There was so much love and warmth in the air. It was charged with it. Everyone was so excited to meet the new pack members and I couldn’t have been prouder of everyone in Crescent Moon and Blue Ridge for coming together like this.
Caspien looked down at me, nodding his head slightly. He looked like he was in his element, but he was softer than I had seen him at other events. He seemed more himself, the Caspien that I knew.
Cali was standing to my side and jumped. I grabbed her arm, looking at her.
“Mindlinking still scares me sometimes, and Holden shouts in my head when he’s bored,” She rolled her eyes, “He literally is so annoying.”
“You love it,” I countered, smiling at one of my best friends.
“I do,” She smiled; she didn’t even bother fighting it.
“Welcome, all of you,” Caspien said, his voice booming. I didn’t realize it was over, I hoped I looked polite and warm despite the exhaustion that loomed over me, “We are blessed and honored to have each and every one of you, this is your home now, and we will work to make it feel that way. We appreciate your trust in us, and we do not take that lightly.” Caspien stood next to me and squeezed my hand.
“I won’t bore you with another speech. You’ve heard enough from me for a lifetime,” A few people in the crowd laughed, and Caspien softened a bit. It was weird to see him like this. The Caspien I knew was starting to seep into the Dark Prince front he put on in public, “We hope you stay for the party.”
The crowd cheered, and he handed me the microphone.
“I just want to say how nice it is to see some familiar faces again, to have people from my home pack mix with my new pack. I have to stop now, or I might cry,” People laughed, but I was being serious, “Welcome and let’s party.”
The party allegedly went long into the night. I left a bit after it started. I talked to as many people as possible, but I was fading, and Caspien realized it. So far, at least, he was being cautious but not hovering as Griffen did.
“It was intense, people were shouting about mates everywhere, and I don’t think anyone slept,” Cali’s eyes were wide as she was explaining the rest of the party over brunch in our house the next morning. “You definitely didn’t,” Griffen mumbled; Cali shot him a look.
“It was a d.amn good party.” Holden said, “The proper way to bring people together; some people mentioned they have never been to a pack party before Holden said.”
“The events were usually held for visiting ranked members,” I shrugged, “They would come for ceremonies, but the dinners and parties were for the other visitors.” “That’s f*****g s.tupid,” Cali said.
“I can agree with that,” Griffen nodded at her.
“A success all around,” Holden said, “I can’t believe you have any blood left, Cas,” He shoveled a huge bite of egg into his mouth.
“I can’t believe you dipped so early,” Cali said, eyeing me over her mug.
“I, I was a bit tired,” I looked at Caspien, who nodded, “I’m pregnant,” I said, holding my breath at the reaction I knew I was going to get.
It was complete silence for a few long moments until someone, probably Cali or Holden, dropped a fork.
“What? I want one.” Holden frowned, Cali slapped him on the shoulder.
“Don’t make this about you,” Griffen said, “Congratulations, Willa, Caspien, another addition will be amazing.”
“Thank you,” Caspien said.
“Werewolf s.hlongs,” Cali shut her eyes smiling, “I am really happy for you, Willa. You deserve everything and more.” She said seriously. “Thanks,” I swallowed. I would eventually need to learn to take a compliment.
“Come on,” Holden grabbed Cali’s arm.
“Hey, I wanted to finish my bacon,” She shouted.
Holden threw her over his shoulder and grabbed the plate of bacon, “Sorry, but I have to make a baby.” He said and took her out of the room.
“That went as well as I expected it to go,” Caspien said, pinning me with his icy stare.
I shrugged, “At least they know. Eventually, we’re going to have to tell the parents.”
“Good luck with that,” Griffen murmured over his plate.
Our parents took it worse than expected. Better maybe. Tears and more tears, a few squeals of joy, a happy dance, and more tears. I almost wished we had called them. I was bracing for them all to be worse than Griffen was with Nora.
(Willa)
Thankfully, our bathroom mirror covered almost the entirety of one of the walls, or else Rachel, Lola, Cali, Nora, and I wouldn’t have been able to fit. The large white marble bathroom felt cozy because they filled it.
We had a team come in to do our hair and makeup, and they just left. We got ready early so that we could enjoy some girl time and have some champagne and do our touch-ups without any stress.
“Jack has texted me three times already,” Rachel rolled her eyes, but she was wearing the widest smile I had ever seen on her.
“And they call us needy,” Cali scoffed, checking her eyeshadow in the mirror.
“Griffen has agreed to let my parents watch Olivia,” Nora said, “So this will be the first time we both leave the house together alone.”
“But we’re literally going downstairs. It’s the same packhouse.” Cali looked at Nora in the mirror.
“Try telling that to Griffen.” She shook her head, smiling.
Rachel and Jack were set to return to Italy the next week. Jack had a few things to wrap up at Blue Ridge and didn’t want to leave the pack in complete disarray. Caspien offered them a position as ambassadors between Blue Ridge and Crescent Moon, we needed someone to check in there that we could trust, and Jack knew the place well.
They wanted some time before they took over that role, but Jack was talking about kids, and Rachel wanted to be close to her parents when that happened. I hoped they got some time to themselves in Italy, but I knew they would probably be back sooner rather than later. I selfishly wanted that. To have them both here not just as trusted ambassadors but as friends.
Lola was looking around at it all, bouncing up and down and interjecting into the conversations. She was in her element, but I think seeing all this shocked her. It was a lot more than even she was used to.
“A little different than when you used to help me at Blue Ridge,” I mentioned to her while the others were talking.
I thought of all the times during that year she would come over and help me get dressed. How nervous I felt without Nolan there and how excited and anxious I was to look good for him, to pretend to be the Luna he wanted. No stress was attached to this now, none that Caspien added anyway.
“Definitely an upgrade.” Lola said, “I always knew you were destined for something great.”
“B.ullshit,” Cali cut in, smiling, placing a hand on Lola’s shoulder.
“Okay, maybe not a princess,” Lola amended, laughing, “But I thought she might get into a great college or something,”
“I never would have thought,” I looked around the room, shaking my head.
There were moments when it still felt like a dream, but I knew I was meant to be here. This was my pack; this was home. Caspien was home.
“I’m happy to be here,” Lola said seriously.
“I’m happy you’re here.” I pulled her into a quick hug, trying not to mess our makeup up.
“We have to go soon,” Cali frowned into her empty glass.
“Let’s get dressed.” I stood up.
I don’t know why I felt nervous about tonight. I was the Luna, the pack accepted me, and I was Caspien’s in every way. Maybe part of me felt like I didn’t deserve this. No one should be allowed to be this happy. “What?” Cali asked, an eyebrow raised.
“I think I might be too happy.” She laughed loudly, throwing her head back.
“It’s called happily ever after for a reason, baby girl.” She interlaced our arms and led me to the bedroom.
“You first,” Nora said, bringing over a long garment bag. Rachels’s cousin insisted on making me a custom design; he would hear of no one else dressing me.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.