Cassian's POV
“Stop pacing around, dude,” Ryder gave me a pointed look that said he was annoyed as fuck. “People are looking at you,”
“I can't help it,” I clenched my jaws and picked up a glass of wine from the passing waiter, sipping it as I looked around to find a trace of my mate. My wolf was on the surface, feeling too anxious. “What if she doesn't come?” I voiced my concern, causing my beta to roll his eyes. “What if she doesn't wear the jacket? Would that be a rejection?” I chewed on my lips, my palms starting to feel sweaty despite the cold weather when I rubbed it on the back of my neck.
I could hear the heavy sigh Ryder released before he stood up to come near my restless frame. “First of all, she will come. She's the Luna of this pack, Cass. She knows it's her duty to be here. Ivy is not someone who disrespects customs.” He said sternly. “Secondly, you need to put off your negative thoughts, man. She will wear it and even if she doesn't, it doesn't mean she rejected you. Maybe she needs more time to accept you. You can't just give her a pelt yesterday and expect her to come wearing it today. Remember, you fucked up real bad. She might need time to forgive you,”
“But I already gave her time–”
“Don't even finish that sentence,” Ryder snapped. “You can't fuck up and then sanction people time to accept your apology. That's not how it works, Cass. You gave her time? Doesn't that sound narcissistic to you? She should take her time. Heal and forgive at her own pace.” Ryder shook his head after giving me a disappointed look.
I looked down as a wave of shame crashed down on me. It did sound narcissistic. “I didn't mean it like that, Ry. I…I know it sounded like that but I really want to make this right. I never thought about forcing her or pressuring her to forgive me.”
My beta looked at me with a troubled expression. “I do want to feel sympathy towards you but every time I dare to feel that way, I'm reminded of the times I warned you about this. You never listened and never thought about her feelings. This is the karma you have to experience, Cassian. I hope she forgives you. This pack needs the strong bond of their Alpha and Luna.”
I gave him a look, my lips pinched together as I nodded. I understand where he's coming from. Ryder was the one who warned me every time I made a rash decision. If I had listened to you, this wouldn't have been this complicated.
I restlessly waited for half an hour more when I finally caught the faint scent of my omega in the wind. Rose water and turmeric. So rich and fresh. My wolf perked up as we both stared into the direction it came from, my heart beating like it was about to crush my ribs.
I held my breath as I saw her step into view. Beautiful as ever. Shiny black hair braided prettily, her cheeks glowing like ripe peaches from the bite of the cold, smiling wide as she talked to her friend. She was wearing the pelt I gave her. My omega was wearing the courting gift I gave her.
I looked at Ryder and then stupidly smiled at him, unable to hide my happiness. He returned the smile along with a pat on my back. “Go get her, dude. And don't fuck up ever again,”
“I won't,” I breathed out, determined. “I promise,”
Ivy stopped on her track when she saw me approach. Ruth gave her hand a soft squeeze before stepping away to leave us alone. She looked at me, her gaze surprisingly soft and undefensive. It took the air out of my lungs and as a result, I could only stand there and stare stupidly at her like somebody took my ability of speech out of me.
Ivy’s stare soon turned curious as she tilted her head, waiting for me to say something. “You look beautiful,” I breathed out with great effort. Ivy smiled, her beautiful plump lips stretching wider at the compliment.
“Thank you,” she replied while a bit more rosy color was added to her already flushed cheeks. My heart swelled and twisted almost as if it was about to burst. I wanted to hold her so bad. Breathe her in and drench her in my scent but instead, I willed myself to behave like a decent human and asked for her hand. Ivy stared at it for a moment, making me hold my breath in anticipation.
The relief I felt when her soft warm hand slid into mine is indescribable.
I don't ever want to let her hand go. It stayed intertwined with mine even when I went up to address the pack and give out gifts. She stayed close to me every second.
