Page 15 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

“ S o, this will all be yours … everything the light touches.” Caden smirked as Lita rolled her eyes.

“Except that meadow over there. That is beyond our borders and is neutral territory.” He switched his voice to a haunting tone.

“I’ve heard that witches and trolls lurk in the shadows there.

And there are fairy traps scattered through it. ”

Caspian clicked his tongue. “Don’t listen to anything he says.

First of all, witches aren’t just going to roam in an open field.

They have covens of their own. Most of them live in a suburb in town.

Second, no troll would ever choose a meadow.

Trolls like dark, damp places where they can grow their favorite molds and fungi.

And lastly, fairies wouldn’t just set a trap for no reason.

IF there was a trap there, it would be because they were protecting something.

” He looked at the meadow. “Trust me, there is nothing over there they would be protecting.”

“I feel like my knowledge is a bit lacking. I don’t know much about any other species but werewolves. Red Grove didn’t teach about anything else.” Lita looked up at Caspian’s sky-blue eyes.

“Black Ice has taught us about some creatures, but we don’t study them in depth. I just have a special interest in magic and the creatures that use it. I’ll teach you everything I know, if you want to learn.”

“I can teach her things, too,” Caden added, not wanting to get left out.

“Well … I do need extra sparring lessons. As the beta, you would be best for that.” She listened as he choked on air.

“No, no, no. Remember, we talked about that. You can spar with Asher.” He chuckled, shaking his head.

“I’m sure he isn’t—” Lita stopped and snapped her head toward the meadow. She heard a light twinkling sound, and with it, a soft melody she couldn’t make out. “Do you hear that?”

“Hear what?” Caden asked, glancing out to the meadow.

She listened quietly for a moment longer. “Maybe I was imagining things,” she whispered as the sound vanished.

Caspian watched her closely but stayed quiet.

“It could be the way the wind whistles through the trees here. You’ll get used to it.” Caden let out a groan. “Caspian, your ladies are starting a fight. Garrett wants you to go break them up.”

Caspian sighed and shook his head. “Again?!”

“This is going to happen until you choose a date. Go take care of it.”

“Why do you have so many women?” Lita popped her mouth closed. It was none of her business and she didn’t know why she was prying. “Sorry, that was personal.”

“Not at all, princess.” Caspian laughed. “The truth is, the ladies all follow me around. I don’t ask them to. I’m not interested in any of them. They chase me around all day.”

“Tragic,” Caden mumbled in annoyance.

“I’ve made it perfectly clear to them that I’m not interested. I told them I would never take any of them as my mate. They understand and they don’t care. Honestly, they’re using me, too. They just want eye candy as their date, and to make others jealous.”

“Like I said … tragic.” Caden snorted, making Lita giggle.

“Aww, Caden, you’re a handsome man, too. I honestly think you and Caspian are equally attractive. I wonder why they don’t chase you around,” she pondered, her brows furrowed.

“I’d appreciate it if you never repeated that ever again. If Asher heard you say that, Caspian and I would be disfigured for life.” Caden chuckled nervously.

“Asher would have a riot on his hands if he disfigured mine.” Caspian beamed. “And on that note, I’m off to hose down the women.”

Lita watched him trot back down the path. It was weird how comfortable she felt around him. She barely knew him.

They continued their walk, the grass crunching softly beneath their feet. Lita breathed in the crisp air, letting it clear her mind. “So, tell me more about the pack territory,” she prompted, eager to learn.

Caden launched into an animated description of the land’s features, his voice rising and falling with enthusiasm. Lita listened intently, trying to commit every detail to memory.

Awfully invested in a place you won’t call home yet. Mira’s mocking tone entered her mind.

Lita decided to ignore her wolf. Today was her day of feeling like this was her home. She was playing house, so to speak.

Caden’s feet abruptly stopped. She turned to look at him and saw his eyes were glazed over, showing he was mentally communicating with someone.

After a moment that felt like an eternity, Caden blinked rapidly, his focus returning. “Sorry,” he muttered, shaking his head as if to clear it. “Message from Asher.”

“Is everything okay?” she asked, unable to keep the worry from her voice.

Caden’s brow furrowed, his eyes darting to the treeline. “He’s been looking for us,” he said, his voice tight. “And he’s not—”

A blur of motion erupted from the forest, resolving into Asher’s imposing form. His silver eyes blazed with fury, muscles coiled with tension beneath his shirt. Lita’s breath caught in her throat.

“What the hell were you thinking, Caden?” Asher growled, closing the distance between them in long, angry strides. “Taking her this far out? Without protection?”

“Asher, come on. We’re fine. I wouldn’t let anything—”

“That’s not the point!” Asher snapped, his voice sharp enough to make Lita flinch. “You know the dangers. You know what’s out there. Rogue sightings are on the rise!”

“This was my idea,” she said, her voice steady despite her pounding heart. “I asked to see the territory. If you’re going to be angry with anyone, be angry with me.”

Asher’s eyes widened, the fury in them replaced with guilt. “Lita,” he said, his voice gentler now. “I’m sorry. I’m not upset with you. I love that you want to get to know your home better. I just want you safe. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“And?” Lita raised her eyes expectantly.

“And—” Asher scrunched his nose as he tried to think of what to add.

“Sorry, Caden, for lashing out at you.” Lita watched as a big smile spread over his lips.

“And you’re already being a luna to our pack.” Asher reached out and brought her to his chest. He held her as he looked over at Caden. “Sorry about that, buddy.”

“Well I’ll be damned … hell must have frozen over, because that has never happened before.” Caden chuckled.

“You’re precious to me, Lita. More than you know. I’ll do anything for you.”

So many emotions swirled inside her. She found herself relaxing in Asher’s embrace, relishing in the sweet tingles he brought her. The Black Ice Pack was already feeling more like home than the Red Grove Pack ever did.

“Caspian got his entourage under control.” Asher looked over at Caden. “Did you tell him to pick someone already?”

“I told him the fighting would continue until he did. I think he was keeping himself open in case Lita needed an escort tomorrow.”

Asher let out a dark chuckle. “Does he have a death wish?”

“He didn’t mean anything by it.” Lita looked up to meet with his silver eyes. “He didn’t want me going alone and thought, since you already promised Felicia that you would take her.”

“That was before I found my mate. I’m taking you.” His silver eyes locked onto hers.

“Have you told Felicia that yet?” Caden gave Asher a half smile.

“No, but I shouldn’t have to … right?” Asher looked at Caden and then inwardly cursed.

When he spoke to Felicia earlier, he reiterated it was over between them.

She promised she wasn’t trying to cause any problems and that it was just hard for her to accept instantly.

It was so sudden, and she still loved him.

She told him she would be wearing a purple dress tomorrow.

At the time, he did think it was weird for her to tell him.

It made sense now. That was her way of checking if they were still going to the banquet together.

“Ugh, yeah, I guess I’m going to need to spell it out for her. ”

“I’m still learning how to be around crowds, so if you—”

“Don’t even finish that sentence.” Asher chuckled, reaching out to cup her cheeks. He leaned down so that he was staring directly into her eyes. “There is no way I’m going if you’re not my date. My place is by your side.”

“I don’t understand,” Lita whispered.

“What don’t you understand?”

“If she was your fiancée, then why are you acting like she’s no one to you now?” Lita held his gaze until a loud howl ripped through the air. After the sound, a loud shout came from the far end of the territory.

“ROGUES!”