Chapter 19 ~ Abalone ~ Wolf.. not Shell

Matthew’s POV ~

Waking up today.. knowing this is the day Ella will know we are mates.. has me so excited I jumped out of bed.. practically bounced through my shower.. and by the time I was pulling my tee shirt over my head, Ella had run into my room, and launched herself into my arms.

Abalone was shining bright in her eyes and growled ‘Mate’.. I laughed. Kissing her nose, I said “Hello, Abalone..” allowing Frost to bleed through. He said ‘mate’ in response.. and kissed her nose, forehead and cheeks before locking his lips on hers. Halfway through, both wolves retreated allowing Ella and I to complete the kiss.

I whispered “I, Alpha Matthew August Landon of Bear Creek.. accept you, Ella Rose Cassidy of Bear Creek, as my mate and my Luna.”

She grinned and said “I, Ella Rose Cassidy of Bear Creek Pack, accept you Alpha Matthew Landon as my mate.. and my Alpha.”

As soon as she finished speaking, our bond snapped into place.. A rumble of power infused our bodies, as we were pushed apart by the force of it. What the fuck was that?!

I reached for her and the sparks were so explosive our hair ignited in static electricity.. making it stand on end. She started laughing.. and then it struck me funny, as well.

She giggled “Let’s hope that shit calms down! I don’t want this as my permanent hairstyle!” Making me laugh harder.

My mood changed to seriousness “Come sit down with me. I want to talk to you about something important.” I led her to the sofa.

Her eyes were huge in her face, and she was as pale as a ghost.. I chuckled “Baby! I said it was important. Not bad. There is a full moon in two weeks. We could have your Luna ceremony. If you are ready.. and want to take that leap with me, it would make me the happiest wolf on the planet.”

She smiled “I was thinking this conversation was going in an entirely different direction. People have given up on me my whole life. I was kinda expecting the same, this time.. I have been so scared since our argument.”

My poor baby. She has survived so much. Her feelings of abandonment aren’t going to go away overnight.. I whispered “I’m not ever going anywhere, my love. Not ever. And if I have to win your heart every day.. If I have to prove my love every day.. I will do it, gladly. And when you get anxious.. or scared.. or sad.. I will be right here to love you through it! On those days, I vow to love you harder!”

She snuggled into me and said “Du skill no food” What the fuck? I busted out laughing and said “What did you say?”

She sat up and said “You smell so good? What did you think I said?” I chuckled at myself “Not that! It’s not important.. it was too muffled.” She giggled and said “You made up something stupid in your head! Just admit it”

So I did the only thing I could do in that moment. I wasn’t about to admit it. I tickled her instead. And I tickled her.. all through her begging me to stop.. trying to kick me and wiggle away.. right up until she threatened to pee on me. Yeah… that’s a game changer right there!

We went down to breakfast together, and Mom met us at the dining hall doors “Well??” I hugged my mom, kissed her and swung her around.. this tiny woman is my hero. We were both laughing, when I announced “I have officially found and accepted my mate! Help me in welcoming your Luna.. Ella Cassidy.”

Everyone applauded and we took our seats. My mom chattering up a blue streak.. then, I had an idea to take the pressure off Ella and the ceremony. I linked her my idea and she squealed. Out loud and in the link.. the entire link.. I know this because every single pack member at breakfast grabbed their heads at the same time.

A voice in the back said “Alpha.. can we try not to make Luna that excited again?” Everyone laughed and Ella asked “What?” I was still grinning “You squealed. In the link. In the whole pack link. I am getting hit with smartass remarks from border patrol now.”

She started laughing and said “Sorry.” I stood and said “Now that Luna has gotten your attention.. In two weeks, we are holding a gala. It will be a Luna Ceremony and a Mating Ball. We will be inviting ten omegas from every neighboring pack.. with their rank and file. All our unmated members.. everyone will show up. We are going to start helping everyone find their mates.” Everyone started talking at once.

Ella said “Any one of you ladies who need help getting a gown and shoes.. come speak with Mom and me tomorrow.” They all started clapping at that.

Ella whispered “Matthew, I don’t feel well.” I smoothed her hair back.. and her skin was hot as fire. I looked at my mom.. “She’s burning up, Mom? Do we get an ice bath ready?” Mom said “I only have to add some ice.. I knew we would need it.”

I lifted her and ran for the infirmary, my parents right behind me. I stood her on her feet and pulled her tee shirt over her head.. Mom was filling the tub with ice. I had her jeans off and was lowering her into the ice bath in a few minutes.

Dad said “Is she sleeping? How the hell is she sleeping with her bones and joints moving about to prepare for shifting?” I glanced up at him, told him “I’m not sure. But I think it has something to do with what happened when we accepted each other this morning.”

Mom said “What do you mean?” After I had explained it to them.. Dad said “I want to ask Liam. He’s the Kingdom’s lead Archivist. Hopefully, he’s found something.”

Mom said “She’s special. More than we knew. More than we realized. The two of you will be in greater danger if we don’t stop this hunters group.” A sultry, incredibly sexy voice uttered “ We will stop them. I have seen where they are.” And it took me a couple minutes to realize it was Abalone speaking because it took that long for the blood that had rushed to my dick to make it back to my brain!

I looked into her face and Abalone’s sky blue eyes were glowing. I smiled “You’re stopping her pain, aren’t you?” She scoffed at me “Of course, I am! She’s taken too much pain. I have the ability now to take it from her.” I nodded and kissed her forehead.

About an hour later, Abalone asked to be brought outside. I lifted her out of the bath and she shivered. I took her wet underwear off and wrapped her in a blanket. Then, I carried her to the backyard.

It took Abalone twenty minutes to break through. In Ella’s place now stood a nearly seven foot silver wolf.. with black tips everywhere.

She stood and shook her fur out… she looked me dead in the eye and said “I am Abalone.” Holy Shit! She can talk? “You can talk?” She snickers at me! Snickers! Then says “Yes. Abalone..” she bowed “Wolf… not shell.”