"Good night, sweetheart." I whisper as I lower Julia into her bed for the night. The sounds of running water can be heard from across the hall from Tate and my bedroom. I smile, watching my pup for a moment before heading towards my room and stretch my sore muscles.
"Time for a bit of R and R?" I groan to myself, rubbing my shoulder.
"Yes, and we are having one together tonight." Tate says, wrapping me in his embrace and kissing my forehead.
"But-" I begin, ready to protest.
"No buts, beautiful, we need some time to ourselves." Tate cuts me off, poking my nose playfully. I smile gently and nod, stepping out of his arms and undressing.
"I will only do this if you give me a massage," I state, dropping my pants and underwear onto the ground.
"Okay, deal." His voice is a whisper as he hugs me from behind once again, his body pressed to my own and just as naked as I am. Without warning, I am scooped into his arms as Tate carries me into our large bathroom, placing me gently into the large tub filled with a bubble bath. He climbs in behind me, gently pulling me closer to his body before his hands knead my shoulders and back, making quick work of the sore muscles I have and releasing the tension that has built up over the last few days.
"I know you're still healing from your surgery, so we will only have a bath tonight. But I can't wait to make you mine forever." He says with longing, his voice husky with need. My heart flutters and I think about how we have yet to complete the mating ritual. Everyone in the pack I have met has called me Luna but I have yet to be initiated into the pack nor marked and claimed by Tate. Some days I feel like an imposter but I remind myself that we are just waiting for me to be healed and healthy enough for both.
"When will I become a member of the pack?" I ask as I lay back against his chest and enjoy the sparks from our skin touching as the warm water relaxes muscles Tate could not get.
"Whenever you feel like you’re ready." He answers, kissing my forehead.
"What about this Saturday? It’s a full moon, and it would be a perfect time." I suggest, getting a breathtaking smile from him.
"Deal. We will do it at the pack house, and it’s a week before we go to Pine Paw, so that gives you time to explore the pack territory as their Luna." He agrees instantly. The water soon grows cold and Tate is the first to leave the water. Before I can climb to my feet, he bends down and scoops me into his arms once more, the water dripping off of us and onto the floor that thankfully has towels placed on it.
"I would love to make out with you like a bunch of hormonal pups, but you need your sleep.” He groans out, peppering my face with kisses as he gently places me on my feet and wraps a towel around my shoulders.
“So, grab one of my shirts to wear to bed while I shave." He adds. I smile standing on my tip toes to place a soft kiss on his cheek then rush to the walk in closet and right to his dresser, going through the neatly stacked shirts and finding a V-neck t-shirt that matches his eye colour. Hastily putting it on with a pair of plain black boy shorts and towel-drying my hair all before slipping under the covers. Soon, Tate comes out with a towel around his waist and heads into the closet, his face neatly shaven. He returns minutes later with pyjama pants slung over his hips loosely and shirtless, stalking towards the bed and pulling me into his arms as he crawls into his side of the bed.
"Goodnight, beautiful" he whispers, kissing me gently.
"Goodnight." I whisper back, yawning as I snuggle closer to him, sleep taking over. He chuckled at how fast I am falling asleep, and I smile, opening my eyes to sneak one last look at him before I journey into dreamland.
"I love you." His voice is quieter than a whisper, but I hear those words clearly, and they stay with me as darkness fades in and I fall asleep feeling safe and sound.