Chapter 29
Dorian
Opal’s midnight black fur shimmered in the setting sun as we trotted side by side. My wolf’s tan fur with golden streaks was in stark contrast to hers, making us a striking pair.
Or trio if you counted Atlas.
I hadn’t realized his wolf’s coloring was so similar to mine.
My beast didn’t want to count Atlas, though. He was as big and heavy a wolf as he was a man. And he wasn’t quiet or swift like Opal and me.
Yes. Stay there. My wolf curled his upper lip as Atlas’s meaty paws came to a stop before the border of my territory. I’d marked this land. Every inch of this border I’d painstakingly traveled and memorized, putting my scent on it. At least Atlas could respect that.
Opal’s beautiful black wolf whined as she stopped with Atlas and cocked her dainty head as if to ask why he was an idiot.
Or maybe I made that up because it’s what I felt.
I cursed him for being so self-righteous and not letting us complete the bond so I could hear what she was thinking.
Not that I would’ve forced it either, but it was a whole lot easier to blame Atlas for my problems here.
He shifted to human form, so Opal shifted. To spite him, I stayed in wolf form, moving my body between theirs to cover her exposed flesh with my fur. I might’ve also rubbed against her so that she smelled more like me.
Opal sighed in annoyance when I did that, but her fingers dug into my wolf’s fur just the same, making his chest puff with pride.
“You’re not coming?” she asked Atlas.
Thank the goddess.
Atlas looked past her to where the tents lay in the valley with smoke and music drifting from them. Worry was etched on his face as he gave a slight shake of his head. “That isn’t my territory.”
And they say we’re dramatic. My wolf rolled his eyes, huffing as he stepped forward to nudge Atlas’s leg. That was as good an invitation as the big oaf was going to get. It was mostly because Opal wanted him to come, and only slightly because he’d finally admitted this land was mine.
Opal’s bright smile was contagious as she grabbed Atlas’s hand, keeping one hand buried in my fur, and the three of us stepped into my territory.
*
In hindsight, maybe I shouldn’t have been so eager to get Opal here. The music grew louder as we approached. Tobacco and hookah smoke tainted the air with its incense. There was a crash somewhere, followed by a whole storm of cussing.
The sounds of home sweet home.
Still in wolf form, I stole anxious glances of Opal as we walked.
She’d pulled on a plain shift dress that hit her knees, but she looked anything but ordinary.
The cold didn’t touch her. It amplified her unadulterated beauty by turning the tip of her nose and tops of her cheeks pink.
No makeup. No show. A quiet sort of grace fit for a queen.
And way too innocent for my pack.
She’ll be fine.
But my wolf stopped to shake off the anxiety building within. Atlas stood there, judging, with a look that made me question everything.
Show him there’s nothing to worry about.
He kept walking, leading them deeper into the heart of my pack where the circle of tents gathered around each other, reaching toward the sky in their explosion of orange and red stripes.
Laughter mixed with the loud music. The party had already started.
Or it hadn’t ended.
Garrett threw a shrill insult at Georgie as they stumbled into the path in front of us and the two of them started rolling around in the dirt.
It was all in good fun.
“Don’t hurt him,” Opal gasped.
My stomach churned as I looked back at my mate, watching Atlas put a protective arm over her shoulder as he narrowed those judging eyes at me again.
Not an Alpha. Not fit to lead.
He doesn’t know shit.
“I’m fine.” Opal brushed Atlas off as she walked past us both, extending her hand to the males currently yanking on each other’s ears. “And who do we have here?”
Tweedledumb and Tweedledumber stopped tumbling long enough to stare at Opal. And stare they did. Comically, with jaws dropped and eyes wide.
“Stop staring at your Luna that way,” I growled as I approached.
Garrett pulled his tongue back into his mouth as Georgie jumped to his feet.
“My apologies, Luna.” Georgie bent himself in half, bowing from the waist down. “You grace us with your beauty. We poor fools know not how to act in the presence of a goddess such as yourself.”
“Cut it out,” I groaned.
Opal giggled. “And your name is?”
“I’m Georgie.” He hitched a thumb over his shoulder. “And that idiot is my twin brother Garrett.”
“Are you…?” Opal sniffed politely, confusion making her cute nose scrunch.
“Monkey shifters,” Atlas growled.
“Handsome? Daring? At your service?” Georgie winked. “All of the above.”
“Don’t just stand there,” Garrett jumped to his feet, finally getting his knocked-sideways brain to work again. “We’ve got to let everyone know it’s time to celebrate.”
The two of them nodded at each other before taking off running.
“You didn’t tell them we were coming?” Atlas asked.
“And ruin the surprise?” Opal was still giggling as her fingers found my fur again. “Where’s the fun in that?”
*
If there was one thing to be said for Bailey Pack, it was that they knew how to throw a party.
By the time we reached the main tent, it was already laid out for the grand event.
Tables with plates full of fruits and breads and a few chickens roasting over the spits outside.
The string lighting lit up both in-and-out-doors, and colored throw cushions spilled artfully around the rug-covered floor.
