SWNOVELS Chapter 47 - Pack
Kaden Reid’s P.O.V.
I wake up with a start, feeling someone pushing at the mental barrier I had put up earlier. Letting them in, I realize it’s Rico as his voice echoes inside my mind.
“Rogues surrounding the back. You need to come outside.” He states in a firm voice, making me stiffen.
I look down at my mate who’s cuddled up to me, half her body over mine. Stroking her incredibly soft hair, my fingertips wander to her warm skin. I press a gentle kiss to her forehead, growling softly in annoyance when I hear Rico telling me to hurry. Sliding out from underneath her, I place a pillow where I once was.
A quiet chuckle escapes me as I watch Luna grab it and bring it to her chest, thinking it’s me. I take one last look at her before leaving my room, another memory of her engraved into my mind.
I smell them before I see them, a group of rogues on my patio standing patiently. But, it’s their expression that confuses me. They seem scared and tired, like they have lost all hope. I grunt as I open the double doors, stepping out and leaving it slightly open so I can hear Luna if she wakes.
The large crowd huddles together as Rico and I stand before them. I take a moment to scan my eyes over the group, the number two hundred and fifty echoing in my mind as Rico and I state it at the same time. What surprises me is when I recognize people I knew from my father’s pack.
“What brings you all here?” My voice is slightly loud as I break the silence, my eyes focusing on an elder that steps forward.
“David.” I breath, stepping forward to shake his hand when I recognize the former trainer of the pack’s warriors. Before I was banished, David oversaw my training for the Alpha position.
“It’s good to see you after all these years, Kaden.” He smiles gently, regretting it immediately because of his busted lip. “We need your help.”
“Anything.” I nod, mind linking Rico to get the first aid kit.
Rico and I, along with others, quickly get to work on cleaning up anyone who is injured. We choose to stay outside to talk since my house isn’t big enough to accommodate everyone. I take a seat on the grass, letting the elders sit on the chairs and extra stools. The rest follow suit and surround me.
“Kaden,” One of the elders I recognize as Maria, who used to be the pack doctor, speaks. “Since you defeated your father, you are now our rightful Alpha.”
My eyes widen as I realize the true consequences of my actions. By law, anyone who overthrows an Alpha must take their position. But I don’t know what to say or do.
“Kaden,” Rico speaks gently, his hand squeezing my shoulder. “It’s time for you to take back what is yours.”
I look around me, conflicted with my emotions. People surrounding me, from young to old, look towards me with hope and trust. I want to bring happiness to these people again, but at the same time I fear I will disappoint them.
I feel like I’m not enough.
I sigh and look up, only to double take at the sight of my mate standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Nobody has noticed her yet for which I am grateful for. She’s dressed in a pair of sweatpants and my t-shirt that completely drowns her, but I’ve never seen anyone look so beautiful than she does right now.
However, the fact that she’s out of bed worries me immensely since she should be resting. Her arm is wrapped around her waist where she got shot and her body is sagged against the wall. I want to wrap this up immediately and put her back on bed rest.
She smiles gently and I hear her melodic voice in my mind. “Accept your rightful title, Kaden.”
“What if I let them down again?” I hate the way my voice is weak and shaky as I speak in our private mind link.
“You never let them down. You were ordered to leave, it was out of your control.” Her deep brown eyes sad, before she shakes her head and smiles. “People aren’t perfect, not even Alphas. Your pack will always support you, even in tough times. They need you Kaden, the only way you’ll let them down is if you reject the title.”
I stare at Luna in surprise and understanding, wondering where I’d be without her. “I love you, little moon.”
“I love you too, handsome.” She winks, watching me stand and make my way to the center of the group.
“Rico.” I call him, mentally smirking at his confused expression. He walks up to me, wiggling his brows. I roll my eyes in amusement, even in a serious situation he acts like a dork.
“Ready to become Beta?” I ask him, snickering when his jaw drops in surprise.
He throws himself at me, wrapping his arms around me in a hug. I curse under my breath, growling at him to get off me. Fighting hard to stifle the chuckle threatening to escape, I watch as he yells in happiness.
“What will be the name of our pack?” I hear a young girl ask her mother, tugging on her dress.
I frown, wondering that myself. Next, I’m caught in a flashback to when my mother used to sing me a song every night. I wouldn’t go to bed without hearing it. It was a melody she had created, always singing it to me and the pack kids.
The song was a gentle lullaby about the Moon Goddess. Remembering the song causes my heart to ache painfully. I miss my mother every single day, she was the heart and soul of our pack.
“The Lunar Heart Pack.” I state, looking up to see everyone staring at me with pride. By the reminiscent look in their eyes, I know they are thinking about their former Luna and her unique song.
“It’s perfect.” Rico grins knowingly because I had told him once, everyone nodding in agreement.
After the name was decided, Rico and I make our vows to the newly formed pack as Alpha and Beta. The cut on our wrists are already healed as we go through each pack member, accepting them into the pack.
I turn when the last member walks away to stand with the others, seeing my mate smiling at us. The sun’s rays blinded her slightly, bringing out the golden hues of her deep brown eyes, making her irises brighter. I hold out my hand, silently asking her to come to me.
