Page 55 of Losing My Siren Luna (Hidden Cove #1)

Lachlan POV

Since that night, our relationship has only gotten better. That walk to the garden, and finally being able to confess to my wife that I knew she was my mate, was the start of her truly opening up to me.

That evening, dinner was intimate. Most of the pack had eaten, leaving only the stragglers and Cherum.

He grumbled a bit when first seeing us, asking Lira if she was alright, but when he noticed the change between us, he excused himself to another table, claiming he needed to talk with someone about a cream delivery or something along those lines.

I didn’t question it, and Lira giggled at his excuse, distracting me once again. Her giggle and laughter is like a soothing balm to my anxious soul. It’s the most reassuring sound I’ve ever heard. It’s like my soul is crying out that if she is happy, everything else will be okay.

That night, I held her as I usually did while she fell asleep, but we talked, truly talked until her eyes fluttered close and her breathing evened out.

We were never so open with one another, and after she slept, I just watched her for heaven knows how long, marveling at each and every one of her beautiful features.

Even the little sounds she makes, and her light snoring I find adorable.

I never wanted to sleep, not wanting to miss a single movement of hers.

Eventually, I did drift into a deep, restful sleep, which I was thankful for since we would be busy the next day.

I thought up big plans for us while watching her sleep, wanting to have another perfect ending to a fulfilling day.

I want more nights alone with her, growing closer to her as we learn more about one another.

The next day, just as I promised, we set out for the orphanage after breakfast, a small entourage of Cherum, Cedric and a few of her guard warriors accompanying us.

Cedric looked less enthusiastic than normal, not going out of his way to irritate me for once. I thought it was a good thing, but then Lira picked up on his mood and fawned over him for most of the journey.

I don’t know what the issues are between him and Meldec, but I want them fixed. It’s petty of me to admit, but I don’t like watching my wife show concern for anyone else.

I ended up mind linking Meldec, telling him where we were and asking him to personally come and bring me my horse. Lira wanted to walk to the orphanage, but I had plans for our way back.

He questioned why he had to be the one to do it, but when I mentioned Cedric, he was quick to agree.

Lira and I played in the water with the children, one little boy in particular, during most of our time at the orphanage.

The little tyke, Westley, was excited to see Lira.

A little too excited. He ran to her, pulling on her skirts until she kneeled down, then he wrapped his arms around her neck and kissed her cheek.

It’s not attractive for a man to be jealous of a child, but I was.

Extremely so. I somehow buried that down from showing on the surface and knelt down beside my wife, the boy going shy at my appearance.

With a kind smile and a few pats on the head, he warmed up to me, and I selfishly made it my mission to hold and hug the boy, even teaching him how to swim, so my perfect wife wouldn’t have to.

It was a fun day. I didn’t expect that. I didn’t think I could have this much fun playing with children.

I visit the orphanages when I can, and do things like read to the kids and help the older ones decide what to do with their lives.

Many of the warriors and guards in the castle are from the orphanages.

The boys that do not wish to fight or risk their lives usually end up working on fishing boats or ships.

We started an apprenticeship program as well for those wanting to go into different trades.

We have a partnership with many bakers, the blacksmith school in town, the tailor shops, and even a few of the doctors and clinics throughout the land have been open to taking in some of the older children to train to be nurses and medical students.

I try to take care of the orphans as much as I can, but I rarely just play with them like we did today.

Playing with little Westley, having him so eager to soak up all the love and attention we would give him gave me a satisfaction I had never felt before.

It makes me hopeful to one day feel this way with our own children.

I would likely get jealous that Lira was doting on our child more than she was me, then take our child from her to selfishly distract them.

I would end up being so enraptured in the love and adoration of our most perfect child, because they would be perfect.

So perfect, just like their mother. I would get so infatuated with the amazing and perfect life Lira and I created together that my jealousness would fade away.

My love would only grow for both our child and the woman who birthed them.

I hope one day Lira will love me, and want the same future that I want with her. That was all I could hope for as we rode back to the packhouse upon my horse, Lira tucked between my arms, leaning back against my chest marveling at the ocean as we rode along the shore.

That night, we took a walk in my mother’s garden again, only this time, I had the staff set up dinner for us there, so we could eat while watching the sun set, undisturbed by everyone else, including her overprotective Delta.

Cherum is no longer my Delta and one of my commanders.

He is entirely Lira’s protector, the shadow and comfort of his Luna, and I wouldn’t have it any other way…

..except when I want to be the one who does all that for her.

I’m tempted to have us eat alone in the garden every night to monopolize even more of my wife’s time.

I had a thick fur blanket resting on the back of Lira’s chair, so we could enjoy our meal for as long as we wanted, despite the cold.

I would have been fine sitting beside her and holding her through the evening, but it would have made eating difficult.

I would have gladly gone hungry to provide her with my body heat, but she might have found that uncomfortable.

Her joy and comfort were my top priority, and the fur blanket sufficed.

Lira and I talked until it was near bedtime, Niomi coming to hunt my wife down to prepare her for bed.

It was the most relaxing, enjoyable meal I think I have ever had.

She was smiling and laughing the entire time, sharing stories of her mother, who she loved dearly.

I told her about my parents as well. I know both of them would have loved her if they were alive today.

After Lira was ready for bed, I let Killian come forth and brush her hair like we do every night.

He and Val playfully teased each other, and Killian even managed to sneak a few kisses of his own without Lira having another panic attack like she did the first time he and Val tried kissing.

Being able to admit that we were mates and talking through a lot of our issues was a game changer for Lira.

She is so open to the bond that she’s letting my touch soothe her while awake, not just when she is asleep.

We continued talking as we laid beside each other in bed, her head resting on my arm while I gently and tenderly stroked my fingers through her long hair.

She is the most gorgeous woman imaginable, and I want to fall asleep watching her and talking to her like that every night.

Eventually, her eyes fluttered shut, but I continued to just stare at her for at least another hour before I pulled her against my chest and let the beating of her heart lull me to sleep.

It was truly a fantastic day. I can only hope that it's one of many.

~

Elelira POV

“Are you excited about this weekend?” Yasmin asked me as we sat in the finished dining hall, sipping tea after lunch.

The men went back to work to get ready for some festival happening this weekend.

Lachlan and Nilo have been consumed with preparations for it all week, but today Lachlan asked for my guard and Cherum to accompany him too.

Cedric, Yasmin and I were left behind with a stern request from Cherum to not leave the castle under any circumstances. He's a worry wart.

“I haven’t been to a festival before,” I wrung my hands in my lap. “Shouldn’t I be helping too if I’m the Luna now?”

“Psh, no,” Cedric grins, tracing his finger along the grain of the table. “Just relax. You shouldn’t have to do anything when that ape you married is the one who came up with this idea, even if you are Luna.”

It still feels weird to say it out loud. Being accepted by Luna and being treated like Lachlan’s mate is such a weird concept for me.

I like it.

I’m starting to like Lachlan a little more each and every day. I feel like I can trust him. I trust his feelings for me. It’s helping me to get over some of the trauma of my past with him, and I truly look forward to each day now, and what possibilities it could bring.

That also makes me nervous, though; having new possibilities.

I don’t know what is going to happen. This festival wasn’t something that happened in my first life. I don’t even know what it’s for. This is also about the time my Uncle first sent someone to check on me, seeing if I was with child yet.

The man didn’t check me in a very pleasant way either.

Lachlan didn’t care before, not even making an appearance to welcome the guy, but I wonder how he would react now when some rough, shady warrior doctor from my uncle’s pack showed up and demanded to check to see if I was pregnant by giving me an exam.