Bonded Beyond Trickery (Trick or Treat Monsters)

CHAPTER 12

TILLY

“It was delicious,” I praise Maggie as I finish up the giant orange roll that was perfectly ooey and gooey.

She beams at me, but it still doesn’t reach her eyes. I know it’s because she’s concerned about her daughter and granddaughter. I’ve never met Nyx, but I am as well.

I can’t tell her that everything will be okay because I’m not sure it’s true. I hope it will be, but I’m not the kind of person to give false hope to someone.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Luna,” Maggie flushes slightly with her words.

As much as part of me wants to frown with her use of my title, I don’t allow myself. It was only a few days ago that we walked into the packhouse, our hair disheveled and dotted with grass and leaves, just as dinner was about to be served.

I would have preferred to get cleaned up, but Whitaker had a grip on my hand that told me it wasn’t going to happen. He gave my fingers a squeeze and led me right into the dining room.

I’m not sure if it was our presence, together or the unkempt way we looked, but silence descended on the room very quickly. I wanted to squirm where I stood, but I held my head up high. I was more than a little curious about how this was going to go and figured it wouldn’t hurt to just go along with my mate.

“Silver Howler Pack,” Whitaker’s voice carried throughout the entire room and demanded everyone’s attention. He glanced at me and the twinkle in his eye, the joy I saw there, made my heart pound in my chest. “I’m sure you have been curious about the she-wolf at my side. I’m sorry that I took a little time for us to settle before making the most important announcement of my life.”

I swear the whole room took a breath and held it. I could feel their hope. It was a physical thing that wrapped around me and settled, but the mantle wasn’t heavy.

“This is Tilly Ryan. She is the daughter of the former Alpha and sister of the current Alpha of the Golden Summit Pack.” Whitaker paused and the anticipation ramped up in the room. I swear I could taste the incumbent excitement on the air. “She is also my mate,” the roar that came from the pack members had me almost stumbling back before Whitaker raised his voice and added, “and the future Luna of our pack!”

I had to blink back tears because of the smiles on everyone’s faces and the acceptance that washed over me. Well, almost everyone was smiling. There were a few she-wolves who looked like they had sucked on a lemon, but that didn’t surprise me.

The funny thing is that I was never particularly interested in the power of the Luna position, or any position of power in the pack. I just wanted my mate and to be useful, to be more than a womb and to be accepted for who I really am.

The she-wolves who wanted power didn’t care about their mate. And that is probably why they would never be mated to a wolf with power. The Goddess doesn’t make mistakes.

The way the pack embraced me made me feel like I was finally home. While I was introduced to members of the pack, chatting with them, and seeing more than a few people who I had already forged a relationship with, like Maggie, Whitaker stood at my side the entire time. Even if we weren’t bonded, I could have felt his pride.

He was proud of his pack and the way they opened their arms to me. But he was also proud to have me next to him as his mate.

Since then, some things have changed, like Maggie calling me Luna even though we haven’t had the ceremony yet. It makes me a little uncomfortable. I also know, at least for her, it’s about her showing me respect. The first time she used the title I don’t officially have, I told her to continue to call me Tilly.

Clearly, that didn’t stick.

“Would it be okay with you if I spoke with the Alpha about your concern?” My voice is gentle as I ask.

If she doesn’t want me to then I won’t betray her confidence, but I have an idea of how we can help Nyx, if she’s open to it. I’m not willing to say anything without talking to Whitaker, but I’m positive he’ll want to know how much Nyx is struggling.

Maggie shoots me a look filled with fear. I lay my hand over hers and give a gentle squeeze while reassuring her, “I think he would want to know. He would want to help her. No one wants any member of the pack to suffer.”

The breath that wooshes out of the woman in front of me is shaky. I feel for her. It must be so difficult to see her child hurting and not being able to do anything about it.

“Thank you, Luna,” she murmurs.

Without warning, I wrap my arms around the baker who is one of my favorite people in the pack. She relaxes into me and amazes me. I grew up seeing my mom give emotional support and relief to members of the pack, but until this moment, I never really understood it. She could always make me feel better, but she was my mom. This is different.

It’s so much more.

When I release her, there are unshed tears filling her eyes. We take a deep breath together and I watch as some of the tension eases from her face. I smile and turn to leave after promising that I’ll be in touch soon.

Two steps away from the door to the bakery, the door swings open and a gorgeous young lady rushes in. She must be around eight years old with thick hair that’s been tamed into a gorgeous fishtail braid. She beams up at me before her gaze shifts to Maggie and she shouts, “Gramma!”

I can’t help but giggle as the girl rushes to Maggie and slams into her with the force that would lay someone out if they weren’t prepared. “Aisley,” there is so much love in Maggie’s greeting for her granddaughter. “You rushed right past our Luna,” she admonishes softly and without any real heat.

Aisley turns around with a gasp, her eyes going big and round as she looks up at me. I barely have time to brace myself before she wraps her arms around me. I hug her back and have to swallow past the lump that forms in my throat when she whispers reverently, “Luna.”

I’m smiling so big that it hurts my cheeks. When she pulls back and looks up at me, she gushes, “I’m so glad we have a Luna now. You’ll make it all better, I know you will.”

My eyebrows pull together, and I brush little wisps of her hair back from her forehead as I ask, “Make what better?”

“How sad Mommy is,” there’s sadness in her voice that makes me want to wrap her in my arms and shelter her from every storm. But I know it’s not possible. “Lunas are the pack’s mom and mom’s help sick pups feel better. That’s how I know you’ll help.”

