Sage's POV:
The leaves have all fallen and it's getting colder much quicker. When it gets like this, we have a festival to celebrate another successful year before we have Christmas, and it's a lucky coincidence that our pack was founded in the late fall so it's a double celebration.
Ashton has been with my pack for two months now, and he's growing more and more by the day. He's become more affectionate and comfortable around me, and his skills as a warrior are growing. In fact, we had a practice fight the other day, and he was able to get two punches in on me before he started panicking and apologizing.
That's great progress for him, and I couldn't be prouder of him.
He's never been to a festival; most of the new pack members haven't been to one before, and the ones who have don't remember much because they occurred when they were young in their packs where they were taken from.
That's why my mom and dad have decided this year's will be the best one and everyone is super excited and planning everything so it goes smoothly. It's just a big meal together before everyone goes home and has their own celebrations, but it's going to bring us all closer together as a pack and a growing family.
Ashton is training right now with Owen, as they've become fighting partners since they're at the same place. Since my match with Zach ended a while ago (he got lucky and got an extra hit on me and managed to pin me), we're sitting and watching our mates fight.
"Ashton is definitely going to win," I say to Zach, making him chuckle and shake his head.
"Nope, I've trained Owen well."
"Rolling around on the bed naked isn't training."
Zach laughs aloud. "We usually discuss techniques between rounds," he says proudly, making me fake gag and shove his shoulder.
Ashton is only wearing shorts and the sun has made a rare appearance, so the sweat dripping down his body is glistening. He's so attractive and he's become so much more comfortable in his own body around others, whereas a month ago he was still too nervous.
"Stop thirsting over him," Zach says, snickering. "You're supposed to be studying technique to correct him, aren't you?"
I growl. "I'm the head warrior for a reason, asshole. I can thirst over my mate and study his technique at the same time."
"Hmm... Owen's technique here is a bit behind how skillful he is in bed... what about Ashton?"
"I wouldn't know," I deadpan. "Not that I'm trying to rush anything. He's slowly getting more comfortable, but he's still nervous that he's going to accidentally hurt me."
Zach hums. "Owen's sort of similar, but he's more panicky and responds as if he's going to be hurt, and I'm pretty sure it's because I'm an Alpha. It makes me a little sad sometimes because I don't want him to be afraid, but he's starting to adjust."
I suddenly hear a joyful yelp and see that Ashton has successfully tackled and pinned Owen, therefore winning the fight. He runs over to me and hugs me, getting his sweat all over me and making me shriek.
"You're all sweaty!" I screech, but he doesn't let go.
"Did you see me, Sage?! I kicked Owen's ass into the dirt!" he exclaims, lifting me into the air and jumping around in a circle. "Goddess, I'm amazing."
I love when he gets cocky and confident like this. Usually he's very shy and doesn't get cocky, so when he does, it's super cute and kind of funny.
"Oh, the absolute best," I agree, sliding out of his grip. "But now you need to shower because you're gross and sweaty."
Ashton hums and wraps his arm around my shoulder. "Well, now you're sweaty, too. Ha."
"Hilarious."
He grins and runs a hand through his sweaty hair, his smoldering grey eyes looking so bright in the sun. It's going to get cloudy again soon, so I enjoy this moment to myself, seeing my gorgeous mate smiling as the sun shines down on him.
"So, what're we doing after the feast?" Zach asks, because he and I always hung out afterward in the past, usually watching movies and eating popcorn until we passed out in the living room. "Same tradition?"
I nod. "Ashton and Owen will now be part of it, obviously," I say, leaning against Ashton and letting out a please rumble. "I'm so excited for the festival!"
"It's going to be a good one," Zach agrees as we reach the pack house and go out separate ways.
Ashton showers first because we haven't even had our first kiss yet, let alone seen each other naked. He is still really shy about me seeing him and he's still scared of complete intimacy.
However, he doesn't wear anything but underwear in our room, so he's getting a bit better. Of course, I match what he wears once I finish my shower and get a smaller towel to dry Ashton's hair. It's still really messy and Ashton has mentioned getting it cut, but for now I settle with towel drying it and using a couple of bobby pins to pull the bangs away from his face.
My own hair dries really quick, so I make sure to stop it from dripping before putting it in the towel basket and putting some rose oil in my hair to keep it from frizzing.
