Choosing My Mate, My King

4. Pancakes and kisses

I woke up at the sound of moving plates and the smell of food. I couldn’t place it. I opened my eyes toward the door and noticed Lucas, trying to sneak in with two plates of breakfast and orange juice. I could smell the pancakes and syrup.

He saw me peeking. “Good morning, princess.” He picked up his pace and planted the breakfast on the bed.

“Did you make this?” I said with a smile.

“Would you believe me if I said yes,” he said with a smirk.

“No, I wouldn’t,” I said with a laugh.

Lucas wasn’t a kitchen princess. He couldn’t even make toast. We both suck at cooking honestly. It’s just that we are always spoiled by having Sarah around. There was no need to learn how to cook.

“What is the occasion for breakfast in bed?” I said, taking a bite of one of the delicious pancakes.

“Sarah actually insisted,” he said with a shrug.

I didn’t know why she would. But I had a feeling that she wanted something to happen between us. She knew that there is something here and that maybe we needed a push in the right direction. But she also knew I would never mark Lucas because there is a mate for him out there.

We finished our breakfast and got dressed. We still had a couple of hours to go before we would go into battle. But we needed to pick out the warriors we would bring with us and go over the plan.

We arrived at the training ground. Garret was already there. Because of his father’s position when my mother was Luna, it would be custom that he would get the same position. He has already proven himself to be worthy.

“Good morning, Luna, Beta.” Garret nodded. “I already made three groups, just as you explained yesterday.” He pointed to the three groups. He wanted to explain his decisions. But I stopped him.

“I trust you, Garret, but I do like to have Riley by my side,” I pointed out.

“Riley isn’t a skilled warrior,” Garret said with worry in his eyes.

“I know, Garret, but I need her other skill.”

Garret nodded in agreement. He made some other changes as well. I explained that he, Lucas, Riley, and I would wear special gear, so it would be wise to only shift when absolutely necessary. In the fabric, silver was woven, in such a way that it wouldn’t weaken us but would weaken and harm the opponent.

“You did good here Garret, thank you,” I said while placing my hand on his shoulder.

Garret was truly the best.

“Thank you, Luna,” he said while taking my hand that was on his shoulder.

I caught Lucas watching us, I looked over and saw Axel pressing forward. I let go of Garret’s shoulder. I pushed down the feeling that Lucas was jealous of Garret.

Lucas and I left the training ground. Garret was getting everyone ready and explained the plan to all the warriors. There was more combat gear and I told him he could choose. Only the best warriors in human form should wear it. I already sent out Sarah this morning to retrieve the gear from the elders. I came up with the idea a long time ago, I just didn’t know how we could make it.

Silver would harm us. So only the elders could make it. Lucas and I made sure everything was in place. That there would be extra patrol tonight because of the battle. I didn’t want to leave the pack unprotected. We discussed our backup plan if we need it. We went back to the pack house to eat some lunch.

I wasn’t hungry but I needed to eat. We didn’t know how long the battle would be. We were eating something simple. Sarah wasn’t here but she made something in advance. Grilled cheese sandwich with ketchup. It couldn’t get simpler than that. I could feel Lucas’ eyes on me, he wanted to ask me something. But didn’t.

“Stop, you’re making me anxious, what is it,” I said annoyed.

Lucas let out a sigh. “Why won’t you mark me?” His eyes not leaving mine, showing the pain inside. He wanted me to be his, he wanted to be mine.

He loved me and I loved him. His wolf edged to the surface, waiting anxiously, too.

“We both have a mate out there. You know a mate bond is sacred. I don’t want you to wake up one day and regret choosing me,” it pained me by saying this.

I wanted him too, but something in my gut kept me from choosing him. Or maybe I was being stupid by waiting for my mate to come along. Lucas would make a great Alpha.

Lucas dropped his shoulders. “Almost perfect.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, almost.”

We were perfect for each other, but the moon goddess had chosen differently for us.

We finished our lunch; we cleaned the kitchen a bit. Trying to pass some time. In only two hours we would begin our walk to Jackson’s land.

“Maybe we should get dressed already,” he said sensing my nerves he moved closer and pulled me in by my waist for a hug. “You don’t need to be nervous.”

I sighed and drowned in his gaze. Light green with a hint of gold. The gold bits were from his wolf. Always watching, just beneath the surface. I relaxed and rested my head against his chest, letting his scent calm me. I didn’t need to pretend around him. He could see right through every barrier I put around myself. I needed to be strong and fierce, a force to be reckoned with. He saw my sweet side, one that only a few would ever see.

I needed his comfort, his touch, I needed him so I could let myself go. Even if it was just a little bit. Let all the weight be lifted off my shoulders. The weight that you should share with your mate.

The weight of the pack shouldn’t be only on my shoulders but should be divided between Luna and Alpha. I never wanted to give up on my position. I was meant to be Luna. But I sometimes forgot about myself. Who was behind the face, the façade? Just me Aurora.

“Excuse me, you’re not alone in this,” Nyx snapped.

“What would I do without you,” I said to Nyx and Lucas.

A smile formed on his face; he had such soft kind eyes around me.

“Were you talking to me or Nyx?” he c****d his eyebrow, just before he kissed me.

I didn’t want this feeling to stop. I placed my hands around his neck and played with his hair. Nyx purrs vibrated in my chest, making Lucas chuckle against my lips before they parted. “We should change and make sure everything is ready.”

Tucking his hand under my chin and with his thump, he gently rubbed my bottom lip. Savoring this moment as I did.

I peeled myself away from him, noticing my arousal rising again, but we needed to focus.

“First time you don’t want to be late.” I smiled at him, wanting his touch again—his warmth. We both tried to snap out of the moment we shared. Every day we would have these. But since yesterday something changed.

We made our way to the hall when Sarah walked through the front door. “Oh, there you both are,” she said with the softest smile. “I got the clothes you requested, Luna Aurora.”

She handed us the clothing. It was beautiful. Black mesh, but very strong material. It felt light, but we could both smell the silver. Mine had red tones woven in the fabric just like my training gear. While Lucas’s had gold tones woven in the fabric. To match his wolf side. It is not as if my wolf has red eyes, but we do have red tones in our fur. Or Nyx’s fur.

I felt proud of what was created here. I smiled and looked up at Sarah. “Thank you, Sarah, did you bring the rest of the gear to Garret?”

Sarah nodded and replied, “Yes, of course, Luna.”

I looked over at Lucas, the nervous feeling I had earlier was no longer there. The feeling was replaced with excitement. Lucas felt the same, I could see it in his eyes. The hints of gold were even more there than before.

“Hmm he wants to fight,” Nyx purred in my mind.