Page 6 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

Asher's strong hand gently guided Lita to the sleek black SUV, his touch igniting sparks and tingles over her body.

“A moment.” Nathon came running over and pulled Lita into a big embrace.

“I love you. You’re perfect and amazing.

There is so much more to you than you realize.

Trust yourself and stay close to Asher. He can protect you better than I can.

” He kissed Lita’s forehead and smiled at her. “I’m proud of the woman you are.”

“Thank you, daddy. Don’t be worried. I’m capable of taking care of myself.”

“I know you are … I know.” He looked over at Asher and nodded his head. “Be good to her.”

“I’ll be better to her. She is my princess.”

“Yes … she is.” Nathon’s bottom lip quivered as he stepped back. He watched her get into the car, then turned away. It was hard for him to watch her go, even if it was the order of things in the supernatural world. Mates were like instant marriages.

As she settled into the plush leather seat, Asher slid in beside her. Caden started the engine, the low rumble filling the silence as they pulled away from the pack meeting.

Asher's silver eyes studied Lita's face. He couldn’t stop himself from looking at her. He wanted to know everything about her. “Tell me about your pack's rejection,” he said softly, his deep voice laced with a hint of anger. “I want to understand.”

Lita nodded solemnly. “I was never truly accepted, despite being the alpha's daughter. They saw me as an outsider, someone who didn't belong. My family and Teo were the only ones who treated me normally.”

As the car wound its way through the forest, Lita turned her gaze to the window. The trees blurred into a tapestry of reds and golds. She wouldn’t miss her pack, but she would miss her family.

“Black Ice will feel like home in no time, and you won’t miss Red Grove.” Caden’s voice rang out from the front seat.

“I won’t miss it. Only my brother, my father, and Teo. I’ll miss them, but our separation was inevitable. That chapter in my life was coming to an end. Once they started their own families, they would have drifted away, and I wouldn’t have been welcomed with their mates.”

Asher's hand found hers, his fingers intertwining with her own. “You have a new family now, Lita,” he said, his voice filled with a fierce protectiveness that made her heart flutter. “The Black Ice Pack will be your home, and I promise you'll never feel like an outsider again.”

Lita turned to face him, her eyes searching his. "I want to believe that," she said, her voice quiet as she shrugged. "But I've learned to be cautious with my heart."

Asher's thumb traced soothing circles on the back of her hand. “I understand,” he said, his gaze intense. “But I'm not asking you to trust an entire pack right away. Just trust me, Lita. Give me a chance to show you what it means to truly belong.”

“Teo’s in love with you,” Caden blurted from the front, causing a low growl to escape from Asher’s throat.

Lita's soft smile was full of understanding as she said, "Once he finds his mate, everything will change.

" That was just the way it worked. No matter how strong your feelings were for someone, once you met your mate, they were the only one that truly mattered.

They completed you in a way no one else could.

Caden chuckled in agreement. “Ain't that the way it goes?”

“Caden,” Asher said, his voice low and dangerous, “I suggest you focus on the road.” The sharp glare Asher shot at his beta could have frozen hell itself. Caden's lips twitched, but he wisely remained silent, turning his attention back to driving.

“I'd love to meet your wolf sometime soon,” he said, his tone casual but laced with genuine interest. “Bo said her name is Mira.”

“Sometime … we’ll see. Mira is … well, she can be challenging.”

A low rumble of understanding emanated from Asher's chest. “Most strong wolves are.”

He gently lifted Lita's chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

His reassuring grin was warm enough to melt the ice in his pack's name. “Hey,” he said softly. “I promise you, both you and Mira are wanted here. My wolf, Bo, is already smitten with you. He’s excited to meet Mira in the flesh … his luna, a leader equal to me at Black Ice.”

“Equal?” Lita watched as he smiled.

“Of course. Lita, we’re going to have a great life. There’s so much I want to show you. So much I can’t wait to share with you.”

It sounds too good to be true, Lita thought to herself.

I agree. I know it’s strange to think that strangers will accept us when our own pack didn’t. But … I want to believe him, Mira quietly admitted.

“I hope you're right,” she murmured, her tone belying her skepticism.

Asher squeezed her hand. “I know I am,” he insisted.

“You'll see. Let me tell you about your new home,” he said, his words painting a vivid picture.

“The territory is vast, with forests so dense you can lose yourself in their beauty.

There's a crystal-clear lake that reflects the sky like a mirror, and in the winter, it freezes over, solid enough to skate on.”

Lita found herself smiling despite her doubts, captivated by the warmth in Asher's voice. She could almost see the majestic pines and smell the crisp mountain air.

“And the pack house,” Asher continued, his silver eyes dancing, “is a mansion built from local stone and timber. Wait until you see the wildflower meadow in spring. I can't wait to show you everything.”

The hum of the car's engine and Asher's soothing baritone created a cocoon of comfort around Lita. Her eyelids grew heavy, the stress of the day catching up with her. As Asher's voice wove tales of moonlit runs and pack bonfires, Lita's head slowly drooped, eventually coming to rest on his lap.

Asher's words trailed off as he glanced down at his beautiful mate. Gently, he brushed a strand of golden hair from her face, marveling at how relaxed she looked.

She trusts me , he thought, a fierce protectiveness surging through him. Even if she doesn't realize it yet.

I love her , Bo purred in his mind. Asher smiled as he stared at her perfect face. He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.

“My luna,” he whispered, “You have no idea how much I adore you … but you’ll know soon.” Anger coursed through him as he thought about how her own pack had rejected her. He couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't want someone as delicate and precious as she was.

Maybe their loyalties were to their previous luna?

From the moment he touched her, she was etched into his heart and he couldn't shake her from his thoughts.

He yearned to claim her as his own and solidify the mating bond between them.

However, he was willing to wait until she was ready.

She was everything he could have wanted and more—perfection in every way.

It was hard to believe he had almost settled for someone else before finding his true mate.

Caden's words rang true now more than ever.

From the first time his eyes met Lita's, all other thoughts and desires melted away.

Every fiber of his being was consumed by her presence, and he knew he would do anything to have her.

He had agreed to an engagement with Felicia and thought he could learn to love her, but it was impossible.

Only then did he understand that no one could compare to your mate.

The moment he met her, she became his luna in his heart, his moon guiding him through the dark and lighting up his world with her radiance. The fire in his heart burned brighter than ever before, fueled by the passion he felt for this woman who had captured his soul at first sight.

As the car slowed, approaching the pack lands, Asher reluctantly began to wake Lita. He twirled a lock of her golden hair between his fingers, marveling at its silky texture.

“Lita,” he murmured, “we're almost home.”

Her eyes fluttered open, confusion evident in their emerald depths. As realization dawned, a deep blush spread across her cheeks.

“Oh! I'm so sorry,” Lita stammered, quickly sitting up. “I didn't mean to fall asleep on you like that.”

Asher chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Trust me, I didn't mind one bit. You're welcome to use me as a pillow anytime.”

Lita's blush deepened, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “I'll keep that in mind,” she replied, her tone a mixture of embarrassment and playfulness.

Her gaze drifted to the window, and her breath caught in her throat. The car was winding up a long, tree-lined driveway that led to the most magnificent mansion she had ever seen. Its grand stone facade gleamed in the afternoon sunlight, turrets and balconies punctuating its impressive silhouette.

“Is that ... your home?” she whispered, unable to tear her eyes away from the sight.

Asher's hand found hers, his touch both warm and reassuring. “Our home,” he corrected gently.