Page 85 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

News about how the princess had saved the small child had spread like wildfire.

Everyone wanted to see the fairy healer who would one day be queen.

It started with someone complaining about having a splinter and then, before Lita knew it, she was back at the infirmary seeing one patient after another.

Her mother brought her some cool lemonade to drink. “You sure you have regular healers here?” Lita giggled.

“I guess there are more people willing to see you for their medical needs. It also gives them the opportunity to get up close and personal.” Alice grinned, seeing how well-liked Lita was already.

She told Lita she didn’t have to treat them, since nothing was life-threatening, but Lita outright refused.

She said if someone wanted to see her, she would be available to them.

Lita reached up to the top cabinet to get some gauze down. One of the fairies she was treating had cut themselves while gardening.

“I can get that, Lita.” Asher effortlessly reached up and plucked it down. He had insisted on staying and helping her out, not wanting to leave her alone this time. For now, he was her personal assistant.

“Thank you, Ash.” Lita gave his jawline a quick peck before heading into the next room. Alice followed her out and headed into the waiting room. She wanted to check on the people who were waiting to be seen. Rosa was also there, getting a queue organized among the many random patients.

“Hey Asher, has your boss taken advantage of you yet?” Grayson peeked into the room, having come in through the back entrance.

“Not yet.” Asher frowned. “Maybe I’m dressed too modestly?”

“You could always try crotchless pants.” Grayson chuckled.

“Do you think that screams desperate? Or just tastefully obvious?” Asher looked over his body and spun around a bit.

“Does it really matter if it screams desperate?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“Hahaha, that’s what I thought. Hey, the boys seem a bit restless. I want to take them out for a walk, if that’s okay with you.”

“Sure, that would be great. Take Caden and Caspian with you.” Asher felt bad not hanging out with the boys, but there would be plenty of time for that back at home.

“Already the overprotective father, too.” Grayson winked at Asher, who replied with a sheepish smile.

Grayson laughed and left the room, leaving Asher there smiling thoughtfully.

He was being protective of the boys. Grayson being with them wasn’t enough.

He wanted the other two men there as well.

He knew that he would be the same way with his son one day, but he admitted to himself that he was going to be way worse with his daughter. He couldn’t help it.

Lita walked into the room and crossed her arms, looking at Asher. “Now, don’t you think that’s a sexist attitude to have?”

He smirked and shrugged. “Can’t help it. Females are typically weaker than male babies. I’ll be naturally more protective because of that.”

“Perhaps for normal females. I daresay I am stronger than most males.” Lita started digging through the cabinet, getting supplies for her next patient. Warm hands snaked around her from behind, tugging her body back, turning her to face him.

“You’re not stronger than me, though.” His eyes flickered as he stared down at her. He watched her lips curl up into a playful smile.

“Maybe, but I can still bring you to your knees,” she said seductively, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

“Mmmm, promise?” He leaned his head down, letting his hot breath fan across her lips.

He grasped the back of her neck and pulled her into him, closing the small gap between them.

He crushed into her soft warmth, tasting the sweetness of her lips.

He gently bit down on her bottom lip, and the moment she gasped, his tongue darted inside.

He deepened the kiss, passionately enjoying her.

This rare moment alone finally made him act on his building desire.

She made him crazy, delirious with her kisses.

Their tongues fought for dominance, and finally they parted for air.

She sighed with contentment and leaned her head into his chest. “I have another patient waiting,” she whispered in a staggered breath. She felt his lips lower and plant a soft, warm kiss on her marking spot.

“I can’t wait till I have you to myself again, back home, in our room.” There was a low, promising tone in his voice that made Lita shudder. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him.

“Me too.” She felt the same way he did. It was nice to visit her mom and dad. But she missed having private time with him, and she was excited to take Brody and Chasen home.

“Better go and take care of your next patient before I put this patient bed to another use.” Asher’s eyes were dark with lust as his voice promised another activity.

Lita giggled and pushed away from him. “You’re just going to have to control yourself a little longer.” She grabbed her things and heard him groan as she left the room.

“Last one to the lake has to eat my wet sock!” Caden yelled and sprinted ahead of everyone.

“You sure you really want that, Rosa?” Caspian grinned as they watched him run up ahead. Chasen and Brody raced after him.

“As long as I don’t have to eat his wet sock, I’ll keep him.” Rosa giggled as she watched him run just out of reach of the two small boys.

