***Genevieve POV ***
I got up and walked out of the office, wanting to follow Hilda, to say good luck. Hilda was walking over to a backpack, and I was surprised to see the bag all packed. I asked how Hilda knew we wanted to talk to her, plus how did she know she would be leaving?
“Your Grace, you are not the only one around here with powers.” And bowing her head toward me, Hilda stepped out the front door of the pack house. Going back into the office to let them know that Hilda had left, I saw Jonas, Phil and Gregory all standing around the desk talking. As Rosemary was still sitting down, I made her way over to her.
When I sat, Rosemary immediately put her arms around me and asked if I was okay.
“I think I am?” I said unsure of my feelings. “Want to talk about it?” Rosemary said gently. Not sure where to start but knowing that I needed to talk to someone else I began “It’s just, none of you asked for this, how can you all be so calm about what you’ve just heard? I'm like some sort of freak, I’m sure you didn’t want that for a daughter-in-law, I mean, look at me. I’m a mess, you don’t know the full extent of my abilities and yet you open your arms to me and love me as soon as I invade your pack lands. And talking about the pack, who will ever fully accept me as their Luna when they know I will have all the other stuff to worry out? I may not have the time I should have to invest fully into this pack. Will they want me then? I bet when they all find out about it, about me, they will wish they had just a normal Luna”.
I was breathless when I finished what I was saying, as it all came tumbling from my lips. Rosemary looked concerned and was about to address what I had said when Phil walked over.
“Hey now, whoa, is that what you think? Really? Sweetheart, you are not a freak and you are anything but a mess. We will stand by you always, the Goddess made you who you are, and we are blessed just to stand in your presence”.
I had tears in my eyes when Phil finished speaking. Looking at her mate, Rosemary gave him a watery smile and said to me, “I couldn’t have said that any better than you did” and she stood up and walked over to Phil. Slipping her arm into his, the look they gave each other was so filled with love.
I felt I should look away like I interrupted them during a private moment. But, Rosemary held out one arm for me to join the embrace.
Gregory asked to be dismissed while giving me a quick bow. I nodded to acknowledge his respect. And smiled at him, letting him know he was allowed to leave.
Jonas walked over to his mother and gently tried to pry me from her arms. But Rosemary slapped his hand away and told him to continue doing whatever he was doing. The only problem was, Jonas didn’t just want to talk to me, I could tell he wanted to hold me. Even though it had only been a few minutes since we sat together listening to Hilda, it still seemed like days.
Seeing his crestfallen face made me smile, so I gently moved out of Rosemary’s embrace and went into his waiting arms. Jonas buried his face in my neck and stayed that way for a few minutes. The whole time I whispered to him, giving him the support I knew he needed. What they had all heard over the last few days was life-changing. It was going to be hard work. Not to mention the emotional toll it was going to be on every member of their pack.
Jonas pulled away from my neck but didn’t let me go. With a determined sigh, Jonas looked at the three most important people in his life. “Are we all ready for what is to come? Mom, Dad, I will understand if you’d rather disappear and not be involved.” Looking concerned at his parents, he saw his father stand up straight and square his shoulders.
“You may have the title of grand alpha, but remember who you got it from. We will do what is necessary to protect this pack. As the Grand Alpha, you are of course responsible for all of our kind. Just like I was, when you have that much power, it doesn’t simply leave you. My decision to step back and bestow the title on you is because I believed you were stronger than I was both physically and mentally. Don’t get me wrong, I knew I was a good Grand Alpha, but you are a great Grand Alpha and that is the difference''.
Jonas looked shocked at what his father just said. He looked at both his parents, “I understand the honour and privilege of what you have given me. Dad and I have always and will always give thanks to the moon goddess for the strength of our bloodline, and I am honoured and humbled for you to say that I am stronger than you were. I don't believe that though, you have guided me, you have admonished me, and you have loved me unconditionally, both of you. I can assure you that with this beautiful woman by my side, I will succeed in whatever destiny goddess Selene has chosen to give me. And I promise this to you little wolf. Where you go, I follow whatever you say I will obey, but whenever you need me to be your alpha, you can count on me''.
I looked at Jonas as he brushed away a tear that had fallen from my eyes. “I love you, Jonas Quint, always remember that I love you above anything else”. Pulling me back into a hard embrace, we clung onto each other, almost fearing what was to come, but knowing that we needed to be strong. Not just for us, but for our pack and every pack.
***Jonas POV***
“We need to call a pack meeting, everyone must attend. I will send out the command. We will all gather in the clearing by the moonstone, do you all agree?” I looked around at them all, and when everyone nodded in agreement, I sent the command. I knew there would be questions. I only ever called a total pack meeting when there was news to be shared, good or bad. I fully intended to answer as many questions as possible.
I also knew that Genni was going to have to address the pack too, and I had complete faith in her. I just hoped the more outspoken wolves in our pack, the ones I would have to use my Alpha aura to get them to fall into line would give Genni the benefit of the doubt. I was sure they would listen to Genni, but what they would all think was a different matter.
Excusing themselves, Mom and Dad left the office. Finding ourselves alone for the first time all morning, I kissed my mate. What was supposed to be a gentle loving kiss quickly turned into something deeper when Genni pulled my head forward and deepened the kiss.
***Genevieve POV***
The only thought in my head at the moment was this was heaven. I eased up on the kiss and started nibbling his bottom lip, running my tongue across it after each little bite. Jonas groaned deep in his throat, and I knew I was driving him wild with desire. Breaking off the kiss and smiling at Jonas’s groan, I walked to the door and turned the key. I could hear his heartbeat start to race as I strolled back to him, and felt a shiver run up my spine when I could see how dark his eyes had gone.
Jonas raised his brows as he wondered what I was going to do next. He was taken aback when I started pushing him backwards past his desk, so he felt the back of his knees touch his office chair.
I gently pushed him into the chair, hopping back out of reach so he couldn't pull me to him.
I loved that his eyes widened when he realised I didn't want to sit in his lap.
I had another idea I was just bursting to try out!!