Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Leo

I was thrilled when Nick mindlinked me about Amber and Austyn’s visit to the training grounds. I knew Austyn was apprehensive about befriending Amber, but it seems like it was worth the risk of her fury. I decided to finish up work early and find my mate. Her and Amber were just leaving the daycare when I caught up with them.

“There she is.” I grabbed Austyn around the waist and pulled her into me, covering her lips with mine. She gasped against me and that only encouraged me to deepen the kiss.

“Okay, I see how this is nauseating to witness.” Amber’s voice cut through our make out session. I eyed her curiously but Austyn laughed, seeming to understand the inside joke.

“Amber, I’m glad that you and my Luna were able to talk.” I said. Amber nodded her head,

“Thank you, Alpha.” Nick arrived then and claimed his mate, whisking her away with him. Finally, I was alone with Austyn.

“Do we have plans this weekend?” She asked me as we walked hand in hand.

“Did you have something in mind?” I winked at her, unable to control myself around my mate anymore.

“Emma from the daycare asked me to go shopping with her.” She shrugged. Okay, not exactly what I had in mind.

“Do you want to go?” I asked her and she just shrugged again. I sighed and pulled her to a stop,

“Austyn, you don’t have to ask for permission to do something. If you want to go, go.” I said. She bit her lip and nodded,

“I think it could be fun.” She said.

“Great, then it’s settled.” I smiled cheerily.

“She gave me her number but I don’t have a phone to text her. I guess I should go back inside and tell her.” Austyn said.

“Or I could get you a phone. You should have one anyway, since you can’t mindlink me for help.” I tugged Austyn away from the daycare,

“I’ll have Jacks run into town and pick you up a phone.” I mindlinked Jacks before she even answered.

“You don’t have to do that….” She started before sighing at my expression,

“But, you already did.”

“You know, we should consider having a Luna ceremony so you can mindlink the pack.” I suggested tentatively. Her face was horrified so I quickly amended my statement,

“You don’t need to be marked to hold a ceremony.”

“I don’t know if I’m ready.” She sighed, nervousness clear on her face.

“You’re already doing it, baby. You’re working at the daycare, you know almost everyone’s name, and the entire pack loves you. You’re the perfect Luna. The ceremony will just make it official and make you safer.” I held her face in my hands, keeping her close to me. She sighed again,

“Okay.” She nodded once.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, but nothing big, please.” She begged.

“Whatever you want, love.” I kissed her quickly before we continued our walk.

“Please stay with me tonight, since you’ll be gone all day tomorrow.” I was aware that I was whining and Quinn was laughing hysterically about it. Austyn giggled at me,

“My big, bad Alpha.” She smirked.

“You know I’m a puppy for you, my Luna.” I purred.

“Can you keep yourself in check tonight?” She eyed me dangerously. I held up my hands in surrender,

“Yes, ma’am.” I promised. She rolled her eyes at me but agreed. We walked back to her cabin to pack her bag.

I was bouncing back to the packhouse like a kid in a candy store. Quinn and I were more than thrilled about having her in our bed again tonight. It had been two weeks since we had a goodnight sleep, the last time being when our mate was in our arms. Austyn was glaring at me but I didn’t miss the playfulness in her eyes.

“You look like an idiot.” She laughed at me.

“I’m an idiot for you, baby.” I smiled mischievously, earning me an eye roll.

“You really need to stop doing that, little mate. Your disobedience is driving us wild.” My voice turned husky as I swept her up in my arms and hauled her up to the Alpha suite. She was laughing at me and ordering me to put her down at the same time.

“Leo!” She cried as I kicked my bedroom door shut and tossed her on my bed,

“You said you were going to behave.” She pouted.

“This is me behaving.” I chuckled,

“Quinn wants to say hi.” I raised an eyebrow at Austyn, asking for her permission to let Quinn take control. She sat up on the bed and nodded. I closed my eyes and relinquished control. When I opened them, my pupils were pitch black.

“Mate!” Quinn growled, stalking towards the bed.

