CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY EIGHT
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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY EIGHT
Talia’s POV
I woke up late the next morning. I stretched and rolled over, reaching for Nolan, but was met with his scent and cold sheets. He had already gone to work.
“Thinking of going another round?’ my wolf teased.
I sat up and froze when I saw my reflection. Dark marks stood out against my skin. I traced them, feeling that mix of happiness and shyness settle deep in my chest.
‘Why are you being so shy?’ my wolf teased. “We are supposed to look alike. He is our mate, but perhaps he did too much last night. You two mated like wild beasts.’
I huffed under my breath as I stood. “That is not how I would phrase it,” I muttered, though I could not deny the warmth spreading through me as I thought about how Nolan had pinned me against the desk.
With Nolan by my side, this month’s heat would not feel so frightening. After the Luna ceremony, I would stand with him the way a Luna should and help him govern his pack.
I chose a dress with a high collar. Even though I knew the marks were not something to be ashamed of, I was not ready to display them openly to everyone just yet. With how Maggie was yesterday, I wasn’t going to go out of my way to antagonize her.
“Got a little rough last night?” Della teased as she sat down with me at the round table dedicated to Alpha, Luna, and Betas.
“What…what are you talking about?” I asked.
“You’re blushing. You know it’s okay to show off hickies. You’re a grown adult,” Della replied with a wink.
Before I could respond, I felt Solon’s presence brush against my mind. ‘Good morning. Are you awake?’ he asked.
I smiled faintly and responded, ‘Yes. Good morning, Solon.’
‘I am just checking in on you. We haven’t talked since you left Shadowclaw,’ Solon said.
‘I am fine. Everything is going well so far,’ I responded. ‘How are you and Leslie?’
‘Good’, Solon said. ‘Leslie has settled in well. She complains about the noise, but she has not left yet. We both miss you’.
‘I will visit after the Luna ceremony’, I promised.
‘Remember, if Nolan ever treats you poorly, you tell me immediately,’ Solon said. His tone was so parental that I laughed quietly to myself. Hearing Solon like this made my heart ache in a good way.
‘I will’, I said, though I doubted I would ever need to.
I was just lifting my spoon to finally eat my oatmeal when a familiar scent made me tense. Maggie was walking toward me with a bouquet of roses so large it took both of her arms to carry. The colors were striking, deep reds, soft pinks, pale whites, and hues I had never seen before. If it was anyone else bringing them to me, I would be very excited, but all I felt was tense.
“Luna Talia,” she said warmly, stopping a few steps away. “Good morning.”
Della looked at Maggie and then at me with a surprised expression. The title caught me off guard as well. It was only yesterday that she was calling me a witch.
“This should be interesting,” Della muttered.
“I heard from Alpha Nolan that roses are your favorite, I gathered every variety Bloodmoon has. I thought you might like to choose which ones will be used for the Luna ceremony,” Maggie continued.
“They are beautiful,” I said carefully. “Thank you.”
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WATER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY EIGHT
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Maggie stepped closer and Della growled defensively. I gripped her wrist and shook my head. Maggie wasn’t that dumb to attack me in front of the pack.
“Thank you, Maggie. I think these two will be just fine,” I said as I pointed out two varieties.
Maggie nodded eagerly. “Of course. I will make sure everything is arranged properly.” Maggie stood there for a few seconds and said nothing.
“Uh, did you want something else?” Della asked rudely. “If not, please leave. We are trying to enjoy our breakfast.”
Maggie hesitated and then bowed her head slightly. “I also wanted to apologize for my previous rudeness. I understand my place now and I am truly sorry.”
Della looked at Maggie and then at me. ‘How bad did Nolan reprimand her?’ she asked through our mind link.
‘Not enough for her to change her attitude that fast,’ I replied. I had expected Maggie to put up more of a fight than this.
At that moment, Clara approached with a small pitcher of juice. Before she could set it down, Maggie gently but firmly took it from her hands.
“I will take care of that,” Maggie said. Clara stepped back, clearly unsure, and I made a mental note of it. Maggie poured the juice into my glass.
My wolf bristled and growled, ‘Do not trust her.’
“Apology accepted,” I said and Maggie turned to look at me in surprise. I gave her a small smile, and she then went to pour juice into Della’s glass.
‘Do you really accept her apology?’ Della asked.
‘No,’ I replied.
I learned enough that words meant nothing. Just like her apology was insincere, so was the acceptance of her apology. I would keep an eye on her.
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