Page 51 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

Asher and Caspian sat down at the table across from Grayson as Lita stood next to Grayson and cleaned out his wounds.

The injuries weren’t bad, just some flesh wounds that would be fully healed soon.

Still, it didn’t hurt to clean the wounds out and wrap them to prevent infection.

Caden was out with the pack, and Kristen still wasn’t back yet.

“So, Grayson, are you going to tell me what makes a guardian a guardian?” Lita wrapped the bandage around his arm gingerly, paying attention to detail as she did.

“Now we’ve reached the questions portion of this game.

” Grayson smirked, then cleared his throat after seeing her unamused face.

“First, you have to be a werebear ... well, traditionally they’ve always been a werebear.

Then, when it’s time for a new guardian, potential candidates are sought out.

You’re either born with the gift, or you aren’t.

If you have it, you’re then taken from your family and trained extensively.

For me, I was taken into a werewolf family.

Since you were half werewolf, it was important for my training to be done among them.

I needed to understand them and their kind, so I was brought in and raised as Luke’s twin brother.

We were both trained extensively and had several fairy trainers looking over us.

The Cedar Pack has a long-standing relationship with the fairies, so they were more than willing to take me in. ”

“What else makes you our guardian, besides being a big old bear? Why would werebears agree to be punching bags for fairies?”

“Ages ago, one of my ancestors was gifted power by the queen of the fairies. In exchange for this, he would sacrifice members of his line to become special guardians to the fairies. On top of that, werebears would remain close allies. Guardians are not only stronger than other werebears, but they also have special abilities. They can communicate telepathically with fairies and other magical creatures. We have the ability to take pain away from our charges. Not completely, but we can make it a lot less painful by taking some of it upon ourselves. Then, each guardian usually has his own unique skill. I haven’t discovered mine yet.

” Grayson shrugged and was flicked in the ear.

“Hold still,” Lita ordered as she continued to clean out his other wound.

“Ouch, my ears are sensitive.” Grayson furrowed his eyebrows at the tingling pain in his ear.

“Why are there only three guardians?” Lita ignored Grayson and continued with her next question.

“There’s a guardian for the queen and one for the princess.

The third is an extra guardian who stays in the fairy kingdom.

He’s also the one who takes the place of a fallen royal guardian if it becomes necessary.

Usually, there’s another prospect that’s being trained to take the place of a guardian, should he fall while protecting his charge.

The fairy queen will bless the werebear who’s going to take on the role of a guardian.

This grants him his extra abilities.” Grayson felt like a professor giving a lecture on guardians.

Maybe he should’ve told them he expected a full report at the end of the day.

“I guess I don’t understand. What if there’s more than one child born? Is it only the firstborn daughter who gets a guardian? That hardly seems fair.” Lita frowned as she thought about this.

“Well, as far as I know, there have always been only three guardians at a time. The thing is, I cannot recall a queen ever having more than one child, so maybe it would be different if there were more children. I’m sure the queen has the ability to make that decision.

” Grayson couldn’t think of a reason why she couldn’t issue another guardian if there was more than one child.

At least he’d never heard of a rule prohibiting it.

“Why? How many children do you plan to have?” Grayson smirked as Lita tied off the last bandage.

She felt the red rush over her cheeks as she shuffled a foot backward. “I-I, um … this is just for curiosity's sake.”

I wouldn’t mind having a whole litter, if it’s with Bo, Mira chimed in with her own dig.

Lita and Asher didn’t get to have a typical relationship.

Normally, after you claim, you mate. They had only been together a couple of times, though.

She couldn’t help but think about their times together when the idea of children was brought up. After all, that’s how babies were made.

“Yeah, Lita … how many babies do you want to have with me?” Asher looked at her from across the table, his irises dark with lust. He had also been thinking about having himself a helping of his peach.

“I want to have a couple of children, but I never said I wanted to have them with you.” Lita regained her composure and landed a solid strike.

She grinned over at him as he chuckled quietly.

“Shouldn’t you be going to fetch our pizza?

” Lita wanted to change the topic. She was afraid of where his counterstrike would take them.

Asher stood up and walked over to her. She watched his slow movements until he stopped just in front of her, her heart trumpeting loudly and quickly, betraying her.

He reached out his arms and rested them around her shoulders, holding her captive as he stared into her green, shining pools.

He lowered his head until his lips were brushing her ear.

“Whenever you want kids, you just let me know. I’ll be happy to oblige.” His hot, sensual breath whispered into her ear. A shiver rippled through her body as tiny sparks of lightning danced over her skin.

The doors to the pack house opened and Kristen bounced inside. “Come on, boys. I have a carload of goodies for tonight! When’s the pizza coming?”

