24. Grace

-Human- Rag’n Bone Man-

My poor sweet omega. He’s been crying his eyes out for the last thirty minutes. He told me of all the horrible things his mother had done to him when he showed just as much attention to the men and women. I run my fingers through his hair, trying to soothe away the pain I feel through the bond ebbing from every pore in his body. The acidic tang in the air from his emotional pain is making my wolf growl in my head.

“Grace?” Ruby pokes her head in and forces a smile.

Lifting my head from on top of Barrett’s, I turn to look towards the door. “They’re here?” My gut tells me I already know the answer.

“Yes…”

“Set them up in the pack house. I don’t want to get blood on my floors.” My tone is even and my heart beat slow and steady, thumping away in my chest. Ruby bows her head slightly then leaves the room. Barrett stands and I can see how pale he is as he stares at me. “Nothing is going to happen to you. Stay by my side, do not leave me.” I walk into the closet and I pull out my most regal dress I own. Slipping it on, I tie the ribbon just under my full breasts, cinching in the material of the empire waist of the dress. The bell of my stomach is visible with this dress and I smile, looking at myself as I pass the mirror.

“Let’s go meet my mother-in-law.” I feel my wolves canines break through my gums and I enjoy knowing my smile will be feral. Barrett loops his arm with mine as we walk through the house. Both pups come running out and decide to follow us with Ruby along with us.

As we step out of the house, three betas and two enforcers flank us as we walk the short distance to the pack house. The temperature of the day is finally shifting, and it’s not as oppressive as it was earlier. Griffin is waiting for us on the front porch and smiles gently at me and kisses me and Barrett on the forehead before we enter. The temperature shift stepping inside was a welcomed change. The cool air is easier to breathe and as the pregnancy progresses, cool air became more important.

Stepping inside, I see the two people in question. The woman has the same dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes as Barrett. The man beside her dark hair, dark eyes that look almost black. They stand the moment they see me and it’s apparent that the Elders sent word out that it has been confirmed that I am a Lunar Wolf.

“Luna…” they say in unison and lower their heads.

Ethan comes to stand beside me and takes my elbow and walks me to my chaise that somehow made it into the pack house. Barrett sits on the chaise with me and pulls my feet into his lap and starts massaging my arches. “Welcome to Wolf Creek,” my tone is clipped as I stare at them, waiting to see what they were going to say. My pups move to lie under my chaise, growling at the visiting Alpha and mate.

“I thought this was the Murphy Pack.” James’ tone is also clipped attempting to shift the power.

Laughing, I smile letting my canines show. “You forget where you are, Gratus. This is Wolf Creek. I am the Luna of both the Murphy and Volkov packs.” At the mention of both names, Griffin, and Nicolai come to stand behind me.

“Alpha … Alpha Gratus.” James attempted to correct me.

“Not as far as I’m concerned. Your mate shunned and disowned her son because his heart is opened wide. You slaughter your pack mates if they don’t fit your mold.” My wolf bristles and rises to the surface as I mention a few of their crimes.

James flinches and then looks at Griffin. “You allow your mate to talk like this to an Alpha? What kind of leader are you?” His tone elicits a growl from Ethan, who walks behind him and Nicolai joins him, growling.

“Grace has been confirmed as the Lunar Wolf. She holds dominion over all wolves. I suggest you watch your tone since you’re on trial.” Surprisingly, it’s not Griffin that answers. It’s Benjamin Coleman, the elder. He steps out from the meeting room that’s off to the side of the main hall that we are in. “You received the missive we had sent out once confirmation was given. You acknowledged receiving the news and now she sits before you.” Benjamin crosses his arms across his massive chest and comes to stand between me and James.

“Elder, you can’t be serious. That abomination can’t be mated to the Lunar Wolf. It’s sacrilege.” James yells as he points in Barrett’s direction.

There’s zero hesitation when I stand up, taking my feet away from Barrett. I motion to Ethan to take Barrett and keep him safe. My eyes drift to Nicolai and he escorts James over to stand near Benjamin. “By the powers granted to me by the Moon Goddess herself, I strip you of your title, James. You are an Alpha no more.” My wolf guides me and I touch my fingers to his forehead. There’s a static charge when my skin makes contact with his. “Sleep…” I feel a jolt of power zing between us and he staggers back.

“What did you do?” James bellows, and it’s now I realize what my wolf had me do. We put his wolf in a state of torpor. James no longer can shift or contact his wolf. No wolf, no Alpha.

“He sleeps until you atone for what you have done.” I rest a hand on Benjamin’s shoulder. “Please advise his pack of the change in leadership. Let them know their new Luna invites them to join us.”

“As you wish Luna.” Benjamin bows his head to me and then escorts James out of the pack house.

Barrett’s mother stands there shell-shocked as to what she had witnessed. I simply stare at her, waiting to see what she is going to do. “Barrett?” She whispered, trying to look around me and Nic.

“You have no right to speak to him.” I stepped to the side and stare into her hazel eyes. “Barrett needed you and you rejected him because he’s bonded to my mates. You chose a dick over a life that you created.” Tears well up in her eyes as she tries to look at me. Her eyes lower quickly. “You may leave. Conrad, please escort Barrett’s mom to the guest house. She has a lot to think about.” Conrad came forward and escorted her out of the pack house and out of sight.