“Be good, Quinn.” Austyn narrowed her eyes at Quinn. She had just as much control over him as she did over me. Quinn crawled across the bed, pushing against Austyn so she was laying flat on her back.

“This is me being good.” Quinn echoed me, nudging Austyn’s neck with his face.

“Leo said you wanted to say hi.” She whined.

“Hi.” Quinn’s voice turned sultry as he pressed his lips against Austyn’s neck.

“I know what you want, Quinn, and I’m not ready, yet.” Austyn sighed, gently pushing me away.

“I just want you.” Quinn said,

“I love you, little mate.”

“Quinn,” The tone of Austyn’s voice pulled Quinn’s eyes to hers. She had a strange expression on her face,

“I love you, too. You and Leo.” Austyn’s words sent Quinn into a howl while I pushed against him for control. Austyn giggled at Quinn’s animalistic behavior.

“Austyn?” I regained control, holding my mate’s face,

“Do you mean it?” I asked her.

“Every second of every day.” She promised me.

She grabbed a fist full of my shirt and pulled me down to meet her lips. She wrapped her arms around my neck, tugging my body against hers. Our lips moved together hungrily. I explored her body with my hands, running them down her side as her legs wrapped around my waist.

“Austyn.” I growled, burying my face in her neck and inhaling her scent.

“Say it again.” I demanded.

“I love you.” She said, her voice coming out in a gasp.

“You’re mine, Austyn-Rose.” My eyes were gazing deep into hers. I saw the lust and desire swirling in her warm hazel eyes. Quinn flashed in my own eyes, showing his dominance.

“I’m yours, my Alpha.” She licked her lips, feeling the Alpha aura consume her,

“And you are mine.” I was shocked as her Luna voice clouded my brain. Quinn ducked his head in submission. I groaned, her own dominance turning me on even more.

“Forever, baby.” I purred,

“You make it so hard for me to stay in control. You’re so damn sexy, Austyn.” My face went back to her neck, using her aroma to calm my urges.

“I’m sorry.” She sighed, pain in her voice. My eyes snapped up to her face again,

“Don’t be sorry, love. The longer the wait, the better the reward.” I grinned wickedly. She rolled her eyes and pressed her lips together, trying to hide a smile. I groaned again and flopped over in bed, laying next to her.

“Martha is going to send up dinner.” I said. Austyn didn’t respond. I rolled to my side and propped myself up on my elbow,

“Also, I called Alpha Victor again to inquire about your friend, Fern. He’s being stubborn about it.” I huffed out in frustration.

“Of course he is. He hates me.” She said matter-of-factly.

“I’ll keep trying, baby.”

“You shouldn’t waste your time or energy. He’ll never do anything for me.” Her face was stone cold as she wrangled her emotions.

“I’ll make him.” I said in a threatening tone. She plopped her head to the side, looking at me,

“Always so extreme.” She tsked at me disapprovingly.

“You make me do crazy things, my little Luna.” I shrugged casually. She turned head away from me again and sighed. I sensed that something was heavy on her mind,

“What are you thinking?” I pressed.

“Just something that Amber said.”

“Which was?” I asked.

“She said that her parents made her and Kayden bully me. She said they threatened them from the moment I moved in to be mean to me. Why would they do something like that? My father was their Beta?” She looked at me with questions in her eyes. Questions that I couldn’t answer.

“I don’t know, that doesn’t make any sense.” I shook my head angrily.

“I don’t remember much about my parents before they died. Mostly, I just remember that night.” She mumbled.

“What else do you remember about them?” I laid my hand on her stomach and she laid hers on top of it.

“My mother’s laugh and my father calling me Austyn-Rose. I remember the bedtime stories they used to tell me. That’s it.” She shrugged.

“Tell me a bedtime story.” I smirked, wanting to encourage her to remember the good things about her parents, the positive. She laughed at my childlike enthusiasm,

“Let’s see if I can remember.” She hummed, thinking to herself for a moment.