Asher slowly pulled away and grinned at Lita, winking at her before he turned his attention back to Kristen. “The pizza will be delivered in a few hours. So, what are we watching?”

“I decided that everyone will write down the movie they want to watch, and we will put it in a hat. Then, whatever movie is drawn, that’s the one we watch.

No whining, no complaints. But can we please not pick scary movies?

I don’t want to have nightmares.” Lita giggled as she rubbed the back of her head.

“You have to be sleeping in order to get nightmares, Lita.” Asher’s eyes twinkled at her, and when he saw her blush, he began to chuckle. He walked out the door with the other two guys to bring in the mass amount of goodies Kristen had picked up.

“So, what did I miss? The pack is chattering about getting addressed by the alpha soon to discuss it. Discuss what?” Kristen looked at Lita with her brow raised.

“OH! You weren’t here, that’s right. I found out I’m the fairy princess! And now Asher is also the fairy prince, and … you’re not going to believe this. Grayson is a werebear!” Lita excitedly blurted out, like him being a werebear was bigger news than her being a princess.

“That hunk of flesh is a werebear? That’s hot! You should have made him your prince.” Kristen giggled, and she heard an annoyed growl coming in through the door. She turned and stuck her tongue out at Asher. “What? Alphas are a dime a dozen, but a werebear … I mean, come on!”

Grayson chuckled as he followed behind Asher, who looked annoyed at Kristen over her suggestion. He watched as his eyes glazed over, and then he let out a sad sigh.

“I have to go and address the pack members. Caden said they’re getting restless.

” Asher then turned and looked at Grayson.

“I shouldn’t be long, but watch over her for me.

” The relationship between the two men had changed since this morning.

To Asher, Grayson was now another valuable member of his pack.

It was more than that, though. He was someone who had fought on his behalf.

Grayson was right. Asher could see the two of them becoming good, trusted friends.

Asher watched as he nodded to him, and then he walked over to Lita.

“I’ll come back as soon as I can. I’ll be back before it’s time to pick out the movies, for sure. I have to make sure I pick some scary ones.” Asher leaned in and captured her lips with his.

“Umm, I’m coming too.” Lita raised her brows at him. "Am I not this pack’s luna?”

Asher chuckled. He felt proud of her for wanting to be with him when he addressed the pack. “You’re right, Luna. Okay, well, let’s all go and make this an official pack meeting.”

“Ugh … I hate meetings.” Grayson groaned.

“You don’t have to come, Grayson.” Lita turned and looked at him as he approached her.

“Yes, I do. I can’t leave your protection up to these mutts. No offense.” Grayson grinned as he looked at Asher.

“None taken. But that’s Prince Mutt to you.” Asher shot him a wink and the two laughed together.

Lita smiled inside as she looked at the two men. She could see their new, budding friendship. It was a comforting feeling for her. It felt like … home.

Asher and Lita walked out of the pack house together, his arm wrapped around her waist as they approached the assembled pack. Caden had everyone gathered for the announcement.

“Some of you have seen things that we never knew existed and are feeling unnerved by it. First, I want to tell you that there’s nothing to worry about.

These creatures have always existed and, like us, just want to live their lives.

As you know, Lita here is part fairy. What most of you don’t know is that she is the princess of the fairies.

Just as she has accepted to be my luna, I have accepted to be her prince.

I want to emphasize that this does not change anything.

I am still your alpha. When the time comes, I will leave, and a new alpha will take my place, hopefully my future son,” Asher said and winked toward his pack, who chuckled and nodded their heads in agreement.

“We are a stronger pack now. I have new strengths, and we have an incredibly strong luna. This has only made our future brighter as we go forward. I hope all your worries are now at rest.”

The pack members murmured in agreement and nodded their heads. If their alpha was telling them that everything was fine, then it would be. He had never steered them wrong before.

“You’re loyal to her and have accepted fairies as your kind now.

How can we trust your words? How do we know where your loyalties lie?

My concern is for my pack. The place where me and my brother grew up.

” It was Felicia’s voice that rang out from behind the crowd.

They parted, revealing her angry stance, arms crossed in front of her chest.

Lita stared at the woman, thinking of the best way to deal with her.

Death! Mira chimed in.

Mira …

Seriously, Lita, this shewolf has gone too far. We have to do our job now as the luna. We must stake our claim on our mate and show we will not tolerate her disrespectful behavior. Plus, I’m not convinced the rogue attacks were just a mere coincidence.

What are you suggesting?

Lita, think of the timing of the last one. How did she escape unharmed?! And she was the reason we were led all the way to the edge of the territory. I smell a rat.

Then we need to set a trap and catch her.

Exactly.