Turning slowly, I look back at Barrett. “Are you okay?” Looking at him, I knew the answer already. He’s not okay in any way, shape or form. Barrett lowers his head and presses it against Ethan’s broad chest instead of answering me. “Ethan, Griffin, please take care of Barrett. Nicolai and I have some business to attend to. I’m feeling a little…” I pause and allow my claws to extend and then smile, showing my canines. “Feral.”

Nicolai’s eyes blaze to life as he moves swiftly to my side and loops his arm with mine, escorting me out of the pack house. Stepping out of the house, I look at my watch and note that I have about two hours before we make the walk to his pack. “It’s not like you to be so on edge, Grace. What’s wrong?”

Damn Nic for being so observant. “I keep getting the feeling that something big is coming. Hunter and Roxy are way too quiet. The rogues aren’t attacking as much as they were before. My wolf gives me these moments of being more dominant than I am used to being.” I go through the list of things that seem to be off to me and realize I took him back to the spot that I ran away from him.

“I can see why those things are bothering you.” His eyes move and take in the scenery around us. The late afternoon sun painted the landscape in warm hues, casting a soft, golden glow over the tranquil scene. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees that lined the banks of the beautiful bubbling creek, its soothing sound creating a natural lullaby for the two souls lost in each other’s company.

Nicolai, his eyes reflecting the serene beauty of the surroundings, moves to sit us on a large, moss-covered rock near the water’s edge. The day was cooler than normal for this time of year, but his presence, like a comforting blanket, chased away any chill. He turns his attention to me, a tender smile gracing his lips, and his strong hand rests gently on my pregnant stomach.

My eyes meet his, and in that moment, the world seems to slow down. Clouds drifted lazily across the sky, their white, fluffy forms creating playful shadows on the grassy banks. A sense of peace envelopes the two of us, a tranquility born from the deep connection we share.

Nicolai’s fingers trace delicate patterns on my belly, each touch filled with love and anticipation for the life growing inside me. His touch is a testament to his unwavering commitment, a promise to be there for me and our child through all the trials that life would bring.

As the creek continued its gentle babble, Nicolai leans in closer, wrapping me in his muscular arms. The scent of the forest, a mix of pine and earth, mingles with his warm, comforting presence. He pulls me against his chest, and I can hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a reminder of the love that binds us together.

“I regret running away from you when I first realized who you were to me.” My voice is softer than usual, and I can’t help but sigh as he gives me a comforting squeeze.

“There’s nothing to regret. I saw your protective streak when it came to Barrett. Your strength of will when you stood your ground. The little bit of heartache I suffered was worth seeing you at one hundred percent, then watered down to what you thought I may have wanted.” He kisses the crown of my head and I melt further. “This baby…” His hand stills on my stomach. “Is so very loved and will be fiercely protected by everyone.” He rests his head on top of mine and I kiss his chest.

His words sink deep into my heart and the tension I was holding slowly released. “We still need to join the packs. Now I’m adding the Gratus pack to the mix.” Shaking my head, I pull away slowly. “Why didn’t you stop me?”

Nicolai laughs and caresses my face, smiling at me. “Because you were doing the right thing. For years, we’ve heard rumors of what James was doing but couldn’t do anything. The elders never would have backed any of us going to remove James from power. But you…” He kisses my lips softly. “Being the Lunar Wolf has its perks. You want him out of power … Boom! Out of power. The elders can’t do shit.” I smile, sensing Griffin approaching.

“There’s still the matter of that sliver of land that the rogues are using as a highway between the packs.” Griffin, prepared as always, lays the map on the rock before and shows me the slice in question.

Studying the map makes the decision is easy. “Since everyone will be gathered for the melding of the packs, I’ll divide the strip up between the packs.” Griffin offers me a pencil and I draw lines splitting the land between the four packs whose land it touches. “Nic, I’m sure your engineer can do a better job than I did. So let’s get him on it so we can email the suggestion to the alphas.” Nicolai kisses my cheek and takes the map before leaving. “I have a question, Griff.”

Griffin helps me off of the rock, and we walk down the river bank heading home. “If I can answer it, I will.” He kisses the top of my head and draws me into his side.

“Why does my wolf drive me to be more dominant than I am? Most of the time I’m scared then she’s there pushing me to be more than I am.” Looking up at him I see him bite his lower lip before he turns and looks at me.

“You may not be an Alpha because of everything you’ve been through. But she is. There’s going to be times she’s going to push you to be more.” Griffin’s voice softens as he nuzzles me, leading us back to the house. “It’s almost time for the walk. Our Betas and Nic’s Betas are assembled at the pack house, ready for us to go. I’ll stay in my human form and walk with you, Ethan and Nic, in your wolf forms. We’ll be safe, so don’t worry about anything.” He kisses me on the steps, softly sipping from my bottom lip and on the tip of my nose before sending me inside.

I stop at the door and look back over my shoulder. Griffin lowers his head slightly and I head inside. This is going to be one hell of a walk.