Chapter 34 Arrangements
“So… Athena, you’re the traitor we’ve been looking for.” Diesel growled.
“Oh, come now little brother, all’s fair in love and war.” Ranger said, then he looked at me. “Hello little mate!
“DON’T YOU f*****g TALK TO MY MATE!” Diesel roared. “AND PULL YOUR f*****g PANTS UP! I’M GOING TO
HAVE TO BURN THAT DAMD CHAIR NOW.”
I noticed coals in the fireplace that were dying down. “Allow me.” I waved my hand and the whole chair lit up
in flames.
“WHAT THE HELL?” Ranger jumped back.
After the leather chair was charred, I waved my hand again and the flames disappeared.
“You’re elemental too?” Ranger asked.
“And if you come near me, I will not hesitate to burn you alive!” I said and could feel Diesel’s pride radiating.
It was strange seeing him; I remember a time when the sight of him made me nervous and fearful. A time when I would have given anything for his love and affection. Not anymore. Diesel was everything Ranger could never be, even though they looked so much alike, they were completely different.
Payton and Max appeared behind us and Ranger let out a low growl. “First you steal my mate and now my
Beta?”
“He didn’t steal your Beta, I did.” Payton said. “He’s my mate dummy.” She said pointing to her mark. Ranger looked at her mark and looked at Max’s mark too.
“Speaking of mates, how is Miranda doing? She is your chosen mate after all.” Payton asked.
Ranger let out a low growl. “Lucy is my mate!”
“Is that why you rejected her, beat her and starved her?” Payton snarled at him.
He looked at me. “Lucy please, I’m sorry, I need you.”
“It’s Luna to you! And in case you missed it, the Moon Goddess gave me someone who loves me for who I am, not what I am.” I said and pointed to my mark.
A few more warriors appeared. “Take them both to a cell, we’ll deal with them later.” Diesel ordered.
“What? I’m not getting an invitation to the ceremony?” Ranger sneered at Diesel.
“GET HIM OUT OF MY SIGHT!” Diesel growled.
We went down the hall to the library. Diesel’s eyes were glazed over mind linking with someone, I tried to listen to his thoughts through the link but couldn’t. His wall was up. I remembered why I had gone to Diesel’s office in the first place.
“What’s going on? What are you not telling me?” I demanded.
Max looked to the wooden floor as if it was the most fascinating thing. Payton shifted uncomfortably looking at Diesel and Diesel look me right in the eyes with uncertainty. They were all clearly hiding something from
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me, I lifted my eyebrow and waited.
“I received a note a few weeks back, it threatened to take you from me. It was taped to my computer ser here in the office and smelled like the mystery scent.” He said.
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“I didn’t want to worry you.” Diesel said. “Then last night, I found another note taped to our bedroom door it was similar to the first and had the same scent.” He continued. “Ranger must have been creating the diversions with the rogues so he could slip in and out of the castle, with the help of Athena.
“But we still don’t know who the scent belongs to.” I said.
“It could be artificial to confuse us. When you were dancing in the ballroom, I caught the scent again. It was coming from the coat closet next to the ballroom entrance, but no one was there. I feel like I’m chasing a ghost.” Diesel said and ran his fingers through his hair.
“Well now that Ranger and Athena are both in a cell, I’d say the issue has been neutralized. Let’s focus on something happier, like getting ready for tomorrow!” Payton said.
“How long will he be in the cell?” I asked.
“We’ll leave him there for a few days. Maybe even turn off the lights and leave him in complete darkness, naked, with no food or water. I’m seriously considering going in there to deliver some nasty lashes across his back!” Diesel growled thinking about all the terrible things Ranger did to me.
“We’re better than that, that’s what makes us so different from him.” I said. “Let’s worry about him after the ceremony.”
“Fine, but I have to go speak to my father and take care of a scheduled.” Diesel said as he pulled me into his chest.
w things. I believe you girls have a spa day
“Yes, we do!! Ana should be here soon!” Payton said excitedly. “And don’t forget, we have dinner reservations at Vito’s tonight.”
Payton, Megan, Vannica and I, spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon being pampered with spa treatments. Ana and her team gave us facials, scalp treatments, waxing’s, fully body massages, mud wraps, manicures, pedicures, salt and oil scrubs. Salads and sandwich wraps had been served to us for lunch. Payton was on her cell phone talking to her Cousin Alexis Ivy, who was expected to arrive early tomorrow morning with her husband. She was married to a human, who was also the Prince of an island nation.
“We’re going to have royalty here tomorrow!” Megan said in awe.
“Her husband may be royal, but Alexis is far more special than that. She’s a very gifted seer, highly sought after, her prophecies are legendary.” Vannica told us.
“Have you decided who’s going to escort you down the aisle or if you’re walking alone?” Megan asked.
“I’m not sure, there’s been so much going on, I haven’t really thought about it.” I said.
