A Luna's Alpha

A Luna's Alpha
One Week Later

“Something’s wrong with Luna.”

Kano heard his wolf say as he sat in his groom’s suite. Jolting, he hurriedly rushed down the hall, throwing up his hand to Cayden, who eyed him curiously. Knocking on the bridal suite door, he could hear the drum of his quickened heart in his ears.

“Belle. Are you in there?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied, her voice low.

Covering his mouth, he tried his best to calm his nerves. “Is everything alright?”

“Yes.”

“She’s lying.” His wolf grunted angrily, and Kano knocked again.

“Do me a favor, okay? Put your hand over your heart for me.”

“O-okay,” she murmured back through the closed door. Looking up at the ceiling, she wiped her teary eyes. “Communicate?”

“Please. I may not understand, but I promise to try.”

Laying on the bed, Essence let out a deep breath. “I can’t walk,” she said finally. “I’m having a bad flare-up, and I know I should have told you, but then you would have postponed the wedding, and I really, really want to marry you today. I had Ericka give me my steroids—and they’ve helped a lot—but this morning I couldn’t move my right leg and I just couldn’t stop crying. I’m sorry… I’m ruining today.” She looked down at the bed. “Kano?” Hearing silence, she shook her head. He’s mad at me.

“I can see that mind of yours going a mile a minute.”

Essence jumped the moment she heard his voice in the room. “How did you—”

He pointed to the wall behind him. “Secret entrance.”

Avoiding his eyes, she looked out the large window. “It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”

“I think it’s a worse start to a marriage not being there when she needs you.” Kano sat on the bed beside her and pulled her into his arms. Before he could say another word, he heard his wolf once again.

“She’s not telling everything.”

He pulled away from her. “Is there something else you need to tell me?”

“No!”

“Essence,” he replied sternly.

“Fucking snitch.” Her wolf grunted, causing her to laugh.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to laugh, it’s just”—she pointed to her chest—“she’s pretty pissed with your wolf right now for telling.”

Kano’s eyes gleamed in amusement. “Yeah, he can feel that too, and he’s not sorry.” He grabbed her hands. “Now, will you please tell me what else is being hidden?”

Fidgeting with her fingers, she slowly pointed to a little white box on the counter. “I was going to give it to you later.” Hearing her, he tilted his head in curiosity. Grabbing the box, he slowly removed the blue ribbon. Pulling off the lid, he stared at the positive pregnancy test. His eyes shot up to her, and she rubbed the back of her neck. “You know, we have been a little more carefree since the coronation, and well—don’t look at me like that! You’re the one who knocked me up! Twice!” she panicked.

An enormous smile slowly plastered itself on Kano’s face. “This is incredible,” he said, clasping her face between his hands.

“You’re really happy?”

“Ecstatic,” he replied, kissing her. “I get to be by your side. I get to support you and watch Kanon take to becoming a big sister. This means the world to me, honestly.” For all the years they would be together, Essence would never forget the look of pure love that spread across his face. Giving her a gentle peck on the lips, he stood. “Alright, now that we’ve communicated, shall we get married?”

“But I can’t walk, remember?”

Kano nodded and went and opened the door.

“We got you covered, Luna,” Ericka said as she, Anastasia, Brenda, and Rafael appeared in the doorway. Taking a step back, she produced a white wheelchair with beautiful gold trim. Watching Essence grab her chest, she smirked. “Alpha had it made for you a week ago as a precaution.”

“Wha—” Essence’s mouth dropped and Ericka mouthed,

“I didn’t tell him, promise.”

Her eyes locked with Kano’s, who returned to her and gave her a small smile. “I will never make the mistake of not paying attention again.” He chuckled lightly. “Though admittedly I did miss the baby, but being dolled up to become a husband is a lot of work for an alpha.” He grabbed her hands. “I really, really want to get married to you today too, Essence, but if you wish to wait until—” She grabbed him and kissed him deeply, making him laugh. “I take that as we’re getting married today. I’m sure you all will help her get dressed... though you could always wear this,” he said, tugging at her pink terry-cloth robe. “It’s really doing something to me.”

“Get out!” she shouted, playfully swatting him. Pecking her lips, Kano left the suite.

“I’m really happy for you E, we all are,” Brenda said, smiling widely.

As they all helped her into her dress, Essence looked from Brenda to Ericka. “You’re miserable, they’re miserable. I know neither of you wants to share what happened and I respect that…it’s just you all seemed so great together,” she said hesitantly.

“Never mind that. What’s done is done, and today is about you!” Ericka replied with as much excitement as she could muster. It was a special day, and she didn’t want to think about the pain of not being with her mate. She smiled. “You deserve all this and more. Blood Moon is so fortunate to have you. You’re a great luna for them, and I just know that you all are going to continue to change things for the better.”

A feeling of dread coursed through Essence. “Why did you say them as if you’re not included?”

“A verbal slip. I’ve been a rogue for a long time, E. I’m still adjusting, that’s all,” Ericka quickly replied, looking at Brenda.

The feeling continued to grow, and Essence noticed Rafael and Anastasia both at the same level of concern. “You’re sure that’s all it was?” she continued to press.

“Yes, of course.” Clapping her hands together, Ericka wiped her eyes. “You’re all done, and you look absolutely radiant.”

