nervous 13
866 Words
Chapter 13
Ava's POV
I was nervous about going to Grill's old pack. Everything was happening so fast. We had slept in the same bed last night. Well... I slept. I wasn't sure if he had slept at all while he lay beside me. But for the first time in a long time, I had actually gotten a good night's sleep. When I woke up and turned over, he was still lying beside me.
Now we were at his old pack, gathering all of his belongings. As soon as we arrived, everyone either smiled at him or congratulated him on becoming the Alpha of his own pack.
I stayed close to him, unsure if anyone would even speak to me.
Then Hati, the Luna of this pack, walked over and wrapped me in a warm hug. The moment she did, I felt her aura. She was incredibly strong... powerful enough to command respect without saying a word. Nearby, Alpha Jax was talking to Grill.
"The elders should arrive at your pack in a few hours, so we need to get back."
Jax and Hati drove our car while Grill and I followed behind in the truck. Everything needed to be unpacked before the elders arrived for Grill's Alpha ceremony.
As for me... I wasn't ready for any ceremony. I wasn't even sure if I would have a Luna ceremony someday. My first mate had only been a warrior, so I had no idea how any of that worked.
I must have been quieter than usual because Grill finally looked over at me.
"Are you thinking about your Luna ceremony? I wasn't sure if you wanted to bring it up, but it will only happen if,and when, you are ready. I don't want to rush you into anything."
So... there really was a Luna ceremony. I looked down at my worn clothes. I didn't even have anything decent to wear for his ceremony. Maybe it would be better if I stayed out of sight. I didn't want to embarrass him on such an important day.
"I wasn't sure if I even got one," I admitted quietly. "My last mate was a warrior, so I didn't know how any of that worked. You're right... I'm not ready for that right now. But when I am... you'll know."
He smiled and reached over, gently squeezing my hand.
The conversation shifted after that. We talked about how we wanted to arrange the Alpha quarters and everything we would need for the pack. He mentioned several times that tomorrow we were going clothes shopping. That immediately made me nervous. I didn't have any money. Hopefully he wasn't planning on getting me clothes with a five-finger discount.
By the time we reached the pack, I was shocked to see so many people waiting for us. Grill pulled the truck to a stop, put it in park, and shut off the engine. He climbed out while I carefully jumped down beside him.
"Hey, everyone! Thanks for coming to help. The elders will be here in about an hour, so let's get everything moved into the Alpha and Luna quarters."
Everyone immediately got to work. I had no idea we had our own private living space. There was a beautiful kitchen, a cozy living room, and several rooms I hadn't even explored yet. I already wanted to see every inch of it. Knowing the ceremony would be starting soon, I looked over at Grill.
"Why don't you go get cleaned up? Your ceremony will be starting soon. I'll stay here and finish arranging everything. By the time you get back, it'll all be done."
He stared at me like I had suddenly grown three heads.
"Ava... you don't have to stay up here. You belong beside me during the ceremony."
He didn't understand. I wasn't trying to avoid him. I just didn't want everyone staring at me dressed like this.
I sighed. "Grill... I don't want to embarrass you. Look at me. I don't have anything to wear except these old rags. I'm not going out there looking like this. I'm a mess."
I hadn't realized Jax and Hati had walked into the room until they cleared their throats. My face instantly turned bright red. Grill and I were still carrying the couch together. We quickly walked it over to the far wall before setting it down.
Jax smiled knowingly. "Grill, why don't you go get ready? Hati will help Ava. She brought something she can wear, if that's okay."
Grill looked relieved. He nodded before disappearing upstairs. Hati turned toward me with a warm smile.
"Ava, I know you're nervous. I can feel it. But trust me, you are not going to embarrass Grill." She gently squeezed my hand.
"When I'm finished with you, every she-wolf and she-lycan out there is going to be jealous."
I couldn't help but laugh a little. "I don't know about that..."
"Oh, I do," she replied with a wink. "Now come on."
I followed her upstairs. "Go take a quick shower," she said. "I'll be in there in just a second, okay?"
I nodded and disappeared into the bathroom, wondering what exactly Hati had planned for me.
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