Page 86 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

Lita walked back into the other room and draped herself in Asher’s arms. It had been a long day. She couldn’t leave her patients, but she did want to meet Caspian’s mate. She was sure they needed some alone time, though.

“Do you think Caspian is ready to share her yet?” Lita asked with hopeful eyes.

“I think he’s had her to himself long enough. I’ll tell him we’d like to meet her and ask him to meet us here.” If Lita wanted something, Asher was going to make sure she got it, even if it was something simple like meeting someone else’s mate.

Alice and Nathon sat in the garden with them as they waited for Caspian. Alice stayed quiet, but she already knew which of her subjects would be leaving her. Her gift of premonition was getting more reliable lately..

Caspian walked hand in hand with a dark-haired beauty. She seemed a bit nervous as they approached the palace garden.

“Caspian, is this your mate?” Lita asked happily.

The girl looked down at the ground and lowered her head to Lita. “Your majesty.”

“Now, now. None of that. It’s Lita.” Lita tilted the girl's chin up and smiled at her. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Merida,” she replied quietly. Caspian wrapped his arm around her, comforting her since he knew she was feeling shy in front of all the royalty.

“You are simply lovely.” Lita gushed over the young beauty. The girl blushed and averted her eyes again. Aww, she’s so sweet .

“Is it really okay for me to talk with you normally?” Merida asked, feeling unsure about it.

“Yes. In fact, I insist. I want us to be friends.” Lita beamed as Asher pulled her back into his chest.

“Nice to meet you, Merida.” Asher nodded his head to the girl.

“Nice to meet you too, Your Highness.”

“It’s Asher, please.” The whole royalty thing was a bit much for Asher. He was used to being called Alpha, but being called Prince and Your Highness felt over the top.

“These people are family to me, Mere.” Caspian smiled with pride at her. Her hazel eyes sparkled as she gazed back up at him.

Aww, look how cute, Ash! They’re already so smitten with each other. Lita gushed into Asher’s head.

I know the feeling, he cooed back to Lita.

“Will you be returning with Caspian right away?” Alice looked at Merida, who quickly bowed her head to Alice.

“I’m actually going to wait and travel to him next month. I need to settle some affairs here before I leave,” Merida replied quietly.

“Are you going to be able to be apart that long?!” Lita asked in shock.

“Actually, if it’s okay with you, after you’re safely back in pack territory, I would like to come back and stay with her until she can come.” Caspian looked at Lita and Asher with uncertainty.

“Aww, Caspian. You don’t have to escort me back. We’ll be just fine without you. You can stay here.” Lita thought it would be silly for him to travel all the way just to escort her.

“No, I’m escorting you back. On that, I won’t budge.” Caspian set his determined gaze on Lita. He needed to be there to escort her back. They might need his powers.

“Okay, if you insist. Then, of course you can come back and stay with your mate until she can come with you. Will you two be staying in the pack house with us?” Lita asked and Caspian averted his eyes again.

“Actually, Asher … I was going to ask if it was okay if we moved into one of the houses by the lake. Merida here loves the water. I thought it would be nice if we had a house right beside it.” Caspian felt a bit bad about leaving the pack house.

He wasn’t leaving the pack, though, and would be really close by.

He was just trying to make the move as easy as possible for Merida.

Asher could feel Lita’s disappointment hearing he was moving out of the pack house. She was adorable. She wanted everyone to live in one big house together.

“That’s fine with me, provided that you still join us daily for meals together.” Asher smiled at Caspian, who gave him a knowing smile in return.

“Thank you very much.” Caspian wanted to remain close with Lita, too. Joining them for meals together was the perfect way to keep their relationship strong.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cause any problems.” Merida frowned, feeling a bit uneasy about all the changes Caspian was making on her behalf.

“You aren’t. When we meet our other half, we all have to make changes and adjustments.

I left my pack and moved in with a mate I didn’t want at the time, to a pack I didn’t think would want me.

It was the best thing that ever happened to me.

I’ll be forever grateful to the family I gained because of it.

” Lita felt Asher squeeze his arms around her, kissing the side of her head.

“I know it can be scary leaving your home, but I promise I’ll be there for you.

One day, we’ll move to Elysia, and I’m sure Caspian will bring you back here then as well. ”

“Yes, that’s already the plan.” Caspian leaned his head into Merida’s and smiled into her luscious curly hair.

“Looks like I’ll be bringing almost half my pack with me when I move.

” Asher chuckled. Caden would be coming with Rosa and Caspian would be coming with Merida.

If only he could bring Kristen and Garrett here, too.

Though, to be honest, he would be happy if they would stay and watch over the next alpha, whether that be his son or not.

We can always visit, Lita whispered into Asher’s head as she picked up on his thoughts.

Who’s the little thought eavesdropper this time? he teased.

Can’t help it … best to quit thinking. Lita kissed his jawline and smiled up at him.

“Well, Lita, if you’re up for it, I say it’s about time you make Chasen and Brody official future guardians.” Alice smiled as she watched Lita’s eyes light up.

“I’m ready.”

Her mother showed her how to bless both of the little boys.

She did need extra love and cuddles after that.

It completely drained her. Since then, though, the boys had been extra rowdy.

Grayson and Caden had to step in and help chase them around.

Lita helped her mother so she would be able to leave Elysia, finally completing her last task. Now it was time to depart.

“I’ll be back for you soon, within the week.

” Caspian kissed Merida passionately and openly on the lips.

He held her tightly. He didn’t want to leave her.

