Luna Sky

Chapter 9

The Mate’s ball was only a couple of hours away. She was alone in her room trying to get ready. Her thoughts kept wandering to Evan. She loved Evan but, not the way he wanted her to. She always thought of him as a big brother, not anything romantic. Recently when Evan suggested they may be mates, she knew he was wrong. Maybe she should have told him then. Maybe it would have stopped him from developing this crush on her. She didn’t want to lose Evan, but she didn’t want him to keep attacking Caleb. She knew Caleb was holding back despite Thor’s attempts to break free. She could see the restraint as his eyes shifted from the normal bright emerald green to the dark glowing emerald green of Thor. She knew he did it for her.

           She picked up her phone to check the time. A message had come in. As she opened it, she was surprised to see Evan’s name.

           “Sky, I am sorry. I acted like a jealous ass. Can you forgive me? Please?” She smiled as she read it. She quickly typed back; “Of course I forgive you!” Putting her phone back down, she glanced at herself once more in the mirror. “Let’s do this,” she said to herself.

           A little while later, Daphne was standing in Sky’s room. “You look hot!” she squealed. “Caleb is going to go bonkers when he sees you!”

           “Do you really think so?” Sky asked sheepishly. “Do you think it’s too short? She asked turning to look at her butt in the mirror.

           “Stop worrying! You look gorgeous! Let’s go show them how lucky they are!” Daphne said confidence dripping from her words.

           “The rogue attacks in our territory have calmed down some… Wow…” Caleb was speechless. Coming down the stairs was the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen. Sky was wearing the black halter top minidress he had first seen her in at the mall. The dress hugged her curves making him jealous of the material. Her hair was in a half-up with perfectly curled tendrils flowing around her face. She had on black 5-inch stiletto heels and was holding a little black clutch. He felt his member hardening at the sight of her. “You look stunning,” he said taking her hand as she stepped off the last step.

           “You don’t look too bad yourself,” she answered scanning him from head to toe. He was wearing a black and white tux complete with shiny black dress shoes. He had cuff links that were shaped like a wolf with emeralds for eyes. She couldn’t help but think of how it would look on the floor. ‘Oh, my goddess! What is wrong with me?’ she thought to herself.

           “Mate bond” Aria giggled from the back of her mind. “Besides what girl wouldn’t want to see him nude?”

           As if reading her thoughts, Caleb answered “the feeling is mutual Baby Girl.”

           “I told you he would love it!” Daphne smirked watching Caleb’s reaction.

“She’s hot,” Dash said as he walked into the room. “You’re a lucky, man” His smirk angering Caleb further.

           “You better watch yourself!” Caleb roared. “She’s mine, my mate.” His eyes were glowing as Thor snarled.

           Dash instantly turned his head to look at the floor, a submission to show he meant no harm. “I’m sorry, Alpha. I was just joking around.” He kept looking down to make sure Caleb knew he didn’t mean anything.

           “Dash let’s go find your mate. Maybe she can teach you some manners.” Caleb was still glaring at him though his voice sounded a little less threatening.

           “Where is Gideon? I thought he would be here to escort his mate. Unless I should do it,” Dash joked waggling his eyebrows.

           “Only if you want your throat on the floor,” Gideon said from behind him. “Sorry I am late, I had to secure our ride for tonight.” He held out his hand for Daphne who took it eagerly and kissed the top of it. “Your ride my lady,” he joked bowing as he opened the door revealing a black stretch limo.

           “Gideon, you outdid yourself,” Caleb said slapping his shoulder. “Let’s go, everyone. We will be late.”

           She felt bad for Dash. He was the oldest of the three, yet he hadn’t found his mate. Maybe the Moon Goddess knew he needed a bit more time. She hoped he would find her tonight at the ball. She knew he must feel at least a bit jealous. She reached over taking Caleb’s hand giving it a gentle squeeze.

           “Are you ok?” he asked gently.

           “Yes, I’m just a little nervous.” She explained.

           He smiled at her sending goosebumps across her skin. She couldn’t wait to be his completely.

           As they reached the front of the packhouse, the huge stone face of the building felt a bit more welcoming with the decorations for the ball. The stone steps leading to a huge stone platform were covered in red rose petals. Sky thought about the countless hours she and Evan had spent in the ballroom pretending they were mates at the mate’s ball. She had been looking forward to this for as long as she could remember.

  Alpha Jake and Luna Quinn stood greeting people. Evan stood on the opposite side greeting guests. Caleb helped Sky out of the car as Dash made a beeline for the door. Gideon and Daphne were already greeting the Alpha and Luna. Caleb noticed Evan staring at Sky. He held her hand a bit tighter as he leaned in giving her a quick peck on the lips. She smiled up at him. As they ascended the steps leading up to the door, Evan glared at him. They greeted the Alpha and Luna; Evan took Sky’s hand planting a gentle kiss on it. Sky pulled her hand back as soon as his lips touched it. She looked at him as if he had lost his mind.

