Torn between mates

46. Little Red riding hood

Richard

We couldn’t have Lea’s coronation as my Luna and Queen and welcome her to the Pack without Luke and her aunt being there. Luke is an old and good friend. Even though my wolf and I can’t tolerate anyone challenging us or give up on our revenge, I had to talk to him, to bring him back home. 

As the Alpha of the Alphas, my wolf doesn’t tolerate being challenged, it’s an offense to his very spirit and everything he is. But I’ve to control such an instinct, at least a bit. I can’t lose my friend over it. If it would have happened last year, I probably wouldn’t be able to overcome my domineering instincts and go talking to my Beta. 

But somehow, my mate already managed to soften my edges a bit, she made Titan her puppy. She is making me a less rough male with her sweetness and delicacy. My perfect Luna.  All the ground, gentleness, and peace Titan and I needed and wanted. 

Thus, I went to Emeraldia to talk to Luke. 

“Luke. Please come back. Nothing will happen to your mate. You’re a good beta and a good friend, and Astoria has become a valuable member of our pack, helping a lot with the security and the patrols. But she can’t challenge my decisions and act behind my back ever again. What do you say, old friend?” 

Luke gave me a sided hug, “I’m glad you came back to your right mind, brother. Don’t let revenge and darkness win, life is much more than that. There are too many beautiful things to enjoy, to lose time holding grudges. Just like the love of a mate.” He winked.

I inhaled sharply. I can’t let go of my hate and anger. I must avenge my dead brother. I must make Alexus pay for what he did and tried to do to my mate. Just then I could enjoy the ‘beautiful things of life.’

Luke didn’t know what is to watch your only family being cruelly and painfully killed in front of your very eyes. He won’t understand how I feel and my need of having justice. Alexus is a heartless monster, there is no good about him. The 6 realms will be a much better place without him. 

“Next time, if Astoria or I am afraid of the consequences of your decisions, we will talk to you first, bro. Not challenging you or your wolf. You know that I wouldn’t ever, we will just share our thoughts and thinking together,” Luke added.

“Come back home, Luke. We all miss you. I can’t deal with minor issues and arguments between neighbors anymore.”

After he left, I had to take over part of his tasks, although Sarah and Evolet were helping me. His tasks consisted of solving minor conflicts between wolves, take care of the training and security patrols. He also would assist me with the strategic, administrative, and political decisions regarding not only the Royal Pack but the whole Realm. 

“That’s why you want me back?” He laughed and patted my shoulder. “I’ll talk to my lady and move back. I miss doing all the pack people-related work and solving neighbors’ issues. And I miss Sarah and you. Sarah more tho.” He grinned. “I also couldn’t miss our Luna’s coronation.” He sported an even bigger grin. 

~ * ~

Lea

The day for me to join Richard’s pack and become officially his Luna came. I was quite jumpy and getting ready in the pack castle with my own pack of female friends, Agatha, Cali, Ainhoa, Nema, Sienna, and my sister.

“Hi Lea, I brought you a present.” Agatha gave me a present box, in which a huge red lace was wrapped around. I’m even afraid to see what is inside. Hopefully, it’s not too revealing pieces of lingerie or anything that will make me uncomfortable. “Come on girly, open it now. I’m so looking forward to seeing if you’ll like it.” She gave me an expectant smile, her eyes gleaming with mischief. 

I opened it and yes, it was apparently a harmless red hood. She took it out of the box and said, “Well, well little red riding hood. It’s high time that the big bad wolf ravishes you.”

“But grandmother, what big eyes you have,” Liv said, bursting out laughing.

“The better I see you, my child,” Cali added, laughing as well.

“Granny, what big ears you have,” Ainhoa chimed in, joining the teasing. 

“The better I hear you, little one,” Agatha said. Nema looked at me with her sly smile and I knew that she was cooking something pervert in her mind. 

“But grandmother, what big were-d**k you have.” She laughed hysterically.

“The better to...”

“No, no, no! Agatha thank you, but I won’t be wearing this red hood.” I cut them off. I felt the heat of embarrassment reaching my face. Goddess, why they like to tease me so much? 

“We just want you to relax and think about other stuff,” Liv said with a sweet smile. I shook my head at her. 

“Yeah, very big and interesting stuff.” Nema winked.

“You’re the worst!” I grumbled under my breath, laughing a bit as well. Anyway, I was feeling calmer.

