Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Preparations

Riannon quietly got closer to her friend and concentrated on her hearing.

Whatever it was, it seemed important to Maya and she never ignored her friend’s

requests.

“I am telling you, he will be over this mate business in less than a month!” some

she-wolf snorted, “It’s Reid of all people! He will never be able to stay with just

one woman!”

Ria turned to look at Maya but the girl averted her gaze, clenching her lips tight.

“Unless she will be willing to take part in his orgies,” another girl chuckled, and a

group of them burst out laughing.

“And even then,” someone added, “Reid likes to switch it up! If that girl thinks that

she has any kind of future with him, she is delusional!”

Riannon had enough and she really wanted to walk into the room and explain to

those women to keep their mouths shut about matters that were none of their

business. But her Beta

grabbed her hand, shaking her head and motioning for her not to do that.

The Luna sighed and pulled her friend into the next available room, which looked

like an empty study with a desk, a few chairs and a long bookshelf. She looked

around, taking a mental note that this was the perfect place for a queen’s office.

“M, you can’t let it bother you like this!” Riannon said as soon as she locked the

door behind them, “Those girls can talk but it doesn’t mean anything!”

“Easy for you to say,” Maya shuddered slightly and went to sit in one of the

chairs, “I don’t hear anyone saying things like that about Gideon. They are all

very happy that he found you and no one has any doubts about his feelings

towards you.”

“So?” Ria sat on the armrest and leaned over the back of the chair, “The only

opinion that should matter here is Reid’s. What is going on between the two of

you?”

“I don’t know...”. The confession did not come easy for the Beta female. “It all

started so hectic with what was happening to you. And then the king was angry

with him. He had to work and I sat there alone, waiting and not being able to do

anything. When we try to speak, it’s

awkward. And he hasn’t made a single move on me. I don’t know what to think,

Ria. He doesn’t

seem to like me at all.”

“You’ve been thinking about all this too much,” the Luna chuckled, “And from the

wrong

angle.”

“Elaborate on that, please.” Maya shot her brow up and Riannon saw how

hopeful her eyes were. She really needed this to work.

“Well,” she made a dramatic pause, “Reid is a known playboy but he hasn’t made

a move

like any other girl in his life because he respects you and wants more from you

than just s*x. You were in a very difficult situation when you met each other and

the way I see it, he is giving

you space.”

“Or it is just your wishful thinking,” the Beta girl snorted bitterly, turning away,

“Tell me something,” Riannon continued, “What happened yesterday during the

explosion? What did Reid do?”

“He covered me with his body,” Maya smiled and bit her lower lip, “But in all

honesty, 1 think he would do this for anybody.”

“Right,” Ria smirked, “And what do you think of him as the Beta of this kingdom?”

“He is great,” the girl said at once, lifting up her knees to hug them, “One of the

best I

have seen. Even better than Ash.”

“Then think of the fact that for you this amazing lycan Beta disobeyed his own

king,” Riannon stood up, “He had a task to stay by my side at all times. But the

moment he saw you, he chose you over his king and future Luna. If that’s not a

huge signal of what you meant to

him, then I don’t know.”

Maya stayed silent. She hadn’t thought of that before.

“You see,” Ria brushed her hand softly over her friend’s hair, “From day one he

saw you as the most important person to him. Maybe he doesn’t know how to

express it yet. But neither do you. In that sense, you are charmingly the same.”

It was the truth. Maya wasn’t big on dating either. She had flings but never

anything serious. It was as new for her as it was for Reid.

“And what would you suggest for me to do?” she looked at her Alpha

questioningly.

“I would suggest for you to claim your man,” Riannon chuckled, “So that no she-

wolf here would have any ideas on his account anymore. And so that he knew

where you stand. After all, you are a Beta. And not some unconfident omega. Act

like it, M.”

She wanted to say something else but the door opened and they both saw Reid’s

head

poking in.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” the lycan smiled awkwardly, “Luna, Gideon is looking

for you everywhere. He’s in his office now.”

“Great,” she beamed, “then I will leave the two of you alone. Maya wanted to talk

to you

about something.” Preparations

him and hoping that the two would be able to figure everything out over time.

However, all she wanted now was to see her own mate. She found him sitting by

that same desk that they deflowered yesterday and she felt her cheeks flush from

the sweet

memories.

“Morning,” she smiled, and Gideon growled approvingly at the sight of his Luna.

“Come here,” he stood up and met her in the middle of the way, pressing her

against himself and crashing his lips into hers. He left her warm body in his bed

just a few hours ago but was already missing her as if he hadn’t seen her for

ages.