           “Caleb, I apologize for my son, he seems to have forgotten his manners tonight,” Alpha Jake said shooting Evan a warning look.

Caleb brushed it off. “I can understand. After all, my mate is amazing.” He put a strong emphasis on my mate. glaring at Evan, he put his hand gently on the small of her back guiding her inside.

           “Alpha Jake and Luna Quinn are my Goddess parents,” she explained. “I have spent so much time in this place. I know all the secret passages, I know all the good hiding spots, and” she paused looking around to make sure no one would hear her, “I know where they hide the good snacks!” She giggled as she watched Caleb’s expression.

           “What if I want you for a snack? Do you know a spot?” He asked flashing her a devilish grin.

Her cheeks flushed becoming red, and her heartbeat quickened. ‘How can he do this to me so easily?’ she asked herself.

           Once inside, Caleb admired the medieval feel of this packhouse. The fieldstone walls, the windows with their diamond shapes across the glass, stone overhanging above every window and balcony. Inside was a huge welcoming fireplace. Several logs burned giving the foyer a warm cozy feel. Plush black rugs ran down the middle of the white marble floors. The candles lining the walls had been lit casting small circles of light along the floor. The huge crystal chandelier was aglow with at least 200 candles. It made him feel as though he was entering to see a king. The place was breathtaking.

           Dash ran up next to Sky. “So, are you two going to play “Damsel in distress” so you can give Caleb a reward?” He laughed at his own joke.

Sky froze, her eyes turning a dark blue as she turned to face him. “I am perfectly capable of rescuing myself. What Caleb and I do is NONE of your BUSINESS,” she growled at him.

He took a couple of steps back. “I am sorry, Luna, I meant no disrespect.” He offered her the same submission he had given Caleb earlier. “Please forgive me.”

“You are forgiven, but do not forget your place.” She warned.

As her eyes lightened to their normal color, she realized people were watching her. “Baby girl, that was amazing.” Caleb was beaming.

“Sorry I was just standing up for myself,” she looked a little embarrassed.

“Don’t be embarrassed. You just sounded and acted like a Luna. You are amazing.” He sounded so proud.

As they entered the ballroom, she was excited to see the transformation of the ballroom. The ceiling had been painted a royal blue color with the various stages of the moon encircling the room. There were two majestic-looking wolves dancing in the center of the circle. The two wolves were Alpha Boris and Luna Layla who was the original Alpha and Luna of the Moon Storm Pack. They were appointed by the Moon Goddess herself when wolves first came into existence. The walls were a rich burgundy with black trim. Paintings of famous wolves and places lined the walls. The tables lining the dance floor were topped with bouquets of red and white roses, the symbols of love and fertility. Around each bouquet, a circle of miniature candles glowed. The dance floor was glowing with multiple spotlights swinging every which way. As an added touch, a huge disco ball hung in the center casting reflections of colorful lights around the floor. Couples were dancing clinging to each other. Those were the wolves who had found their mates tonight. On the other side of the dance floor, a huge group of wolves, girls, and guys were dancing together as though they were in a dance club, not at a ball. The DJ’s booth was located along one end of the dance floor on the huge stage. The DJ was playing fast music with some slow songs mixed in for the couples. They didn’t seem to notice the beat, instead, they danced to their own private beat. A young wolf named Wade was the DJ for her pack. He waved as he noticed her. She spotted Daphne and Gideon off on their own grinding together as they kissed.

           “Baby Girl, I need to talk to you, alone for a minute,” he suddenly seemed so serious.

“Ok,” she answered nervously. She led him out of the ballroom and down a long corridor to her father’s office. As beta of the pack, he had his office in the packhouse. She pushed open the heavy wooden door. Stepping inside, her hands began to tremble with nerves. “Is something wrong?” She asked him.

“Baby Girl, nothing is wrong when I am with you. I want you to know, I love you,” he seemed worried as the words left his lips. He smiled at her before it melted from his face. “I plan on accepting you as my mate in front of everyone here tonight,” he sounded so strange as if he wasn’t sure he should.

“Caleb, what’s going on? I plan on doing the same thing but why do you seem so worried? As if something will prevent it?” Her voice cracked as she tried to keep her emotions from betraying her.

“Baby Girl, I am not trying to scare you. I want you to know, something weird has been happening lately. I have investigators looking into it. What I want you to know is, if I suddenly disappear, please know I did not leave you.”

She stared at him as though he had just told her he saw a ghost. “Why would you disappear?” She stammered trying to understand why he was telling her this.

“I won’t. I just want to make sure you know I will never choose to leave you.” He looked into her eyes pleading for understanding.

“I would never think you left me.” She said looking him directly in the eye. “Caleb, I love you too.”

