Page 40 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

Lita ran to the tunnel entrance, with Brad at her side. He had finally come, and she couldn’t wait to see him again.

“I’m not asking! My mate is here!” She heard him growl as she rounded the bend. Her gaze connected with his. His stormy eyes rested on her, and she could see the relief in them. Two centaurs were blocking his path, stopping him from entering the village.

“Let him through.” Lita’s voice was kind but firm. “He’s my mate.”

“Do as she says.” Brad nodded his head as the two centaurs looked to him for approval.

As soon as they moved to the side, Asher ran to her. He engulfed her in his arms, lifting her off the ground.

“I’m never letting go of you again. Lita, I’m sorry it took me so long, but I’m here.” His arms tightened around her as he slowly lowered her back to the ground.

“Is everything okay? I was worried.” She glanced behind him. “Did you come alone?”

“I had to. I couldn’t wait another minute.

I left the pack in the middle of the night while everyone was asleep.

Caspian wanted to wait for a guardian to come for you.

I couldn’t wait any longer, so I left on my own.

I mindlinked Caden and told him to watch over the pack, but I had to find you now.

I didn’t want to risk a war, so I thought if I came on my own it would be less threatening. ”

“Werewolves can think.” Brad hummed with a small smirk. “You are welcome here, since you’re Lita’s mate. However, Lita is not allowed to leave without a guardian. If you need anything, Lita, I’ll be around.” Brad nodded to her before turning and walking away.

“They’re bigger than I thought they’d be.” Asher chuckled, interlacing his fingers with Lita. “What are you wearing?” He stepped back, getting a good look at the revealing clothes.

“They don’t exactly have pants here.” Lita blushed under his burning gaze. “Let’s go back to my house so we can talk.”

“Your house?” Asher frowned, not liking the sound of that.

“The centaurs gave me my own home here,” she said carefully as they walked away from the entrance.

“When we get the chance, we can make a run for it.” Asher whispered against her ear.

“They bound me to this place.” She looked up at his angry eyes. “I’m basically in an invisible cage. I can’t leave until a guardian shows up. I don’t know how long that will be.”

Asher snorted angrily. “Me either. Caspian said it wouldn’t be too long, but that the guardian would have to get permission to come for you. Who knows how long that will take?”

“I understand if you can’t stay here with me until one shows up.” Lita felt him jerk her arm, spinning her body back to his chest. He roughly grabbed her chin, his intense, stormy eyes locking onto hers.

“I said I’m never letting go of you again!

” he growled, slamming his lips against hers.

His hand slid up to the back of her neck, holding her there as a willing captive.

His lips moved against hers urgently, devouring them as the sweet sparks and tingles erupted.

It had been far too long … far too long.

He needed her more than he needed oxygen.

He finally parted from her lips, his hot breath still searing them as he held her captive by the neck. “I’m never losing you again.”

“What if it’s weeks?”

“Then it's weeks.”

“What if it's months?”

“I said never again,” he growled, his lips brushing over hers.

“And what if I didn’t want to leave here?” Her eyes flashed to his to see him studying her. He looked at her, a bit confused, but then he shrugged with a tired smile.

“Then I guess I’m moving in. Why, do you like this place better?”

She could see the slight hurt in his eyes, but did he really mean it? She didn’t really mean it, having actually decided she wouldn’t ask after all. But the opportunity came, and she took it.

“Asher, you can’t leave your pack. They need their alpha—”

“I need you more than the pack needs me. Lita—” He brushed his thumb over her cheek.

“My place is with you. I told you already. Wherever you go, I will follow. Unless …” Asher thought about what Felicia had said to him before, about Lita wanting to leave.

That it was overwhelming for her to be his luna.

He suddenly felt insecure, and his fingers trembled slightly at the thought.

“Do you not want to be the luna of the pack? Because if you don’t, I’ll give it up, just so I can be with you. ”

Lita’s lips parted in shock. Just like that? Would he really leave his pack for her? It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be part of his pack, but she was worried she couldn’t be a proper leader. “What if I can’t shift anymore? How can I be your luna? Your pack needs a strong luna who can fight—”

“Lita, stop. You need to tell me what conversation we need to have here. What is going on in that mind of yours?” All of this seemed to come from out of nowhere. Things were fine before she was taken, weren’t they? “Lita … is it me?” His voice dropped to barely a whisper.

“Asher.” She let out a quiet cry, burying her head against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his torso, shaking her head against him.

“How could it be you? It’s just …” She sighed, stepping back and grabbing his hand.

“Let’s continue this back at my place. It’s a bit chilly out here right now. ”

Asher nodded, studying her profile as she led them toward the houses. She was feeling chilly … and before, she’d mentioned not being able to shift. Had something happened to Mira? Was that why she was acting like this? She had to know that none of that mattered to him, right?

She led him to a tall building near the treeline, its broad doors obviously designed for centaurs.

He followed her inside, and the moment the doors shut, she was in his arms again.

He didn’t know what was going on, but his beautiful mate was feeling insecure.

He needed her to know how much he needed her, that he was on the brink of insanity without her.

“Gods, Lita … it’s been hell.” His voice cracked.

“I’ve missed you so much … if you could just feel what I’m feeling, you would understand.

Whatever you’re thinking, you need to understand that you are all that matters to me.

Is something wrong with Mira? Are you worried about that?

No matter what, I’ll be by your side. I’ll be here to help you through it all.

” And he really meant that. Caspian had told him about Lita and her painful awakening.

He knew everything about her. He couldn’t tell her that, but he was determined to protect her and be someone she could rely on.

Lita’s fingers bit into Asher’s skin as she held onto him.

His arms were a warm, strong anchor holding her to him, promising safety and love.

Hearing that he would stay with her even if she never returned, and that he would stay with her even without Mira …

his voice was so honest. It made her feel silly for doubting his intentions.

Still, what did this mean when it came to Felicia?

It was time she told him where all her inner doubts began.

“What am I thinking? A lot of things.” Her voice was quiet but muffled against Asher’s chest. She picked her head up so she could look directly into his eyes.

“I heard a lot about how important it was to strengthen Black Ice. You’ve done some wonderful things to ensure they’re not vulnerable, even taking big risks with high rewards.

I guess I was wondering if maybe … I was chosen just to strengthen the pack.

” She watched as his eyes widened, his lips parting slightly as he shook his head.

“You thought this, us,” he motioned between them, “was just for the pack? Didn’t I tell you that I would leave the pack for you? Did you think I was just saying that?”

“I guess I didn’t understand. You might have found me as your mate, but Felicia was your fiancée. The way you completely dropped her … either you wanted to be with your mate to strengthen the pack, or you didn’t have any feelings for her. It seemed like you were overcompensating with me, or—”

“Or I never had feelings for her.” His voice was quiet as he dropped his head, ashamed of himself, not wanting to meet Lita’s sharp gaze.