" No, you can't do that, Aerys," I whispered. He was serious. I didn't want him to lose his family, his pack because of me. I would have to leave if that were the case.
" Aerys, don't be stupid," his father growled. I agreed with him.
" I'm not being stupid. I've never acted stupid before. However, I'm serious about my decision. You would have to train someone else to take over,"
This idiot. I was both amazed and sad that he'd done that. The silence in the room after his words was deafening. Athena shot up from her seat.
" No, no, no. That is not happening," she had tears in her big eyes. Her mother cradled her face, concerned.
" Baby,"
" Since when is she so concerned about pack issues?" I heard Elaine ask.
" Dad, you can't let my brother step down," she went to her Dad, hugging his waist briefly. She stood in the center,
" Don't you all know what would happen? Our firstborn, Love, is in New York with her babies, and I'm the one who would have to be trained if Aerys steps down. I don't want that."
" I knew she was just looking out for herself," Elaine murmured. Marcos agreed with his mate, and everyone glared at them. They raised their hands in a gesture of peace,
" I don't want to be an Alpha! I want to marry rich and be a mom. I want to take care of my family. I don't want to be a boss babe. It's too much work!" Athena was panicking, tears streaming down her face. Her parents stifled their chuckle while the others smiled.
" Why are you laughing at me?" she cried. " This family shouldn't be the ones to judge about lies and identity. We have a witch," she pointed at Selena, who curtsied beautifully with a smile. I couldn't help but smile, too. She was so cute.
" We have a shifter slayer and a former rogue," she pointed at Elaine and Riley, and they, too, smiled. " Why can't there be a vampire?"
What Athena said stuck with everyone. The following discussion was mostly about how to tell the people and the council.
" It won't be easy, especially, since she's the Luna," Marcus mumbled.
" It never is. I even faced criticism for being a mage marrying into this family," Selena said, grimacing.
" It took a long time for me to be accepted. They kept thinking I was here to kill them because I was a hunter before I became a wolf," added Elaine.
" For the first three years of my marriage, the press would refer to me as that schemer rogue who swayed her way to riches and status," Riley said.
" I was the pretty mage who bewitched the mighty Marcus Chasia, the highest commander of the Militia," Selena didn't seem vexed by that because she was called pretty.
It looked like everyone had a bad experience here. The air was lighter now as the three ladies told me what they'd gone through and the bizarre moments they had with the pack members. However, everything worked out for them, and they were happier than ever.
" The next few weeks will be hard for you," Caliana said. I nodded. I think I was ready for whatever was to come.
" Aerys, let's talk in my office," Alpha Edward said. Aerys kissed me and followed his father.
After the two left, the rest of the men went to the bar to drink, while the ladies decided we should have a barbecue in the backyard.
" Athena," I sighed. She smiled.
" Don't judge by what I said," she pouted. I wouldn't judge her for not wanting such responsibilities on her plate. Other women want to work in big offices and be part of the table, while others want to work in other areas of life like taking care of their families, and that is okay.
" I would never judge you. It is alright to want what you want. Your dreams matter,"
" Honestly, I'm always so scared to say it out loud because of the world we are in. As a woman, I'd be judged terribly for wanting to be a housewife and Mom, but speaking out loud felt good," she smiled.
Aerys,
I followed my father to his office. I was relieved that my family was okay with me having a vampire mate. I loved my family with everything I had. Though I knew wholly that I would have gone with my mate. Ever since she came into my life, she has awakened feelings I didn't know existed. She was my life.
I closed the door behind me and swallowed. I knew it shocked my father to hear me say that,
" Dad,"
" I'm proud of you for standing your ground and choosing to be with your mate," he said with a slight smile.
" I'm relieved to hear you say that."
" Now, you know things will be hard, right?" I knew that. It would be hard, especially for Elizabeth. She would be a target of bullying.
My mother walked into the office and went to sit on my father's lap.
" Should we start preparing for the Luna ceremony? It might help with everything once she is officially the Luna," she said. I concurred with her. The people would know that she is not going anywhere.
...
The following weeks were as difficult as we assumed. My mate and I were staying here at the manor. She enjoyed the stay and loved being around my family.
I was in the driveway, hoping my mate would come soon. She had gone to help my sister, Athena, get tailored for the dress she would be wearing at the Luna ceremony.
I didn't want Elizabeth to go, but she insisted. She had visited one of the packhouses two days ago with my mother. It didn't go too well as some pack members threw jabs and flour at her. I was angry and upset when I heard about it, wanting to go there and put them all in their fucking places, but my mother told me Elizabeth handled it so well, that the members who threw flour on her went to apologize.
I felt Selena's presence next to me,
" You're worried," she says softly.
" Why does she have to go out there?"
" You can't lock her in the manor in fear of criticism, Aerys."
" They hate her even though she did nothing wrong to them," I spat. Selena sighed,
" Not everyone. Just half, and I must say, she is gaining more supporters. Her resilience is so admirable," she said.
I let out a sigh when my sister's car came into view. It stopped in front of us, and they hopped out. Elizabeth's hands were full of shopping bags. She smiled brightly at me and Selena.
" I tried to call you, but your phone wasn't going through," I told her. She squinted her eyebrows.
" I told you I lost my phone. Hello, how was your day?" she asked, kissing me. She seemed to be in good spirits. It warmed my heart.
" It was alright. Yours?"
" I bought lingerie, want to see me try it on?" she winked.
" Yuck, we are here," my sister faked a gag. I faced my mate and kissed her lips.
" I can't wait, baby,"
She rushed inside the house while I was with Athena. I wanted to know what happened at the mall.
" Did you encounter any trouble?" I asked. Athena frowned and nodded slowly. I let out a growl. I hated that it happened. Then, Athena's eyes lit up.
" Your mate is honestly so brave. The way she transmutes every negative thing thrown her way is commendable. I love her!" she said with a huge smile.
" I told you, she'll be okay, and all this heat will blow over soon. She is their Luna, after all," Selena said.
I went back inside to be with my mate. She wasn't in the bedroom. Suddenly, a sensual song started to play, and the lights in the room dimmed to a red one.
I sat in the armchair. The first thing I saw was her long, flawless leg. I swallowed, and my lycan, Aire, stirred in my head. She fully revealed herself, and I was fucking hard as I took in her toned, lean body. She wore a lacy lingerie that made my dick hard in my pants. She sashayed her hips and modeled towards me.
" How do you like my new lingerie, alpha?" she asked salaciously. I only nodded my head, unable to utter a word. Elizabeth laughed and sat on my lap, her body moving softly to the musical. I lifted my hands to touch her, but she stopped me,
" No, alpha. The runway is not over yet."
" I won't make it till the end," I pleaded. She smiled and brought her lips to mine. However, she pulled back before they could touch.
" You're teasing,'
" Be patient," she got off my lap and disappeared into the closet. She came back again, this time in a different lingerie. It was torture not holding her and fucking her brains out, but it was worth it.
' She fucked us... hard,'