Page 42 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

“You know she won’t be able to live in a pack forever. I just want to make sure that isn’t a problem for you.” Brad’s voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke with Asher.

“I know, and it isn’t a problem. Whatever she wants and needs is all that matters to me. My place is with her, no matter where that leads me. My priority is keeping her safe.”

“I’m worried for her safety, too. That is the reason we can’t allow her to leave without a guardian. It has nothing to do with you, but—”

“I understand. One of my pack members explained the situation. Now, I’m not happy that you took her like you did. You could have waited and taken me with you. I’m not going to pretend as if I’m okay with what you did.” Asher listened as Brad chuckled.

“Good. You shouldn’t be. However, I won’t apologize. I did what was necessary and, given the situation, I wasn’t comfortable leaving her. She could have been killed if we hadn’t shown up. She might be a grown adult, but she needs someone with her constantly. She needs her protector.”

“I don’t understand why her guardian hasn’t shown up yet!” Asher growled quietly.

“It’s because if a guardian is around her, it will speed up her awakening. They would need permission for that. The problem is it’s already happening. It’s like it rebounded hard, and I don’t understand why.”

Asher sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “She was wearing a magic suppressor until just recently. She took it off, and—”

“And it caused an influx.” Brad winced with a small nod. “It caused the process to speed up. She’s in danger now, and you need to understand the risks of bringing her back to your pack. I want you to think about her safety and what’s best for her.”

“Is keeping her here what’s best for her? Or what’s best for you?”

“I could be accusing you of the same thing.”

Asher’s eyes narrowed at Brad. “Don’t for one second ever think that I don’t want what’s best for her.

She’s my other half. The reason for my existence.

I would gladly lay my life down for her without any hesitation.

No matter how important she is to you, it’s not even close to being on the same level.

You want to treat her like a treasure that needs to be locked up.

She is a strong, independent woman who doesn’t need her damn wings clipped.

She needs to spread them so she can fly.

I won’t put her in a cage, but that doesn’t mean I can’t protect her.

I want to give her everything she’s missed out on, and so much more.

” He smiled softly at Brad. “Have you found your mate?”

Brad sighed. “Not yet.”

“When you find your partner, everything changes. Once you find that person who breathes new life into you, you’ll want to do anything and everything just to put a smile on their face.

I’m going to protect her while doing my best not to smother her.

I’m a possessive alpha male, and I’m going to make mistakes.

I already have … my wolf is very jealous.

It’s hard for us to see her healing others.

That’s a ‘me’ problem, not a ‘her’ problem.

The wolf inside of me wanted to stop her from being a healer and keep her to ourselves.

” He shook his head with a small frown. “It would make my wolf feel better, while trampling on her feelings. The same goes for protecting her. I won’t trample on her to make you feel better, or myself.

However, I understand there’s a balance with this, and it’s something that Lita and I will talk about and come to an agreement on.

Her safety is important to you, but not more important than it is to me.

Her happiness comes secondary to you, but it’s just as important as keeping her safe. ”

“I understand what you’re getting at.” Brad pursed his lips, nodding his head.

What was the point of having her locked in a cage if she was miserable?

Sure, she would be safe and protected, but what kind of life would that be for her?

He needed to think about this differently.

“Once a guardian arrives, I’d like to send a few of my men back to your pack.

Is that alright? Extra safety, and they can let us know if you’re in danger. ”

Asher smiled. “Yes, I think that’s a great idea.”

Lita was playing with the centaur children when she stopped and began scanning the area for Asher.

Spotting him near the trees, she found him in deep conversation with Brad, but it didn’t look confrontational.

Asher was nodding his head, but she couldn’t hear what they were talking about.

They must have been speaking very quietly because she couldn’t hear anything, no matter how hard she tried.

He glanced in her direction, smiling when he caught her watching him.

Moments later, he began walking toward her.

“Ready to turn in for the night?” he asked, reaching out and bringing her to his side.

“Play with us tomorrow!” the children yelled as Asher led a waving Lita away.

“What were you two talking about?” Lita watched as his lips twitched up to a smile.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he teased with a chuckle.

“Yes, I would like to know. Well?” She tugged on his arm like a child, making him laugh.