“Slept well?” he asked her with a smirk.

“Like a baby,” she replied, not getting his little hint.

“You know, Riannon, you are the first woman to fall asleep so fast after having

s*x with me and I don’t know where to take that as a compliment or if I should be

worried,” the lycan taunted her.

“You should be worried if you want to compare notes to what was happening to

all those other women in your bed,” she quirked her brow up at him and he

cleared his throat nervously, realising his mistake.

“Anyway,” he lifted her into his arms effortlessly and went back to his chair, sitting

in it and placing her in his lap, “I have something for you.”

– “Oh?” she laced her arms around his neck and watched him producing a folder

from the depth of his desk, “What is it?”

“Just what you asked for, my love,” he said, “I did the research on that omega.”

“Really?” Riannon grabbed the folder and opened it, greedily reading the few

pages inside while her mate was caressing her bare arms and playing with her

long blonde hair which she left loose today.

“It’s not much as you can see,” Gideon commented when she was done, “But

everything inside is confirmed.”

“It’s more than I ever had before,” she turned to kiss him, “Thank you for that!”

“You don’t need to thank me,” he slowly brushed his palm over her cheek, “I will

do anything for you.”

“I will be going to my pack today,” she told him, “I need to claim my land and

make sure that the separation of the packs will go smoothly. It cannot be

postponed.”

“No, Gideon, you have your own matters to attend to. The war is not going

anywhere.” she reminded him, “And I have to deal with it myself. Otherwise, they

will never respect me as an Alpha.”

“I am just worried about your safety. That woman has killed you before and your

ex... How do I put it mildly...”

“...is an a**hole?” Ria giggled, finishing the sentence for him.

“Yes,” he pulled her closer and breathed in her scent, “I don’t trust any of them.

And you still have no wolf. I guess I am just worried about your safety.”

“I’ll be fine,” she assured him, “The pack is full of my people. I am sure that they

will follow me. And Maya will go with me too. And as for Onyx... I felt her again

yesterday. She is there.”

“I would be calmer if you could shift,” he said, and she felt a prick of pain deep

inside. It

was hard still not knowing what was happening to her wolf. He sensed that

through their bond and placed a soft kiss on her shoulder.“I am sure she will get

back,” he added, “As soon as we are done with our current affairs, we will give all

our attention to smoking her out of her sleep.”

“I take your word for it,” Riannon smiled, relaxing in his arms, “She only reacts to

you anyway.”

“I am honoured,” the king chuckled, but then got serious again, “However, I insist

on you taking Reid with you as well as a few of my best warriors. Safety first,

Riannon.”

“Gideon!” she rolled her eyes.

“Ria,” he placed his finger on her lips to stop her from protesting more, “Just do it

for me. Otherwise, I would not be able to concentrate on my work today and will

end up coming with you anyway. You are a queen now and a few guards around

you is a must.”

“I am not a queen yet technically,” she reminded him.

“You are my queen since the day I laid my eyes on you, my love,” he did not buy

it and she decided that it was easier to let him win this battle.

“Fine!” she groaned and kissed him on the cheek, “I will take them.” She stood up

and took the folder with her, preparing to leave.

“Ria,” Gideon looked at her thoughtfully, “When you come back we will also have

to decide what to do next. How are we going to arrange our life with you being a

queen and an

Alpha.”

last time, “I am not going to refuse any of the titles. I want it all.”

“And all you shall have, my beautiful mate,” he made her a promise that he

intended to keep.

Riannon left his office in the best of moods and bumped into Reid and Maya in

the hallway. The girl had swollen lips and the guy had a smug smile on his face,

which told her that they finally were able to take that first step towards being true

mates. It was something!

She informed them briefly about what they agreed on with Gideon and Reid went

to get the warriors to take with them. But to Ria’s surprise, Savvy was the first to

join them in the car as they were waiting, followed by Kyle.

“What?” the princess snorted, “I am one of the best warriors in our pack and so is

Kyle. And I am not missing the opportunity to see what all the fuss with your pack

is about.”

“Actually, I am glad that you’ll be joining,” Riannon confessed, “My brand is all

about girl power and you will fit just fine.”

“See,” Savannah sneered, “This is why I like you! I always wanted to have a

sister just like you. And now I have two!”

Soon the preparations were completed and they drove all the way to The Silver

River pack, discussing their course of action when they would arrive.

However, when they reached the main territory, they were stopped at the main

gates. – “What is going on?” Ria looked out of the window and the three guards

looked at her apologetically.

“I am sorry, Luna,” one of the men practically stuttered, “We have an order not to

let you through....