The escort was equivalent to the person who would give away a bride. In a mating or Luna ceremony, it was usually your previous Alpha if you were switching packs or your father or brother. My previous Alpha was currently locked in a cell and had no other living family. The more I thought about it, the more obvious it became. I had a pretty good idea of who I wanted to escort me and I would ask him tonight at dinner.
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After all the pampering, I took a late afternoon nap. I felt the bed dip down and the delicious woodsy pine and musk scent of Diesel flooded my senses. I heard him talking to someone and opened my eyes. “How are my little Alpha’s doing in there? Daddy can’t wait to hold you.” He said to my stomach.
I looked down at Diesel and he planted a kiss on my stomach. “Daddy can’t wait to hold mommy too.” He said with a mischievous hungry look in his eyes. He trailed kisses all the way up my body, to my neck and then my mouth. After two hours of much needed love making, we finally stepped into the shower to get ready for dinner.
I wore my long wavy hair down and applied a little bit of makeup. Then I slipped into a beautiful blue colored tunic dress, with little white flowers, black leggings and black boots. I stood in my closet and looked around at all the options I had to pick from. I was reminded of that plastic tub that held about five raggedy changes of clothes I had in the basement at Dark Moon. What a horrible life I had lived those four years with Ranger as Alpha.
I stepped out of the closet and had my long cardigan in my hands when Diesel told me to grab my warm
coat.
“Do I really need a warm coat? I might get over heated in the car.” I asked.
“We’re not going in the car.” He said.
“Are we taking the snowmobile?”
“Not in your condition! Come on, it’s a surprise.”
“As long as we’re not walking.” I said and he laughed.
We stepped outside and I was speechless! I stood in complete shock taking in the sight before me. There was a beautiful white sleigh with a gray and white Clydesdale horse ready to pull. I walked towards the horse in awe and he seemed completely calm.
“I thought horses were afraid of wolves?”
“This is Charlie, he was born here and is very gentle. Wolves don’t seem to bother him, he’s a big lover boy.” Diesel smiled and stroked his neck. “Come say hi, let him smell you.”
I reached for Charlie and he gave me a gentle nay of approval as I rubbed his head.
“We’d better get going, the others are going to meet us there.” Diesel told me and I stepped inside the two seat sleigh. He laid a warm blanket over our laps and grabbed the reins.
“Mate is so romantic.” Lia purred in my head.
He sure is, I thought. I looked behind us as the castle grew smaller and smaller. The moon was almost full and cast a beautiful light on the snow. Charlie was so strong and gentle as he gracefully pulled us in the snow towards the village.
If someone had told me months ago, I’d be living in this fairytale, I would have never believed it. I laid my head down on Diesel’s chest and could feel Duke purr contently. We eased into the village and a young man came out of Vito’s Italian Ristorante. “Good evening Alpha, Luna, I will take care of Charlie for you, the others are waiting inside.”
“Thank you Benito.” Diesel said and we walked inside.
We were greeted by Alpha Knox, Payton, Max, Zeke, Vannica, Elliot and Megan. Once we sat down at the big
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round table, the servers brought in a big family style dinner. There were several platters, Bruschetta,
Tortellini, Meatballs, Chicken Cacciatore, Parmigiana, roasted vegetables and Diesels favorite, Black Ink
seafood Linguine.
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The restaurant was quaint and charming, like everything else in this village. We started eating and a waiter made his way around the table pouring wine. He made it to my glass and Diesel waved his hand. “None for the Luna.” Alcohol didn’t really affect wolves so easily, but Diesel wasn’t taking any chances.
Payton looked over a Diesel, “Why not? It might help ease the jitters for tomorrow.”
Diesel looked into my eyes and lifted my hand to his face; he kissed my open palm several times. “I don’t think wine is good for our pups.”
The table exploded with joy! “I’m going to be an Auntie!” Payton squealed. “Did he say pups? How many grand pups am I getting?” Alpha Knox asked. “How wonderful, baby Alpha’s!” Vannica clapped. Once the table settled back down, we filled everyone in on the details of the twins.
Dessert was served and Alpha Knox was sitting next to me. “Lucy, I cannot tell you enough how proud I am to have you as a daughter.” He beamed at me. “Your parents, I know are smiling down on you. You’ve made us all so proud.” He said as he pulled me into a hug.
“Thank you. If it’s not too much trouble, I have a favor to ask of you.” I said.
“Anything, anything at all.” He smiled.
“You have become such a special person in my life, and I was hoping that you would be my escort tomorrow? “I asked.
“It would be my honor!” His eyes glistening with so much joy and emotion. He pulled me into a hug again and kissed the top of my head.
I heard a roar rip out of Payton and looked to see her eyes locked with Diesel’s. They were speaking through the mind link. I felt Diesel radiating anger. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
Zeke spoke first. “Ranger escaped!”
