Once we were in, Ian grabbed my hips and pulled me over to him so that I was sitting sideways on his lap and could rest my head against his chest.

“Alright, will one of you please tell me what happened?” He said, glancing down at me and over at Damien.

Damien thankfully spoke up and proceeded to tell Ian everything that happened after the challenge took place. How apparently, they had a plan to try to kill him and Aiden and to kidnap me for a high ransom, and then how the Beta tried to kill us all by having an Omega put poison in our tea.

As Damien talked, I could feel Ian’s anger rise, his body was becoming tense and his breathing deeper. I could feel his grip on me tighten as he tried to keep himself calm.

“But somehow, Cam knew what they were planning to do, and that’s why she acted as quickly as she did.” Damien’s voice softened, “If she hadn’t, I don’t know what could have happened today.”

Ian didn’t say anything for a while, I could feel him fighting his instincts. I could tell he wanted to yell at Damien, but knowing that what was done is done and there would be no point in arguing. He finally replied, “Don’t you ever keep me away like that again.”

It sounded threatening but Damien understood where he was coming from and simply nodded in agreement that he wouldn’t.

“I’m glad you’re home” Ian said now in a soft voice as he brought his hands up to my sides, wrapping me tighter in a hug.

“Me too,” I said turning my face so I could look up at him, “I missed you.”

“Oh yeah? Just how much did you miss me?” he said as he raised his eyebrows while giving me his best boyish, charming smile. Any trace of anger or fear, long gone from his face.

I couldn’t help but laugh, “I’d be happy to show you?”

* * * * * *

The next morning, I woke up in Ian’s arms to find Aiden already gone and Damien getting dressed. I stirred, waking up a sleepy Ian who protested with a groan.

“Time to get up, we have a lot to get done.” I whispered as I gently placed kisses along Ian’s jaw.

“She’s right about that” Damien said as he walked over and playfully pulled the blanket off Ian.

“Or we could have a repeat of last night?” Ian said with a smirk.

The images of Ian and Damien both claiming me last night in the jacuzzi flooded my mind.

“Hmmm, very tempting” Damien said as he leaned over Ian to claim my mouth with a passionate kiss, “but we do have to get going soon.”

“Hey, I was good to go but now I’m starting to side with Ian on this one” I said as I grabbed Damien’s cheek, bringing him back down for another kiss.

He returned my kiss with equal desire for a few seconds until he pulled back. He gave me a smile as he shook his head while he made his way into the bathroom to finish getting ready.

Ian and I soon followed, and within half an hour we were all heading into their office discussing plans along the way. We dropped Ian off at his floor, he wanted to check in with his contacts and see if they heard anything on the underground circuit and Damien and I continued up to his floor.

The doors opened and I could see Aiden at his desk searching through several stacks of papers. He looked tired, like he'd already been here for hours.

“Hi Princess” he said offering me a small smile. “Between everything this weekend, getting our new allied packs sorted and then, not to mention everything going on here that’s been falling behind, there is just so much to get through. We need to make sure to get our presence out there around our pack more so people don’t worry because our absence is getting noticed. Plus, I’m sure Silver Creek is aware now that we secured their Eastern border and so we need to . . . .”

The more he talked, I could see just how overwhelming everything was becoming. I walked over in front of him and sat down on his desk and just pulled him into my chest and held him against me, cutting him off.

He let out a deep sigh and wrapped his arms around me tightly, he let his head rest into the crook of my neck and just breathed for a few moments, calming himself down.

“How long have you been here?” I asked him.

“Awhile” he finally admitted, “I knew there was a lot to get done.”

“I know, let us help you.” I said softly as I rubbed my hands over his back.

Aiden was so strong, he cared so much for his pack that he would work himself into the ground to make sure that everyone else was taken care of.

“Come with me, let’s go get you something to eat and then when we come back, we’ll tackle everything one at a time. Together.”

I waited for him to protest, to tell me that he wasn’t hungry; but he didn’t. He simply stood and reached out for my hand, letting me lead the way.

Once we all had a proper breakfast and some coffee, we all sat down in their office to discuss the day. Aiden pulled me onto his lap, and I was more than happy to cuddle into him as we made plans.

