The Better Luna (Completed)

The sound of the rain thundering outside woke me up with a start. I shifted further against him and into the intense warmth his body provided until there wasn't any space left. We were pasted together with his hard profile against my back. His arm was slung around my waist, tethering me to him. This was everything. This was us. I reluctantly glanced at the window, where the bleary morning filtered through. It was way too early. No wonder it was freezing. The wind was whipping the rain against the windowpanes and I could see the tree branches swinging back and forth. I would have to do everything indoors today. It pricked up my hopes that he might stay here today. That we might have some time to ourselves. For the past couple of weeks, Bode has been overseeing the joining of our pack, the Grey Oak pack, with the Wild Storm pack. The Wild Storm pack, like ours, was a traditional pack that have been around for years and could trace themselves back before the Great Divide. They were nestled between the old mountain and the Big Mist Lake. In truth, their pack wasn't safe anymore. It had fallen to pieces. They have fallen from grace for a while now, a far outcry from when they were a thriving and formidable pack. Once powerful, they were now struggling. A succession of poor alphas had driven them to the dirt. Now they were being picked off by a few rogues and surrounding packs, teetering in the wind. Naomi Evergreen had been handed the current role of Alpha by her father a couple years ago. She had been handed a dying pack on its last breath, having inherited it as first born, struggling to run it with her brother Waylen as Beta. They had proposed or rather begged to join our pack so they could survive as they were barely being held together. It was a difficult decision for Bode. It would mean more people to man and more power as an Alpha. Power was a fickle thing. It could attract the worst. Our pack location was on prime land, with pristine never-ending forests and we had very successful and thriving businesses. Our pack was one of the best, if not the best. It made us a force to be reckoned with and Bode had stepped into his father's duties, running everything efficiently. He was heavily feared, loved and respected. I couldn't be any prouder. But he was also cautious to protect everything he had. In the end, he agreed and I promised to try and help him in every way I could to make the process as easy as it possibly could be. It would take both our efforts. They agreed to move to our pack location as they were too mismanaged and greatly lacking in resources to be a subsidiary. It was best they joined. Bode was over there daily taking account of everything and making sure everything was in place for their big move in the next couple of days. It was a two hour drive each day, but he was consistent and also determined for it to go smoothly. He decided to turn their territory into an outpost. As alpha he had to oversee everything, to ensure that everything moved like clockwork. It meant more work to oversee and the transferring a lot of things over to us plus installing management in all areas that would work well with both packs. I knew the pressure must be heavy on his shoulders. Everyone was watching him, all the other packs, all the other alphas. There were a lot of other jealous Alphas as well, making themselves heard and known. Bode was the talk of the realm. He would have the largest pack stemming from the joining of the two packs and be the most powerful Alpha. I would be Luna to more people as well. In a few days' time, I would be meeting everyone when they moved in. Though I was nervous being in charge of so many people and the fear was overwhelming, I knew I would be fine as we were in this together. My stomach pinched every time I thought of it. I exhaled softly through my mouth and tried to divert my mind back to the present, just enjoying Bode's warmth. I kept still and resisted the overwhelming urge to turn around so I could look at his handsome features, it would help calm me down but I didn't want to wake him. I knew he must be tired and deserved all the sleep he could get plus we were more than likely going to sleep in this morning because of the rain. It was no use trying to be still because as if he could sense that I was awake, I felt his hold tighten around me and his lips nuzzles my neck to place a soft kiss at the nape of my neck. I shivered at the sensation and warmth that traveled from his kiss all the way down to the pit of my stomach and I clenched, pressing my thighs together. "I want another baby." his gruff voice whispered lovingly in my ear. The warmth of his breath tickled my skin leaving goosebumps. I couldn't help the involuntary smile that spread across my face as I turned to look into his eyes. His lustful gaze moved over my face intently before traveling to the window and then focusing on me. I guess he was calculating the same thing I was. It was raining and we could probably stay in. "You know, you should have given me five babies by now." his deep voice rumbled above me and I raised my eyebrows in alarm. "Five?!" I laughed as the corners of his mouth quirked up. I didn't miss the way his eyes slowly drifted to my breasts. "Too little?" he asked cockily. "I'm more than up to the task to give you more." His dark green eyes glittered and I could feel my heart racing. He always had that incredible effect on me. "Four" I whispered breathily, a poor attempt at making a bargain. I was at a loss with him like always whenever he stared at me like that. His green eyes shone a deeper green, almost black, making me shiver and his lustful gaze was hungry, as if he would devour me whole. My body felt alive and each touch of his sent a silent thrill through me, the mate bond making me crazy. My clothes came off quickly and he was soon buried deep inside me. I clung to him desperately as each hard stroke drove me over the edge. I couldn't get enough of him and when the pressure built inside me and I let go, I welcomed the intense flood of sensations as I orgasmed. When we were finished, I laid sprawled along his chest panting for breath. I laid there dazed, listening to his heartbeat, the hardness of his muscular chest pressed against my cheek. The rain was still pouring, and I tried not to doze off because I knew Milo should