Ashton is lucky; his hair never gets gross and frizzy like mine does. It's not just me obsessing over how gorgeous he is; he just genuinely looks beautiful and perfect at all times.
"You have bruises on you," Ashton says, nodding at my arm, stomach, and back where Zach got some good hits on me.
"You only have a few... you really kicked his ass, huh?" I ask, proud of my mate.
Ashton smiles and grabs a small tin of herbal gel that helps soothe small pains and bruises that I used on him in his early training.
"Yeah, I did!" Ashton exclaims, laying me on my stomach and sitting on the backs of my thighs. "Owen was so cocky that it was easy to beat him."
He begins to rub the gel all over my back bruises, his cool hands making me shiver before I relax and they warm up against my skin. Every time Ashton is attentive with my skin and body, I fall harder for him. Eventually, after being very attentive and thorough with my back, Ashton turns me over with ease and rubs the gel onto my stomach.
Any injury I received in the past was always taken care of by me because I didn't want anyone touching my stomach; it's a very vulnerable spot for every wolf, but especially for Omegas. It's what we show when submitting to someone else, so I only want to show Ashton my belly when I submit to him. No matter how strong I am, he's my Alpha and there's an instinctual piece to me that wants to belong to him in every way.
I like him taking care of my injuries and I make sure to return the favor with his small bruises. By the time I finish, Ashton is almost asleep, and I'd love to let him rest, but he has to meet with my father.
Dad has started to train Ashton on how to be the Luna while I work with Ronaldo, whom I've elected to be the next head warrior when I take my position as Alpha. For the next few years, while I'm training to be Alpha, Ronaldo will work alongside me until we make the transfer.
"Ashton, you have to go train with my dad."
Ashton groans. "Your dad loves me. He won't care if I skip," he whines, and I love seeing his personality that's been buried for years shine through.
Still, he needs to get his ass up.
"Up, now!" I order and he groans and sits up.
"Fine, fine, fine," he grumbles and I walk him downstairs to my dad who takes him to the office for one of their training sessions.
Mom is in the living room with Nolan and his mate, Charlie. "How was training, Sage?" mom asks me after I've sat down next to Charlie.
"Good. Ashton won a fight," I say proudly, and mom smiles.
"Good for him. Your dad tells me that he's doing excellent with his training now and will make a great Luna when you take over."
I'm happy to hear that as well, and from what Ashton's said, he loves to work with my dad. They get along really well and Ashton has never had a positive role model in his life except for his friend Liam, who was murdered during our raid. It's great for him and everything is going well for us right now.
"How are you, Charlie?" I ask, because I haven't seen much of the little Omega since he's been here, but he's been watched by my parents while Nolan is out doing his job and can't bring Charlie. My parents adore him the same way they doted on me when I was younger.
He grins. "I'm better than I was two months ago," he says happily, laying against Nolan and closing his eyes.
"Hmm... just better?" I ask him, since something smells a little odd here. Literally. "You smell different."
His grin widens even further, and I didn't think that was possible. "I'm pregnant!" he exclaims. "I didn't think I'd ever be able to escape, meet my mate, and have my own babies, but here we are!"
Nolan smiles at his mate and kisses the top of his head. "Inside voice, sweetheart. It's just us here," he soothes, but I can tell that he wouldn't stop Charlie if he wanted to keep yelling about his successful pregnancy.
"That's great, Charlie!" I respond, matching his excitement. "Anything you're hoping for?"
"Nope, I just want there to be more than one. Before I was taken by the Alphas, I had a family full of supportive siblings so I want my pups to have siblings. And, if I only have one, we can just make more."
Nolan blushes, but modesty clearly isn't a huge worry for Charlie.
Mom and Nolan go back to their discussion about his next visit and I chat with Charlie about his plan for a nursery, names he likes already, and other baby things. Our conversation pauses when Ashton and dad come back and hour later and I'm quick to jump into my own mate's arms because I want the affection from my mate that Charlie's gotten from his while mine was gone.
"You two are so cute," Charlie coos.
I blush and Ashton has a dorky smile on his face.
"Now, final festival plans..." mom starts, but I don't really listen because I'm too focused on Ashton's scent and the sound of his breathing.
Comments (3)
See all