The New Luna

Chapter Sixteen (Azure's POV)

Joining me outside on the porch, Azure gave me a soft kiss on the forehead.

"Everything's fine, Greg got away and came home, Everyone is fit and ready if anything were to happen, and I have you here not only in my pack but my home. What could be better?" He implored of me as he lit two smokes and handed me one. Sitting down in the seat opposite of me, he looked out over the village, smiling widely.

"I wanna show you someplace special tomorrow morning, as long as I can get a message for approval out before then. " He said, a huge grin taking up most of his face.

"That sounds mysterious," I commented softly, my eyes now falling on him. My life had changed so much in the last few days and I was in awe of where it was going.

"I think we should let the pack know about our plans tomorrow, that way everyone can be prepared," I spoke aloud. Soon the pack would be as much of my family as they were his and that thought both excited me and terrified me. No one had ever put their trust in me in such a way before and I was scared I would screw it up.

"Are you sure I'm the right person for this job?" I asked Azure, my eyes showing reservation and fear.

"You're the only person for this job. The bond of a mate is absolute, you're not just another girl in my life. You are the girl of my life." He said softly, his lips against my forehead.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't leave the pack without alerting Alice first... Then Mason." He spoke cautiously as if afraid Mason would show up and hit him. "They'll be fine, Alice has run the pack before in times of trouble." He smiled then he realized that Alice was truly like a sister to him, even more so than Mason was like a brother.

"She can really help you to get acquainted with your role in the pack after the change, she comes from a fantastic familial unit, that allows her to care and empathize with all situations even if she hasn't been through them. And her loyalty knows no bounds when it comes to those she cares about."

I listened to the way he went on about Alice and I felt a hint of jealousy at the fact. I knew Alice was no threat to me and I adored her, but hearing her name on his lips sent a shiver down my spine that I despised.

"How long does it take? Like from start to finish?" I asked curiously, not sure what it would entail except for lots of pain. My anxiety began to puck up and I took a long drag of the cigarette he gave me and my knee began to bounce. "How different will I be?" I didn't want to lose the person I was and I had a nagging fear that I would never be the same again after I turned.

"It will take essentially a day, the entire time you will feel an agony worse than any pain you've ever felt as your bones will be stretching and contorting into new shapes, your skin will tear and rip before knitting back together in a new form, your mind will be under immense pressure like someone drilling into your skull until you realize in a golden moment of understanding that its claws in your mind, melding you and your wolf's souls together in finality. As for being different. You won't be different as this doesn't change who you are, it just bolsters and strengthens YOU. Every aspect of your personality will be heightened to the max the first couple of days." He spoke clearly, not hiding anything from me, wanting me to know exactly what I would be saying yes to. Puffing the final bit of his smoke, he tossed it out into the gravel path leading to his porch. "It won't be easy or fun, but I know you'll survive it. Maybe even better than anyone ever has."

My eyes drew down at his words as I finished my cigarette and tossed it along side his. My breathing had now picked up slightly and I was doing everything in my power to get the images out of my mind that threatened to consume me. I always knew it wouldn't be easy but I didn't realize how truly difficult this was going to be.

"It doesn't change my mind, it's just not something I can say I look forward to," I explained my anxiety to him as I knew he could tell my small form was shaking. "I think I need a drink to calm my nerves, join me?" I asked as I stood and held a hand out to him. Taking it I led him to his kitchen where I had last seen a bottle of bourbon on top of his refrigerator. I grabbed two glasses and poured us each two shots worth before I cheers him and downed mine quickly.

"Would you mind terribly if we just slept tonight?" I asked, my eyes now down on the ground by his feet. Downing the drink and setting it on the counter, he quickly took me in his arms to calm me.

"Of course baby girl, my Luna, whatever you need from me. That's what I'm here for!" He exclaimed excitedly, almost like a puppy with a new friend. Holding me in his arms, he couldn't help inhale my scent; a strong mix of alcohol, tobacco, herbs, sweat, and currently fear. The emotion practically screamed out through my scent, I was overcome by it, not for the act of changing but for how it would be done.

"You don't have to rush this on mine or the pack's accounts, you know that right? It's your life and I've never forced a change on anyone, I'm not about to start with you.." he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"That's sweet, but I want this, I do, I'm just nervous," I whispered, looking up into his calming ocean eyes before I leaned towards him and planted a strong kiss on his strong lips. His words calmed me and instantly I felt the exhaustion of the day settle on me and I pulled from the kiss to let out a yawn.

"Take me to your bed Alpha," I commanded in a giggle as he did exactly what he was told. He brought us into his bedroom and planted us both on his bed where I curled comfortably into his side, laying my head on his chest and listening to his strong beating heart.

"This is how I went to end every night. Regardless of the hardships throughout the day, I want every night to end with my head on your chest, listening to your heart. It's my nighttime lullaby," I rambled as my eyes began to drift shut and sleep eloped me.

×××××
End of Chapter