He closed the distance between them in an instant. He wrapped his arms around her kissing her gently. He couldn’t help himself. She tasted so good. He began running his hands up the length of her back and then down again till he gently rested them on her ass. “I’m sorry for bringing this up tonight he mumbled still kissing her. “I just wanted to make sure you knew,” he couldn’t help it. He wanted her. Here. Now. He didn’t care who was around or could walk in. He wanted to make her his forever.

She put her small hands on his chest gently pushing him away. “Caleb, we have to stop. I can’t do this here. I want our first time to be somewhere other than in my father’s office.” She looked at him her face flushed; her lipstick smudged.

“Baby you don’t know how hard this is to stop. I want you. I want to mark you, to mate you, to become one with you. I won’t be able to stop next time. Thor is becoming restless. He will not wait for much longer.”

She knew he was right. Most wolves mated and marked each other within a couple of hours of finding each other. Having Alpha's blood made it harder for him to wait. She was happy he waited until the ball so they could officially accept each other in front of everyone. She was suddenly pulled backward. Hitting a wall of muscle, she was wrapped in Caleb’s warm embrace.

“My Sky. Mine. My mate, my life, my partner,” he whispered resting his chin on her head.

She felt so warm and safe in his arms. She was content being held by him. If only the two of them existed for all of eternity, she would be content.

Kissing the top of her head, “we should head back.” He gently took her hand leading her towards the door.

As they reached the ballroom, the party was going strong. The music began to fade as Alpha Jake’s voice rang out over the speakers. “It is now time to find out who belongs with who. All the couples who have been lucky finding their mates, please make your way to the stage. There were about 25 couples who had found each other tonight. She watched Gideon and Daphne head towards the stage, she saw a couple of other wolves she didn’t know heading that way too. Caleb squeezed her hand, “Are you sure? You don’t have to go up on stage to accept me. I already know you do.”

“It’s fine. I want to.” She didn’t sound very convincing even to herself.

“Please join us in welcoming a very important guest! Caleb Mason! Future Alpha of the Moon Warriors pack! Please join me on stage!” the DJ’s voice boomed making her ears ring.

He looked at Sky. “I don’t have to go. I can stay with you.”

“No, go. It’s part of the tradition.” He kissed her cheek one more time as he headed to the stage. He was watching Sky from his position on stage. His eyes were fixed to hers as if they were having a silent conversation.

“Our first couple of the night, please step forward!” The DJ bellowed into the microphone causing the speakers to crackle. “Daphne and Gideon, do you accept each other as mates?”

“Yes,” they answered in unison. One by one the couples were asked if they accepted each other. All of them answered yes. As the final couple left the stage, The DJ asked Caleb to step forward. All the unmated females began yipping and hollering offering to be his mate. “Alpha Caleb, have you found your mate?” the DJ asked with fake theatrics. This was beginning to feel like a cheap gameshow. Sky crossed her arms over her chest.

“Yes, I have,” Caleb answered obviously unamused by these antics.

“And who is the lucky wolf who has stolen the heart of our soon-to-be alpha?” the DJ asked as if it was a huge secret.

“Sky Masters,” Caleb said into the microphone. The room went silent. All eyes turned to her. She could feel her cheeks heating up as she tried to make her way to Caleb. As she climbed the stairs to the stage, she could feel all the eyes in the room on her. Caleb walked to her. He scooped her up into his arms as she buried her face in his neck trying to hide her reddened cheeks. His voice broke the silence. “I Caleb Mason Accept you Sky Masters as my mate and Luna. Do you Sky Masters accept me as your mate and future Alpha?” It was obvious he was trying to keep her from feeling more embarrassed.

“I do,” she whispered into the microphone. The room broke into loud cheers as everyone clapped and congratulated the couple.

“Thank you all. Now please excuse us. I need a moment with my mate.” The crowd cheered again as he carried her off the stage.

He didn’t stop in the ballroom. He carried her out to the front where they had come in. He sat on the stone wall holding her in his lap. “Baby Girl, you have made me so happy! You have accepted me and that is something I never knew I could have, acceptance for being me.”

She tightened her arms around his neck. “I will love you for you always.” They sat in silence enjoying each other. She heard a girl giggle, looking towards the sound, she saw Dash leading a pretty blonde down a path towards the forest. She rolled her eyes as she imagined what they were about to do. A few minutes later, a male interrupted their quiet.

“Caleb?”

Why was Evan here now? Was he going to try and take her away? She raised her head looking at him.

           “Listen, I didn’t come out here to fight or to try and separate you two. I came to apologize.”

“Evan, I understand why you acted the way you did. I would have too if she wasn’t mine.” Caleb sounded calm despite his rapid heartbeat.

“I was stupid for trying to make her pick me over her actual mate. I’m sorry I judged you before I even met you.”

