HIS SPECIAL SECOND CHANCE LUNA

Chapter seven

Brian turned to see one of the cooks watching him closely.

The she-wolf studying him was an omega but well in her prime, giving her an aura of experience and elevating her status somewhat even toward a beta like him. Brian gave her a respectful nod.

She pressed her lips together before asking, "Just what do you want with her? She doesn't like playing games, especially the ones you want to play."

Brian grimaced at her candor before turning his head to show his mark. He thought the gesture would be enough, but she continued to study him unimpressed.

"I'm just confused," Brian finally said. Maybe he could glean some much needed information, "Why are the pups in here and not outside?"

"Because our Luna doesn't like pups. She thinks they get in the way."

"But pups are a pack's future."

"Not according to her."

Brian frowned.

Alpha Carlos was still young by werewolf standards, so there was no reason for him to feel rushed into securing a mate. He didn't have to wait as long as Aaron, but certainly he could have given it a little time. Jessica was certainly no fit for a Luna.

"Hope takes care of those pups like she is their mother," the omega continued. "She's sweet and gentle, so I won't tolerate you playing around with her."

"I promise you, I have no intentions of doing that."

The cook watched him a moment longer before returning to her duties. Brian hesitated but slowly sidled back to the door as the pups finished their supper.

"Miss Hope! Tell us a story!"

"Yeah! Story time!"

Hope chuckled as she gently cleaned the two-year-old's face, "And what kind of story would you like?"

"An adventure story!"

"A story about kids like us! Adults are boring."

"A scary story!"

"Oh my, that's a tall order," Hope laughed. "Let's see...how about Treasure Island? I haven't told you that one yet, have I?"

"What's it about?"

"Well, it's about a treasure hunt."

The pups shared dubious looks.

"It has adventure on the high seas, about a young boy just your ages...and it has scary pirates!"

"Okay!"

Hope chuckled, urging them to settle down. When all was comfortable she started, "Once upon a time in a small English town..."

***

Aaron struggled to keep his irritation in check as Carlos continued to drink heavily. Jessica flashed him flirty smiles and tried to play footsie under the table. The only thing keeping his wolf under control was Brian's continuous update of his mate's activities.

Aaron could almost picture the scene as Hope and the pups crafted their stars then pretended to camp around their campfire. By the time she related the plot of Treasure Island, Ray was practically purring.

'Mate is amazing!'

'Agreed.'

Aaron sighed, looking out across the patio with a relaxed smile. Her scent still lingered in his nostrils. What he wouldn't give to trade places with Brian to watch over her himself.

A pressure on his leg caused his skin to prickle, bringing him out of his thoughts. His eyes shifted to his host, where Jessica sat smirking.

He could feel her trying to mind-link him, but Aaron shut her out, changing position so he was out of her reach. Ray stirred with a growl. How dare anyone interrupt their fantasies about their mate?

As the party wound down, couples began to disperse. Aaron assumed they were retrieving the pups to take them to bed. His suspicions were confirmed as Brian continued giving him updates.

Hope escorted the last pups to their own room within the packhouse before leaving through the back door and disappearing into the night.

Brian followed at a discrete distance, tracking her to a cottage.

Aaron was on the edge of his seat as Brian described the single-story structure surrounded by a cozy garden with the woods butted up against it. The windows were dark when she arrived and remained that way as she went directly to bed.

Brian prowled the perimeter not picking up any strong scents but hers. It seemed she lived alone.

Aaron frowned.

Not that he minded the fact his mate was not surrounded by unmated males, but it was unnatural for a she-wolf to live alone.

Shewolves generally possessed more gregarious natures than their male counterparts and preferred to live in proximity with one another.

Aaron guessed the cottage was her parents' home and where Hope grew up. The fact she was living alone meant they had already passed.

Ray whimpered in sympathy upset they hadn't found their mate sooner and would have been there for her during what was certainly a trying time.

But why would his mate continue to live alone so far from the others? Most in her situation would have moved into the packhouse to be closer to other she-wolves, their support and comfort.

"Looks like she's gone to bed," Brian commented. "What do you want to do?"

'Go to Mate!' Ray immediately demanded.

He would give anything to follow through with his instinct, but Aaron hesitated.

Waking her from slumber by suddenly appearing on her doorstep was sure to be confusing for her. No, he needed to talk to her. They needed time to get to know each other. But…

"I don't like leaving her out there alone so far away from the pack."

"Agreed," Brian answered. His pack's Luna needed to be protected at all times. It was an instinct he didn't dare fight. "What about a guard?"

Aaron hesitated.

Aside from Brian, the rest of his escort were unmated males, a fact that made Ray bristle. He didn't doubt the loyalty of his warriors, but he also couldn't fight his instinct to protect his unmarked mate from interlopers.

"What about Charles?" Brian suggested, knowing Aaron's thoughts.

Charles was a fierce warrior and a skilled fighter. He was also gay. Unmated or not, he would certainly be no threat to the bond slowly forming between Aaron and his mate.

"Good. Have Charles meet you."

"Should I tell him why he'll be guarding a random she-wolf?"

"He's smart. He'll figure it out on his own. But yeah. Tell him to keep it to himself for now... At least until I can speak with her."

"Got it."