Page 13 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

L ita stood there with her lips parted as she watched all the members bow their heads respectfully to her.

Never, not in a million years, did she ever expect something like this.

Not only were they excited to see her, but they acted as if they were humbled by her presence.

She had to blink away the tears that were threatening to spill from her eyes.

One of the pack members commented, “You’re quite protective of her, keeping her tucked into your side so tightly, even among your own pack.” Asher glanced down at Lita, then back up at the man.

“If she were yours, wouldn’t you be protective, too?” Asher said with a grin of contentment.

“If she were mine, I would do whatever it took to keep her safe and secure. You are truly beautiful, my dear.”

“Thank you.” Lita blushed lightly. She wasn’t accustomed to receiving compliments, especially not ones that were given so openly.

Asher chuckled and gazed lovingly at his mate. She was absolutely adorable, and he couldn’t be prouder to call her his own. He wished she would trust him enough to confide in him about whatever secret she was hiding.

Caden walked over to them, smiling. “There’s my favorite lady,” he said, gesturing toward Lita. “And my hand is feeling much better, thanks to you. You’re now my favorite person in the world, until I find my own mate of course,” he added with a wink.

“Welcome, Luna,” a gruff voice called out from the crowd, followed by a chorus of agreeing murmurs.

Asher’s large hand settled on the small of her back, a comforting presence that anchored her. She glanced up at him, catching the proud gleam in his silver eyes as he surveyed his pack. The corners of his mouth lifted into a smile that was equal parts tender and possessive.

“My mate,” he announced, his deep voice resonating through the hall.

“Lita Silva. Soon to be Lita Chain!” The crowd cheered excitedly.

Lita felt a surge of belonging, so different from the cold indifference she’d known in her old pack.

Here, she wasn’t just the unwanted member of the pack. She was welcomed and accepted.

“You seem to be quite taken with her,” a burly pack member chuckled, his eyes twinkling with good humor.

Asher’s arm tightened around Lita’s waist, drawing her even closer to his side. “Can you blame me?” he replied, his voice a mix of playfulness and steel. “I’ve waited a long time for my mate. Now that I have her, I’m not letting go.”

Lita’s cheeks warmed at his words and she smiled, a pleasant tingle spreading through her body. She’d spent so long believing her mate would reject her, and yet here was Asher, proudly claiming her before his entire pack.

“I might be possessive and protective over her, but my mate is strong. She is a gifted healer too … a wonderful asset to our pack.”

Her healing abilities, often overlooked in her old pack, were valued here. She was valued here.

As the pack members pressed closer, eager to meet their new luna, Lita felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.

But with Asher’s steady presence beside her and the welcoming smiles of her new pack, she allowed herself to hope.

Perhaps here, finally, she had found a place to truly belong.

At least for now, she would pretend it was real and wouldn’t end.

A familiar voice cut through the murmur of the crowd.

“Speaking of healing abilities,” Caden called out, his tone playful as he pushed through the throng of pack members.

He held up his hand, flexing his fingers dramatically.

“I’d like to personally thank our new luna for saving me from a life of one-handed beta duties. ”

Lita began to laugh. “Dramatic much?”

Caden grinned, his brown eyes warm as he addressed the pack.

“Seriously though, you should have seen her. One moment I’m contemplating a future of awkward handshakes, the next—poof!

Good as new.” He wiggled his fingers for emphasis, eliciting chuckles from those gathered around.

The crowd around him laughed, knowing their beta liked to joke.

Asher’s arm tightened around her waist and Lita closed her eyes, savoring the moment. This feeling was so foreign, yet so right. Is this what belonging truly felt like?

In her mind’s eye, she saw flashes of her past. The lonely nights in the Red Grove Pack house, forced smiles at gatherings where she was always an outsider. The contrast was stark, almost painful in its intensity.

We’re home, Mira’s voice echoed in her head. Lita’s eyes fluttered open, meeting Asher’s silver gaze. The love and pride she saw there made her breath catch.

Asher’s fingers traced a gentle path along Lita’s spine, sending tingles through her body. He leaned down, his breath warm against her ear. “Are you ready to meet the rest of the pack, my luna? They’re all waiting outside.”

She took a deep breath, inhaling Asher’s comforting scent. “I think so,” she whispered.

Asher’s lips brushed her temple, a reassuring kiss that made her melt against him. “They’re going to love you.”

As Lita gazed up at him, a realization dawned on her.

The longing she’d always felt, the desire to belong, was all leading her here, to this moment, to this pack.

To Asher. She wanted this, wanted to be part of the Black Ice Pack, to carve out a place for herself at Asher’s side.

But her damn secret was still looming between them.

She found herself hesitant to tell him the truth about herself. If she didn’t … could she keep him?

