Our Luna, Our Mate by Linda Middleman

Athens's Por

After returning home from the Capital and the ceninos dream that I had in which I was able to see not only my thother but the moon goddess as well, I had come bore to find out that my uncle Alex had finally managed to find his mate. A mate who was still on the mend but no longer unconscious

I had even come home to find a new pack member as well. Kade. Ares hard initiated the Welcome Ceremony during my absence which only made me proud of him. For being the bigger person and accepting him into our pack regardless of hour he felt during it. I'm glad we were able to help Kade. Being a Rogue must have been hard for him, especially with losing one's pack like he did to a bunch of Hunters, I mused, being able to relate to him when it came down to losing a pack, a home, because I did as well. When I was only A memory that I've kept locked away for so long. The need to keep it hidden from the world so people couldn't judge me or tarnish that memory often made it unbearable at times.

9.

"It's okay to let go, whispers Artemis.

"I know. It's just hard' I whisper back, currently getting ready to have a playdate with Elise and her son Jayden. Having decided on getting together soon after our trip to the Capital as a smile slowly makes its way across my lips.

The thought of finally seeing Jayden for the first time since his birth made the gathering that much special as he would be meeting Samara for the first time as well. My thoughts now wondering what he could possibly look like. For would he look like Elise and have blonde hair and blue eyes or would he take after Ashton and have auburn hair and hazel blue eyes or maybe a mix between the two and have Elise's hair and Ashton's eyes.

Sighing I move to shake my head, trying not to dwell too much on it as Elise had promised to arrive around noon for Adrian and the triplets first play date. A chance for Jayden and Samara to bond as the triplets were slowly beginning to get older, bigger as they were part wolf which allowed them to age differently than normal babies.

Amused by those thoughts, I move to check in with my tiny bundles of joy. Ryder and Nathan both babbling like two perfectly healthy babies while Samara just slept peacefully. Being the calmer baby of the trio.

Cute, I mentally coo. Each of them beginning to develop traits and personalities of their own as they slowly began to get older. Ryder becoming more of a natural born leader while Nathan became more of a protector of the bunch, yet each one more protective of their sister, while Samara took on more of a carefree personality of the bunch, easy going and always smiling while Adrian took on the more protective big brother role. Another smile making itself present as I knew Adrian would always be there for them no matter what made my heart swell with pride.

'He'll make a fine Alpha one day' admits Artemis, a soft hum rising from me as I move to think about Adrian and how he'll someday grow up into a role of leadership as he was destined to rule over my uncle Alex's pack. The Blood Rose Pack while Ryder would move to rule over the Mystic Shadow Pack and Nathan the Silver Moon Pack.

Three packs that now laid combined into one big pack but still needed to have rulers to rule them still evident. Each of my boys born to be a future Alpha to each pack while my daughter would go on to become Luna of Elise's pack. The Dark Moon Pack, solidifying our packs

even more.

Shaking away my thoughts, I move to approach my boys, Adrian standing next to the big crib as he silently plays with Ryder and Nathan. The boys giggling as he did.

"My, someone's in a happy mood today" I coo, Adrian turning to greet me with a smile.

"Hello Mommy."

"Hello Adrian dear" I say with a smile of my own. My arms coming to fug him as I move to peer down towards Ryder and Nathan, their beautiful blue eyes now one mine as they watch me.

"Good Morning Ryder. Good Morning Nathan, are you two ready to meet Jayden? They'll be here any minute now" I whisper, causing them to both giggle and clap as if they could literally understand everything I had just said to them. "Can I join them mommy?" asks Adrian, his eyes curious.

"Of course you can. I've also invited Maya and her daughter Selene to the party as well" I move to say to him, not wanting Adrian to be left out of anything. Grinning does Adrian move to hug me yet again, Ryder and Nathan both equally happy, Samara blissfully unaware of her surroundings as she napped.

'Adorable. Each and everyone of them, purrs Artemis, proud to be the mother of these four little pups.

'Agreed. 100 percent agreed' I move to say back to her, just wanting to bask in the afterglow of each of my children. The uneasiness I feel always shoved away as I try not to think of what Lily would do to them if she ever got ahold of them.

'She won't' growls Artemis, knowing it was true as Rosalyn had promised to make some kind of protection charm for each of my children to keep them safe from harm and her Coven. The very Coven who seeks to take me away from them during the next full moon, the Hunter's Moon.

'And if she does, then what?' I asked her, not wanting to think like that but knew I couldn't risk taking that chance right now.

'She won't' is all Artemis says again as if she was positive that Rosalyn would pull through for them before it could happen.

Biting my tongue, I move to get each of my children ready for their little playdate that afternoon, wanting everything to go smoothly if possible.

Here's hoping, I think before moving to shake away any lingering negative thoughts for today was supposed to be a happy occasion not a sad one.

Happy thoughts. Think Happy thoughts. And that's exactly what I did for the rest of the day.

-Later that Afternoon-

It's officially 12 noon and each of my children along with Maya were currently sitting outside in the big backyard of our house. The five of them were off playing as we sat off to the side waiting for Elise to show up.

"Do you think she forgot about it?" asks Maya with concern.

"No, of course not. She promised me that she would show up" I moved to say to her, trying not to worry when Elise had yet to show up at noon like she had promised me.

"But it's already noon and she's not here yet" admits Maya, hoping she was wrong only for a voice to speak up behind us.

"Sorry I'm late. Jayden was being a little fussy prior to leaving this morning," chuckles Elise as she slowly approaches us with a tiny toddler with blonde hair and the most beautiful pair of hazel blue eyes ever. The perfect combination of Elise and Ashton. "Is that Jayden? He's so cute" I say, trying not to squeal at the tiny boy.

"Thank you. He's absolutely perfect" smiles Elise, her hands gently moving to set him down as he slowly moves to waddle over to Samara who sat playing with her blocks. Adrian, Ryder and Nathan each playing with toy cars or at least trying to play with them as Adrian helped them along the way while Selene sat watching them happily.

Samara still off playing with blocks even as Jayden slowly approached her, her eyes eventually spotting him which causes her to giggle. My heart beaming in pride at her sudden acknowledgement towards Jayden, that was until Jayden had decided to knock over her tower of blocks.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"Jayden! NO! NOT NICE!" shouts Elise, attempting to correct her son only for Samara to cry. Jayden's eyes now on her as he did before moving to hug her. As if sensing her sudden discomfort and knowing he needed to hug her to make her feel better. "Oh boy, not good for a first impression" I whisper, a small smile now rising at the pair. Samara seemingly slowing her tears at the hug.

"Agreed. Sorry about that. He's never done that before" admits Elise now worried for her son.

"It's alright, no harm no foul. He only knocked over blocks. It's not like he actually hit her or anything" I move to say back to her.

"Heavens no... If Ashton saw that he would be so disappointed in him, especially so if he hit her. For we don't encourage that type of behavior, especially from young future Alpha's such as him" remarks Elise, her eyes still on her son.

"I know Elise. Ares and Eros are like that too. As Alphas should always be kind and respectful and never use their rank to hurt others" I explain, knowing exactly what she meant before both of us smile, the three of us continuing to watch the six children play while we continued to talk amongst ourselves over tea and snacks that I had provided for our playdate with the kids.