Mae POV
I try not to freak out. I had completely forgotten that Kieran's sister is a Queen. I don't know what that means in the werewolf world, but I am sure she is important.
I try to picture what the Queen of werewolves might look like. Staring at Kieran, I try to imagine what a female version of him might look like. After meeting Kieran's mother, I am sure she is beautiful.
I pull myself from my thoughts and look at my mate. Kieran is still pacing the floor, but I am frozen to the spot. He appears to be so nervous I don't know how to react.
"What does your sister have to do with me?" I whisper.
"She is coming for an inspection because of the rogue attack. And I am sure she is going to want to meet you as well," Kieran growls. "We have to prepare for her arrival."
I should have known that his sister would want to meet me.
"Okay," I breathe in heavily. "What does that mean?"
"I keep forgetting that you aren't familiar with our world," Kieran sighs. "You are my mate, and that comes with certain responsibilities."
I sit on the edge of the bathtub and try to push down the panic rising in my chest. "What kind of responsibilities?"
"You are the Luna of the North Pack," Kieran begins. "You are expected to prepare for important guests."
My head begins to spin. I don't know anything about this world, yet I am supposed to prepare for the Queen to come visit.
Kieran seems oblivious to the fact that I am teetering on the edge of a panic attack. I am gripping the side of the bathtub so tightly that my knuckles are turning white. I try to focus on my breathing, but I am also trying to listen to what Kieran has to say.
"You will be working closely with my mother to learn how to perform the duties of a Luna," Kieran continues. "Preparing for my sister's arrival will be your first lesson."
I find myself nodding my head absentmindedly, not really listening to what else Kieran has to say. My mind is racing with all the ways this situation could go wrong.
My fingers begin to tingle, and my vision goes dark. I can barely make out the bathroom around me. It sounds like Kieran's voice is at the end of a very long tunnel. I know what is going to happen next.
Raising one of my hands in the air, I try to silence Kieran from his speech, but he isn't paying attention to me. The more he talks about my duties, the harder it is becoming for me to breathe.
I feel like I cannot get enough air. Taking in several sharp breaths, I try to fill my lungs, but it is not working.
"Kieran," I whisper, but he doesn't hear me.
"We will have to take you shopping to get you some appropriate clothes for your new position," Kieran's voice echoes through my mind.
I begin to sway where I am sitting, and I fear that I am going to pass out.
Suddenly, arms are wrapped around me, holding me up.
"Can't you see that you are stressing her out?" Tish screams at Kieran.
Kieran finally stops talking and looks in my direction. His eyes are wide with fear as he looks at me. "What is happening to her?"
"She is having a panic attack, you idiot," Tish hisses at him. "She needs her pills."
"I don't think we brought them," Kieran replies.
"Fuck," Tish groans.
Lowering me onto the bathroom floor, Tish holds me upright. She runs her fingers over my skin, trying to calm me, but it is only making matters worse. Her touch is making my skin crawl.
"Don't touch me," I hiss.
Tish backs away from me, and Kieran swoops in to take her place. He wraps his arms around me and holds me close. The tingles that accompany his touch soothe the panic that is racing through my body.
Kieran presses his lips to my forehead and holds me close. "I am so sorry," he whimpers. "I should have been paying attention."
Tish is watching us with her arms crossed over her chest. There is a scowl on her face, but I ignore her annoyance.
Leaning into Kieran, I let the electricity spread over my skin while Kieran continues to whisper apologies into my ear.
"Breathe," Kieran says quietly but firmly. I cannot help but obey his command.
I slow my breathing and begin to focus on the breaths that I am taking. I breathe in for three counts and then out for three counts while Kieran gently coaches me.
Slowly, the world comes back into focus, and the feeling of dread leaves my body. Suddenly, I feel confident, like I can take on any situation that Kieran throws at me. I lean my head against his chest and sigh loudly.
I nuzzle myself into Kieran's neck and breathe in his scent. He smells like fresh cedar, and the smell is comforting.
"Are you okay?" Kieran asks me as he runs his fingers over my skin.
"I am okay," I whisper in return.
Tish lets out a huff of frustration and storms from the bathroom. I watch her leave, but the urge to chase after her is gone. She is clearly jealous of what Kieran and I have.
"Do you want to go after her?" Kieran whispers.
"No," I say as I pull myself from Kieran's arms. "I think I should meet with your mother."
"Only if you are ready," Kieran replies.
"I am ready to be your Luna," I tell him confidently.
Kieran smiles brightly at me and presses his lips to mine. I close my eyes and lean into the kiss. Before I have a chance to deepen the kiss, Kieran pulls away from me, leaving me stunned.
Kieran jumps to his feet, pulling me along with him. "Let's find you something to wear."