He had just found her, but he wouldn’t let Lita make this journey without him.

He swore to protect her no matter what. Regretfully, he pulled away from Merida, gazing at her longingly.

He leaned into her ear. “When I come back, I’m going to need a lot of private attention.

” His words heated her cheeks, turning them a bright red.

He kissed her forehead before turning to walk away from her.

Lita hugged her father tightly before switching to her mother. They promised they would visit shortly, since Lita would not be able to make the journey anytime soon.

“I love you, my baby girl. You make me very proud,” Alice whispered into her ear.

“Thanks, Mom. I’m happy to be able to reconnect with you.

It’s a bit strange since I’m an adult now, trying to navigate our relationship.

But I’m glad I have the chance to.” When her mother vanished, she was a child.

Their relationship could never be what it was since that part of her development was over now.

However, as an adult, they could still reconnect and forge a new future together.

“I guess we better be going. Love you both.” Lita backed away and into Asher’s arms. It was tough leaving.

It helped to know they would see each other again soon.

With one final glance, she turned and left Elysia, her future home.

Brody and Chasen ran down the trail, Caden and Rosa following closely behind them. Grayson kept an eye on the boys but was now making his duty as a guardian his priority while they traveled, staying close to Lita and Asher.

“This is nice. I actually get to walk with you this time,” Caspian playfully jabbed as he strolled next to Lita.

“I like having you close by, Caspian. Thank you for coming back with us, even though you didn’t have to.

” Lita had explained the situation to Caspian later, but he already knew.

He had also become suspicious of Rosa because of the timing of everything.

He understood completely and thought that Grayson had made the right call. It was better to be safe than sorry.

“Of course, I have to. You’re still my girl, too.” Caspian winked at her, causing the alpha to ripple out a protesting growl.

“Baby, let me carry you. I really don’t like you walking this much.” Asher pouted, tugging her closer into his side.

“Asher, walking is good for me. It’s healthy. I managed to walk here, and I can walk back.” Lita thought he was being ridiculous.

“I was thinking the same thing. I can carry her as well. I’m not part horse for nothing.” Brad trotted up to them, wanting to be of assistance.

“It’s not a problem for me to carry her.” Asher possessively shot it down. He wasn’t about to allow another male the privilege of holding his mate close.

“Ummm, hello?! I’m right here.” Lita waved her hand out in front of her. “There’s no problem with me walking.”

“I’d feel better if you didn’t walk the whole way, too.” Grayson didn’t dare make eye contact with her. He knew she’d be fuming.

“I don’t usually do this, but I agree with them.” Caspian dragged his feet a bit, moving further behind Lita.

“Oh my goodness, will you boys relax? Everything’s fine. I feel fine.” Lita snorted in irritation.

“What’s going on here?” Caden carried Brody on his neck while Rosa held Chasen.

“Oh, they’re just being silly. They don’t want me walking.”

Caden gave her a deer-in-the-headlights look. “You weren’t planning on walking the whole way, were you?”

Lita wanted to scream. “You too?!” Just then she felt herself being scooped up. Asher held her bridal style, never skipping a beat as he continued to walk.

“Asher!” Lita growled.

“Just let me do this,” he cooed into her ear softly. “It’ll make me and Bo feel better. I know it isn’t necessary, but please, do this for me. I need this.”

Well, hell. How was she supposed to argue with that? She sighed and leaned her head into his chest. It was warm and calming. His scent relaxed her. She could feel her whole body being soothed. Okay, so maybe being carried wasn’t so bad.

They reached the first campsite uneventfully.

Asher lowered Lita to her feet, keeping her body flush against his.

He wanted to take extra care of her. He couldn’t let anything happen to her.

The fact that she needed him around was sort of perfect for him because it gave him a reason to constantly hover and dote on her.

Not that he needed a reason. He lowered her to a blanket that Grayson had laid out on the ground.

“Relax here, princess.” He kissed her hand before going to give the other guys a hand.

Chasen and Brody rushed to Lita and jumped into her arms. She wrapped her arms around them gently, holding them both close to her.

“I bet you two are getting hungry, huh?” Lita saw their eyes light up. Poor little boys. They were hungry but they didn’t complain. They were probably tired, too. They were already like miniature Graysons. “Come on. I packed some snacks. Let’s see what we can get into to hold us over.”

Lita opened a bag full of different snacks. There were chips, jerky, beef sticks, cookies, juices, and snack cakes. She gave both boys a beef stick to eat and opened up some juice boxes.

“Can we sleep with Uncle Grayson tonight?” Chasen asked as he concentrated on his food.

“Of course you can. The best part about that is that you’ll be near me too, since Grayson will sleep next to me.” Lita smiled at their adorableness.

“Is it really okay … calling you momma?” Brody asked shyly.

Lita pulled him up into a big hug, tugging Chasen along too. She squeezed them both tightly and kissed both of their foreheads. “Yes it is, because that’s what I am. I’m your momma. You two are my sons, now and forever.”

“We’ll be the best big brothers ever and the toughest guardians who have ever lived!” Chasen proclaimed loudly.

Lita giggled. “I’m sure you will be. One day you’ll be just as tough as Grayson.”

“No way. We’ll be tougher!” Brody cheered.

“You think you’re going to end up tougher than me?” Grayson sat down next to the two kids. They both turned and tackled him.

Lita giggled as she watched Grayson fight like a little kid with the two three-year olds. Maybe I should see if Grayson wants to call me momma, too.