Chapter 28

Luna Kate POV:

18 years later We have guests coming today. Belle insists on having Aria a birthday party every year, but this year is special. Alpha Sebastian has decided to step down as Alpha, and Aria is taking his place at the tender age of 18. Belle is more excited for him than I think he is excited for himself.

Belle and Aria are best friends. The two are inseparable and have been since Aria was born. Best friends and destined to be together. We all know, but we do not discuss it or push it. We let them lead the way on what is in their hearts. If the Weeping Wolf was right about the two of them, it will happen in its own time.

"Belle," I call out to her.

I need her help, but she is preoccupied with making sure she looks perfect today. She is perfect. She does not have to try. Her long black hair and dark olive skin make her look like a goddess.

Sometimes people ask why she has not chosen a mate, and she always answers in time I will. Wolves have asked Alpha Erick if they could date Belle, and he always says no for her, so she does not have to be the one to hurt anyone's feelings. She has no interest in anyone except hanging out with her best friend, Aria, when she can. She is several years older than Aria, which may be why the two have never said anything. I wonder if it will happen today on his eighteenth birthday.

Chan, Levi, Katherine, and Claudia will be here today. Levi, Chan, and Claudia are all three in college but will be here to help with this huge event. Katherine is never far from me. She chose not to go to college and to be here with me, learning under the pack doctor as a nurse. She will leave eventually to complete her studies, but Katherine does not like to be away from home for long. She will need somewhere close to attend school.

Claudia and Levi both attend a school up north. They wanted to be somewhere that people did not know they were the Alpha's children and just be normal. We understood and made all the arrangements so they could just be teenagers in college instead of the children of the Alpha or the Imperial Wolf descendant. Claudia never developed any powers, and neither did Chan. I am thankful for that. I know it made their lives easier.

"Belle," I call out to her again.

"Yes, mother," she says, seemingly to appear out of nowhere.

I look over my shoulder to her standing behind me. "You scared me," I snap at her.

"We have a mind link; use it," she says, laughing. She is such a smartass at times.

Alpha Erick comes into the kitchen. He looks at Belle, who is dressed in a way we are not used to seeing her. We get jeans and tee shirts. She is beautiful no matter what she does, but when Aria visits, she goes out of the way to look beautiful.

"You look beautiful, Belle," Alpha Erick says.

Belle rolls her eyes as I continue to work on the food. "Can you find Maggie for me? I need her to take over so I can get ready, please," I ask Belle.

Maggie dashes into the kitchen. "Sorry, Luna. I was braiding Belle's hair. Andrea and Chas are both coming to help me finish getting everything ready for the party. I believe Andrea is bringing a few more with her to serve the meal," Maggie says.

"Thank you," I say. I shoot Belle a look as she takes Alpha Erick into the office to talk. I wonder what is so important for the two of them to talk without me. It is actually the norm over the years. They are close and have always kept secrets from me; at least, they thought they did. Sometimes Belle forgets to block me, and I can hear what they say. Not that I am trying; it is just there.

I go upstairs to my bedroom to get dressed for the party. I hear the bedroom door open and turn to see Alpha Erick standing at the door. He looks a little worried.

"What is it?" I ask him. He walks to me slowly. He is thinking. His eyes wander the room, and he tries to think of the best way to tell me what is on his mind. "Is it Belle?" I question him.

"Do not get upset," Alpha Erick says.

I shake my head and continue getting dressed. Every time Belle is upset me, she goes to Alpha Erick to run interference. "Belle lives to upset me. So, what is it now?" I ask Alpha Erick.

He begins laughing. "No, Belle does not. You two are so much alike that you butt heads, that is all," Alpha Erick says, laughing almost hysterically.

I stop getting dressed to focus on the conversation. "First and foremost, she is like you, not me. No way I am that stubborn, and secondly, I never do anything to upset her. She enjoys tormenting me," I say.

"She saw the Weeping Wolf and Rainwater this morning. They told her it is time to select her mate," Alpha Erick says.

I sit down on the bed. Well, it probably is time. I know Belle waited because her mate is five years younger than her. "Is it Aria?" I ask.

Alpha Erick walks to the bed and sits down beside me. "We both know it is. They are best friends, and they have waited their entire lives to be together," Alpha Erick says.

I cannot help but cry. Belle is my baby. "I guess she is not my baby anymore, is she?" I ask.

Alpha Erick puts his arm around me. "No, she is not. At least, you never have to worry about Katherine leaving you. She hates to leave you to go to work," Alpha Erick says. He looks over at me, smiles, and then leans down and kisses my lips.

"At least one of the kids wants to be home with us. Katherine will never leave the house," I say.

Alpha Erick pulls me close to him. "We have time before our guest arrives to…" he begins to say but is interrupted.

"MOM!" Katherine yells up the stairs.

I chuckle. "Tonight, after all of these people leave, I am all yours, Alpha," I say.

The steps grow louder, and Katherine comes into the bedroom. "Mom," Katherine calls out to me.

"I am getting ready for the party and talking to your dad," I say.

"I invited Kai to the party as my date. Is that okay?" Katherine asks.

"Kai is the pack doctor's grandson, right?" Alpha Erick asks.

"Yes, I met him today, and he is dreamy," Katherine says. My mouth drops open. I am losing all of my children. It should not break my heart to see them grow, but it does.

"It is fine," Alpha Erick says. I am left speechless.

"Thanks, Dad," Katherine says. She goes back out of the bedroom, leaving me to think about what just happened. Nothing happened, she only asked if she could bring a date to the party.

"What will I do when they all leave?" I ask Alpha Erick.

He pulls me close to him. "You will focus on me," Alpha Erick says.

"Well, I can do that now," I say.