Grayson frowned as they walked toward the lake. The lake meant kelpies. He was not a fan of kelpies. In his opinion, a dark fairy was no better than a demon. The water began to break apart as they drew closer.

“Brody! Chasen! Come back toward me.” Grayson ran up to the boys, keeping an eye on the disturbed water.

A seal suddenly splashed out onto the shoreline.

It looked around at the intruders for a brief moment, then shifted into a tan girl with dark brown curls, already clothed in a light blue dress.

Her hazel eyes twinkled in the sun. She looked confused.

She turned her head and rested her sights on Caspian.

Caspian chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. “A selkie … is my mate.”

“Well, this is a bit unexpected. A half werewolf for a mate?” The selkie girl tilted her head as she looked at Caspian. He was good looking. She wasn’t going to lie—she was attracted to him.

“I’m Caspian.”

“Merida.”

“I guess we should probably talk?” Caspian, who was always surrounded by women, suddenly felt nervous. He always thought the princess would be the number one girl in his life.

“I'm thinking that’s probably a good idea.” Merida motioned to him with her eyes to follow her.

“I’m going to go off with her for a bit, if that’s alright,” Caspian said, looking at Grayson and Caden.

“Have fun!” Caden said with a cheesy grin, waving after him. He walked up to Rosa as he watched them walk away. “So, what was that?”

“That was a selkie. It’s a seal that can shift into a human. It’s a type of water spirit fairy. There’s a lake within your pack territory, isn’t there?” Rosa asked, seemingly remembering one.

“Yes, there is.” Caden answered.

“Good. Selkies love the water. It’s something they won’t part from, even for their mate. They should be able to work things out, as long as they live near a large body of water.” Rosa smiled. Caspian had always been a nice guy, and he deserved a sweet girl by his side.

“The guys are dropping right and left.” Grayson chuckled. First Caden and now Caspian.

“Just wait until it’s your turn.” Caden said with a chuckle. There was suddenly an awkward silence.

“It won’t be,” Grayson said with a matter-of-fact tone.

“Huh?” Caden didn’t get it. Why wouldn’t it be?

“I already decided. I don’t want a mate.

Even if I find one, I’ll reject them. Nothing …

nothing will come between me and my loyalties to Lita and Asher.

I don’t want a mate.” This was just how Grayson felt.

It was true, though. Very few guardians had ever settled down.

They took their job too seriously. They aren’t able to give their mates the attention they deserve, so they don’t take one at all.

“You could have both. I’m sure your mate would understand your job.” Caden tried to urge him. He knew how it felt having Rosa. He wouldn’t want him to go without having a mate. He was still protective over Lita. That hadn’t changed. Though, to be honest, Rosa did come first in his mind.

“I know I can. I choose not to. I’m okay with it. It’s what I want, and I’m happy. I have my family. I don’t want a mate. This is my own personal choice.” Grayson reached down and hoisted up both boys, grinning at their excitement.

“I’ve only ever heard of a couple of guardians ever taking a mate.

It’s actually normal for them to forgo having a mate.

I’ve never heard of any of them regretting their decision.

” Rosa placed her hand in Caden’s, linking her fingers with his.

This was just part of being a guardian, a personal choice they made. It wasn’t forced upon them.

“We have to go back and tell Lita and Asher about Caspian. They would want to know of this news right away,” Caden said excitedly.

“We don’t have to go back. I already told Asher and Lita. We aren’t far enough away that mindlinks don’t work.” Grayson chuckled at Caden. He really could be absent-minded at times.

“Oh yeah … I forgot about that.” Caden gave them a crooked smile and giggled sheepishly.

“You’re a werewolf. How do you forget about mindlinking?” Grayson raised his brows and stared at him in disbelief.

“I just get excited and carried away sometimes, and the obvious slips my mind,” Caden grumbled out, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Wow … you are a lot like a kid. Perfect playmate for the twins.” Grayson bounced the two boys up onto his shoulders, causing them to giggle.

“Don’t be jealous, Grayson. I promise I’ll make time to play with you, too.” He flashed him a wide, white grin, and received Grayson’s signature eye roll.

“Come on, boys. I’ll show you how much faster I am than Caden by beating him in a race with you both on my shoulders.” Grayson grinned at Caden. No matter what it was, there was always room for a little competition.

Rosa watched Caden and Grayson take off running down the shoreline. She knew that life was always going to be fun and exciting with Caden in her life. She was lucky to have found her perfect match. In a short amount of time, she already knew she couldn’t live without him.