We could have a home here , Mira’s voice echoed in her mind, mirroring her own thoughts.

Before Lita could respond, a sudden commotion erupted outside. Asher’s head snapped up, his body tensing beside her. Through the open window, his voice boomed, amplified by speakers.

“Get. Out.”

“How easily you’re discarding me now. I’ve been a loyal pack member … just like my family was.” Next, they heard Felicia’s cry.

They stepped outside to see Felicia trying to take her phone away from another pack member. “Give it back. Don’t play that!”

Lita’s fists clenched at her sides. Even from this distance, she could see the calculated look in Felicia’s eyes, the way she batted her lashes at the surrounding pack members.

Mira’s rage surged within Lita, a molten fury that threatened to consume them both. The black wolf snarled, her hackles rising. Let me at her. I’ll tear that manipulative bitch apart.

Lita’s heart raced, but she fought to maintain control. No, Mira, this is Asher’s battle to fight. We can’t interfere. Mira growled but quieted down.

Asher growled low in his throat. “I’ll handle this.”

His towering form approached Felicia, his silver eyes flashing with fury. “You recorded me?!”

“It was an accident. I didn’t know. I never would have played it.

I don’t want anyone to think badly of you.

” Felicia’s lower lip trembled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Asher, please,” she pleaded, her voice breaking.

“I know you’re angry, but can we talk? For . .. for my brother’s memory?”

The change in Asher was immediate and visceral. His shoulders sagged, the fire in his eyes dimming to embers. Lita watched, her heart constricting as guilt etched itself across his features.

“Felicia,” Asher said, his voice softer now.

Caden stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. His brown eyes swept over the gathered pack members, his voice ringing out clear and authoritative.

“Listen up, everyone. I know this is a difficult situation, but we need to remember what’s truly important here. Asher has found his fated mate in Lita.”

Lita felt a flush creep up her neck as all eyes turned to her. Caden continued, his words measured and firm.

“A fated pair strengthens not just each other, but the entire pack. Lita will make Asher stronger, and in turn, make us all stronger. As pack members, it’s our duty to show respect to both our alpha and our new luna.

"I understand there's hurt here," he acknowledged. "But there's also strength, and a promising future for our pack. We should want what’s best for our alpha.”

Felicia's face crumpled, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I—I just want what's best for Asher," she choked out, her voice wavering. "I've always wanted that."

With a dramatic sob, she turned and fled, her retreating form disappearing into the trees. The pack watched her go, a mix of emotions playing across their faces.

She's good , Lita thought. Even now, she's trying to paint herself as the victim.

Asher's silver eyes locked onto Lita's, his jaw tightening as he strode toward her. The crowd parted, murmurs fading into a tense silence. When he reached her, his large hands cupped her face, thumbs brushing her cheekbones.

"I'm sorry. This day was supposed to be about you.”

“That wasn’t entirely your fault, but I think you need to really consider your choices here. You don’t know everything about me.”

“I don’t have to. You’re my mate, my luna, my everything. Nothing will change that. As long as you want me—” He stopped, staring into her striking emerald eyes. “Do you?” She nodded her head, and a broad smile spread across his lips. “That’s it, then. It’s settled.”

“But Asher—” He prodded her nose.

“It’s settled. I’m going to resolve this with Felicia. I’ll make sure she understands it’s truly over.” Without a moment of hesitation, he took off in the direction Felicia had headed.

Lita stood rooted to the spot, her gaze still fixed on the treeline where Asher had vanished, and a gentle hand on her shoulder startled her. She turned to find Caden's warm, brown eyes regarding her with concern.

“Consider me your official bodyguard for the time being. Asher's orders, though I'd have volunteered anyway.”

“I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“Until you’re marked and made a member of this pack, you do. Well, think of me as your best friend, not your bodyguard.”

Lita felt a genuine laugh bubble up from her chest. "Is that what we are?"

"Oh, absolutely," Caden grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "The comedic beta and the healing luna. We're practically a supernatural movie waiting to happen."

She glanced back to where Asher had disappeared to. As annoying as Felicia was, she felt for her. She was discarded, and she knew what that was like. It must have been painful to watch the man you love reject you for a stranger, all because of the mate pull.

The mate bond is powerful , Mira reminded her. But is it powerful enough to override true love?

What are you saying?

I’m saying that his feelings for her had to be shallow.

The mate pull could change a lot. After all, she never wanted to find a mate.

She was determined to resist the mate bond.

She even ran away from Asher. But if she was being honest, she wasn’t running away from Asher.

She was running away from the pain of rejection.

It wasn’t that the mate bond had changed her, but that it allowed her to realize what she really wanted. She wanted a mate … she wanted HIM.

What else did she really want? This. To belong. And that scared her even more, because if Asher rejected her now … how badly would she be broken?