Chapter 12

12

RAIN-CHECK SHOWER

Octavia

The steam wraps around me like a warm embrace as I stand beneath the cascading water, lathering shampoo into my hair. The scent of lavender fills the air, mingling with the sweet aroma of breakfast I’ve just prepared for Wyatt. I hum softly, lost in my own world, the gentle rhythm of the water creating a soothing backdrop to my thoughts.

Suddenly, a voice cuts through the tranquility. “I wish I wouldn't have stayed in the kitchen talking to Harrison, because I would have trampled anyone in my path if I knew you were up here naked, baby girl.”

I gasp, startled, and whip around to find Wyatt leaning against the doorframe, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. My cheeks flush a deep crimson as I splash some water over my face, trying to hide my embarrassment. “Wyatt!” I exclaim, laughter bubbling up despite the shock. “You can’t just sneak up on me like that!”

He chuckles, shaking his head as he steps into the bathroom, the smell of his cologne mingling with the steam. “I can’t help it. You’re just too tempting,” he teases, his emerald eyes roaming over me with that heated look that sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“Get out of here before I drown you,” I retort, but the playfulness in my voice betrays the seriousness of my words.

He leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, enjoying the view. “You know I’d love to join you, but I need to get dressed. Raincheck on the naked shower-time?”

I laugh, nodding. “Definitely. I’ll hold you to it.”

With a wink, he finally turns to leave, but not before stealing one last glance at me, a smirk still plastered on his face. I can’t help but smile back, my heart swelling with affection.

Once I finish rinsing my hair, I step out of the shower, the cool air hitting my damp skin. I grab a towel off the warming rack and dry off, my mind drifting to the day ahead. The upcoming Luna Ceremony looms over me like a majestic mountain, beautiful yet intimidating. I still can’t believe I’m marrying Wyatt, the man who makes my heart race and my soul sing. But with such a significant event approaching, I realize I know little about planning something so important.

After fasting my black lace bra, I pull on one of Wyatt’s flannels, relishing the familiar scent that clings to the fabric. It’s comforting, like a warm hug, and I know it’ll keep me feeling close to him throughout the day. As I step out of the bathroom, the sound of a knock at the suite door draws my attention.

“Wyatt? Can you get that?” I call out, brushing my damp hair back.

But it’s not Wyatt who answers. Instead, I hear his mother’s voice, melodic yet commanding. “Octavia? Are you in there? I need to speak with you about the Luna Ceremony!”

My stomach twists slightly as I open the door to find Jeanette standing there, her arms crossed and a determined look on her face. “We need to hammer out some details,” she insists, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation or minding that I could have been naked in the walk-in closet.

“Oh, um, sure!” I stammer, my mind racing. Jeanette has been a lifesaver since I found out about the ceremony. I knew nothing about planning an event of this magnitude, and her guidance has been invaluable.

“I’m glad you’re finally awake. We need to discuss the menu and table linen colors,” she says, her tone brisk yet warm.

I nod, trying to suppress my nerves. “Right, of course. I was just finishing up in the shower after I made breakfast for Wyatt.”

She waves a hand dismissively. “No need to explain. Let’s get started. We have a lot to cover.”

As we settle at the coffee table by the lit fireplace, I can feel the excitement bubbling within me. Jeanette pulls out her binder filled with notes and ideas, and I can’t help but admire her organization. “So, for the menu, I was thinking we could have a mix of traditional dishes and some of your favorites,” she begins, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

“Traditional dishes?” I echo. “Like what?”

“Well, we could have roasted lamb with mint jelly, of course, and perhaps some seasonal vegetables. Wyatt told me you loved the honey-glazed brussel sprouts with pecans, from dinner the other night” she suggests, her eyes sparkling with ideas.

I nod, my mind racing to keep up. “That sounds amazing. I definitely want to incorporate some of my favorite foods, too. Maybe a pasta dish? Pesto linguine?”

Jeanette jots down notes, and I feel a rush of gratitude for her help. As we dive deeper into the planning, I can’t help but think about how much has changed in my life. Just a few months ago, I was a girl trying to find her place in the world, and now I’m on the brink of marrying the man I love and becoming part of a family that truly seems to care for me.

After a while, the conversation shifts to table linens. “I think we should go with something elegant, maybe a deep rust or brown to match your eyes,” she suggests, looking at me with a critical yet loving gaze.

“It sounds beautiful,” I agree, imagining the colors and textures in my mind.