Gifts were handed out by Ivy. In tradition, it's done by the Alpha of the pack but I think the most suitable person is always the Luna of the pack. A Luna is the representation of the Moon goddess herself. Then, while giving blessings it should be handed out by the person who represents the goddess.
I could tell Ivy was happy. She was beaming and her wolf was proud. It made my alpha feel content.
“Will you…” I cleared my throat and looked at her with a sheepish expression. I've never been this lame in my entire existence. “Will you dance with me?” I tried again and this time it made Ivy smile.
She nodded and I didn't wait any longer to step into the dancing floor. We heard claps and whistles but I was too focused on my mate to give it any mind. Soft jazz music swirled around with the cold breeze, Ivy's soft hair fluttering along with it. The festival area was only lit up with bonfires and the bright moon above us.
Ivy and I moved to the music, my hand settling around her dainty waist while hers were on my shoulder. It's been too long since we've been this close to each other. I missed this so much. Her strong calming scent and soft skin…my wolf wanted out. Flashes of things that I wanted to do to her flickered in my mind. I cursed my wolf and my alphan nature for the perverse thoughts. Can't even enjoy a simple thing without getting horny. I prayed that my thoughts didn't mess with my scent.
I put my forehead against my mate’s, taking in a shaky breath before I looked into her eyes. Ivy stared back at me with equal confidence. My mind was reeling and I couldn't still wrap my head around the fact that l have my omega now and she's willing to give me a chance.
I want to kiss her so bad.
“Ivy…” I was thankful to the goddess that my voice didn't break. It took everything in me to speak up. Ivy softly hummed in reply, waiting for me to go on. “I…Can I…umm…I want to…” I trailed off, trying to find the best way to voice my request.
I paused as a thought crossed my mind. Am I asking for too much? Is it too early? What if her wolf doesn't feel the same way as mine does?
Suddenly, my mouth felt dry as a dessert. Swallowing my saliva felt like I was gulping down dry sand. Ivy looked at me with an amused expression as she waited for me to speak.
I pressed my lips together and let out a defeated sigh before speaking again. “Nevermind,”
“What?” she frowned.
“No, I was just…it's nothing,” I tried to brush it off.
“It's obviously something if it's bothering you,” Ivy pressed.
“I…It's just that my wolf is being needy and it…umm…it wanted to kiss you but I know it'll make you uncomfortable and I'm so sorry—”
“Just your wolf?”
“I didn't want to make it awkward—wait, what?” I looked at her wide-eyed, trying to figure out if I was hallucinating and hearing things.
“What about you? You don't feel that way?” she raised a brow.
This cannot be real. Ivy was smiling. Not wide but a small curve. A genuine smile that I hadn't seen in a long time on her face and the sight of it made my heart warm.
“I do.” I breathed out, embarrassingly smitten. “I wanted to do it so bad..”
“Then do it,” It came as a whisper. Something I would've brushed off as the wind playing tricks on me if I hadn't seen the way her lips moved.
I swallowed thickly, staring down at her plump lips. “Are you sure?” I asked, my hands gripping her a little too tight as I pressed her against me.
Ivy nodded and that was all it took for me to dive in hungrily like a starved man. It felt absolutely amazing, breathtaking, and mind-blowing to have her soft cherry lips on mine again. I don't think I'll ever be able to do justice in describing how it feels to kiss her. It is soft, warm, and cool like a gentle midnight breeze. It's everything that makes you feel like you're in heaven.
My arms tightened around her and my chest rumbled from the way my wolf let out a pleased groan. Ivy chuckled when I pulled back from the embarrassment.
We stayed there like that in the middle of the dancing floor while breathlessly staring at each other.
“I need you to come to bed early,” Ivy said. Even though the tone was soft I knew it wasn't a request. It was absolutely a demand that I was in no position to reject. Not only because it was a tempting offer but my omega had me in a chokehold and I’d always find a way to do everything even if she asked me to fly to the moon. “I have some things to talk to you,”
Who was I to reject my Luna?
“Sure,”