Choose Me

unofficial luna

We have spent the last week searching for a seer, but we haven't had any luck. We won't find one unless they want to be found, Amaris said.

I don't understand why a seer would go to a rogue and tell them about a prophecy but not to those directly involved? It gives me a headache trying to work it out.

I'll admit, when Leon told me about the prophecy, I freaked out. I've always wanted pups, I was just a little shocked that it's been foretold, and I'll be having a baby boy.

I sighed as I looked in the mirror at my knee-length black dress. We're having Dominic's and Caleb's funeral today. They're being buried together near a little cave, which was somewhere they spent a lot of time.

Leon has declared the cave off-limits. No one is allowed to go inside, well apart from their families, but what Addison has told me about her brother and his mate... I would not want to go in there. They were very... Adventurous.

I sadly didn't get to know them, but from what I witnessed myself from the little time I spent with Caleb, his energy and happiness in life were infectious. The number of stories I've been hearing about them both is heartwarming. I wish I could have gotten to know them more.

"Am I coming to say bye?" Lila asked. She was laid on her front on my bed, watching me.

Ever since the day in the bathroom, Leon won't touch me. He saw the bruise while I was in the bath that same night, and I swear I heard him choke back a sob. I sleep in my room, and he sleeps in his. He's withdrawn from me, and I have no idea how to pull him back in.

I've tried everything. I've tried seducing him, wearing next to nothing, instigating sex, but he shuts me down every time and literally runs away.

Lila spends most of her time with me here. We have sleepovers that surprisingly calm my wolf from the distance of our mate.

"I don't know, sweetie. You will need to ask your daddy," I answered, smiling at her through the mirror.

"Where is he?" She questioned as she crawled to the edge of the bed before sitting down, swaying her legs off.

"His office down the hall," I replied, twisting around to help her off my bed.

She squeezed my legs before skipping out of my bedroom. I chuckled as I watched her disappear down the hall and into Leon's office.

I pulled my hair over my shoulder and quickly braided my hair. The ceremony will be starting soon, and as the unofficial Luna, I'm expected to be front and centre. I feel a bit awkward being at the front... I didn't really know them. There should definitely be others ahead of me.

I made my way to Leon's office. I need to tell him I don't want to be front and centre. I think his family should be the ones. I stood at his open door and waited until Leon and Lila had finished their conversation.

"Lila, you can say bye after the ceremony, I promise. Right now, I want you to go get the toy you want to take to nursery." He spoke calmly but held some authority in his tone.

"Ok, daddy." Lila's sad voice tore at my heartstrings, but I knew he was right... A funeral is no place for a pup of her age.

I pushed open the door and smiled at them. Leon looked me up and down as he drew in a short, exasperated breath. So, this no touching is winding him up as well as me. Lila walked out of the room, grinning. Pups moods change real quick; I giggled to myself.

"Are you ok?" He questioned, raising his brow at me.

I nodded as I shuffled towards him. He whirled around his desk speedily and sat on his seat, wheeling his legs under the table. I snorted, rolling my eyes. He was really keeping himself at a distance.

"I want to talk to you about the funeral," I mentioned as I sat down on the sofa, crossing my leg over my other one slowly, enough to cause my dress to ride up. I saw his eyes darken and his hands grasp the armrests.

"What about it?" He asked.

He was observing me, trying to keep his eyes on my face. Now and again, his eyes would flicker to my legs, and he would press his lips into a tight line before fixing his gaze back on my face. I felt smug; it was working... Now I just needed him to let loose.

"I don't think I should be at the front. I know I'm your mate, but I didn't really know them," I explained.

I leaned back on the sofa, arching my back. He sucked in a breath and shook his head. "Ayla, you aren't only my mate... You're their Luna. You should be beside me." He clarified, gritting his teeth together.

I leaned forward enough for my dress to show my cleavage. "Their family should be in front of me," I whispered, pulling my lip between my teeth.

"I'll speak to them." He exasperated.

I nodded and stood up. I stretched and let a little moan out. "I have to finish this paperwork before the funeral, Ayla." He croaked. A low involuntary growl slipped out before I turned and walked out of his office. I made my way downstairs.

He's definitely not doing any paperwork. He completed everything so he could focus on the funeral. He would have completed it while he was hiding from me. He's been throwing himself into anything but me. He needs to stop punishing himself and take me.

"Luna." Addison smiled sadly at me as I reached the bottom floor of the packhouse.

"Hey, Addi. How are you holding up?" I asked, walking closer to her.

"As good as I can be." She took a quick unsteady breath.

I nodded and wrapped my arm around her shoulder. "I have to keep reminding myself... We're here to celebrate their life and say our final goodbye." She sighed. "They'd be looking down at us frowning if they could see us mourning." She chuckled sadly.

I walked with her out of the packhouse. "They'd want you to be happy, Addi." I smiled.

"They would... They were the most selfless wolves ever. We'll do them proud today." She grinned. I nodded and beamed at her. "Who knows, maybe they've got their own little cave up there with the Moon Goddess." I winked.

She laughed, a real genuine laugh, and I was glad I could cheer her up a bit. Now we just needed to get through the funeral so the pack could begin to heal.