Page 11 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

T he side door swung open and Kristen bustled in, a battered first aid kit clutched in her hands. A thin layer of dust coated its surface. She set it on the counter with a hesitant smile.

"I hope everything inside is still good," Kristen said, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Her gaze flicked between Lita and Caden, a mixture of curiosity and concern in her eyes. "I'm Kristen, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you, even under these circumstances."

"Thank you, Kristen. I'm Lita. I really appreciate your help."

As Lita reached for the kit, she noticed Kristen's face pale suddenly. The woman's eyes had locked onto Caden's arm, where blood still trickled from the wound, staining the dish towel crimson.

"Oh, I ... I think I'd better go," Kristen stammered, backing away slightly. Her lips twitched into an apologetic grin, though her complexion remained ashen. "Blood and I don't exactly get along. I'll leave you to it, Lita. We can chat properly tomorrow, yeah?"

Lita nodded, understanding dawning. "Of course, no worries. It was nice meeting you, Kristen."

Lita took a deep breath, steeling herself as she opened the dusty first aid kit. Her hands moved with practiced efficiency, laying out gauze, antiseptic, and tweezers. The familiar routine grounded her, pushing away the lingering anxiety of her new surroundings.

"Alright, Caden," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. "This might sting a bit, but I'll be as gentle as possible."

Caden's eyes met hers, a mix of stubbornness and trust in his gaze. "I've had worse, Leetle Beetle. Do your worst."

Garrett, hovering nearby, piped up with a mischievous grin. "Hey, if you want, I could give him a quick slash. You know, distract him with a different pain. What do you say, Cade?"

A low growl rumbled from Caden's chest. "Touch me and you'll be the one needing stitches."

Lita bit back a smile, shaking her head at their antics. "Garrett, could you hold Caden's hand, please? Sometimes instincts can kick in, and I'd rather not have him jerk away while I'm working."

"I'm not a child," Caden protested, his pride clearly wounded.

Garrett snorted, reaching for Caden's uninjured hand. "Oh yeah? Who told you that lie?"

"Both of you, hush," Lita commanded. Listening to their banter was nice. It reminded her of her brother and Teo. However, it was not the time for their chaos.

Lita's fingers moved with practiced precision, her touch gentle yet firm as she plucked the last shard of glass from Caden's skin.

She held his hand steady, her eyes scanning the wound meticulously.

A small furrow formed between her brows as she concentrated, her blonde hair falling forward to frame her face.

"There," she murmured, more to herself than to the others. "That should be all of it. Does it hurt?" she asked, glancing up at Caden.

He shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Nah, it's just a scratch. With all this healing, you’re going to make me soft.”

Garrett snorted. "As if that were possible. Our Caden here is as soft as a cactus."

Lita giggled as she wrapped Caden’s hand, a precaution more than anything. It would be fully healed in a matter of minutes, but it just felt good to finally be able to use her skills. For the first time in a long time … she felt useful.

A few minutes later, Lita lifted the bandage to check the healing process. Werewolves could heal quickly, and it was already closing up nicely. She held his hand in hers as a quiet growl rumbled from the second floor. They snapped their heads up to see Asher making his way down the stairs.

“What’s everyone doing up at this hour?” he asked, moving right behind Lita possessively.

Before Lita could formulate a response, Garrett waved his half-eaten sandwich clutched in his hand.

“I was hungry.” He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye.

“Well, I’m still hungry, but,” he drawled, taking another bite.

“Some appetites just can’t wait till morning.

Time to wake my beauty so I can be fed.” With a suggestive wink and a nod toward the stairs, Garrett slipped out of the kitchen.

Lita flushed. She couldn’t believe how open the man was with a complete stranger. She glanced back at Asher, his silver eyes locked onto hers expectantly, waiting for her excuse.

Asher’s gaze shifted to Caden, a silent question passing between the two men.

“It’s nothing serious,” he said, gesturing to his bandaged hand.

“Just a moment of carelessness with some hot water. Lita here,” he nodded toward her with a grateful smile, “patched me up good as new. I told her it wasn’t necessary, but now that it is patched up, I’m glad she insisted.

You’ve found yourself quite the mate, Alpha,” he said, his tone light but sincere.

“Not only beautiful, but skilled with her hands, too.”

Asher’s eyes flashed, a low growl rumbling in his chest. Caden merely chuckled, seemingly unfazed by Asher’s possessive display.

“Well, I’d better take my shift for patrol,” Caden said, rising from his seat. “Can’t have our borders unguarded.”

“But your hand.” Lita listened as he laughed.

“It’s all healed up. You should know how quickly we heal. I’m sure you’ve healed plenty of our kind’s wounds before. See you all in the morning!” He didn’t realize it, but he’d just opened up a wound. The door to the outside closed, leaving Asher and Lita alone.

Asher moved closer, his large hand coming to rest on Lita’s shoulder.

“Are you alright? It’s pretty late.”

“I ... I couldn’t sleep,” she admitted finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “I thought some tea might help, but now ...” She trailed off, shrugging helplessly.

“But now?” Asher prompted gently, his thumb tracing soothing circles on her shoulder.

