Page 32 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

L ita and her food-stealing gang were sitting in a secluded part of the wood. Caden was telling stories about Asher when he was younger as they snacked on their stolen goods.

“And then, oh this part is good … and then Asher was jumping in the mud puddles. We were trying to see if we could empty the puddle if we jumped hard enough. He jumped in one and went completely underwater!” Caden laughed.

“It was a big sinkhole of mud, and not a puddle. He came out looking like the swamp monster—”

“What stories are you filling my mate’s head with?” Asher’s gentle voice rumbled behind Lita. She turned, looking up at him. “I see you’re corrupting her as well.” His tone was teasing, but there was an undercurrent of warmth there.

“I’m merely educating her on the finer points of your … childhood,” Caden retorted with a smirk, and Asher snorted, shaking his head with fond exasperation.

“Come here, Lita,” Asher said, striding over and gently taking hold of her hands, drawing her up to stand beside him. “The party is going to start soon. I need to speak with you for a few moments … if you’ll excuse us.”

Asher’s hand, warm and firm, guided Lita through the bramble of ferns and flowering nocturnes that edged the secluded woods. Lita was curious as he led her to an isolated spot nearby. The pavilion was within their sights, and she could see her new friends making their way there.

“Lita, I wanted to talk to you.”

“I don’t have to give a speech or anything, right?” Lita pursed her lips as Asher chuckled.

“No, you don’t. I just want to show you off … with my mark on your neck. It’s a possessive thing.” He gave her a cheeky grin, cupping her cheeks.

His silver eyes were locked onto hers. She felt the sweet tingles of his touch as he slowly leaned in, lightly brushing his lips over hers.

“Lita, I am so sorry. I was feeling a bit vulnerable and downright jealous. Bo used the moment to push himself forward. I never would have asked you to quit being a healer. I don’t like you touching other men, but I understand that, as a healer, you have to.

I know the touches don’t mean anything, but it’s just …

your touches mean EVERYTHING to me. I love you, Lita.

Bo is very possessive and animalistic, but I’ll do better at not letting him take control. I don’t want to be that way with you.”

She stepped closer, placing her palm on his chest. “I understand those struggles all too well. I’ve had my fair share of fights with Mira. It’s weird … like wrestling your inner, powerful voice. They are their own creatures with their own personalities. They are us, but they aren’t.”

He nodded, a silent signal that he understood. “Do you forgive me … and Bo?”

“I do.”

Asher’s lips crashed against hers in a passionate yet brief kiss.

He then looked toward their friends with pride.

“You’ve become a part of them,” he said, gesturing toward the pavilion where the pack had gathered, their laughter and chatter riding on the breeze.

“Seeing you with them, it’s as if you’re the missing piece we never knew was missing.

” His voice was a hushed vow, resonating within her chest. “They’re excited about you, Lita.

Black Ice has become a stronger pack overnight.

We’ve worked hard to make ourselves stronger, and you were the last piece of the puzzle. ”

Lita stared at the pack members with a small smile while her insecurities began to bubble inside of her.

Stronger pack … since she'd arrived at the Black Ice Pack, she’d heard about the pack’s strength numerous times.

And she’d heard how Asher made it his goal to do whatever it took to make them stronger.

He even built up their tolerance to silver and wolfsbane, a risky move that paid off.

But how far would he go for the sake of the pack?

Was she just ‘for the sake of the pack’?

Did he throw away the woman he loved just to accept his fated mate?

She decided when she accepted Asher’s mark that she would let the unknowns go and that they would build a relationship for the future, growing it into something beautiful.

She couldn’t help but feel the cracks of doubt penetrating, though.

Especially because of how he’d dropped Felicia, the woman he loved.

Yes, she might be the one marked and mated to Asher, but was it just because she made the pack stronger?

“Lita?” Asher’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Hmm?” She listened as he chuckled.

“Don’t be nervous. You’ve already met everyone. And by the taste on your lips, you’ve already been snacking on the food?” He arched a brow at her with a crooked grin.

“Quality testing the food.” Lita smiled and pushed her insecurities to the back of her mind. It was something she needed to do better with. The damage from her old pack didn’t have to stay with her forever. She would need to overcome it and realize her own worth.

“Let’s not keep them waiting any longer,” Asher said, his voice a gentle rumble that grounded her like a stone in the midst of a churning river. He wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her toward the pavilions.

“…and guardians are not just myths, they say. They’re tied to the fairies, some sort of protectors, and they can be terrifyingly strong …

” Lita’s breath hitched as she saw Felicia standing in the middle of the pavilion, talking.

She must have overheard Caspian talking to them and was now using it to cause fear and misunderstanding.

Lita glanced over the pack and found Caspian. His eyes were narrowed at Felicia and she could see he was struggling against himself. As they got closer, Felicia turned and whipped her hand toward Lita.

“And she is part fairy!” Felicia's lips curled into a knowing smirk, the triumph in her gaze searing into Lita.

So this was her tactic? Since Lita was already marked, she would use the pack. She would turn them against their new luna by making them afraid of her.

“Is this true?” someone from the crowd asked.

“Yes, I am part fairy. Though I wouldn’t let someone’s ramblings be your source of education on the subject.

” Lita’s eyes flashed to Felicia. “What I am doesn’t change the fact that I’m the luna here.

And what you were saying could be taken as vicious slander against your luna.

You need to be careful about what you say in the future.

” Her eyes narrowed as she challenged Felicia to continue.

Asher glared at Felicia for a moment, mentally planning to deal with her later.

He kissed the top of Lita’s head and looked out over his pack.

“Isn’t she amazing? Our luna, my mate, is part fairy and an incredible healer.

Like Felicia said, fairies can be strong.

They’re not a weak species. Who knows, maybe our luna is stronger than me.

What an incredible asset to our pack!” As he finished his speech, the pack erupted in loud cheers.

Lita watched as Felicia walked off, clearly not interested in staying for the celebration.

Asher led her around the pack. They all took their turn greeting their luna. Everyone was kind and friendly, but what she kept hearing over and over was strength.

“Our pack is so much stronger now.”

“If you’re a fairy, you have magic! Wow, this will be great for the strength of the pack.”

“Black Ice is now a powerhouse. A fated mate who is also part fairy.”

These were the things she heard, and each time, she felt the crack of insecurity growing.

“Lita, are you okay?” Caspian asked as he came up to her side. Asher had walked over to where the children were sitting and was taking the time to answer their questions.

“I’m still learning things, and this pack … it seems like all they really care about is being stronger.”

Caspian nodded his head. “They never want to suffer a loss like they did before. For years now, the focus has been on becoming a stronger pack. They’re a good bunch for the most part.”

Lita nodded her head. Being stronger wasn’t a bad thing. Even if Asher wanted her because it made the pack stronger, he also cared for her. She could feel their connection, and it wasn’t fake, right?

“I’ll be right back. I just need to use the restroom.”

“I’ll walk you—”

“To the restroom?” Lita laughed and shook her head. “Caspy, the house is right there. I’m pretty sure I won’t get lost. If I’m not back in five minutes, send a search party,” she teased, listening to his sheepish chuckle as she walked away.

Lita had just gotten to the pack house porch when she saw Felicia standing by a path near the woods. She stared at Lita, her arms folded across her chest. With a heavy sigh, Lita walked up to her. It seemed this moment was inevitable and needed to happen right now.

“Felicia, do you want to speak with me?”

“Yes, let’s take a walk so we won’t be interrupted.”

Lita had missed out on a lot of things in life, and now it seemed like she was catching up on all of them. It looked like she was about to have her first cat fight.