I put on a long grey dress with silver and white embroiled on and NO red hood. Grey is the color of Helcadia, the Werewolf Realm. 

Liv was trying to put her dress on, but she was having a bit of difficulty, due to her big baby bump. She was more than seven months pregnant. I went to help her. 

“I’m so huge that sometimes I think there are 3 babies there,” Liv uttered stroking her swollen belly. 

“You are not that huge, but I can’t say anything about the number of babies you are carrying,” Sienna uttered as she zipped Liv’s grey-blue dress and fixed her half-updo. 

“Not THAT huge, just huge.” Nema chuckled. Liv glared at her. “What? You, yourself, said so,” our Nympho friend added laughing again.

“Not funny, hunny!” Liv narrowed her eyes at Nema, but in the next second, she started chuckling too. Nema’s laughter was contagious. 

I would actually love to have more than one nephew or niece, maybe one of each, a boy and a girl. Or triples, like she said. That would be perfect. I’m sure Liv’s mates would love it too, especially if she is carrying one baby of each. I hope she makes up with Laius before the baby or babies are born. 

~ * ~*~ * ~

Richard

We are having the ceremony on the outskirts of the forest, just behind the castle there is a small Moon Goddess Temple; we hold the most important ceremonies of the Realm here, as the ritual when I became the Alpha King many centuries ago. 

But this time everything looked better and more beautiful. Many Flowers decorated the temple, rolls, and rolls of chairs were placed in front of the altar. After the official rituals, we will celebrate Lea’s coronation with a party. Sarah and my Gamma, Evolet, organized a banquet for my Luna and even arranged a Fae-Elf band and a Dance floor. 

Titan and I were beyond happy, he was pacing and howling inside my head like an overexcited pup. Even I had a constant little smile on my face. The thought of having my Luna Queen forever and make her mine brought me more peace, happiness, and comfort than anything. 

She’s the only hope for my rugged soul. She’s the only light that can dissolve the darkness that threatens to claim me. 

My Lea. 

“Everything is ready. The dagger, the warm water, and towels are already on the altar.” Sarah had a huge smile. She looked more excited than ever. 

“Thanks, Sarah... you look different,” I said looking intently at her. She had some kind of glow today. 

“Cassy is here. Today is the best day ever! Lea will become our Luna and Cassy is here!” She almost jumped like a hyper pup. “We are both getting it back Richard, we are having a chance for love, for a new beginning. Today we should leave the past behind and enjoy all the blessings the Goddess covered us with.” She said placing her hands on my shoulders and looking deeply inside my eyes, her hazel eyes full of hope and emotion. 

Maybe she is right. Today is one of the best days for Titan and me. But I’m not sure if I can leave the past behind, especially when it insists on haunting me and is still present in the shadow of that bloodsucker. 

“Come to the altar, Richard! Everyone is already taking their seats and Evolet will escort Lea there in the next few minutes,” Sarah said as she wrapped her hand around my arm, tugging me gently.  

I went to the altar with her. My Beta and his mate were also there, I nodded to them. Luke had a huge smile on his face and Astoria nodded and beamed a tight smile. 

Normally I would officiate such a ceremony for the alphas of the 12 packs. But today I would only accept Lea into the pack, an Elder wolf would proceed with the rest of the ceremony, uniting us and crowning Lea my queen. 

Elder Fenris took his place on the altar, in front of the life-size silver statue of the Moon Goddess. He bowed down, baring his neck in a sign of respect and submission to my wolf. 

“Thank you for being here today Elder Fenris.”

“It’s an honor, Alpha King.” He bowed down again. 

Lea’s sister and mother sat next to King Avalon and King Elric in the first roll. Mel smiled at me and we smiled back. 

“I’m so happy to finally sit down,” Liv muttered with a sigh. Elric placed his hand on her swollen stomach and Avalon turned to look at her, “You should portal instead of walk around, baby.”

“No, this way I’ll get even more round.” She pouted. 

“You have nothing to worry about, you are beautiful the way you are,” Elric added and she shook her head but smiled. 

I hope to see my Lea carrying my pup soon.

I could smell her delicious scent of British rose and hot chocolate. I looked up and saw my Lea walking towards me, she was very beautiful tonight wearing a long grey dress. 

I could hear her heart racing; she was nervous and excited. She finally reached me, and I took her hand in mine. First, I’m to make her a pack member.