Lita closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the tenderness in his touch. “Now I don’t want it anymore.”

Asher’s silver eyes softened as he gazed at her, his protective instincts surging. “Come on,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver through her. “Let’s get you back to your room.”

As they walked through the dimly lit corridors, Lita was acutely aware of Asher’s presence beside her. His arm hovered near the small of her back, not quite touching but close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him.

When they reached her room, Asher gently guided her inside. Lita’s heart raced as he pulled back the covers and gestured for her to lie down. She complied, her body sinking into the soft mattress as Asher carefully tucked the blankets around her.

“There,” he said softly, his fingers brushing against her arm as he smoothed the covers. “Comfortable?”

Lita nodded, her throat tight with emotion. She watched as Asher pulled a chair close to her bedside and settled into it, his large frame dwarfing the furniture.

“Asher,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, “you don’t have to stay. You need sleep, too.”

He shook his head, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I’m fine right here. You’ll sleep much better if I’m close.”

“But—”

“No buts,” Asher interrupted gently. “I want to be here. Let me take care of you.”

Asher reached out and took her hand in his. “Sleep now,” he murmured, his thumb tracing soothing patterns on her skin. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

Her gaze lingered on Asher’s imposing form in the tiny chair. There was no way he would get a restful night’s sleep, let alone any sleep, in such an uncomfortable seat. She chewed on her lower lip as she hesitated.

“You know, we could ... share the bed. If you promise to behave yourself, that is.”

Asher’s silver eyes lit up, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Share your bed? My, my, mate. Are you propositioning me?”

Heat rushed to Lita’s cheeks. “I—I just meant—”

“I’m only teasing.” Asher chuckled, rising from the chair. “Though I can’t promise you won’t try to take advantage of me in my sleep.”

Lita laughed, the tension in her shoulders easing. “Oh please, as if I could overpower the mighty alpha of the Black Ice Pack.”

“You’d be surprised,” Asher murmured, his voice suddenly husky. “You have more power over me than you realize.”

As he slipped under the covers beside her, Lita’s breath caught. She turned to face him.

“You planning to rob me of my virtue?” he teased.

“You can’t rob what’s already been taken.” She laughed but then stopped, seeing his serious gaze.

“It hasn’t.”

“It hasn’t?”

“No. I haven’t been with anyone.”

Lita’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? But you’re so ... I mean, you could have had anyone you wanted.”

“I want you.”

Lita laughed. “I opened myself up for that one. Why haven’t you?”

“I’ve been saving myself for when I take a mate. Call me old-fashioned. What about you? Have there been others in your past?”

“No, there’s ... there’s never been anyone,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Even if I’d been willing, I don’t think anyone would have been interested in me.”

A low growl rumbled in Asher’s chest, his silver eyes flashing. “That’s not true. What about Teo?”

She shrugged. “It ... it never would have worked out. Even if we had tried, Teo would have eventually found his mate. It would have caused a rift between us, torn us apart.”

“A fated mate bond is something special. It shouldn’t be ignored. There’s a reason you’re given a fated mate. It’s someone who makes you stronger. Your other half. That connection is precious.”

“No matter what?” Lita asked, studying his eyes.

“No matter what. The Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes. We’re meant to be together. I will honor our bond, no matter what.”

She wanted to believe him, to trust in the certainty of his voice, but years of loneliness and rejection weren’t easily forgotten. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she felt Asher’s hand move to her head, his fingers gently massaging her scalp.

“Relax, my little mate,” he murmured, his deep voice soothing in the quiet room. “Let yourself rest.”

“That feels nice,” she whispered, her voice already heavy with approaching sleep.

Asher chuckled softly, the sound rumbling in his chest. “I aim to please … especially when it comes to you.”

As she drifted toward slumber, Lita felt a warmth spreading through her, a sense of safety she'd rarely known. Her last conscious thought was a fleeting wonder—could this be what it felt like to truly belong?

Asher watched as Lita's breathing evened out, her face softening in sleep. A smile tugged at his lips.

Carefully, he shifted to lay his head on the pillow beside her, his silver eyes never leaving her peaceful features.

"Sweet dreams, my love," he whispered, scooting closer until he could wrap his arms around her slender frame. The possessive wolf within him purred with satisfaction as he held her close, breathing in her scent.

As sleep began to claim him as well, Asher marveled at the contentment he felt. Here, with Lita in his arms, he was whole.

A wave of serenity washed over him, a feeling so profound, it startled him from the edges of sleep. His silver eyes snapped open, confusion furrowing his brow. The feeling wasn't his own … it was so pure.

He gazed at Lita's sleeping form, nestled against his chest. Could it be? Was he sensing her emotions?

"Impossible," he murmured, his voice barely a breath. And yet ...

Asher's mind raced, wrestling with the implications. Fated mates shared a powerful bond, yes, but this level of connection was unprecedented. He could almost taste her contentment on his tongue, feel it settling in his bones as if it were his own.

He closed his eyes, trying to focus. Was this real, or just a product of his exhausted mind?

Or was their connection greater than a regular fated mate bond?

He nestled his head on top of hers, sinking into her warmth.

He had found his mate … and she was in his arms, where she belonged. Today was day one of forever with her.