Love in the Shadows

chapter 2: the meeting

3 hard knocks echoed through the room. I jumped reaching for the covers hiding under them like a child in trouble, Lucian chuckled as he slid from the bed.

"This had better be good!" his voice was stern, commanding almost.

"My apologies Alfa," came a males voice from the other side of the door.

Lucian walked into the hall shouting the door tight behind him. For the first time in really had a chance to take in my surroundings, his room was to be expected.

Dark ruby drapery hung from the ceiling to the wood flooring, a fire place took up a good portion of the furthest wall surrounded with paintings of dark forest. His cherry wood desk sat infront of the double doors to a small balcony with iron railing, ivies wrapping around the bars. His bed took up most of the remaining room along with a large wardrobe and massive black and bronze rug.

I tip toed to the wardrobe grabbing a shirt to cover myself. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a full length mirror.

The girl looking back at me was not familiar but I welcomed her with open arms. Her skin was glowing like a full moon in autumn, my fingers traced her every outline in the mirror.

"Is this what peace feels like?" I thought, tugging at the ends of his shirt that wasn't quite big enough to cover everything.

I ran my hands over my round belly, I had never been a small girl my figure was on the fuller side. Round chubby cheeks, a bigger belly that most girls would hate and for a long time I did! My hands where smaller but still chunky. My mother used to call me her fat baby, I never became slender like my three sister before me I was the odd one out.

My waves hung around my ears framing my face,

"Lucian didn't seem to mind the extra thickness." I thought looking at my body one last time.

The door swung open Lucian entered the room with stern annoyed look on his handsome face.

"Whats wrong?" I asked look at his reflection behind me.

"That was the Beta, Jasper my brother." he paused noticing for the first time in was in his shirt.

I spun around, "I hope you don't mind! It's just I-"

"Why would I ever mind you in my clothes, sides they look better on you." he smiled.

"What did he want...your brot- the Beta."

I was still new to the mannerisms of the Packs, even though I was half wolf my family catered more to our elven counter parts per my father's rules to respect our mother. That meant my sisters and I were not accustom to the Packs ways, but I was determined to learn.

He walked over gugging me from behind.

"When my mother told me the time had come for my arranged marriage to be carried out I was not pleased." he moved the hair exposing my neck, his lips left tiny fires behind all along my neck on to my shoulder.

"But when she showed me you picture, I knew she'd found my Luna. Your eyes where what hooked me." he turned me to face him.

I had to tilt my head back to look up at him, his 6'4 height made me look and feel even shorter then I already was. Even in heels I only came to 5'8.

"Lucky you I never got to see you before the day we meet." I stretch as tall as I could on my toes to kiss his neck.

"I could smell you from down the path before I even saw you, your sweet like chocolate mixed with raspberries scent. I'm glad it was you mother picked."

"I believe it was luck." I chuckled.

"Jasper, came to inform me mother would like to have a family breakfast and finally get to meet the woman she picked, 24 years ago."

For a moment my brain went blank, how had his mother picked ME when I wasn't even born yet?!

"Lucian that can't be right, I'm only 18!"

"My mother and your father had this planned for much longer then either of us could image. It wasn't til you turned 16 did I get to see you and learn your name." he said rubbing my cheek.

Lucians pov.

I watched as her eyes filled with joy then fear, and anxiety.

"Whats wrong?"

"I can't meet your family like this!" She said gesturing to herself.

My shirt hung just past her hips clinging loosely to every beautiful curve that covered her body. It took everything in me not to lose her on the bed and devore her.

I chuckled, "Don't worry I'll have one of the maids find you something suitable to wear for now, then we can go to the town and have some new things made for you. Please mi amor breath and try to relax." I kissed her forehead before walking to ring the servants bell.

A few minutes past, she passed around the middle of my room muttering to herself. A small woman appeared bowing infront of me.

"Yes, Sir."

"Hello, Ella. Would you bring Persephone something suitable to wear."

She looked her over a faint pink hue covering her face, before nodding and vanishing. Persephone had finally stopped and sat infront of the fire, I wrapped a blanket around her legs. Persephone looked at me her eye wide like a lost pup.

"Do you think they'll like me?" she whimpered as if she had just fought a battle and was utterly defeated.

"Listen, I kniw they will love you. And if they don't I frankly don't care because you are my Luna and I will always strive to make you happy. I promise mi amore."

Ella appeared from the shadows her arms full of fabric. I kissed her before leaving her in Ella's capable hands.

Jasper leaned against the wall down the hall as I rounded the corner.

"Don't you have duties to take care of."

He smirked pushing off the wall.

"So when do I get to meet your mate, I can smell her on you." he scoffed.

I growled, "I'm glad you can, she is mine." I straightened to my full height.

Jasper backed down, "I was merely making fun brother. I ment no harm."

Taking a deep breath I relax slightly as we walk toward the dinning hall.

"Ella is dressing her to meet the whole family at once, but" I stop grabbing his arm.

"She is not quite accustom to how a Luna should speck or act. Persephone is more on the timid side, she's going to have to learn how to be my queen in her own way. With that being said do you think our baby sister Briar would be willing to help her get her footing?"

"If her Alfa commands it she can not refuse." Jasper said gritting his teeth slightly.

"As your Alfa I gave the order to help better the pack, but as your brother Jasper I did it to protect you. That...well they would have hurt you and it is my job as your older brother to protect you. I'm sorry."

He looked at me shocked to hear those words leave my mouth it was not like me to apologize and it was not commen for an Alfa to do so either. I was his brother first even if he didn't see me that way anymore.

"Maybe she is a good thing for you, to get those words to come out of your mouth." he said with a small smile.

I chuckled, "You have no idea!"

He pushed open the doors to the dinning hall mother sat to the side reading the chronical.

"There's my boys!" She said rising to greet us, she planted a kiss on both our cheeks before sitting at the table.