be up in an hour. I propped myself up on my elbow to trace the hard detailed muscular outline of his broad chest, fighting the urge to sleep. My body felt relaxed. "Are you staying in today?" I asked the inevitable, trying not to sound too desperate for some alone time with him. "No, I need to go today," he sighs. My fingers stopped tracing the hard outlines and I open my mouth to point out the rain but he cuts me off. "It's imperative we wrap everything up for Monday and be over with it. We're practically done. But I probably won't get back until tomorrow morning." he explains, trying to read my features and I nod, trying to hide my disappointment. He ran his hand through my hair and I turned to kiss his palm. I understood the importance. It was the second time he was staying overnight. I was quiet as I breathed in his deep scent. Being that we were mated, our wolves constantly craved each other's presence, and I was feeling the burden of it. "Pen?" he called out, driving me from my thoughts and the overwhelming disappointment. "Mhm?" I replied, failing terribly at hiding my emotions. "I know it's hard but I have to ensure everything is in order for the renovations over there. After this Ben will be over there overseeing it. " Ben was our trusted Beta. There was something wavering in his eyes and I guess he couldn't wait for it to be over with too. I tried to soothe my wolf. I understood all of this and it felt selfish to be thinking or feeling this way when he was doing so much so I tried to change the topic. "I asked Ben about the pack and he said they were pretty excited to head on over here. Seems like everybody is going to get on well. He said Naomi has been doing the best she can to help make everything move quickly." His body tensed beneath mine and the hand in m hair froze. I shuffle the tangled sheets around me to throw a leg over his naked torso, the sensation causing heat to pool into my lower stomach again and down between my thighs. "Why the f**k would you ask Ben anything?" he asked roughly, and I glance up at him surprised at the sudden anger I saw darkening his features. My surprise gave way to confusion. I was unsure what went wrong. "It just came up in conversation." I replied softly, my voice sounding unsure, not understanding what the issue was. "Just came up in conversation?!" he asked, his clipped tone sarcastic. I didn't like the way he said it. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. There was a trace of barely concealed derision in his tone. The atmosphere had changed so rapidly over something so simple and it made me anxious. "Did something happen where we stopped communicating?" he growled out. "No, Bode, it wasn't anything serious. It was just a casual conversation and the topic came up so I asked." I tried to explain myself, rising up to look at him. His green eyes burned into mine. "These are the conversations you are having? Entertaining other men?! Do you not already have enough around here to do or is this to finally get some male attention?" My eyes opened wide and I drew in a sharp breath in shock as his words cut through me. The happiness from earlier had dissipated. I knew I wasn't the most ideal she wolf but I didn't expect him to voice it. I'd never had a problem with it from him. "I-. No. W-why would I be entertaining Ben? This is Ben?!" I protested dryly against the lump in my throat. "You know I would never do that." "Then you should have asked me those questions! The last time I checked, you were my mate and not his," he snapped, and I felt the harshness of his words. I could feel the light blush tint my cheeks. I never thought anything of it. "You should know better." I was at a loss for words. I did not expect the morning to turn this way. "What else did Ben say?" he threw out, his voice steely and his tone accusatory. "Nothing" I frowned as I shook my head, trying to understand his sudden change in attitude. He was my mate and I could understand him being overly protective, but this was Ben. He didn't say anything for a few brief seconds, he just stared at me as if he was looking for a hint of something, as if I was telling a lie. There was a glimmer of something in his eyes. Anguish? Fear? No, he wasn't a man who displayed fear. I didn't decipher what it was because it was gone before I could place it. "I don't want you f*****g talking to Ben unless it is necessary," he said coldly. "He's our beta and friend. Did something happen with Ben? What's wrong?" "I'll tell you when the time is right." "I-" "Just for now. No explanations Pen," he kissed me hard, dissolving all worry. When he pulled back, his eyes searched mine for confirmation. I kissed him back to let him know I would do as he asked. " Okay, I'm sorry." I apologized. I knew he must have a valid reason and I trusted him wholeheartedly. He seemed let out a breath he had been holding in and I settled back against him. We continued to talk about the upcoming move and I told him about how I have been spending my days. I had made sure to put in a lot of effort for their new homes and Naomi's. It was my duty and I wanted everyone to feel comfortable and accepted. I was expected to do a good job and to make a good impression. Sure, I was exhausted at the end of it all especially with a two-year-old but I made sure everything was right even down to the minor details, especially for their former alpha, Naomi. I wanted to do my part well. He said nothing until I was finished, knowing he must be bored of my ramblings, though he seemed to be listening intently and soon we were wrapped in silence. I curled my body into his and enjoyed the heat radiating from him. He suddenly leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead and I felt the softness of his lips against my forehead, making me blush. "You're amazing, you know that?" His words caught me by surprise and I couldn't help but smile. "No, tell me again." The corner of his mouth barely lifted as his eyes flitted over my face. "You're amazing." he repeated, his deep voice making my breathing shallow. I continued to smile up at him. My wolf was giddy with happiness. We focused on the rain and for a few seconds that's all we heard until his voice broke out guttural. "I don't know what I'd do without you." I found it ironic because I didn't know what I'd do without him either, much less what I'd be.