Since my arrival at Blood Moon, Aiden and Damien haven’t been seen throughout the territory as much and Keegan or Lucas have been dealing with most of the pack issues. So, Damien and I divided up a list for each of us to address this morning. He would personally go visit some of the pack families that he knew while Ian and myself paid visits to the local schools and a few of the building's downtown. Aiden would focus on making arrangements for our new dealings with Fallen Leaf, Red River and Blue Mountain. We would then all meet back here in the afternoon to discuss Silver Creek, since we all agreed that Blood Moon must still come first.

Several hours later, Ian and I returned to the office with pages of notes from our visits about things that we promised to address and look into. Aiden and Damien were sitting off to the side looking at the map of all the local packs.

“Hey, you’re back. How did everything go?” Aiden asked as I walked over to him. He reached his arms out for me as I settled down on his lap.

“Everything went okay, I think?” I said, a little unsure. I was used to handling pack issues with my father, but we were a small pack. We didn’t have our own hospital or schools or buildings that we looked after for rent and utilities. There was such an array of things here that Damien and Aiden were responsible for. It made me appreciate them in a whole new light. No wonder they had elected Omegas to help keep things running smoothly.

“She did great”, Ian added with the confidence that I lacked.

“There is just so much that you guys deal with. I didn’t realize.”

“Well, that’s why there are two of us, princesses. A pack this large requires a lot of attention.” Aiden said, kissing my cheek. “Thank you for helping today.”

Damien cleared his throat, bringing the attention to him. “While you guys were out, we caught wind that Silver Creek is recruiting and bringing in rogues. I am not sure from where, but they are definitely planning something, and I think they are planning it soon.”

Aiden leaned down towards the map, “I have an idea. Since we’ve secured the Eastern Boarder, we know that they would not risk attacking or bringing rogues through this side, but that still leaves this whole area open” he said, pointing to the large Silver Creek territory as well as two packs that make up their Western border.

“If we can get these two packs on our side and get them to agree to stand with us against Ronan, then that would secure all of our borders except for the one,” now he pointed to where Silver Creek and Blood Moon bordered side by side.

“This would force any fighting to be done here, protecting our cities and pack members who live in the outskirts near the other borders. I say once we have this side secure, we take the fight to them instead of waiting for them to attack us.”

“I don’t know yet about taking the fight to them,” Damien replied deep in thought, “but I think keeping the fight limited to one side gives us the advantage we need. If we can get these packs to fight with us,” he said, pointing to the two packs that run along the Western side, “then we control most of their pack borders. I think we need to pay these packs a visit as soon as we can.”

“Which two packs are they?” I asked.

Aiden points to the closest one, “This is the Fire pack, run by Alpha Kable. He’s a good friend of the family and a respectable Alpha, but he does a lot of business with Silver Creek as well as us. I think getting him to declare a side and stand against Silver Creek could prove difficult.”

“But not impossible”, I add, trying to be optimistic.

“Especially not with Camille,” Ian added, shooting me a smile, “she can convince him.”

“I don’t doubt it," Aiden replied.

“Now this is the Stone Creek pack,” Damien added, pointing to the other pack. “Alpha Axel is not as kind, but he is fair. I at least know that he will hear us out, but I can’t say I know him well enough to know what he’ll do. If we leave tomorrow morning, I’d say we go to Stone Creek first and then visit Alpha Kable in the evening, because I know we will be welcome there. We can stay the night and come home early the following morning.”

“It’s a good idea,” Aiden replied, “but I don’t think we all should leave Blood Moon right now.”

“If Camille goes, then I go. You guys are not making me stay away again.” Ian was quick to reply.

“I think you three should go. I’ll stay here and get more of a plan together with Keegan and Lucas. I want everyone to be prepared for a fight.”

Damien looked over at Aiden, “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Ok, I’ll make the arrangements and we’ll leave early tomorrow morning.” Damien replied, nodding at Ian and me.

“Sounds good” Ian said, “I’m gonna get back to work so I don’t leave a mess for Keegan tomorrow.”

“Same, I need to go talk to Lisa and the others about today.” I replied, also getting up realizing I have a lot to do in only a few short hours.