Page 59 of Forever My Siren Luna

“You’re a good fighter, Luna,” Westley says shyly with his head tilted to the side, looking up at me through his little lashes.

“I know. I bet I could beat the Alpha, right?”

Lachlan snorted behind me as Westley nodded his head in agreement.

“You looked so cool.” Westley started jumping in place enthusiastically. “I can’t wait until I’m a Lycan as strong as you.”

“With muscles like yours, you might be even stronger,” I winked at him. “I’ll be right back.”

Lachlan followed me silently back to the bedroom I agreed to stay in for now. Our old room, right by Mimi’s room. He understood when I told him I wasn’t ready to share a bed with him again, and I wasn’t sure if or when I ever would be. He volunteered to take the new bedroom, since it was still under construction.

Staying there in the packhouse was a compromise, since he didn’t want me going back to the ship to sleep at night. I heard him out when he told me his reasons, though I suspect there was more to it than just having anxiety that I might disappear again.

I wanted to stay near Mimi anyway. One of my biggest regrets when running away was leaving her behind. Hearing her stories of how well Lachlan has been taking care of her made me soften my heart even more towards him.

He is trying. He really is. I’m trying too.

There are some things I will not budge on. Sharing a room right now is one of them.

Staying back and not fighting is another.

“I can feel your discontent, Lachlan,” I looked at him from over my shoulder. “Did I not prove myself to your satisfaction?”

He grunted. “Your fighting was more than satisfactory, which is why I’m discontent. I don’t like the idea of you being in harm's way.”

I laughed dryly. “You would lose your head if you only knew the danger I would put myself in daily out at sea.”

He growled deeply, and Val answered with a taunting growl of her own. She is proud of the warrior she has become. I’m proud of her too. Lachlan can kick rocks, because Val won’t bend over backwards to make him happy anymore. She is with me on this.

“Can we at least find a middle ground here?” Lachlan begged, following me into my room.

“There is no middle ground with this. I’m fighting.”

I discarded the jacket he forced me into, smirking when Lachlan’s eyes darken and he was forced to look away. He really didn’t like me being naked when I shifted back. He had to hiss at me that there were children present for me to put his jacket on.

Val, in her eagerness to prove herself, shifted before I could get my clothes off before the fight. I wanted to put them back on afterward, but she shredded them.

Cherum’s overcoat was on the side of the training ground’s fence, and I was planning on just using that instead, but then Lachlan insisted I use his jacket.

Beretta brought the bunk of my belongings to me last night, insisting I stay in the packhouse and work on things with my mate. Her minx-like smile didn’t go unnoticed. She is up to something, and with her being my best friend, I’m fine going along with whatever she is scheming. I can vacate my room if it helps her.

I slipped on a pair of fitted soft leather pants and one of my favorite tunics, then coughed to let Lachlan know he can turn his attention back to me right now.

He eyes my outfit warily. “Those pants look…. Uncomfortable.”

“They’re very comfortable. Want to try them on?” I grinned crookedly. “This makes me feel less restricted. Jack insisted all women wear pants instead of skirts out at sea, since the skirts can weigh us down if we accidentally fall overboard.”

He nodded, though he is still staring at my legs like he’s unhappy. “It makes sense, but you’re on land now.”

“Are you trying to say that you don’t like my pants?” I lifted an eyebrow.

He presses his lips together, and I can’t help but to laugh.

“I like my clothes, Lachlan. If you prefer skirts, you’re welcome to wear any you like,” I waved my hand towards my closet.

“I’m good.”

I skipped back out of my room with a chuckle, heading back to where we left Westley. Lachlan is following behind, still looking grumpy, but at least he is keeping it to himself.