The orchestra kicked up the music a notch as my mom and Aunt Sunny hung from the lyra hoops, sweeping their hands to the side and welcoming Opal into the pack. The lion shifters with their gray speckled beards hurried to help the dismount.
Opal clapped her hands, taking it all in with the kind of smile that made this industry worth every bump and bruise.
I’d shifted back to human form and dressed quickly so I could watch her walk into the tent just like this. To see that dazzle in her eyes.
When they swarmed her and she didn’t back down, pride swelled in my chest for my Omega. Atlas was forced to stop his hovering and take a seat.
Serves him right.
Opal was swept from arm to arm with each shifter showing off a trick or sharing a tale. I sat at the head of the table, filled to the brim with admiration as she charmed her way through the pack. Atlas was right about one thing. She was meant to be a Luna.
“She’s sure a pretty thing.” Aunt Sunny poured herself a beer from the pitcher on the table before taking the seat to my right.
“Prettiest one he’s ever brought home.”
“Hey Ma.” I kissed her cheek as she sat beside her older sister. The two of them were dressed in their finest corseted gowns after the wardrobe change from the stage.
“Well, that was an interesting turn of events,” Aunt Sunny commented as she drank her beer. “First we were watching you perform on the big screen and then you disappeared to a nest in the woods with the neighboring Alphahole for a few weeks.”
“Speaking of nests, Jay Renfro says hi,” I teased just to watch her face flush red.
“I’ll tell him where he can shove that greeting,” she mumbled.
Ma nudged her sister with her elbow. “How many weeks did you spend in the nest with him?”
“Don’t take that tone of voice with me. It was the twenties and I was drunk.” Aunt Sunny rolled her eyes. “And I thought we were roasting our Alpha tonight.”
“Not tonight.” Ma’s eyes danced with humor as she raised her glass. “Tonight we celebrate our new Luna.”
I raised my glass to clink against hers and as I did, everyone in the room turned to me. I found Opal’s gaze through the crowd and motioned her over. She moved like silk, weaving herself through the cushions and chaos until she stood beside me.
“To our new Luna,” I told the pack, raising my glass higher. Opal blushed a pretty shade of pink as she clung to my arm when the rest of them let out a chorus of whistles and cheers, slamming back their drinks.
“But you haven’t claimed her yet,” Ma mentioned in an offhand way that I knew wasn’t offhand at all.
Opal lowered her eyes as I glared at Atlas.
“Not yet,” I growled. “I want to make it special.”
Peace washed over me as Opal’s fingers threaded through mine, easing my tension even though I knew she must’ve been feeling it too. “It’s been a whirlwind since we left the show.”
“We heard.” Ma nodded.
“All the way out here…” Aunt Sunny added.
“Oh gosh.” Opal cringed. “Sorry about that.”
“You’re fine.” Aunt Sunny winked as she handed Opal a flask from her pocket. “Here, have a drink. You must be thirsty after all that screaming.”
I tried to intercept the flask, but Sunny smacked my hand away. “Be careful,” I warned. “My aunt is a bad influence.”
Opal was still laughing as she sipped whatever rot-gut concoction Sunny gave her. My girl didn’t even make a face.
Aunt Sunny and my ma both looked at her with a newfound respect.
We need to make sure she eats.
I gave her my chair and pulled up a plate, piling it with food while Ma leaned closer to Opal.
“I’m Shelly, by the way. Dorian’s mother. And we’re all really glad you’re here. If this pack of fools gives you any grief, make sure to let me or my sister know,” Ma whispered.
Opal smiled brighter. “Everyone here is perfect.”
“Perfect,” Sunny laughed. “Alright. We like you. You can stay.”
“Good.” Opal nodded.
Ma’s eyes were still dancing with humor. “And what about you? Where are you from?”
Opal shrugged like it was nothing. “A small pack in West Virginia. Not much left for me there.”
“No parents? No family?” Sunny pried because she didn’t know how to keep her mouth shut.
And I found myself hanging on every word.
“No. Just me. I had a good Alpha, though.” Opal’s soft voice didn’t betray the hurt I knew was buried there.
I glanced at Atlas, suddenly not so smug that he sat in the corner by himself looking like a bump on a log.
“Then you’ll fit right in here.” Ma rested her hand on Opal’s forearm, giving it a little pat. “We’re making our own roots somewhere new.”
“And you’ve been everywhere, right?” Opal asked, trying to get the attention off herself.
“Everywhere.” Ma gave me a knowing look. “It wasn’t until recently we had any hope of settling down and putting up our feet.”
“Until Dorian took control of the pack?” Opal asked.
It was an innocent question, but an uneasy silence filled the table. I wasn’t worried about them spilling our secrets. My pack was tight-knit. But I wasn’t sure if—or when—I wanted Opal to know the truth.
It definitely wasn’t right this moment with Atlas sitting in the room.
“To Dorian,” Sunny raised another glass, breaking the awkward pause. “Our great and only Alpha who brought us the prettiest Luna in the world. We like her, so if you mess this up, we’ll revolt.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Opal giggled again as she took another sip from Sunny’s flask.