Page 2 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

“Lita!” Nathon’s voice rang out by the door. “I can’t introduce you if you aren’t in here.”

Lita jumped and quickly turned to head inside. She glanced over her shoulder at Teo as he followed her. She wondered who he was talking about. She would make sure he spilled it to her later.

As she approached the door, Nathon gently tucked her arm over his and led her inside. “This is my daughter, Lita. Isn’t she beautiful?” This was what her father said on repeat as he guided her through the many rooms of the building. “Ladies, gentlemen, you must meet my daughter, Lita.”

Nathon beamed. “She’s a healer, you know. Youngest in pack history.”

Lita was grateful when Kennedy finally arrived because Nathon had to leave to introduce her brother Drew and his future luna.

The ones who would be taking over the pack.

He was saving their introductions so he could introduce them both together.

Lita used this moment to escape to the side kitchen, though on her way out, she overheard someone talking about her father’s mental strength after having lost two mates.

Her father lost his first mate, Drew’s mother, in a fight against rogues.

And his second mate, her mother, was killed by wolves during a thunderstorm.

She took in a shaky breath as she pushed the memories away.

She was there the day her mother died. It was one of the reasons she had panic attacks during storms.

As she rounded the corner, Teo was waiting there, a glass of something dark in each hand. He didn't speak, just handed her one and offered a wry little smile. “Survive the gauntlet?”

“Didn’t even cry.” Lita grinned and quickly gulped down the contents, shifting her thoughts to today.

It was strange for her to be at a party like this.

Everyone was being so nice to her. If they knew about her secret, though, none of them would want her there.

Just like the other members in her home pack.

“You ready to go back in?” Teo asked, draining his glass.

“Not yet.” Lita felt Mira pacing frantically in her mind.

“Your brother is summoning me. Guess it’s my turn to be paraded around. But if your brother doesn’t call me beautiful, then I’m rioting.” Teo chuckled as he prodded Lita’s nose. “Be good and wait here for me.”

Lita snorted with a smile. She didn’t have any intentions of leaving the kitchen, until Mira made her head start throbbing. She looked for the nearest door and quickly went through it, running outside to the trees.

Why are you so worked up, Mira?

Do you smell that? That scent … Her tail wagged in Lita’s mind as she bounced around.

Lita smelled the air and realized that what she’d been smelling wasn’t some dessert from inside.

The smell was also out here, and getting closer.

That was when she heard it. A soft footstep from behind.

It was careful, calculated, not a deer but something bigger.

She spun around, her eyes scanning the darkness.

“Who’s there?!” she demanded, squaring her shoulder back confidently. There was no fear, only the willingness to fight if she had to.

Silence. Then another step, closer now. A shadow formed behind a tree. Tall, broad shoulders, moving with the grace of a wolf. She could feel Mira pressing against the inside of her ribs, desperate to get closer, to touch him, to understand.

For a moment, he stood there, then slowly stepped into the light. His hair was black and thick, and his handsome face was accented by his silver eyes. Suddenly, Mira let out a loud howl in her mind. A howl of pure need … a howl of recognition.

Mate.

The word slammed Lita in the gut. Mira was beyond reason, yipping and tumbling, already in love.

“So you do feel it too?” An amused smirk spread over his lips while his stormy eyes stayed locked onto hers. “I was beginning to wonder, because you didn’t look my way once inside.”

Lita looked at him in confusion. “You were watching me?”

“My wolf, Bo, demanded it.” He took a step closer and she took one back.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” His eyes suddenly looked wounded.

“I … I don’t know you.”

“Give me a chance.” He gave her a sweet smile as he took another step closer. “I’ve been looking for you. I’m Asher … Alpha Asher Chain of the Black Ice Pack. And I’ve been waiting for my mate to show up. What’s your name?”

Lita chewed on her inner lip for a moment. “I’m Lita Silva, a healer, and daughter of Alpha Nathon Silva from the Red Grove Pack. And I’m not looking for a mate.” She took another step back and he held up his hand.

“Wait … I’ve finally found you. Can we talk?”

“No, because you’re looking at me as your mate.”

“Well, aren’t you?” He chuckled, staring into her beautiful green eyes.

“No. Forget that you found me. I’m doing us both a favor.

You’re going to have to trust me. Find someone better to be by your side.

” She took a small step back. It was more difficult than she thought it would be.

This was the person she was supposed to share everything with.

But it couldn’t be. Still, she couldn’t help but stare into his eyes.

They weren't just silver. They were storm clouds, summer lightning, the kind of sky that warns you to run for shelter and makes you want to stand outside anyway.

He smiled, slow and crooked. “That’s not what Mira says.”

Lita’s mouth popped open. “How do you—”

“Bo has been howling nonstop. He’s already spoken to your wolf and is whispering her name like the lovesick pup we both are.

” He took another step, and the morning sun lanced through the branches, painting his skin in light and shadows.

The man was built like a threat and a promise, shoulders broad enough to block out the sun and abs cut like someone took a chisel to marble.

Even through his shirt, it was easy to see his rippling muscles.

And that was when she realized she was staring. Damnit Lita, have some willpower!

“Lita,” he said, the name heavy with meaning that she didn’t understand. But his eyes were filled with desire. She had to get away from him. This wasn’t going to end well. She took another step back.

“Now wait a minute–” Asher began to say, but she turned and ran.

I don’t need a mate, she told herself as Mira whined. He isn’t ours to keep, Mira. We both know how this will end. We’ve lived it. She ran along the path and into the back door of the house.

MY MATE! Bo growled as he fought against Asher.

Bo, we’re going after her. Just give me a minute. She isn’t going anywhere.

“Caden!” Asher barked. A large man jogged over to him from the woods. His dark brown hair fell in waves over his forehead, framing sharp brown eyes that held a sense of warmth and strength. His physique was sculpted and formidable, a testament to his role as second-in-command.

“Well, that went swimmingly, didn’t it? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a female run away from you quite so fast.” Caden chuckled as he watched his alpha staring at where she disappeared. “Well, aren’t you going to go after her?”

“Send word back to the pack and have them bring another vehicle here immediately. I’ll be sending Felicia home in the one that’s here.

” After all these years, he had finally found his mate and he wasn’t about to lose her.

There were some things that needed to be corrected now, and plans he no longer intended to follow through with.

She doesn’t want us.

She does. She just doesn’t know it yet. She’s afraid, Bo. We need to show her that she’s safe with us.

But she’s ours! Bo whined, stomping his feet in Asher’s subconscious.

For such a powerful wolf, Bo could be very demanding when he didn’t get his way.

Sometimes he could be downright childish.

However, in this situation, he understood his wolf’s feelings.

He wanted to take her in his arms immediately and bury his nose in her scent.

He wanted to yell at the top of his lungs that he had finally found his reason.

She might have run from him, but he could see the look of longing in her eyes.

Asher’s lips curled into a small smile. Yes, Bo, she is ours. And we’ll prove it to her. I don’t know why she’s so hesitant about having a mate, or why she would think there’s someone better to be by my side.

Bo growled. Sounds like she’s been mistreated. The Moon Goddess didn’t make a mistake. We will show her what it means to be truly cherished.

Lita Silva may have run away from us today, but soon she will be where she belongs. By our side as our luna, Lita Chain.