“Evan, thank you.” Sky replied. “I didn’t want to lose you. You have always been like my big brother.” Sky felt the tears welling up in her eyes.

“I truly am sorry. Watching Caleb carry you across the stage and accept you as his mate, taking such gentle care of you, made me realize you two do belong together. I hope you can forgive me. I would like to have you both as my friends.”           

“Thank you, Evan. I too would like to continue our pack alliance and our friendship.” Caleb was still wary, but he would do this for her. He rested his chin back on her head inhaling her heavenly scent.

“I will leave you two alone,” Evan was trying to hide the sadness in his face as he walked away. He had to let her go. He knew it was the right thing to do. He would rather have her as a friend than not at all. If that meant being friends with Caleb Mason, he would do it for her.

“There are way too many hopefuls she-wolves around here and one way too hopeful Evan,” Aria said in her mind. “Let’s take him home and make him ours forever!” she purred. “I want to be mated and marked! I am tired of waiting!”                                                             “Please, please can we go now?” Thor whined. “We have accepted her, she has accepted us, time to mark her. I will not be patient much longer.” Thor was getting more and more difficult to control. Caleb knew the only way he would stop is to mate and mark Sky. The two wolves were more than ready but, he didn’t want to push Sky if she wasn’t ready yet.

Sky had excused herself to the restroom. ‘Yeah, we will go as soon as she comes back. We will not do anything until she is ready.’ He began pacing. Had she been gone a long time or was he just imagining it? ‘Let’s check on her,’ Thor urged. He went back inside. There were quite a few drunk wolves hanging around. He sniffed the air catching a slight whiff of her scent. He followed it down a long corridor. Rounding the corner, he let out a deep growl. Sky stood facing a she-wolf who was screaming threats at her. “Caleb is mine! You are not good enough for him!” the strange female screamed. “You haven’t been marked yet! If I kill you, I will mark him as mine!”

           “You will never have him!” Sky growled back. “I will kill you before you steal my mate!” Caleb was about to grab the she-wolf as she suddenly lunged forward shifting midair. Before he could react, Sky flew forward, her dress shredding as her chocolate brown fur covered her body. She grabbed the other wolf by the throat, pinning her to the ground. She let out a fierce growl that rivaled some alphas. The other female yelped and lay still. After a second, she rolled to her back turning her head to the side, exposing her arteries. Aria let go taking a couple of steps back. Her eyes still a brilliant dark blue color. She let out a last fierce warning growl. The other wolf shifted back into her human form.

“I am sorry Luna, please forgive me. You are his true mate.” She bowed her head letting Aria know she had won. The other female knew she had lost and would not try again. She backed away before turning and sprinting down the hallway, disappearing into the crowd.

“Aria, Baby Girl, hold on a second,” Caleb said unbuttoning his shirt. “Here, take this. Your dress is a bit, um, torn,” he said pointing to the shredded fabric in a heap behind her. He watched as Aria sniffed the torn dress. She sat down and hung her head. “It’s ok,” he coaxed. “I will buy you another one if you want.” She slowly swished her tail letting him know that made her happy.

Slowly, the fur began to disappear, and Aria became a very nude Sky. Wrapping her in his tux shirt, he couldn’t help his member hardening. She looked so sexy in his shirt. He was trying hard to control his breathing.

“Something wrong?” she asked innocently.

“No. Nothing at all,” he said with a gulp.

She finished buttoning his shirt, which was huge on her tiny frame. Slipping on her heels, she looked at him confused by his expression. “Are you sure you are, ok?” she asked a bit worried.

“Yup,” he answered not sure whose voice had come out of his mouth. He had no idea his voice could hit such a high pitch. “Ehm. Hmm. Eh Ehm,” he cleared his throat. “Are you ready to go Baby Girl?” he asked sounding a bit more like himself.

“I am more than ready,” she replied confidently. “Please just take me home.” Her blue eyes held confidence he hadn’t seen before.

He scooped her into his arms. He had been given a wing at the packhouse to stay in while in town. It was courtesy given to visiting alphas. The bedroom door was made of heavy dark oak. He easily held her with one hand while opening the door with the other. The room was huge. It had a majestic stone fireplace that held a welcoming fire making the huge room feel almost cozy. The fluffy white rug emphasized the coziness. Against the wall opposite the fire was a huge canopy bed.  He lay her on the bed gently so he could take off the last remaining pieces of tuxedo. Without realizing it, she crawled into his lap wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder. Within minutes, she was asleep. Caleb felt as though he could stay like this forever. The woman he loved, in his arms, sleeping soundly, knowing he would always protect her. He rested his head on top of hers. He had never felt so content before. She calmed him, took away the restlessness he had always felt before. He silently thanked the Moon Goddess for giving her to him. He placed her gently on the bed, she began to stir.

“Caleb, stay with me tonight,” she whispered. “I need you.”