The Lunar Destiny Series

Chapter 14

Lio’s house was quiet as usual. Baltasar and Kyra were snuggled up on the couch watching TV when we came in. I was wondering what was up with those two because last I checked, Baltasar and Celeste had a thing going. I was going to do some snooping. Not now, but later. Oh yes, much later.

Kyra and Baltasar looked over at us with surprised eyes.

“Hey guys.”

I said, smiling faintly. They both got up from the couch and I knew they were coming to greet Lio. I stepped aside and let them do just that. When the formal “hellos” were done, Lio held his hand out to me and I came back to him. He held me by the hip against him and I placed my hands against his chest. Kyra smirked and crossed her arms.

“Well, aren’t you two cozy? Maybe you should’ve had some time alone a lot sooner.”

I blushed, completely embarrassed.

“Baltasar, I need everyone to meet out front in ten minutes.”

Lio said before looking down at me. Baltasar grinned before he left to pass on the message to the pack. Lisette came walking down the hall from the kitchen wearing a rose pink robe that gaped open to show that she wasn’t wearing anything underneath. The look on her face wasn’t too friendly. We all stared at her, ready for the worst.

She stood only a couple of feet away from us, her hands on her hips.

“Look who finally came back home.”

Lio’s smile had long since faded.

“Hello to you too, Lisette.”

Lio said flatly. Her attention came to me and she frowned.

“Why the hell are YOU here? Having him to yourself for four days wasn’t enough?”

She asked just short of yelling at me. I sighed and looked away from her because I wasn’t trying to go there today. My day was going well so far and I wasn’t about to let her ruin it.

“Lio? Well?”

She said looking up at him waiting for an answer. I couldn’t believe that even after her punishment the other day she was still being disrespectful to him. She didn’t even greet him when he came in. I had to give him props for continuing to put up with her.

“I wanted her here and that’s all you need to know. Go and wait for me outside with everyone else, Lisette.” He said firmly.

Lisette blinked those big green eyes at him as though she had heard him speak in another language.

“Why? What’s going on?” She asked, sounding confused and a little hurt.

“Do as I say Lisette, that wasn’t a suggestion, it was a command.” He said.

Lisette huffed as she went on her way. Kyra followed behind her without being asked. Lio looked down at me and his smile returned.

“Ready?” He asked, looking down at me, I nodded yes.

Lio and I went out to the porch and all of his people were standing on the front lawn waiting as he instructed. Githinji and Baltasar stood below us near the porch steps. Lio let go of me and stepped forward, closer to the steps. He looked around at his pack members, making sure everyone was present, I think.

“I’ve called everyone here for only one reason, and that reason is to swear my loyalty to Astraia. The pack is to recognize her as my future Teman Sejiwa. The females of this pack or any other wolf pack cannot challenge her for me, nor do any of you have a right to my bed from this day forward. And vice versa; the males are not to challenge me for her, nor will you ever.”

The last bit of that sentence wasn’t just a fact, it was a threat. I could see smiles on some of their faces; others were frowning and gritting their teeth. Lisette was amongst the displeased few, scowling at me. She began shoving her way through the other pack members trying to come up towards the porch, but Baltasar and Githinji barred her path.

“Get out of my way! I’ll tear that b***h to pieces!”

She screamed looking directly at me. Githinji shoved her back. She stumbled but she didn’t fall. Lio stepped down the first step, his fists clenched. I could feel a hot, prickling air wash over my skin. It was so hot it took my breath away. I collapsed to my knees holding my chest as I gasped for air.

It was Baltasar that came up the steps to me. He knelt down beside me and helped me stand again. He looked down at me with a worried expression on his face.

“Astraia, are you alright?”

I shook my head no.

“It’s hard to breathe...” I said, trying not to use the little bit of air I had to talk. Baltasar looked up at Lio.

“Vasilios you have to control your power, it’s suffocating Astraia.” He said hesitantly, as if he was afraid that Lio might punish him for speaking out.

Suddenly, the hot, prickling air that was his power faded away like a gentle, warm breeze passing by. Lio looked over his shoulder, slightly panting.

“Forgive me. That was unintentional…” He said before turning his attention back to the furious Lisette.

“This is bullshit! We’ve been waiting years for you to choose one of us as your Teman Sejiwa! You can’t bring a human into our pack!”

She continued screaming her frustrations.

”The decision is mine to make Lisette, and you don’t have to like it. However, you do have to respect your King. One more outburst from you and you will be severely punished. Tell me if that is not clear to you in any way.” He said sternly. Lisette was scowling at him but she backed off.

“No alpha, it’s clear…” She said, slowly backing up and joining the others again.

Lio came back up to the porch to me, taking my hand in his. He led me down the steps and we stood together, looking at his pack, his family.

“Show them your birthmark Astraia, there will be no protest after they see it.” He said. I looked up at him with one eyebrow raised.

“Seriously?”

He nodded.

“Trust me.” He said.

I sighed before I unbuttoned my capris and pulled the top of them down just enough for them to see my crescent moon shaped birthmark. I looked up at them and saw wide, shocked eyes. I even heard a few of them in the front whisper, “she has the mark of our king” and “she really is his true mate.” The entire pack went down on their hands and knees, their heads lowered. Githinji and Baltasar walked around us and joined them. I looked up at Lio curiously.

“They recognize you as my true mate Astraia, do you still need more proof?” He asked.

I shook my head no a little slowly. I had no words. Something like this couldn’t be possible, it shouldn’t be possible. My mind couldn’t fully process what was happening at the moment, I guess I didn’t want to just yet.

I quickly buttoned up my pants again and waited to see what would happen now that they had accepted me.

“Rise, and welcome your King’s true mate.” He said.

They stood up again. Lisette was the first to break away from the group and walk back into the house. It seemed Lio’s warning took root this time. The others formed a large circle around Lio and I, and they began clapping.

Naremi came forward and gave me a big hug. She pulled back and smiled at me. Her flame red hair was pinned back away from her face with dragonfly clips and it fell around her shoulders in shiny waves. She was wearing a white, lace halter top that came down past her hips and showed a triangle frame of her stomach. The white cotton skirt she was wearing came down to her feet and it made her pale skin appear darker in contrast. I returned her smile.

“I knew it! I knew you were his mate the moment I saw your eyes. I’m happy for you both.” She said, sounding extremely excited.

Lio laughed a little.

“Thank you, Naremi. But this was only in recognition of her being a potential mate. She hasn’t agreed to take that final step yet.” He said.

Naremi’s smile wilted a bit, as did his.

“I know. It’s just good to see you finally choosing someone after all of this time. I was starting to think you never would…” She said, shrugging her shoulders.

Lio finally smiled back at her.

“You worry too much, Naremi. It’d be best to put your energies into something else.” He said.

I knew this day wasn’t exactly a good day for everyone present. Not everyone was happy about Lio’s decision and I could only assume there would be some conflict later. I had an idea but, I wasn’t sure exactly how much it would help. I just wanted to show them I cared about how they felt.

“Lio, we should all do something together since I’m going to be seeing all of you more often.” I said looking up at him.

He looked down at me and pulled me in against him.

”That’s a good idea. What did you have in mind?”

I thought about it for a moment. It was a nice sunny day out today, something fun to do outside would be ideal…

“Maybe we could go to the beach? It’s nice and hot out today, why not?” I said.

I knew the closest beach was about forty-five minutes away, but it would be worth the trip if it calmed some of the tension with the wolves. I wanted to show some initiative with them. I had to spend time with all of them at some point.

Naremi gave me an approving nod and I was sure it was because she could see what I was trying to do. “Alright, let’s go.” Lio said eagerly.