Her eyes widen in surprise before flitting to the pack unsurely. I nod my head, calming her nerves through our bond. She makes her way over to me, her bare feet meeting the grass. The second she’s near, I pull her close and nuzzle my nose into the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent deeply.
“I can’t do this without you. Will you help me lead as my Luna?” I whisper, kissing her temple gently.
I watch in awe as a stunning smile blooms on her full lips as she turns to meet my eyes. “Of course.”
I grin, knowing she will be a perfect Luna to this pack. Taking the cleaned knife from Rico, I slash my palm before turning to her. Her worried stricken eyes meet mine, glancing at the bloody knife I held.
“My wolf will heal you, this won’t leave a scar.”
“Yeah, but it’ll hurt.” She mutters under her breath, forgetting that us werewolves could pick up on it.
Everyone chuckles, making her look up at us in confusion before her eyes widen, her cheeks filling with color. I can’t help but press a kiss to her forehead, finding her irresistibly cute. She nods at me when I back away, allowing me to make a cut across her palm. I take her pain away from our bond, but she still feels it slightly. Luna watches in amazement at how quickly her skin starts to heal, my wolf growling with pride.
“I introduce you to my mate and our Luna!” I grin, watching everyone kneel as they bow down to her.
We had moved inside after, Rico and I needing to discuss plans for the pack. Surprisingly, Luna wanted to stay with the pack and help the ladies with cooking some food. I love how eager she is to take care of everyone and chat with them, curious to hear their stories.
“Where is everyone going to stay?” Rico wonders aloud, taking a seat on the chair in my bedroom.
I scratch my head in thought, wondering what to do as I stare out of the window. My eyes are skimming the scenery ahead of me; the patio, the stream, the forest. An idea pops into my head and I rush to the locker under my desk. Rico stares at me in confusion, asking what’s wrong.
“When I bought this land, the surrounding forest came with it. I have enough acres to make a pack house and still have room for expansion.” I explain, handing him a map of the property.
“We can fence everything in and keep it secluded. The pack house can be built further behind so you and Luna can have some privacy.” He states, his finger tracing the outline of the area.
“And my neighbors are located on the way out of the countryside so there’s less chance of them coming near us.” I grin, relieved that I won’t have to move out of what has become a place of solitude to Luna and I.
“It’ll take at least a month or two to build it but if Axel’s pack gets on board with this, I’m sure we’ll achieve more than what we’ve planned.” Rico’s voice is laced with excitement.
“He’ll definitely help.” I nod before pointing to the area beside my house, where free land stretched for miles. “Once we’re secure, we can buy this land and make room for more people.”
“It’s a plan.” Rico chuckles, standing up. “What do you need me to do, boss?”
I roll my eyes, unable to stifle an amused smirk. “We need a place for everyone to stay until the pack house is built. Can you arrange that whilst I make a call to the Council about our new pack?”
“I’m on it.” He nods, making his way out the door.
I sigh and take a seat on the chair. Closing my eyes, I breath in deeply. I’m really doing this, I’m now an Alpha. It’s what Aurora, Vulcan, Axel and many more people pushed me to become but I never felt ready. Seeing everyone relying on me to take leadership pushed me to take the plunge, especially the support I received from Luna.
I tense when I feel hands on my shoulders, relaxing when I smell the familiar, intoxicating scent of my mate. Smiling, I take her hand and pull her around the chair to sit on my lap, being careful of her healing wound. It takes a moment for her to sit on my lap in a way that isn’t painful for her, a protective growl escaping me to which she responds to with a roll of her pretty brown eyes, stating that she’s already sick of bed rest.
“Hi.” She whispers when situated, making me chuckle.
“Hey, you.” I whisper, pecking her lips.
“I’m proud of you, Kaden.” She states, running her fingers through my hair. “You deserve this.”
“Promise me you’ll always be by my side.” I demand softly, tracing her bare arms with my fingertips.
She shivers because of the feeling, making me smile in satisfaction. She can feel the sparks and tingles, no doubt. Only I can make her feel this way and the knowledge boosts my ego.
“I promise.” She smiles, pressing her lips to mine in a sweet, gentle kiss that leaves me craving more.
I hold her close, loving how she seeks comfort from me as she rests her head on my chest. We sit in silence, the faint murmurings of the pack downstairs reaching my ears. I block it all out, wanting to focus on her, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
“I realized something today.” She speaks suddenly, tracing the veins of my arm distractedly.
“And what was that?” I murmur questioningly, resting my chin on top of her head.
“That Luna Reid doesn’t sound so bad actually.” She teases, a playful smirk on her lips.
I growl playfully, nipping my mark and eliciting a breathless moan from her. “Keep that up and you won’t stay Luna Winters for long.”
She hums and straightens slowly. My grip tightens on her hips as she leans close, my wolf and I about to lose control of reality. Her lips brush my ear as she speaks, voice low and seductive that causes my body to tremble in desire. Desire for her.
“Make me yours then. I don’t like waiting, Alpha.” She places emphasis on my title, her teeth grazing my earlobe.
“Fuck me.” My lustful growl shakes the walls of my home as I press my lips to her in a hungry, passionate kiss.