Gabriella’s POV
I kissed her forehead tenderly, whispering, "We're home now, and there'll be no more witch tricks to worry about. I know you must be curious about my family, but that's a story for when things settle down. Just know that you won't meet them, except for Tracy. She's the only one who truly treated me like family, despite the past misunderstandings with your father. She'll understand. I plan to visit my sister soon, but for now, we need to get settled."
Leaving my room, I headed to the lobby that led to Nicklaus's room. As I approached, I saw Nicklaus talking with Mateo, both looking troubled. It seemed the meeting had taken a toll on Nicklaus, and my heart sank, feeling useless as an omega.
I turned back to my room, my emotions overwhelming me and tears starting to flow. I hastily wiped them away as the door opened, mustering a smile. "Hey, love. You weren't waiting long, were you?"
"No, not at all. How did it go? Want to share?" I asked, feigning ignorance of Nicklaus's earlier mood.
"Things went fine, it's just that some of the elders are causing problems. The pack is divided," he explained, his concern evident.
"That's not good. What's our plan to resolve this?" I inquired, genuinely worried.
"Don't worry, I've taken steps to handle it. I had to demote one of them, and we need to adjust our strategy. This elder knows a lot."
"Oh, that's why." I realized my unnecessary concern had been misplaced, thinking the meeting was about me.
"Yes, and now that we're back, there are high expectations. I told them we'd take it slow to find a solution, and I assured them everything will be okay."
"That's reassuring, then."
"Lastly, they want the Luna ceremony this weekend. But I think it might be too soon, considering your well-being."
"It's alright. I'm ready. As your mate, and now a part of the pack, I feel their warmth and support. I'm ready to be their Luna."
"Are you sure? I care about you not being overwhelmed. If you need more time, I can delay it."
Drawing close to him, I kissed him gently, affirming, "I'm ready, my love. I want to do this."
"If you say so. By the way, we had unfinished business before I left. It's time to finish what we started."
He swept me into his arms and playfully kissed me, our laughter echoing through the room. With the Luna ceremony approaching, I needed to be prepared. But how would I transform to complete the rites?
Nicklaus's POV
I excused myself from the partygoers and had a private conversation with Mateo.
"I suppose you miss her, right?" I began, trying to gauge his reaction.
"Miss who?" He feigned ignorance.
"Don't pretend with me. I'm talking about Jessica – the girl who brings a smile to your face. It's obvious you care deeply for her," I pressed.
"She's just a friend, nothing more," he lied once more.
"You're quite the liar. If I had known, I might have left you in the hands of the kidnappers and found her someone who wouldn't leave her behind," I deliberately provoked to see how he'd respond. His jealousy was palpable, confirming my suspicion that he did indeed have feelings for her. He may try to hide it from everyone, but not from Gabriella and me.
"I don't want to complicate things with a witch. Maybe I should distance myself, so she can move on," he mumbled.
"Don't give me that excuse. Love is love, whether she's human, witch, or anything else. What matters is what's in the heart. Seize the opportunity to love while you can," I advised.
"Thank you, Alpha. I appreciate your input," he acknowledged.
"You're welcome. You're not just my beta; you're like a friend and a brother. Did you hear anything unusual when you were held captive by the enemy?" I shifted the topic.
"They were cautious, so I didn't gather any information. But I do believe we need a comprehensive plan and constant vigilance. They could strike at any moment," he suggested.
"You're right. I'll consider that. For now, your task is to root out the spy among us. We must eliminate any traitors from our ranks. I have faith that you can handle this swiftly," I entrusted him with this responsibility.
"I'll do whatever it takes to find the infiltrator who used our secret door for espionage," he assured.
"Good. Keep this matter confidential. We don't want to dampen the festivities. Seal the secret door, and I'll interrogate the spy later."
"Understood, Alpha Nicklaus." He left promptly, and as lower wolf packs that had been loyal to us for a long time approached me with their concerns, I realized I hadn't spent enough time with Gabriella.
Observing my daughter and Gabriella enjoying the celebration, I felt a bit more at ease. For now, they were having a good time. The spy within our ranks had gone unnoticed, and it was crucial that we apprehend and deal with them accordingly.