Earning Her Trust

Chapter 8

First off I would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and the lovely comments you left me. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.
I'm also shocked at the increase in votes and over all reads, I'm so happy all of you are enjoying it!

This is another shortish update (about three pages on word) and is the second half of chapter 7. I'll try to update with chapter 8 some time next week or the week after. I've just been so busy catch up on all the school I missed.
Thanks so much to all of you!
Xx Marie

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DEREK POV:

I awake to the delicious scent of my mate. I'm lying on my back and she's snuggled into my side, her leg and arm draped over my body and her face in my neck. I'm engulfed by the smell of her hair as it surrounds us both. She looked so much healthier already after I washed her last night, and it felt so good having her naked body pressed against mine. I was surprised she was ok with being naked in front of me but i heard her mumble something like, 'I'm used to it'

People view me as a vicious and unforgiving Alpha but my pack knows I take care of them and am fair when it is needed. That doesn't mean I'm not prone to violent and angry outbursts. She may think I'm mad when I growl at things like what she said, but she really has no idea how much I've been holding back for her sake.

At that comment alone I would usually trash an entire room, but somehow I don't think that would help. I've had to mentally prepare myself for all the little bits of information she might let slip. I saw how scared she was of me when I lost it in the cells last night and I really don't want to repeat that. I'd never harm her in a fit of rage and it killed me knowing my actions made her think otherwise and that my own mate feared for her safety in my presence. That's what she is. My mate. My beautiful beautiful little mate.

She hasn't let go of me since I joined her on the couch and I'm not complaining. When she wakes up I wouldn't be surprised if she went back to keeping her distance and being afraid but in her sleep she's subconsciously seeking my comfort.

That dream rattled her to the core and it felt good to know she called my name for help. That must mean her wolf is warming up to me, even if she isn't quite there yet. Her wolf on my side would mean a lot. I desperately want to use the stuff the Moon Goddess gave me and just mark her but even then I refuse to do it without her permission. I don't want to lose her but I'm scared if she isn't ready for it I'll lose her anyway.

I'm gently stroking her back when I feel her eyes flutter open against my neck. She lifts her head and blinks as she takes in the position we are in and blushes. She goes to move her leg and I let out a low growl of disagreement and hold it in place by her thigh.

She gasps softly and then slowly lowers her head back down to my shoulder and I faintly sense her fear.
I kiss her hair to calm her, "Good morning princess, how did you sleep?"

"After my dream I didn't wake up again."

"That's good"

"What time is it?" She quietly asks, as if she isn't sure if she's allowed to ask me questions

"It's about 6am"

Her brow furrows in confusion as she does the math and works out it's near impossible for everything to have happened in the space of two hours since Liz was here, so I clear things up, "it's 6am Sunday morning"

"It's Sunday?! You mean I slept the whole day?!"

I raise an eyebrow at her outburst, surprised she had the bravery, "What time did you expect to wake up? Liz got here at around 4 yesterday morning and it was a good two hours before you went to bed, plus you woke up because of your dream"

Avery bites her lip and I see the fear dancing in her eyes as she realises she raised her voice at an Alpha, "I'm normally up at 6am, I expected to be up by 8am on Saturday at the latest..."

I kiss her temple and rub my nose against her to show her it's ok, "Why on earth would you be up at 6 everyday for?"

"To do my chores" she states as if it's obvious, "speaking of which-"

"No. You are not doing any sort of chores. You're a Luna. The people of this pack would be honoured to do things for you. You will not clean a single thing."

"But-"

"No buts. I have a cook who I've known since I was a child, she makes most meals and is already dying to meet you. I have people who come in every second day to clean everything so you don't have to worry about that either"

Why on earth would she think I want her to do any sort of jobs or chores?

"P-people come every second day?"

"It's a big house and it needs to be-" I pause when I realise she isn't worried about the cleaning, more about meeting people,"You don't have to meet them just yet."

Upon seeing the look of relief on her face it dawns on me the enormity of her situation and how much work it will take for her to be even remotely ready to be an active Luna and meet the pack. If she's scared of meeting a couple hired cleaners, god knows how scared she would be meeting one of the biggest and strongest packs.

I take a deep breath, "It doesn't have to happen right now, but sooner or later sweetheart I'll have to introduce you to the pack."

"You want to introduce me?"

"Of course, we need to have the ceremony to introduce you as a new pack member and as my mate and Luna."

She looks adorably confused, "What ceremony?"

"Well technically you're already in the pack but we need to have the ceremony that allows you to mind link them, and for them to accept you as one of their leaders."

I can tell she really isn't getting it so I ask, "Haven't you been to a ceremony like that before?"

She shakes her head, "What happens?"

Now I'm the confused one, if she's been in a pack how could she possibly not know? Surely her old pack would have bought new members in before.

"The person says an oath of sorts, declaring their allegiance to their new pack and in your case accepting the role of Luna. Then you cut your hand, the Alpha or sometimes the Beta does the same and then we join hands. The blood mixes and opens the mind link for-"

"B-blood?"

"Yeah, I mean it's not much. Just a few drops and it heals pretty fast but I can heal it for you."

I hear her gulp, "Won't that hurt?"

"A little but it's not so bad" I run my thumb over the bruising on her wrist absentmindedly, "Did you come from a pack?"

She freezes in my arms and nods carefully.