Chapter 21

I feel when Zithanial walks into the room, a pull in my chest alerts me when he stands by the entrance of the kitchen. Tracey and I had just finished putting the pizzas in the huge brick oven when Zithanial comes up the wraps his arms behind me.

"I see you ladies have been busy," His laugh rumbles through his chest, vibrating my back.

Tracey nods going all shy again, I can't blame her because I would be doing the exact same thing. We just need to get her to come out of her shell more.

Ha, look at me saying that other need to come out of their shell when I can barely get out of my own.

~Best way to learn is to teach others ~ my wolf mumbles.

True, I guess we can both learn together.

Zithanial's arms squeeze around me, "Shall we head out and see how the set up is going?"

"Sure," I say as he takes my hand and starts to lead me out the back door. "Wait," I say before we get too far. Turning back I see Tracey standing awkwardly next to the brick stove looking lost.

"Would you like to come with us Trace?" I offer my hand for her to take.

A grateful smile crosses her face as she takes my hand. Now with a person in each hand, I take the lead and march outside with my mate and new friend.

The cool breeze hits us as we walk outside, the fresh scent of the forest lingers in the air making me smile.

As we reach the busy hub of the backyard, basically where the food table is being set up and people placing camping chairs around; trying to get the best spot so they don't have to walk too far to get food but not too close that they would be in the way. I let go of Zithanial's and Tracey's hands as I quickly move to help a mother who is balancing a new born baby in one arm and about 5 containers of food in the other. I take them from her and set them up on the table.

"Thank you Amelia, all my hard work almost needed up on the floor," she smiles gratefully just as her baby starts crying. "Feeding time for him first."

I just politely smile and give a little salute.

I turn to Zithanial, "So is there anything we can help with?" I ask him as I look around for something both Tracey and I can do. Because in all honest, besides Zithanial, Tracey is the only other people I actually truely feel comfortable with. It is funny people they are both people I haven't been around much at all. Tracey only just got here and Zithanial has been away for years.

Zithanial gets a funny smile across his face, "You are Luna, you can do and help with whatever you want." He points to the guys carrying heavy tables to extend our food table. "You could go over and take the table from them if you wanted."

"Whilst it would be interesting to do 'the guys' work, I think we'll find someone who actually needs help and not just be all Alpha Male and take their job." I teasingly argue with Zithanial.

His eyes darken as he slowly walks towards me, "Look who's little sassy attitude is coming out." He leans down and whispers into my ear, "I can't wait to see it tonight in bed."

My body heats up at the thought of another night with Zithanial sliding in and out of me. Zithanial smirks as he feels my arousal through our bond.

I look over and see a box of cutlery, napkins and such that needs unpacking and setting up, "Want to give me a hand setting these up Trace?" I ask as I walk over to the box and start pulling items out.

Tracey smiles gratefully, "Yeah I would love to." She takes a large pile of napkins and starts distributing them among the tables that have to set up.

We make quick work of emptying the box, setting up table by table as the men bring them all out. Whilst we were setting up someone had brought out a stereo that was currently playing some classic rock hits and I can't say I was complaining.

Tracey and I moved and were standing under a tree with a glass of fresh lemonade in our hands, I was swaying back and forth to the music, feeling myself loosen up.

I like how you have changed my wolf piped up.

Yeah, I'm actually taking your advice for one, I laughed inwardly to myself.

You should have been listening to me all along.

I know, I know. It has been a long journey but we are here now, where we are meant to be. I feel stronger now, this has only been our reality for a short time but I can already feel myself changing or should I say, going back to how I use to be. Feisty. Strong headed. Carefree. And most importantly. Happy.

You bet we are going to be happy, we were destined for this.

I felt the warm presences of my mate's arm wrap around my waist, moulding the front of his body to mine joining in on my swaying.

"You're glowing," he whispered into my ear then placing several soft kisses down my neck.

I smiled at his words, "I can feel it."

And I wasn't lying.

I felt his chest rumble as he chuckled behind me. "You know it is about time for the full moon run." Zithanial spun me around and pulled me close again, I had to arch my back in order to be able to look at his gorgeous face.

Man I really need to invest in heels.

"You know it has only occurred to me that I haven't seen your wolf yet," Zithanial frowned. "In fact, I don't remember ever seeing your wolf or you at our full moon runs."

I grimaced, "Yeah that would be because I never went to them and only 4 people have ever seen my wolf."

I felt Zithanial tense, yet another thing reminding him how I was treated. "Hey now, lets not think about that," I reached up and ran my fingers through his hair.

"Can I have everyone attention please!" Alpha Stone called out from the middle of the gathering.

A hush fell over the crowd immediately and all heads turned in his directions. "We are going to start our full moon run, and I am pleased to announce for the first time that my son and his mate will be leading the way."

I gasped at that announcement as it certainly was a surprise to me. I have never participated in a full moon run, let alone lead the run.

Zithanial took my hand in his and started to lead us through the crowd, everyone parted as we approached them. My mate was beaming as he came to his fathers side.

"And you said that I was glowing," I teased him through our link, throwing a little wink in there with it.

"Leading our pack with my beautiful mate by my side, why wouldn't I be," Zithanial didn't stop smiling as he said this to me. And I have to be honest, it just melted my heart even more.

Alpha Stone looked at Zithanial and nodded his head, "All yours son."

Zithanial nodded back and faced his pack, the Alpha energy radiating off was so powerful that even my wolf was about ready to submit so I have no idea how the other pack members must be feeling. If Zithanial is this strong even before he is officially given the Alpha title, I can only imagine how great an Aloha he will be. And nothing brings me more joy knowing I will be by his side.

"Tonight, we run!" Zithanial roared to the pack.

