Page 52 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

“When have I ever given our pack any reason to doubt my loyalties? Am I loyal to my mate? Absolutely. This is not an either-or situation. I am loyal to my pack, to Lita, and to the fairies.” Asher looked at her darkly.

He did the best he could to do right by Brody, but Felicia was digging her own grave at this point.

“You’ve changed! Everyone can see it. You’ve changed so much since she came.

You aren’t even the same alpha anymore. How are we to know whose side you’re really on?

” Felicia's snotty voice rang out. The other pack members were noticeably getting irritated with her.

She was talking nonsense, obviously desperate now.

Felicia could see that Asher was completely blinded with the infatuation of having a powerful mate. Somehow, she had to reach him.

“Of course I’ve changed. I’m happy now. I’ve never been this happy in my entire life.

That’s hardly a reason to question my loyalties.

” Asher chuckled as he squeezed Lita closer into his side.

“I haven’t just changed because of my happiness, though.

” Asher looked down at Lita, who looked up at him curiously, waiting for him to continue.

“This is the first time in my life that I’ve ever been in love.

Lita isn’t just my perfect mate. She’s the woman I love.

” He stared deep into her emerald eyes as he watched them water in response to his statement.

He wanted everyone to know just how important she was to him.

For Felicia, and the pack, he wanted to make his declaration of love a public one.

The sounds of small cheers and claps were heard throughout the pack.

He bent his head down, leaned in, and kissed her openly in front of everyone.

He pulled slightly away from her, whispering into her lips. “I love you, Lita.”

“I love you, too.” Lita blushed slightly as she publicly said the words that had been etched on her heart. Falling so fast and so hard was only natural for mates to do. He was her important, irreplaceable someone.

“You’re just lying to yourself! You were in love with me, too!

” Felicia spat out bitterly, interrupting the tender moment.

He loved her. He was engaged to her. He was trying to fool himself now.

How could she wake him up from the spell he’d been put under?

“My brother would be so upset to see how I’m being treated now. ”

What a bitch. Pain reflected in Asher’s eyes but quickly vanished as he pushed it aside.

She pulled the brother card, knowing it was a sensitive issue with him.

It was how she always got her way. It was quite obvious that Felicia had never been a good person, which was probably why her brother had worried about her so much.

He knew she was heading down a bad path.

Lita’d had enough. The pack worked as a well-oiled unit to stay strong.

They didn’t need a bad egg ruining everything and constantly causing conflict.

“Felicia, you think you should be the one standing here as Luna?” Lita’s eyes bore into Felicia's as her voice sounded with clarity and authority.

“Yes, I do. I should already be the luna. Until you tricked him ... or is it a spell? Did you put a spell on him?!” Felicia’s voice dripped with bratty defiance.

"HEY—!" Asher growled, but Lita placed her hand on Asher's to stop him.

I’ve got this, Asher, she mindlinked him as Grayson moved closer to Lita’s other side protectively.

"That's it ... isn't it?!" Felicia's eyes turned wide and crazy as she pointed her finger at Lita.

"You put a spell on him." She turned to the pack, waving her finger at Lita.

"The fairies wanted to capture the strongest alpha to make him their ally!

We have to protect our alpha, who is under a spell! "

Pathetic, Mira scoffed as she paced in Lita's mind.

She’s hurting. I can see her pain ... I know that pain. She’s desperately trying to grab a lifeline to stop herself from drowning.

Let me place my paw on her head and help her out.

MIRA!

You aren't going all sweet fairy on me, are you? Mira snorted.

Mira, I haven't changed. I’m still ready to defend myself and fight when I have to. But fighting with her is like fighting with someone who’s drunk. She isn't in her right mind.

"You need to take some time and calm down. Why don't you take a small, mental vacation for yourself, and—" Lita didn't even get to finish.

"I'm not leaving Asher defenseless against you!" Felicia spat. "I challenge you for the position of luna!” She would fight against the weak fairy and beat her in a fair match. Then, when she won, Asher would see he was making a mistake. He would wake up from whatever spell he’d been put under.

Lita sighed “Felicia, you don’t—”

“Afraid they’ll see how weak you are?”

I get it, Lita, but we can’t let her disrespect us. Maybe she just needs a few gentle slams to knock some sense into her.

Gentle slams?

They have to be gentle, or I’m breaking her neck.

Mira had a point. She couldn’t allow Felicia to blatantly disrespect her in front of the pack. And she couldn’t just leave it all on Asher to handle. She needed to prove she was a kind, fair luna, but was also strong. “You want my spot? Then come and claim it.”

“Lita, no. This isn’t necessary. I only accept—”

Lita smiled and raised her fingers up to Asher’s lips. I need to show what type of luna I am to the pack. This is my fight now, not yours, just like the wyrm was Grayson’s fight. She can’t beat me.

Lita, let me put an end to this. Grayson's voice was next to enter her mind, and Lita chuckled.

I would never lose to the likes of her. Don’t be worried, guardian. She mocked him and listened to his soft chuckle. She turned her head to look back at Asher and gave him a small smile. This needed to happen.

Asher sighed as he stared into Lita’s eyes. He would rather just kick Felicia out. She wasn’t worth even the slightest possibility of Lita getting hurt. However, this was Lita’s first call as a leader, and he would support her and show the pack that he believed in her.

“What do you want to do, Felicia? Will you accept your role in this pack? Do you wish to leave the pack? Or are you going to challenge YOUR luna? Know that there is no guarantee that you will make it out alive.” Asher turned to Felicia and watched her curl her lips up in disgust.