I don’t think twice about dropping to my knees and wrapping Aisley up in my arms. She burrows into my hold, and I swear I can feel the way she gives me her burden. I take it readily. I’m more than capable of bearing it.

“I’m going to try to help your mom,” I promise. “It might take some time. We might have to try different things, but I won’t give up.” I pull back just enough to be able to look into Aisley’s eyes. I want her to see how sincere I am. “Okay?”

“Yes,” she breathes, her shoulders slumping with relief.

I share a long look with Maggie, something passing between us. An understanding. A kinship. Something that goes beyond Luna and her pack. We’re now a team and our goal is to help Nyx.

After I kiss the top of Aisley’s head, I head out of the baker with a purpose. Just like I did days ago, I don’t stop until I’m standing in front of Whitaker’s office. The driving force for this visit is completely different than it was days ago.

Now, the bond between us buzzes under my skin. He hasn’t put his wall back up and I frequently feel him poking at the bond, and me, throughout the day. I revel in the connection between us.

This time I also don’t even bother knocking. Not only is my mate alone, but he would probably scowl at me now for thinking I need to knock. I’m thankful for the change in my mate and the way he’s willing to leave the past where it belongs and focus on the future.

I storm into the room and don’t stop until I’ve rounded his desk, pushed him back and am straddling his lap. Whitaker’s dark eyes are wide and filled with surprise before they drop with lust and his hands grip my hips.

My mouth twists to the side and I try not to snap at him as an urgency to right the situation for Nyx, even if it’s next to impossible, takes hold. Yes, it’s hard to concentrate when I’m on my mate’s lap. But I’m a mission.

“To what do I owe this delicious pleasure?” Whitaker’s voice is sinful as he wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

I narrow my eyes to stop myself from laughing…or kissing the man senseless.

“I’m here on behalf of a concerned pack member,” my voice is serious, and Whitaker straightens up immediately. The way his gaze bores into mine, full of intensity, makes me fall in love with him just a little bit more. “Maggie. She owns the bakery?” It’s not a question about whether I’m being accurate, but a check to ensure that he knows who I’m talking about. When he nods, I forge ahead. “She’s concerned about her daughter, Nyx.”

Whitaker slumps back in his chair, the grip he still has on my hips pulling me forward. “Nyx is someone we’re all concerned about. I swear you can feel the she-wolf’s pain as it rolls off her.” He shakes his head and shoots me a look that borders on desperation. “I’ve wanted to help her for years and have kept an eye on her, but I’m not sure what else to do.”

I nod slowly, my heart breaking further for the she-wolf, her child, and the loss they’ve had to endure. “I have an idea,” I offer, my voice gentle.

The last thing I want to do is to make my mate feel like I’m undermining his authority.

Whitaker surprises me when he breathes out, his voice filled with relief, “Thank the Goddess.”

I chuckle softly and then melt against my mate’s chest. “I’ve heard about the changes that have taken place at Waning Moon since the old Alpha family was taken out and Alpha Samuel has stepped in to lead.” Whitaker stiffens slightly, probably not liking the name of another Alpha on my lips who isn’t related to me, but I don’t let that even slow me down. “He has endeavored to create a place for those who don’t fit in, who are struggling in other packs, or who need to heal. He wants to create a pack where everyone is welcome, and no one is bound by their past.”

“Nyx fits in here,” Whitaker’s voice is firm and even though it’s an oversimplification, I understand what he’s trying to say.

I pull back and cup my mate’s jaw in my hands. “The problem isn’t that she does or doesn’t fit in here. The problem is that here she’s surrounded by memories of her mate and the life they shared together. How can she move on, how can she heal, when it could almost feel like her mate could walk back into her life at any moment? She isn’t an outcast or anything, but she’s not the she-wolf she once was either.”

Whitaker relaxes as he stares into my eyes. “I’m one lucky Alpha,” he murmurs softly.

Even without him saying the words, I know he’ll be calling Alpha Samuel and then getting everything arranged to see if Waning Moon is the place where Nyx and Aisley can have the fresh start that they deserve to have. One can only take so much pain before they break.

He doesn’t give me a chance to answer before he plunders my mouth with his own. The moan that escapes is swallowed down by him like it’s a delicacy. My arms slide around his neck, and I hold tight to him when he stands up quickly.

I expect him to carry me out of his office and to our room, but he doesn’t. After slowly lowering me until I’m standing, he grips my shoulders, spins me around and then bends me over his desk. His very large and imposing desk. The same desk where he does all his important Alpha things.

My entire body shudders as he lifts the hem of the dress I’m wearing and rips my panties from my body. I barely hear his zipper before he’s filling my slick pussy with his length.

“Whitaker,” I groan, his name drawn out and sounding desperate even to my own ears.

His fingers brand me as they tighten around my hips. I love it and my body craves more. So much more.

My mate plows into me from behind. With every stroke he takes, I push back against him, more than willing to give even more.

“I love you, little wolf,” Whitaker growls, both man and wolf speaking together.

I feel it through the bond and have for days, but this is the first time I’ve heard the words. They’re important. They hold weight.

“I love you, my Alpha,” my words are breathy prayers, but considering I’m barely capable of thought, it’ll have to be enough.

The bond hums between us, glowing and wrapping around us even tighter. The deeper we fall, the more the bond strengthens, the farther away my trickery feels, even though I felt like I needed to do it.

One day it will only be one moment in a long history of love, life, and devotion.

I might be looking forward to that day, but as my fingers curl around the edge of my Alpha’s desk and my orgasm makes my body shake and my toes curl, I can’t find it in me to mind where I’m at either.

How could I?

This is right.

It’s perfect.

And I’m never letting go.