Just then, I hear Wyatt’s footsteps outside the door, and my heart skips a beat. He peeks inside, a warm smile spreading across his face. “How’s it going in here?”

“Fantastic! We’ve made great progress,” Jeanette replies, beaming with pride.

Wyatt’s gaze flickers to me, and I can see the love and admiration in his eyes. “You’re doing amazing, Octavia. I knew you’d be great at this. My little Luna.”

“Thanks,” I say, my cheeks warming under his praise.

He steps inside and leans down to kiss me softly, his lips lingering against mine. “I have to head to my office for a meeting with Dalton and Harrison. I’ll be back soon, okay?”

“Okay,” I reply, trying to hide my disappointment. I wish he could stay a little longer, but I know he has responsibilities.

As he leaves, I turn back to the table, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. With Jeanette by my side, I’m determined to make this ceremony everything Wyatt deserves.

“Let’s finish this,” I say, my voice filled with determination. “I want it to be perfect.”

Jeanette grins at me, and together we dive back into the details, the excitement of the upcoming Luna Ceremony igniting a fire within me. As we plan, I can’t help but dream of the future that awaits me and Wyatt — one filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities.

Three hours slip away as we meticulously iron out every detail, from the guest list to the floral arrangements. I find myself lost in the rhythm of it all, my worries and fears melting away as I immerse myself in the planning. Each decision feels like a step closer to the life I’ve always dreamed of, and I can feel the bond between Wyatt and me strengthening with every moment.

But as the afternoon sun begins to set, a shadow of unease flickers in my mind. Wyatt’s meeting with Dalton and Harrison — that’s the one thing he hasn’t shared with me. I can’t shake the feeling that whatever they’re discussing is important, perhaps even concerning. As I glance at Jeanette, who is busy jotting down notes, I make a silent promise to myself. Once we finish up here, I’ll find a way to learn more about what’s happening in Wyatt’s world.

The day slips into evening, and just as I’m wrapping up my discussions with Jeanette, I hear the door open. Wyatt steps inside, his brow slightly furrowed, a hint of tension beneath his usual laid-back demeanor.

“Hey, how did it go?” he asks, trying to mask his worries with a smile.

“Great! We made a lot of progress,” I reply, forcing my excitement to shine through. I want to ease whatever weight he’s carrying, but I can’t deny the curiosity bubbling within me.

“Good,” he murmurs, though I can see the flicker of something else in his eyes. “I’m glad.”

“Are you okay, baby?” I venture, my heart racing with concern.

He hesitates, his gaze flicking to his mother, who is now packing up her notes. “Yeah, just a long day, Gorgeous. I’ll tell you about it later, okay?”

I nod, but my wolf stirs within me, sensing the tension that he tries to hide. “Alright,” I say, though I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something he’s not telling me.

“There is something he’s not saying and I don’t like it,” my wolf says with worry lacing her tone.

I agree, “I know. Do you think it could be Rachel, or the rouges? Neither is great honestly.”

As Jeanette bids us farewell, I take a step closer to Wyatt, reaching for his hand. “Let’s talk,” I urge, my voice soft yet insistent.

He glances at our intertwined fingers, and I can see the warmth in his gaze, but the shadows still linger. “Okay, let’s get some dinner first. I’m starving,” he replies, steering the conversation away from the weight that hangs between us.

“Alright,” I agree, though my mind is racing. I want to know what’s going on, but I also want to respect his space. Dinner seems like a good way to ease into it, a chance for us to reconnect after a busy day.

As we walk into the kitchen, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The tension may be hanging in the air, but so is the love that binds us together. Whatever challenges lie ahead, I know we’ll face them side by side.

And as I watch Wyatt prepare sandwiches for dinner, a small smile on my lips, I can’t help but think that this is just the beginning of our journey together. The Luna Ceremony may be important, but it’s the love we share that will truly define our future.

So, as we sit down to eat our Turkey Clubs with chips, I take a deep breath, ready to dive into whatever conversation awaits us. “Wyatt,” I start, my heart pounding, “can we talk about your meeting?”

He pauses, his hand hovering above his plate, and for a moment, the world around us fades. I can feel the weight of his thoughts, and I know that this is the moment where we’ll either draw closer together or face the challenges ahead.

“Yeah,” he finally says, his voice steady, yet laced with an undercurrent of uncertainty. “Let’s talk.”

And just like that, as we sit down to dinner, I can feel the tide of our lives shifting. With every word exchanged, we’ll either build the future we’ve dreamed of or confront the shadows that threaten to loom over us. Either way, I know one thing for sure: together, we can face anything.