Helping her into the wheelchair, Rafael pushed Essence over to the tall mirror. Her lips parted as she looked at her reflection. “Wow…” she murmured at the major transition.

Rafael had worked wonders on her makeup and hair, working it into an updo that allowed curls to strategically frame her face. Her dress was as unique as the relationship she shared with Kano. The golden roses that etched themselves along the ivory form fitting dress and attached cape made her eyes swell with tears. She loved it. She felt beautiful, and it paired so well with her chair, she no longer cared she was in it. She clung to the sides of the chair, and tried her best not to cry. “I can’t believe I’m getting married today,” she said, low. Her eyes traveled down to the topaz ring on her finger. The single rose petal stared back at her as if reassuring her it wasn’t going anywhere. Her heart quickened and a huge smile formed on her face. “Okay, I’m ready,” she said excitedly.



For the second time, all of Blood Moon found themselves beyond excited about a royal wedding that they’d been personally invited to. Their alpha dressed in his royal robes, paced the purple runner, his nerves getting the best of him. The beautiful gold trimming that lined the pews of the church were probably the only thing keeping him steady and reminding him to breathe.

“And Gregory is going to push the chair, correct?” Kano whispered to Cayden for the thousandth time as they stood at the altar, waiting for Essence to arrive.

“Yes, Kano. He’s happy to do so. Your nerves are completely shot.”

The clock seemed to bellow in Kano’s ears along with everything else around. The longer he stood, the more his nervousness grew, and he began to feel lightheaded. His face reddened. “You know, earlier I was fine, but now I’m about five seconds from racing to her suite and carrying her over my shoulder to ensure she won’t change her mind.”

“Don’t be a beast, Adam,” Cayden said smugly. “The days of clubbing a woman and taking her back to your cave are over.”

“Fucking hell, I’m going to vomit,” Kano said, holding his stomach before giving a mortified look to the preacher for cursing. “Sorry.”

“I think we can allow one slip. It is a big day for you,” the preacher replied, his eyes gleaming in amusement.

Cayden folded his lips to keep from laughing. “You look positively terrified. Have you gotten cold feet?”

“No!” Kano shouted, causing the room to silence. “Oh, fuc—” He inhaled sharply to keep from cursing again. “I haven’t changed my mind. I’m happy and absolutely petrified.” He grabbed his brother’s shoulders. “I know we jest a lot, but really, do you think I’ll be an okay husband?”

Cayden looked at him incredulously. “You have to be insane to ask me that. Adam, you are the definition of a great man. You’re an amazing brother, loyal friend, dedicated alpha, and a joy to watch as a father. I have no doubt in my mind that you’re going to excel at being her husband because you’ve already excelled at being her friend. I always tell you not to compare because you and Essence have been through so much. It’s been messy, and tough, and yet, you two clung to one another.” He raised his brother’s head. “Keep doing what you’ve been doing, Kano, while remaining your teachable self. You two will be fine—more than fine—because you two were made to do great things together.”

Kano engulfed his brother in a hug. “You and me, always.”

“You and me, always,” Cayden replied, patting his back. Seeing Essence at the top of the aisle, he whispered, “Alpha, turn around. I think all of those nerves are about to leave.”

Releasing Cayden, Kano turned, and his eyes teared immediately the moment he saw his luna. The closer she got, the more his heart felt like it would explode. It had nothing to do with the stunning ivory dress she wore, and it wasn’t because she dyed her hair the same color she had the moment he first laid eyes on her. And while he loved the shoes, and the makeup that highlighted the face he would sometimes stare at while she slept beside him, his tears were really because her entire face brightened the moment she saw him. It was because he could see the pure joy in it as she held her bouquet and mouthed, “I love you.” It was because his daughter bore the same smile and looked with stars in her eyes as she watched it all unfold. His tears were the symbol of an alpha who found a luna who had become the beauty in the beastly hatred that he once knew.

“Wow,” he whispered, feeling Cayden pat him on the back again. Walking down the stage of the altar, he crouched and kissed Essence, causing everyone to laugh.

“Not yet, Kano,” she said, shaking her head. Her eyes tinging, she murmured, “Never mind,” and returned his searing kiss. Losing herself in him, Essence didn’t want to let go. Knowing he was hers made her feel on top of the world, and knowing he felt the same pushed her beyond it. The moment she’d seen his tears every bit of nervousness she had about what type of wife she would be went out the window and was replaced by a smile. A smile that only her favorite song could evoke, even after five years of not hearing his tune. Kano was the definition of good—so much so, he helped her realize that so was she. He was the beautiful different that came into her life, so full of pure love, it poured into their daughter. The two stared at one another, and the preacher cleared his throat.

“Um… Alpha, Luna? Perhaps we should get you married?”

“Oh, shit! Oh, sorry!” Essence shouted. Her face flushed, and she looked at the preacher in horror.

Kano laughed loudly. “God, I love you.”

She pouted. “Love you, too and I’m completely mortified.”

The preacher shook his head. “No worries. Alpha let the f-bomb fly earlier.”

“Tattletale,” Kano said as his face reddened.

Eyes full of amusement, Essence placed her hand in his. “Wedding first?” she asked, smirking. He raised his eyebrows up and down suggestively before they let out a laugh, and excitedly prepared to say I do.