Chapter Fifty-One His

"You know it's funny, Alpha, when you stand outside a woman's window, patiently waiting to catch a glimpse of her; it's creepy. However, it's romantic if you are standing at the bottom of your stairs, doing the same thing." Neal said from the couch in my living room. I rolled my eyes and walked back over to stand near him. I flipped my wrist to check the time, noting we needed to leave in about 10 minutes to be there on time.

"You can be fashionably late, brother." Finn teasingly raised one eyebrow, then swung his legs over the arm of the chair he occupied. He had a small rectangular gift in his arms that held my attention momentarily. I was already on edge, but Finn's relaxed manner was sending me over it.

"Finn, no drinking tonight. You are guarding Nyx, and you need to take it seriously!" I growled.

His face fell, and in a more serious tone than I've ever heard from my younger brother, he stated, "I know, Alpha. I will protect her even at the cost of my own life."

Hugo stepped forward, and I barely caught an emotion on his face before he masked it, "It won't come to that. We are well aware of our duties, Alpha."

I realized I was unnecessarily overstepping and started to rough my hand through my hair when Aurora's voice stopped me, "Bro! Don't you even think about messing up that hair. I know Finn spent way too much time styling!"

"Whatever! Are you two almost rea--" My voice failed me as I turned to see Nyx at the top of the stairs. Her teal eyes met mine with a bashfulness I'd never seen before. I couldn't tell in this lighting if the blush that darkened her cheekbones was hers or makeup. My eyes roved over her body, taking in the ringlet curls that cascaded from a braided crown and the curves of her neck and shoulder that led the way to an A-frame midnight black silky long-sleeve dress. As Nyx began to take a step down the stairs, the skirt of her dress swished side to side, glimmering with embroidered silver leaf patterns on navy silk. I drank in her long legs, remembering how they felt wrapped around my waist. I admired the way her heels brought her closer to me, begging me to fuck her in them and nothing else. I moved to the bottom of the stairs just as she came to the last step, our heights almost matching.

Nyx took in a shaky breath. She fidgeted with the ends on her sleeves, pulling the little rings attached to the fabric up over her middle finger and back off. "Do you like it? I asked Aurora what your colors were, and she said these ones. I hope--"

"I'm sorry. I think I forgot how to breathe for a second there." I whispered. Nyx's cheeks grew even redder, and I knew now that was her natural blush. She bit her lip shyly and glanced at everyone else in the room. I smiled, yanking her hand gently. She leaned into me and kissed her forehead, careful not to mess up the hair pinned there. I leaned next to her ear so no one else could read my lips, "We can skip the party. Let me get rid of everyone else here, and I'll show you exactly how beautiful you are, my goddess."

Nyx giggled awkwardly, then replied shyly, "We should be going, or we will be late, right?"

Before she could move, I ran my fingertips up her arm, across her shoulder, and over the exposed Claim Mark. A small shutter shook her body, and My wolf stood at attention with a satisfied sigh. I could faintly smell my woodsy wolf scent, and it calmed something profound inside. I knew it was incomplete, but even this much would be an uproar tonight. I wanted Nyx to show everyone she is with me, but I knew it had to be her choice. I would never make that mistake again. Nyx's breath began to hitch, and her voice became sultry, "Do you want me to cover it up?"

*No!* I felt that possessive feeling erupt and used all my willpower to sound casual, "Do you want to cover it up? If it is exposed, then the entirety of my world will know that you are mine. Cover it if you do not want that, and we will wait. Either choice is yours, and I'll respect it."

Nyx smiled, cupping my chin, and commanded, "Tell everyone I am your Luna."

My heart leaped into my throat, and it took all my strength not to fist the air screaming yes. Instead, I took a calming breath. "Are you sure this is the path you want to take?"

"Yes. I want to be your Luna." She smiled fondly, and I tried not to let my heart think that meant she loved me. There are a million and one reasons she could want me to claim her, and love was not a requirement. I saw that firsthand with my mother. Nyx had never said I love you back. But her choice had to mean something.

"That's it! We are staying here!" I grunted as I wrapped my arm around her waist and picked her up flush against my chest.

I took one stair when Neal's voice stopped me. "Alpha. We must get going; however, do you want to give Luna her gift now?"

Nyx's chest heaved in my arms as her eyes dilated with lust. I had to force myself to set her back down, giving a small kiss and reaching for the gift box Neal held up. Nyx opened it and gasped. I pulled the necklace out and set it flat in my palm. The intricate arrowhead design was open in the middle and sharp on the bottom point. The feather pattern on each side of the design coincidently matched the silvery leaf patterns on her dress. "Ollie, this is stunning!"

"And practical," Hugo grumbled from across the room.

I laughed at Nyx's confused expression. I pointed to the end, ensuring that Nyx followed my explanation, "This is a pure silver pendant. It's also been blessed in silver, and the tip is enchanted with wolfsbane. It's what the leaf pattern is."

"They almost look like snowflakes, similar to my dress." Nyx glanced up at me and everyone else in the room, her face donning that suspicious look, "You're not joking, are you? Silver truly harms werewolves?"

Hugo grunted, "Yes. Werewolves are cursed humans, so the silver burns them. The wolfsbane is poison to both Lycan and werewolves alike, so if you even scratch one of us with that tip, it will do some serious damage."

Nyx's eyes widened as Hugo explained, then set into a determined expression. I hooked my finger into the hole at the base and showed her how to use the point to stab at someone. My tone became stern, "If you are ever in trouble and one of us cannot save you, grab onto it like this and punch as hard as you can."

"Like brass knuckles? That shouldn't be too difficult." Nyx shrugged, but I could see the apprehension in her expression.

"Yes, just like brass knuckles." I laughed, trying to ease her worries. I tossed the empty box on the stairs, sliding the necklace over her head. I made sure it was a bit longer so she could take it off over her head if need be. Nyx studied the pendant in her fingers, putting it between her knuckles as I showed her. She ran her finger down the sharp edge and tilted her head toward me.

"Do I need to worry about this injuring me?"

Neal chuckled, "Your deity powers protect that from slicing you. Also, silver and wolfsbane will not harm you. Be aware that it takes time for the poison to work."

Nyx grinned at me, grabbed my lapels, and kissed me hard. When she pulled back, she smoothed down the front of my jacket, her fingers sliding over my brooch. Her eyes widened in curiosity. "Instead of a crown, I wear this to symbolize my status. It's weird to wear a crown in modern times, but this is more subtle."

"That makes sense. Is this one enchanted, too?" She asked. I winked in affirmation, which made Nyx giggle. "It's weird to me that you are some sort of king. Do I have to bow to you or call you by my lord or something?"

"You can call me whatever you want. As my mate, you have free range over your life."

"I've got this, Ollie."

She didn't need to reassure me; I knew Nyx was everything I would ever need and so much more.