“Alright, my nosey little mate. We were just discussing your safety. Brad thought it would be best if you stayed here. But we talked about it, and I said that you should have an equal say in your safety. We both agreed that you should always have someone with you from now on. No more walks on your own, but I don’t want you smothered, either.

What do you think? What do you want? If you want to stay here, I’ll stay with you. ”

“I want to go home.” She looked up to see his eyes smiling down at her, and she realized how naturally she called the Black Ice Pack home. “I’ve enjoyed my stay here, but I want to go back to our pack. I want to lead with you. I don’t like the idea of having an escort, but I guess it’s doable.”

“Honestly, most pack leaders do have guards around constantly. It isn’t something Black Ice has practiced, but we will be from now on.

I could have lost you, and I won’t let a mistake like that happen again.

However …” He tugged her against his side as they walked up to the house.

“You were supposed to be using the restroom, and instead, you went on a little walk.”

“I didn’t intend to go on a walk, but Felicia wanted to speak with me.” They stopped walking as Asher stepped in front of her. She realized they’d never talked about it, but she’d assumed Felicia told him.

“What did she want? She told me it was just girl talk … but it was more than that, wasn’t it?”

“Girl talk.” Lita let out an airy chuckle.

“Honestly, that’s exactly what it was, but not the fun gossip.

She didn’t lie, but she left out a lot. Basically, she was letting me know that the only reason you’re with me is because of the mate bond.

And that you couldn’t reject your fated mate because your goal was to make the pack stronger.

You didn’t have a choice, but she was the one you wanted.

” She listened as he growled, his silver eyes turning dark with anger.

“She told me your heart would always belong to her, and she wanted me to understand this because …” She stopped and sighed.

“Because?” Asher growled.

“She was letting me know that, after I had your pups, you would no longer be able to deny your heart and would come back to her. That your logic chose me, but your heart would always choose her. She straight up told me, to my face, that she would sleep with you, and I bloodied her nose for saying it. I told her that I would never share my mate, and—”

“Lita, you will never have to.” Asher cupped her cheeks, his eyes still stormy.

“My heart chooses you. The mate bond woke me up, but I choose you. I love you, and there will never be anyone else but you. You are the last person in the world that I will ever hold. I won’t ever love anyone else.

She’s right. I can’t deny my heart, but it doesn’t belong to her.

It never belonged to her. Lita, I will ask her to leave the pack—”

“No, you don’t have to do that. I think she was just really in love with you, but once she meets her mate, she’ll move on. Besides, I don’t want you to feel like you’re letting her brother down.”

“I won’t feel like that. I’ve done my part and then some. It’s now time for me to prioritize my own life. Telling my mate that she will sleep with me is unforgivable!”

“Give her one more chance.”

He paused, considering her request. “One more … only because you’re the one asking.

But one more mistake and I will banish her from the pack!

” He sighed with a small frown. “You’ve probably noticed we don’t have a delta in the pack.

” He watched as she nodded. “Her brother was my delta and best friend. I’ve left the position open in honor of him.

Brody’s death was painful, and it has haunted me, but I alleviated that pain by taking care of Felicia.

I felt so guilty because he was dead, because he took the blow in my place.

But like I said, I’ve done my part and then some.

Felicia is no longer a child, and there are rules that every pack member has to follow. ”

“Asher, I’m so sorry for the pain you’ve gone through. It wasn’t your fault. You know you would have done the same for him. You have nothing to feel guilty over.”

“I’m learning not to, because of you. You’re healing me, and I can finally move forward.” Asher’s eyes softened as he rubbed his thumb over Lita’s cheek. “You have no idea how important you are to me. I want you to know that I will only love you. Do you know that my heart chooses you?”

“I do.” It was the truth. When he arrived that day, he put the rest of her doubts to rest. She belonged to him, just like he belonged to her. “I love you, Asher.”

“I love you … more than anything.” He pressed his lips against hers softly, sliding his hand up her back to her neck.

He felt desire trickling inside of him that was separate from his own.

It was hers, and feeling her desire sent him over the edge.

With a growl, he roughly picked her up, taking her into the house and closing the door.