Convincing The Luna Queen

Chapter 6

Emmet

Athena blinks rapidly before she puts on that composed face again.

“Move here?” She whispers as if she can’t believe what I just asked.

“Yeah, I don’t want to be a rogue. Also I’m a bit pissed at my parents right now but that’s a story for another time. Is there room for me in the pack house? I’ll pull my weight and do whatever you need me to do, I promise.”

“Is this your way of saying you don’t want to be away from me?” She asks softly.

“Uh yeah.. that too.” I admit while scratching my neck again. Don’t be such a shy dickhead! Exude confidence Emmet. She doesn’t want a timid little sissy b***h.

I decide to see how far she’ll allow me to go and replace my hand on her lower back instead of her waist. My hand now barely grazing her ass. She doesn’t say anything so I gently push our bodies closer together, our chests flush up against each other.

My display of bravely causes that small smile to appear again. See, she likes the confidence. Take charge of the situation!

“Isn’t it painful for mates to be away from each other for too long? Give me a few days to sort my s**t out and I’ll join your pack.” I explain.

“I never said I’d give you a chance Emmet.”

My heart sinks into my stomach before I remember that she doesn’t know me yet. She doesn’t want to dive head first into the deep end with me and I have to respect that.

“That’s fine, I’ll do whatever I can to prove to you that I deserve to be right here, by your side. Even if it kills me.” I declare wholeheartedly. Zeus howls in my mind.

She whispers something to herself so quietly I can barely hear it over the loud music but I could swear it sounded like ‘please don’t die’.

Athena

My father decides to ruin the moment by announcing that it’s almost time for the Running of the Wolves.

“I need to go. I’ll see you out there.” I reluctantly let go of Emmet.

“Is the first shift as painful as they say?” He asks.

“Yes but if you’re meant to be Alpha, I’m sure you can handle it.” I wink at him before walking away. What the name of the Goddess is wrong with me?

I take my place beside my father outside on the front steps of the pack house. Everyone is gathering before us waiting for his next words.

“Welcome all, to the Running of the Wolves. It is a longstanding tradition that we welcome all new wolves that have been waiting for the full moon to shift for the first time. First timers, please move to the bottom stair.”

Six people move to the front, two females and four males including Emmet. He focuses his gaze on me. Omega’s move amongst the crowd handing out blankets to those who want to hide their naked bodies while they undress, ready to shift with the new wolves.

“In the name of the Goddess, I am honoured to lead you for the Running the Wolves. You may undress and prepare.”

I can’t help but stare as Emmet awkwardly attempts to remove his suit whilst covering himself with the blanket. Automatically, I descend the stairs and hold it over his body.

“Thanks.” He mutters, undresses and takes the blanket out of my hands.

I return to my father as an omega calls out ‘eleven eleven’, signalling the time except we don’t need it. The six wolves bones begin to c***k simultaneously, causing them to yell and scream in agony. Anika howls inside my mind. My heart breaks for Emmet, whose body is twisting and cracking at odd angles. I want to cry. I want to run to him and console him but I must be strong in front of the entire pack.

I kick off my heels and Alice appears next to me to help remove my dress. As soon as it’s off my body, I immediately shift into Anika who darts over to Emmet and Zeus, our mates.

His body is growing thick black fur, long claws extend from where his fingernails should be. He swells in height and width as his face morphs into a wolf. The only thing that doesn’t change are those icy blue eyes that haven’t left my face, or Anika’s face.

Zeus playfully licks Anika’s snout before taking off at full speed behind the rest of the wolves. Anika is stunned for a moment before following after him.

We zip through the trees and glide over the tall grass in the lands, running as fast as we can. For a new wolf, Zeus is exceptionally fast.

“Duh, he’s your Alpha.” Anika quips at me.

Zeus circles around behind us and he teases us by nipping at Anika’s tail. He zooms forward again as we try to keep up with him. It’s then that I realise exactly where he’s headed and he has no idea of the consequences. I can’t mind link him, he’s not a member of the pack yet. Immediately, I shift back into human form.

“STOP!” I bellow at Zeus.

He halts in his tracks and looks back at my completely naked body. As if on cue, it begins to pour with rain. Ironic considering it’s the scent of my mate. My hair immediately begins to change into its natural curls and I imagine my makeup is running down my face but Zeus doesn’t seem to care. He looks mesmerised by me. I don’t think anyone has looked at me like that before.

I rub his snout as I catch up to him and he reciprocates by nuzzling my hair. “Thank you for listening to me Zeus. You almost went straight into the river.”

Emmet shifts back and his hair is dripping wet straight away. He pushes it away from his face.

“What’s wrong with the river?” He asks.

“Apparently people die if they touch it. Never seen it happen in my lifetime though.” I explain.

“Can I see it?”

“Sure, I can take you to it.”

Emmet grips my hand as we lazily stroll the rest of the way to the river. Tingles zip up and down my arm from his touch. I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of this feeling.

I sit down on a rock, far enough away from the river so that it won’t splash on us. Emmet, curiously confident now, sits behind me, pulling my back to his front. I relax into his embrace and it feels so natural. As if I’m right where I’m supposed to be.