This was followed by howls of agreement rang throughout the pack.

Zithanial turned and took a few steps forward before letting the change take over his body, shredding his clothes as he did. Within seconds his towering black wolf was in front of me, standing tall and proud. His head swung back at me, waiting patiently.

I knew what had to come next, it was my turn.

I've got this, my wolf said eagerly. Let me have this.

I nodded, both to Zithanial and to my wolf.

It is all yours, I said to her as I let her take control.

It is a really weird feeling when she has the reigns, but I guess this is how it must be for her most of the time. It is like I am playing a first person game yet none of the controls work.

I feel the change take over my body and surprisingly I wasn't scared of changing in front of all these people. My wolf felt confident so so did I. She knew we were a beautiful wolf and she was about to flaunt it for all we are worth. And you know what, I didn't mind one single bit.

My two front paws landed on the ground with a thud and I heard several gasps from behind me. I ignored their awed expressions and my wolf turned to face Zithanial, his was the only reaction she wanted. I was not surprised to find that Zithanial's own wolf was taking control tonight as well.

He let out a long loud howl and took off running towards the woods, I wasn't far off his tail. I heard the ripping of clothes behind me as others changed and followed suit.

My paws thudded along the ground as My wolf playfully nipped at Zithanial's tail, earning herself a growl from him.

We ran and ran, and yet we only covered a small portion of our property. As we ran, the packs bond was growing strong and my links to them slowly started to return. You see, when I isolated myself, I cut everyone from the pack off, not just the teenagers tormenting me. So for years I haven't spoken to anyone through our link, Zithanial has been the first. But as the pack ran together, my wolf slowly started to reform the link with those I had cut off. It has been so long that I've had to deal with other in my head, that all the chatter going on came all in at once.

My wolf was having trouble sorting out all of the new voices in our head that she started to slow her pace. Immediately Zithanial noticed this "What is wrong my love?" He asked through our link, but everyone was so load by then that she didn't hear it.

Shaking her head, my wolf let me back into control. Oh geez, thank you to letting me be the one to sort this out. I started to do my best to shut people out, I had only done a few when I heard Zithanial say "It is time to return to the pack house."

I signed in relief, I was about to hear him again.

"Are you okay? Can you hear me my love?" Zithanial asked through my now much quieter link.

"Yes I am, sorry, my wolf let down all my walls and everyone voices came in all at once" I caught up to him again as I felt a dull throb start in the front of my head. Not surprised I got a headache from all of that.

"It's okay honey, we are almost back to the pack house" Zithanial reassured me.

I let out a huff in agreement and picked up the pace wanting to get there faster. Zithanial matched my pace with easy and ran close enough to brush my fur with his. Before long we were back at the clearing where the party was being held. By this time it was about 1am in the morning, the bond fire was slowly dying and the children were all tired. Truth to be told I was tired myself.

"We will clean up this, you to head back to the pack house," Mum said through the link.

I felt guilty for not staying and cleaning up, it I wasn't about to disobey a Luna. I entered the pack house still in my wolf form and made my way up the stair to Zithanial's room. Or should I say our room.

Zithanial was hot on my heels but he had already changed back into his human form. Whilst I am feeling more confident, I don't think I'll be changing in front of anyone body any time soon. Baby steps.

I nudged the door open and made my way inside, it was only then behind the closed door with Zithanial's eyes on me did I change back.

"Your wolf is beautiful," Zithanial said as he placed his hands on my hips, ducking his head to place kisses on my neck.

"I'm glad you think so," I said wrapping my arms around his neck.

Zithanial got more adventurous with his kisses, slowly he turned them into little nibbles and then he almost play bit my neck. Right where he will mark me.

I took a deep breath, "It's okay, I want you to."

Zithanial froze for a second before pulling back. A pain went through my chest, does he not want to mark me?

Seeing the look on my face Zithanial was quick to reassure me, "Are you sure my love? Because I don't want to pressure you into something you are not ready for, as much as I want to mark you as mine."

A grin crept onto my face, "Yes, I want you to mark me, I want to be yours and you be mine in every way. Please Zithanial, please make me yours forever."

The words no sooner left my mouth and Zithanial picked me up into his arms, his pupils dilated and lust in them. "Mine," he growled as to placed me on the bed.

"Yours," I agreed with him.

Almost like I was his prey, Zithanial slowly advanced on me. I shivered under his lustful gaze, and felt the want of having him surge in me. He crawled from the bottom of the bed, placing kisses on my legs as he went, then up to the torso doing the same. I was ready to rip his clothes off by the time he made it above my breast and to my neck.

I offered my neck to my mate, ready to seal our fate together. He placed a kiss in the crook of my neck, "Mine," he said again.

"Forever," I whispered waiting in anticipation for his mark. The feeling of your mate biting you was said to be better than anything you have every felt. No pain, only pleasure.

As Zithanial's teeth sank into my neck I let out a moan. Well they weren't wrong about the pleasure part.

He stayed still for a second before extracting his canines. Gently he licked at the wound that would be quick to heal itself, the sensation of the licks sent tingles down my spine.

He pulled his head up and looked into my eyes, his weren't as dilated anymore and back to being his bright green. I smiled up at him with as much love as I could conjure, "I love you," I said to him for the first time.

Zithanial broke out into a breath taking smile, "I love you too my mate, for as long as I am breathing."

I ran my hands down his chest and wrapped my legs around his waist, feeling a familiar member pulse between my legs.

With a sly grin he added, "Are you ready to start making our pups?"

With a new found confidence I answered, "I think we should give it out best shot, or maybe two or three."

Definitely not expecting my answer Zithanial was taken back for a second before growling, "I hope you realise what that means."

I let out a laugh as I pushed my core closer to him, "It means this is going to be fun."