Chapter 103 Bon Voyage
927words
I tried to stomach as much food as I could handle, the uneasy feeling still clawing inside me and sapping my appetite. Sophia stood up first, giving me a moment to take in what she was wearing. She looked like she was already a Luna, making me wonder if I had underdressed for my first excursion as a Luna. It didn't surprise me—she was an Alpha female by birthright, and I was sure she wouldn't have had to memorize countless pages about what was expected of a Luna like I had.
She wore black wide-legged dress pants that clung to her behind as if they were made for her, paired with pointed stiletto heels. Being the daring fashionista she was, she combined the elegant look with a blush pink low-cut long-sleeve shirt. The shirt tucked right under her breasts—I was certain Alpha Christian would have his hands full once he caught a glimpse of her. She tied her hair back in a low ponytail, with just a few stray strands framing the soft features of her face.
"So... should I go and change?" I joked, watching her porcelain skin now tinted with a pink flush. Jaxon stood up from the table, his large frame pushing back the wooden bench behind him. "Why do I get the feeling my little sister is trying to impress someone? Maybe a certain Alpha?" he said with a smirk, joining in on the banter.
Sophia's eyes widened—she was clearly throwing daggers his way with them. In an icy cold tone, she replied, "I'm just trying to leave a good impression of Midnight Moon. The pack is probably terrified enough wondering if the big, bad Alpha isn't going to overtake their pack."
Jaxon chuckled, unfazed by Sophia's taunts. "Wouldn't be such a bad idea, now would it? I've always wanted land in the mountains. Lucky for them, our packs have been aligned for years. Once Alpha Christian and I renew the alliance on this trip, they'll keep having this big, bad wolf on their side."
I laughed when I saw Sophia roll her eyes and scoff as I stood to wrap my arm around her shoulder, trying to deescalate a potential sibling argument between them. "Alphas. Am I right?" I teased.
We made our way into the pack house foyer and outside the front door, only to find Alpha Christian pacing next to a row of all-black SUVs. It reminded me of all the movies I had watched as a kid where a mafia boss drove around town. Enforcers from both packs filled the vehicles; all of them looked buff and, judging by their serious faces, were clearly ready for battle.
"Finally," Alpha Christian said, exasperated, freezing in place when he locked eyes with Sophia.
"S-Sophia, you look... nice," he stammered, his breathing quickening as we approached the cars. Sophia had a gleaming grin on her face, her lips opening slightly as if to reply before Jaxon cut her off.
"Finally?" Jaxon laughed, draping an arm around my waist and pulling me closer. "You waited a whole five minutes, Alpha—you'll live."
Dismissing Jaxon's comment, Alpha Christian straightened, trying to appear more threatening. "Sophia, you can drive with me. I think the newly mated couple might want some privacy." I pressed my lips together when Jaxon clenched his jaw and growled at Alpha Christian, his wolf sending a warning.
"That won't be necessary. I will not leave my unmated sister at the hands of an unmated Alpha. Would you leave Carolina?" he seethed.
Alpha Christian heaved a sigh and reached for the car door. "Then we ride together," he challenged back.
Beta Don quickly approached us, dark bags under his eyes suggesting something had been troubling him. A moment of silence floated between us, but judging by the way Alpha Christian and Sophia stared at each other, I doubted they noticed that Beta Don and Alpha Jaxon had been mind-linking.
"No niece or nephew yet?" he chuckled at me.
"I told you already, Beta, you might be forced to wait. I want to enjoy my mate first," I said, intertwining my hand with Jaxon's. I was surprised not to see a reaction from him; instead, he squeezed my hand supportively and looked at me with bright eyes.
"In due time, Beta. Our Luna will soon be blessed."
Although I was relieved that my mate hadn't put pressure on me to produce for him, it nagged at me that everyone else seemed anxious. They treated the subject as if my sole duty was to produce an heir.
Beta Don chuckled. "Well, bless faster. It's all the pack has been talking about all morning. I barely got through border patrol with all the shifters that kept stopping me and probing."
We bade Beta Don goodbye as he wished us safe travels and watched the vehicles pull away from the front entrance. Since I had gone inside first, Jaxon and I took the back seat while Sophia and Alpha Christian took the middle row. The other vehicles were filled with enforcers from both packs, making me wonder why so many shifters were needed to protect us on this journey.
Jaxon extended his arm over the seat, giving me ample room to snuggle into him. His warm amber eyes narrowed into mine.
"What's wrong, little wolf?" he asked as he scanned my face. I gave him a small smile, deciding there were too many ears around to admit what was really nagging at me.
"Just tired," I muttered as I closed my eyes against his rock-hard chest.
