Chapter 25: All I ask of you

Leandra's mind was racing as she stood before Sultan, trying to process everything he had just told her. The idea of being a Luna, of leading a pack of werewolves, felt overwhelming. She wasn't even sure she understood what it meant to be part of this world, let alone take on such a huge responsibility. But there was something about the way Sultan spoke, the confidence in his voice, that made her want to believe she could do it.

And then there was the pack. Meeting them felt like a huge step, and she wasn't sure she was ready for it. What if they didn't like her? What if they didn't want her as their Luna?

She glanced up at Sultan, his towering frame so solid and reassuring. He was the Alpha, and with that came power, authority, and the respect of those around him. But what about her? How was she supposed to fit into all of this?

Sultan's voice broke through her thoughts, calm but firm. "You don't have to worry about proving yourself to anyone but me. The pack will respect you because I respect you. They'll see your strength, just like I do."

Leandra swallowed hard, feeling a mixture of fear and determination. "I just don't want to mess this up."

"You won't," Sultan said, his voice full of certainty. "You're already proving yourself. And when the time comes, they'll see what I see—a Luna who can stand by my side, not just as my mate but as a leader."

Leandra exhaled slowly, nodding as the weight of his words settled over her. This was real. This was happening. She was about to meet Sultan's pack and a new world of challenges.

"Okay," she said, her voice steadier now. "I'll do it. I'll meet the pack."

Sultan smiled, his pride in her clear. "Good. We'll go tomorrow."

---

Tomorrow, Leandra would meet Sultan's pack and step into a world that had existed just outside the edges of her understanding. She had accepted the idea of being his mate, at least in theory, but leading a pack? Being their Luna? That was still a new level of responsibility she wasn't sure she could handle, but at the same time, she felt like she was meant to handle it; her life and work as a nurse built her up to this moment and the way Sultan spoke made her believe she could.

Leandra's mind kept spinning with questions as they returned to the house. Sultan had answered some, but there was still so much she didn't understand about being his mate and their bond. What other powers did, and did she have any fairy family?

"Sultan," she said suddenly, breaking the silence between them. "I need to know more. About being a fairy and also about us. About what it means to be mates."

Sultan glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. He had expected this. "What do you want to know?"

Leandra looked down at her feet, chewing on her bottom lip as she tried to find the right words. "You've told me that being mates is a powerful bond. How does it affect us? I feel the pull between us, but I don't understand what it means for our lives."

Sultan stopped walking, turning to face her fully. "The mate bond is more than just a connection between two people. It's a bond of the soul. It ties us together in ways that go beyond what humans experience. It's instinctual, yes, but it's also a choice. We choose to embrace it, to build something together. Once the bond is complete, we will always be in tune with one another, always wanting to be near each other; it's a bond for life, but you still have control over your life and your decisions."

Leandra frowned. "But you said it wasn't really a choice, not at first. That the bond was already there when we met."

Sultan nodded. "That's true. The bond itself is something that's fated. We don't choose our mates; the bond chooses for us. But how we handle it and build a relationship from that bond is up to us. We're drawn to each other because of it, but that doesn't mean you're forced into anything."

Leandra crossed her arms, thinking carefully. "So, the bond makes us feel this... pull, but we still decide how to move forward? Is that why it feels so intense sometimes?"

Sultan's eyes softened. "Yes. The bond amplifies everything. Your emotions, your instincts—they're all heightened. It's why being apart can feel... unbearable. But it also strengthens everything between us. Trust, loyalty, protection. And once we've fully accepted the bond, it becomes even stronger."

Leandra's heart raced as she absorbed his words. There was something comforting about knowing that she had a choice, that the bond didn't control her. But simultaneously, the intensity of what Sultan was describing was overwhelming.

"And what about being Luna?" Leandra asked, her voice quieter now. "You said it comes with responsibilities, with leadership. But... how do you know I'm even right for that? What if I can't handle it?"

Sultan stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "Because I've seen who you are, Leandra. I've seen how you care for others and step up when things get hard. You're a healer, a protector. That's what the pack needs. They don't just need strength—someone who can guide them, someone with compassion. You already have that."

Leandra shook her head, her insecurities bubbling to the surface. "But I'm not like you. I don't know anything about leading a pack, about your world. What if I fail?"

"You won't," Sultan said firmly. "You'll learn just like you've learned everything else. And you'll have me by your side. We're partners in this, Leandra. The pack looks to the Alpha for strength, but they look to the Luna for balance and wisdom. You have both, even if you don't see it yet."

Leandra was silent for a long moment, the weight of his words sinking in. There was so much she didn't know and still had to figure out. But Sultan believed in her, giving her the strength to keep going.

"I'll try and see where this bond takes us," she said, quiet but steady. "I'll do my best."

Sultan's lips curved into a small smile, his pride in her clear. "That's all I ask."