Chapter 24
1230 Words
Zinnia's POV
Lorenzo stands up slowly, looking deep into my eyes. As he begins to undress, I am overcome by a wave of embarrassment, so I turn away from the scene. After I hear the splashing water still, I turn back around and see him sitting obediently in the tub.
First, I take care of the blood that is drying on his face, and then I fill a bucket in the sink and use the water to shampoo his hair. When I rinse him, the bloody water runs down his injured face and body. I can't help but feel anything but guilt. I wanted him to go away and he almost did today.
"What's wrong, mi alma?" he asks.
I think I may need a translator, but I can't be annoyed. He's just too adorable.
"I was mad at you because I felt like you disrupted my life when you came. I... just... wanted you to go away. But then I almost lost you today and it's my fault because it was my old Alpha who attacked you. I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry." Some suds gather on his cheek and I wipe them away.
I notice him staring at me as I work and I swallow hard as I look back into his eyes. I hear the water dripping off of him as he lifts himself out of the water and puts a tender finger on my chin. I notice he has the pack mark right under the left side of his chest. It's just like mine, moontrail facing right to left. He is all mine, signed my the Moon Goddess herself. My heart jumps in my chest once I close my eyes and feel his soft lips on mine. His kiss is strong but sweet. It pulls me into his essence and it makes me feel warm all over.
"We got off to a rough start, but that's all over. You and I are family now." The words he says quietly to me calm my very soul.
I greet his next kiss hungrily until the King interrupts our private moment.
'All members of the New Moon Pack and all of our visitors should be present for a meeting in the main auditorium that will be going on ten minutes from now. No excuses.'
Maybe the King won't notice if we don't go. I'm really enjoying Lorenzo's kisses. The mindlink closes for a second, then opens again a second later.
'Zinnia, no excuses.'
Crap.
"The King wants everyone to be in attendance for a meeting in ten minutes."
"Well, maybe if we skip it, he won't notice." Lorenzo smiles and I can't help but bite my lip at his sensual expression.
"He specifically told me to make sure you are there."
He sighs and nods, "I understand. Let's not get you into any trouble with your soon to be former Alpha. Go change. I'll finish up here and meet you downstairs." he says, placing one more sweet kiss on my lips.
"So cute." I hear him say as I'm leaving.
I wash off and change into some comfortable shoes and a less formal dress and Lorenzo is outside my room waiting for me when I'm finished. We walk to where the meeting is being held and see that it is already in progress.
"...happy to announce that we had zero casualties among ourselves, the New Moon Pack, or any of our allies that visited for today's ceremony. All of our injured are being taken care of and we were able to capture the Alpha who attacked us. We are hoping that he will be persuaded to answer some of our questions."
I get a nervous feeling in my stomach at the King's statement.
The King looks over to us and lifts his hand, waving Lorenzo over. Lorenzo grabs my hand and we walk over.
"I have to take this opportunity to thank my good friend here, the Alpha of the East Moontrail Pack, for giving us a heads-up on the attack, and leading the charge against the invading wolves. He recently found his mate right here in our pack and I want all to know that I would do anything to help him. If there is anything you need, just ask." he tells Lorenzo.
"You all will be able to say your 'thank you's' to him during the celebration we will be having for him at the end of the week."
Lorenzo kisses my forehead as he accepts the accolades and praise from everyone in the room. After a while, the King pulls him aside for a meeting. Lorenzo tells me he will meet me afterward.
I spend the next few days looking after Carlani and helping with cleanup and I only see Lorenzo in passing. He spends his days in meetings. He asks me how I'm doing and kisses my forehead every time he sees me. He seems happy to see me whenever we talk. I start to feel myself get excited whenever I see him and I can't wait to talk to him.
At the end of the third day, he invites me to lunch for the next day and I accept. I go back to my room and find an assortment of new options of clothes to wear for our date. One has a little note that says I would love to see you in this, so thats what I pick.
It's a red, long-sleeve baby doll dress that hits right above my knees. It is a bit low cut, but it looks great on me. Just before our date, I wear my braids down and put on a pair of red heels and light make-up.
I really wish I could mindlink him, but soon, I hear a knock on my door. His scent fills my nostrils. I take a deep breath in and walk over to the door.
"Hey, I know I'm a bit earl-"
He looks at me and immediately goes speechless.
"Hi. How do I look?" I smile and give him a twirl. The stunned look in his eyes makes me laugh. He grabs me to him by the hip and growls in my ear. "Delicious."
We make our way downstairs as we talk about the last few days and it is like I'm talking to an old friend. He helps me get into a shiny new Jeep and jumps into the driver's seat. He tells me about the meetings that he has been in for the last few days. It feels so good, the freedom of riding with him, feeling the breeze on my face, just being with my mate.
"So the only piece I'm missing from the puzzle is you."
"Me?"
"Yea. This is like the first time we are really getting a chance to speak. I still haven't heard your story."
"Right. We have a whole lot to catch up on." I exhale. He looks me in the eyes expectantly and I am reminded of his pack mark, how good it looked on his chest and how much it made me want him. I have to squeeze my legs together, but I was too late.
I hear a rumble as Lorenzo grips the wheel hard. "Unless you want to skip all of the talking and get down to business."
"No, no. We need to talk. Finally talk."
- Writer