“You make it seem like she’s so strong that I can’t possibly win.” Felicia folded her arms and stared at Lita challengingly. “I’m not weak, and I need to prove it to you.”

Mira growled in Lita’s head. She was more than ready to accept that challenge. “I’ll be fair. I’ll let you see what you’re up against first. After all, I don’t want anyone to accuse me of cheating and not giving you the chance to back down.” Lita smirked as she stared at Felicia.

Kristen chirped at Garrett in excitement. She had never seen Lita’s wolf before.

“I just want to add that, as the pack’s beta, I wouldn’t challenge Lita to a duel.

So, take that as your warning, Felicia,” Caden spoke up loudly.

What he admitted sent hushed whispers among the pack members.

Caden was their second-in-command, and if he wouldn’t fight Lita, she had to be very powerful.

Felicia scoffed. “You’ve never liked me. Of course you’d try to scare me off.”

Lita looked at Felicia’s eyes, full of pain. She hated that it came to this. Not because she hated the fight, but because Felicia had no chance. It was going to be like an adult beating up a child. Where was the sport in that?

“Lita …” Grayson spoke up quietly as he walked up behind her. “You fighting … it’s going to draw attention to you.” He looked over at Asher and frowned. “It’s going to attract the wrong kind of attention.”

“Grayson, I can’t hide and hope I’m never found. I have a job to do, too. I’m not afraid. I’m going to live my life. Besides, I have you and Asher by my side. What is there to ever worry about?” Lita winked at Grayson, who grunted and rolled his eyes.

“You can’t compare me to your royal mutt.” Grayson smirked at Asher, who chuckled in response.

“Look, you might be tougher than me, but I would definitely make you think twice before engaging with me in a real battle.” Asher watched Grayson laugh but nod in agreement. No one wanted to willingly engage in a tough fight, even if they knew they’d probably win.

“Aww, is your protector there worried about you fighting?” Felicia hissed out, trying to poke at the coals.

Grayson chuckled, his eyes turning dark as he stared at the pathetic creature. “You aren’t even close to being a worthy opponent for my princess. Do you not have any self-preservation? If you fight against her, it’s a suicide mission.”

Lita took a step forward. It was time to show the whole pack exactly what Lita’s wolf looked like.

They heard clothes ripping, and in an instant, a giant wolf with shiny dark fur stood there, looking out over her pack.

She turned her focus onto Felicia, resting her gaze on her.

The ball was now in Felicia’s court. If she still insisted on fighting, she would have no choice but to oblige her.

“Aww, you’re like a big, fluffy teddy bear!” Kristen chirped as she looked at Mira in amazement. She thought her wolf was gorgeous. She was always so proud to have Lita as their luna.

Asher reached out and stroked Mira’s dark fur before he playfully tussled her head around.

“Now isn’t this the cutest puppy you’ve ever seen?

” Mira wagged her tail and licked his face.

She leaned her body into his, and he chuckled as he continued to scratch her head.

“You’re a big puppy,” he said, as he supported her weight. “Your fur is so soft.”

“Let me feel.” Grayson reached out and touched the fur on her head. It was indeed very soft. Asher furrowed his brows and swatted Grayson’s hand away. She was his to touch and pet.

Okay, guys. I’m not your pet to fight over. If you want a puppy, then let’s go get a puppy. Lita mindlinked both guys as Mira ate up the attention, though deep down, she was also loving the rubs and attention from Asher.

Seeing the affection between Asher and Mira immediately relaxed his pack.

She might be a huge wolf, but that didn’t change who she was.

She was still their luna. If anything, they were even more excited to see her.

Having such a large wolf as their luna only meant a stronger pack.

In just a short amount of time, they had become an incredibly powerful pack.

They had the fairy princess and even had a werebear living among them now.

Things were definitely looking very good for the Black Ice Pack.

“Just because your wolf is big doesn’t mean you know how to fight.” Felicia continued to spew venom, though her bottom lip was noticeably quivering. She had no one in her corner to stick up for her. She was standing on her own.

It doesn’t have to be this way, Felicia.

I’d take a moment and really think about what decision you’re about to make.

There are consequences for your actions.

Lita had been more than accommodating. Even though she disliked Felicia, she still had a tender spot for someone who was unwanted.

She at least wanted to give her a chance, even if she didn’t deserve it.

Mira stood staring at Felicia, piercing her with her green gaze.

Felicia stared back at the dark wolf who was watching her intently.

She wondered if Lita even had combat experience besides the little run-in she had when she’d first joined the pack.

Felicia had trained with the other she-wolves and had fighting skills.

Even though the wolf in front of her was large, she was betting she wasn’t very experienced, and she could use that to her advantage.

Besides, she hated Lita. She came and ruined everything.

She was supposed to be the luna of the Black Ice Pack.

She was supposed to be the next in charge, and everyone was supposed to be fawning at her feet.

She wanted to fight Lita. She wanted to prove just how unfit Lita was at being the luna of their pack.

Felicia sneered at the wolf in front of her before effortlessly shifting. Her small brown wolf stood defiantly, looking at Mira. It would be a tough battle, but she was determined to pull it off. She would show Asher that she would be the better luna.

I’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time. Mira couldn’t wait to engage in a fight with her. She bared her teeth, but it was more of an excited grin.

We will show her the difference in our power, but don’t kill her. All things considered, it would still be painful for the pack to see her killed. Lita planned to stay in joint control, but just in case, she wanted Mira to know how she felt.

Okay, but everything else is fair game, Mira answered as she eyed her prey in front of her.