Chapter 5
The next morning, Luna awoke to find Rodney gently shaking her shoulder. “I have already spoken to James. Jack managed to finally bring Lelani to the Claw’s headquarters late last night. Seems she gave him quite a run for his money. He has agreed to return her to us, if we meet him in person, and can prove her status. We will meet James and Jack in neutral territory in three hours. I had Angel bring you something to wear. You should get dressed. I will find you something to eat on the way out there.” Rodney gave her a kiss and after a long moment had to force himself away, lest they be delayed by a repeat of last night’s lovemaking. Luna smiled at the look of longing on his face as he walked out the door. She lay back in bed for a moment, her hand resting lightly on her womb. Then Luna sat up and turned to find the proffered clothes sitting on the edge of the bed, a hair brush sitting neatly on top of them. Luna chuckled as she dressed. She pulled the brush through her hair then walked out into the living room of the cabin. Rodney was already waiting for her by the door.
Rodney held the door of the cabin open for her, and Luna walked outside to find the entire Steel Fang pack waiting for them outside. Sampson approached her, and ritualistically stepping into her space put his hand around her waist. Rodney’s answering growl was instant and terrifying. Sampson quickly backed up obviously a bit shocked by the vehemence of what was typically a ritual response. One of the two women Luna had seen the night before, a petite blond, tried to move past Luna to approach Rodney. Luna blocked her path and screamed an outraged snarl at the interloper. The blond jumped in the air and quickly moved away, back towards the comfort of the pack. Luna was surprised at her actions. She had not anticipated that she would want to protect her mate. He was after all, practically a complete stranger. Suddenly she found she didn’t want another female within twenty feet of her man. The alpha pair bond having been tested and accepted by the pack, they all knelt before the couple. Rodney gave her a comforting squeeze. “You will get used to it. Come on, we need to go.”
Three hours later she and Rodney were standing next to each other in a forested clearing, the pack arrayed behind them. From the other side of the woods, James Currian and his son Jack came walking out. Luna noted with satisfaction that Jack looked worse for the wear. Lelani followed the two, escorted by an elderly female member of the pack. It was fairly clear by the look on her face that the elder did not approve of Jack’s tactics for acquiring a mate. Luna caught Lelani’s eye from across the clearing. She looked tired and angry, but uninjured. When Lelani tried to walk towards her sister, James stopped her. “Not yet, little cat.” Luna could hear him tell her.
Rodney called out across the clearing. “James, you are holding a member of my pack against her will. I am asking that you release her peacefully.” The Crimson Claw’s alpha shook his head no. “My boy desires to claim this Nubia as his wife. Last I heard Rodney you had no alpha female in your pack. Yet now you show up with a strange woman at your side, and claim pack status for a female you didn’t even know existed until yesterday? I’m not buying it.” Luna snuck a worried glance at Rodney, as she slipped her hand into his. He seemed unconcerned, alert but relaxed. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, and called out across the clearing. “My name is Luna. Lelani is my sister. Last night, Rodney Mackenzie took me as his mate and the Steel Fang pack has accepted our pair bond. Even now his child is forming in my womb.” Her announcement drew startled breaths from behind her, and Rodney’s eyes flicked over to her, before returning to watch James. His grip on her hand tightened. “Luna, are you sure? It’s barely been twelve hours.” He muttered to her under his breath. She simply shook her head, and called out to the Crimson Claw’s alpha again. “Surely your elder can discern these things. Send her to me.”
Luna released Rodney’s hand and calmly walked into the center of the clearing. James nodded his head, and the elderly woman walked out to meet Luna. The elder took Luna’ hand in her cool, leathered one. Luna could feel a tiny burst of magic pulse through her, and then the woman chuckled. “You’re a clever girl.” The old woman said to Luna under her breath. “Rodney will have his hands full with you, and that’s before the twins. They’re a boy and girl by the way, good for you. Don’t you worry for your sister. Jack’s an idiot sometimes, but he didn’t hurt her.” Turning back, the old woman called back to James. “Rodney’s claim is valid, son. This woman is his mate, and bears his young.”
“No, I will not allow them to take her from me.” Jack said. For once in his life, he was going to ignore his father’s orders.
“You will have to listen to your father,” Lelani said. “I mated with Gideon. I cannot be your mate now. He will leave with me!” Jack looked at Gideon with rage in his eyes. He was like a brother to him. He trusted him.
It was clear to Gideon that he cannot stay with the pack now that he betrayed them. Too bad for them, he thought to himself, he had no time for them but Lelani.
* * *
James nodded his head and just like that, Lelani was running across the clearing to her sister followed closely by Gideon. With a sigh of relief, Lelani held her younger sister tightly to her. From behind Luna, Rodney approached them, putting a gentle hand on Luna’ shoulder. “Welcome to the Steel Fang pack, little sister.” Sniffling, Lelani lifted her head to look up at the alpha. “Thank you. For rescuing me, I mean, and making me an auntie? Luna, I knew you’d been looking for a mate before your next cycle, but why didn’t you tell me?” Lelani fixed her sister with an incredulous smile. Luna blushed. “It’s a long story. Come on, I will tell you on the way home.” The two women turned and walked back to the edge of the clearing, where their new family waited to welcome them. Lelani looked at Gideon, giving him the sweetest smile. She was so pleased that her plan had worked out!
The End