Page 44 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)
Morning light spilled across the centaur village, catching in the dewy grass and turning ordinary moments into something golden.
Lita stood with her arms crossed, fighting a smile as she watched Asher adjust the waistband of his joggers—the only scrap of clothing he'd managed to bring along during his hasty journey.
His bare chest gleamed in the sunlight, muscles shifting beneath skin that seemed almost deliberately on display.
She bit her lip, suppressing the warmth that curled through her stomach at the sight.
"Proud of those, are you?" she asked, nodding toward the worn gray joggers that hung low on his hips.
Asher's grin was slow and deliberate. "Considering I carried them in my wolf form all the way here, yes, I'm rather attached.
" He ran a hand through his black hair, still damp from the morning's sensual shower. He couldn’t help but taste his mate again and again. Having her in his arms was everything, and he didn’t want to be away from her ever again.
Lita stepped closer to him with a small smirk. She was wearing the same skimpy clothes—a makeshift version of what the centaur women had. The fabric skimmed her thighs, a fact that hadn't escaped Asher's attention, his silver eyes tracking the movement of the hem with each step she took.
"You know," she said, voice light with teasing, "you could always go back to your pack and get some proper clothes." She paused, then added with a wicked gleam, "Or you could borrow mine."
"Borrow yours?" Asher's eyebrows shot up, his voice dropping to a playful rumble. "I doubt that tunic would cover anything important on me."
"That's rather the point," Lita laughed, reaching up to trace her fingers along the exposed line of his neck, feeling the quick jump of his pulse beneath her touch.
His skin was warm, almost feverish, and she watched with satisfaction as his pupils dilated at her bold gesture.
She was becoming more comfortable and forward with her mate.
The touch sent a current through Asher that had nothing to do with the morning chill.
He caught her wrist gently, turning her hand to press his lips against her palm—a gesture both tender and claiming.
"If I’m borrowing anything," he murmured against her skin, "it's to take off of you before I ravish your body. "
"Is that a promise, Alpha?" she challenged, watching his eyes light up from her words. He seemed to like her new boldness as well.
"Every word." His hands found her waist, fingers splaying across the thin fabric, almost spanning her entirely. The possessiveness of the gesture caused tingles to ripple over her body.
“You know, I’ve never been out on a proper date. I feel like we skipped steps and ended up straight in bed. Not that I mind—”
“Do you want that? A traditional courtship?” He tilted his head, studying her, wishing he could hear her thoughts right now, but they were more muffled. He heard her loud and clear this morning when they were being intimate, but now it wasn’t as loud.
“I guess I never thought about it, since I never intended to find my mate.”
“Even better, since your mate is devastatingly handsome and charming.” He wiggled his brows at her, making her laugh. “How about we go on some dates? And if we end up tangled in the sheets after that, it’ll just be a bonus.”
“Are you going to wear these?” she teased, tugging on the band of his joggers.
“Would you prefer them off? Because that can be arranged.” His eyes flicked toward the house and then back to her.
She traced her fingers lightly over his abdomen and up to the back of his neck as his hands held her by her waist. She stared into his silver eyes, his love for her reflecting in them.
If someone had told her a year ago that she’d find a mate who would love and adore her, she would have laughed.
And yet here she was, wrapped in the arms of the man who would love her for the rest of her life.
“How about you wear those on our first date … now? A walk around the centaur village.” A sweet, simple date, just the two of them. No pack to run, no responsibilities. Just them.
“That sounds nice.”
They left the bustle of the centaur village behind, following a narrow footpath that wound between stands of silver birch and ancient oak.
They walked side by side, their fingers interlaced.
The centaurs were giving them space today, and it seemed to Lita that Brad had asked them to give the couple some privacy.
Asher looked around and marveled at the territory.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd simply walked somewhere without purpose, without the weight of his pack's expectations pressing down on him.
The path curved gently upward, and the trees began to change character—sturdier, more ancient, with gnarled roots that broke through the earth like arthritic knuckles.
Above them, the mountains rose in jagged silhouette against the clear blue sky, forming a natural barrier that had protected the centaur village for generations.
From this vantage point, Asher could appreciate the strategic positioning—any approaching threat would be visible for miles, while the village itself remained nestled in the protective embrace of stone and forest.
“The waterfall is beautiful, isn’t it?” Lita felt the heat from Asher’s chest against her back as he wrapped his arms around her.
“It’s been hard for me to describe anything beautiful after meeting you.”
“Cheesy, but I like it.” She lifted her head to see him looking down at her adoringly.
"This is nice," Asher said after a comfortable silence, his voice low and private despite the fact that they were entirely alone.
"Having a moment with just the two of us.
" He kissed her forehead, and the two looked at the waterfall. He rested his chin on her head and they stood there quietly, enjoying each other’s company.
Their tranquility was soon shattered like thin ice beneath a heavy boot.
"There you are!" The crisp, familiar voice cut through the waterfall's constant roar, causing both of them to stiffen.
Their moment of connection dissolved as they turned toward the sound, Asher's arm instinctively tightening around Lita's waist. Through the misty air, a figure emerged from behind a cluster of silver birch trees, his blond hair catching sunlight like polished metal.
Caspian stepped into the clearing, his blue eyes scanning the scene with an expression that shifted quickly to relief. “You two look like you’re doing well.”
“Caspy!” She went to give him a hug, but Asher tugged her back like a possessive child.
“You’re interrupting my date,” Asher growled, studying him. “What are you doing here?”
“The guardian will be arriving any time now, and I wanted to be here when he did.” Caspian looked at Lita. “The truth is, he isn’t just a guardian. He’s your guardian, Lita.”
"My guardian?" she repeated, the question sharp with disbelief. “Like mine alone?” She watched as Caspian nodded.
A thunderous roar split the air, vibrating through the ground beneath their feet like an earthquake. It wasn't the waterfall this time—this sound was organic, primal … the unmistakable challenge of a predator. Lita's gaze snapped toward the village entrance.
“I guess he arrived faster than I thought he would. We better go to him. He doesn’t sound happy.” Caspian glanced at Asher, who gave him a brief nod. They’d already had a discussion about Lita’s guardian, and he knew who they were going to see.
The three of them hurried to the entrance.
Another roar echoed through the trees, closer now, accompanied by shouts and the distinctive sound of centaur hooves striking stone in agitation.
They burst from the treeline into the clearing before the tunnel entrance, skidding to a halt at the scene unfolding before them.
A crowd of centaurs had formed a wary circle around two figures at its center. One was unmistakably Brad, and the other a mountain of a man, with shoulders broad enough to fill a doorway, who held Brad by his throat.
"Let me be perfectly clear," the giant growled, his voice a bass rumble that seemed to emanate from the earth itself.
"If you ever touch my charge again, you will be dealt with.
YOU HAD NO RIGHT!" The last four words carried a promise of violence so explicit that several centaurs took involuntary steps backward, their hooves clattering nervously against the stone ground.
Lita recognized the voice, but it couldn’t be him. “Stop!" she shouted, pushing forward through the ring of centaurs. "Let him go!”
The giant froze at the sound of her voice.
His massive body went completely still, and he released his grip on Brad’s throat.
Slowly, he turned toward her. When his green eyes found her, Lita felt the world tilt beneath her feet.
Recognition slammed into her like a physical blow—not the vague stirring she'd felt with the sound of his voice.
Her voice was a shallow whisper as she spoke his name. “Grayson.”