Chapter 45 The Hunt

“My beautiful, strong, loving, perfect daughter,” Thea’s father said. He embraced her. “I’m so proud of you. You will make an excellent Luna. You’ve already made the pack stronger.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Thea said. “Shouldn’t you go join the hunt?”

“In amoment. I want to spend time with my daughter. We’ll be flying back out tomorrow. We’re not done investigating out there. Tell me. Is there any doubt in your mind you’re meant to be Luna of this pack?”

“No. I love this pack.”

“But you’re sad,” her mother said.

“Of all the things that have happened and that I’ve learned in the past months, the things I’ve been preparing for,” Thea said. “I didn’t see this coming. I never considered the possibility that I would be human. I’m grieving the loss of something I never even had. I’ve been looking forward to the day I would shift ever since I can remember. This should be a happy day, and I feel like I’m dying inside.” |

Her mother and father sandwiched her in a hug as several wolves whimpered—Delta team members. They could feel her pain through the oath bond.

“Remember to have faith that the moon goddess has a plan for you. You’ve always put others’ needs before your own. She’ll reward that,” her father said.

“Take comfort in your mates,” her mother said.

“Remember, you’re not just human. You still have Alpha blood in you,” her father said.

Thea nodded. They released her.

“This mark is extraordinary,” Thea’s father said. “The color, the size, the intricate detail, and patterns. I’ve never heard of a mark like this.”

“I can’t see it,” Thea said.

“There are three distinct sections,” her mother said. “ But they merge to make one. I think Alaric’s mark is an iridescent white, Conri’s is silver, and Kai’s is gold. They overlap and mingle. It’s gorgeous.”

After a few more minutes, her father and mother shifted and joined the pack in the woods. The only people left were Delta team and the unshifted.

Lizzy came running up to her.

“Back so quick?” Thea said.

“Oh, like I was going to take down a deer. I did my social duty. Now I’m here for you. Thea, that was amazing. I can’t even describe what I felt-what we all felt. If that’s even a little of what the matebond feels like, I can’t wait to find my mate. I felt connected to the whole pack. I could feel each person individually. When we hugged, their touch was comforting and relaxing, like being hugged by your mother. Each pack member feels like true family. I care about them more, and! feel like they care about me more.”

Thea smiled.

“Good. That’s what the mating ceremony is supposed to do. Unite the pack.”

“I can’t believe most Lunas don’t know how to make that happen. Or don’t care enough to. How sad is it for all the packs out there with selfish leaders? We are so lucky. Goddess, I’m on such a high right now. It’s like I love everyone. Everyone’s been saying it forever, but you make the pack stronger.”

can do something,” Thea

“What’s wrong?” Lizzy said.

much

always have. What’s really

wolf. I’m sad I can’t join with everyone in that way. 1 can’t

her. “I’m so sorry. It sucks that you didn’t

just fresh right now. Watch, I’m putting alock and key on it. Not going to

“It’s okay to hurt.”

now,” Thea

so much. I’m going to try to focus on that. Ihave amazing mates who will make up for any shortcomings I have. Wonderful friends who love me regardless. I had a train run on me in front of

Lizzy’s eyes went wide.

truly blessed,” Thea said,

burst out

“Really,” Thea said.

I had it in my head for so long that I was going to be Beta. I needed

think, you could be growing a pup in

1 want their pups, but

anyone would even notice with how gorgeous your marks are,” Lizzy said. “They look

can’t see. I need

hottie before, but this I can’t stop looking

Servers brought out food and wine from the kitchens. Someone cleaned up the table on the dais

back dragging a massive bull elk. They dropped it at Thea’s feet. No one had ever taken down an elk like that so fast. The triplets weren’t in competition with each other. They wanted to get back to Thea as fast

and antlers to mount in the pack house to commemorate this night. Other people started operating grills to cook. It was tradition, symbolic of the future Alphas being able to provide for the pack and Luna. Feed her when pregnant

catch, my mates,” Thea said. She pet each wolf. They rubbed themselves against her,

you. Trust me,” she said. “You’re leaking out of me for heaven’s sake,”

tie of her robe in his

inside her robe,

Thea. Kai draped his arm around her shoulders. Alaric wrapped his hand around her hips. Caleb was still trying to get his scent

up with Caleb?” Thea

you properly,”

a direct challenge, and he’ll kill them?” Thea said. She grabbed Caleb’s snout and made him look at her. If anyone else did that, Conri and Caleb would tear them to pieces, but they were just happy Thea was touching them. “You’re such an Alpha wolf. You don’t think. You don’t

did one last round of scenting her, then

on the scenting business?” Thea said, tying her robe

claim,” Conri said,

and Damon didn’t feel the need to scent

a time is sufficient, though. Axel will scent you

me.” She pulled

“It’s already implied that we’d kill anyone that touched

the reputation that no one

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