*Jonas POV*
Through the night and into the early hours of the morning, Genni became restless, tossing and turning, kicking the blankets off, and once sitting bolt upright, I had to coax her to lay back down. As a result, I didn’t get a lot of sleep and this had a knock-on effect, not only on my mood but also on Jax.
I could feel the tension in my wolf and wanted to help, but simultaneously I knew I needed to be there for Genni. Rubbing my hands down my face and yawning wide, I stepped into the kitchen and plonked down on one of the stools that sat by the breakfast bar. Only the Alpha and his innermost circle were allowed to do this. The rest of the pack had to eat in the huge dining room adjacent to the large kitchen.
“Good morning Grand Alpha, what do you want for breakfast this morning?” Martha said as she placed a cup of coffee in front of me. “Shall I keep the coffee coming this morning? You look like you’ve not slept a wink,” grinning slightly as it was common knowledge what newly mated wolves are like.
Martha went back to the range and waited for me to answer her. “I’ll have whatever you’ve made for the rest of the pack, Martha, and yes, please keep the coffee topped up."
I grinned back at Martha, who just nodded her head and set about getting my breakfast. I stretched and gave another huge yawn, trying desperately to wake up enough so I could be effective as the leader of a huge wolf pack.
“You need to go for a run, my friend.” I looked up to see my Beta leaning on the counter “You need to let the beast out, you’ve not had a decent run for a few days now.” Gregory went to Martha and taking the cup out of her offering hand, kissed her on the cheek and came to sit next to his commander and chief. Martha was still chuckling at the kiss when she brought over a huge plate of fresh pancakes, a stack of perfectly cooked bacon, and a large bowl of fluffy yellow scrambled eggs and set the food down between the two of us.
*Martha POV*
Just as I got plates and cutlery for the alpha and beta, the kitchen door opened and Genni stepped into the kitchen. I nearly dropped what I was holding when I saw her. She was just a vision this morning in a pair of jeans and what looked like one of the Alpha’s shirts, which was of course too big for her. But the way the Grand Luna was wearing it made the white shirt look like it had come from a boutique. Preparing myself to meet the new Grand Luna, I squared my shoulders and tried to tamp down the nerves in my stomach. Before I took a step toward her, the Grand Luna walked over to me. I didn’t know what to say, as not that much was known about her, but the Alpha loved her, and that was good enough for me. I had known the Alpha since he was a boy. Watched him grow into the fine young man he is today.
Before I could introduce myself, the Grand Luna walked straight over to me, clasping my hands, and started apologising,
“I'm so sorry about the state of your kitchen this morning. I take full responsibility for it. After the meeting last night, everyone was so hungry I just whipped up a few omelettes”.
I looked at the Grand Luna with incredulous eyes for a few seconds, I was shocked at the casualness and familiarity. I was momentarily stunned at the thought of grand luna using my kitchen to cook something, and then having her apologise for doing it. I replied, “Grand Luna, you are welcome to cook in this kitchen. It is yours, I’m Martha, ma'am, and it would be an honour to cook with you whenever you feel like it”.
Surprising me again, I received a quick hug. Grand Luna was beaming, “Thank you, Martha, it's so nice to meet you. So, I’m not in trouble for messing up your kitchen”?. Shaking my head at the Grand Luna, she carried on, “My old pack cook, Cookie, would go spare if he caught anyone cooking on his ranges, so thank you for the invitation to use your kitchen. I will take you up on that offer as I love to bake”.
I watched as she made her way towards her Mate with a blush on her cheeks. 'Oh to be young and in love' I thought to myself.
*Jonas POV*
Still smiling at Martha, Genni walked over to me. I had stopped eating, to watch the exchange between the two women. I could already see that Martha was going to be wrapped around Genni’s finger, as the older woman could not stop beaming. Holding one of my arms out, I pulled Genni into my side and gave her a sweet peck on the lips, “Good morning mate, I was going to bring some breakfast up to the room for you, you were sleeping so soundly after your restless night I didn’t have the heart to wake you.” As I said this, I had buried my nose in Genni’s neck. As I spoke, I lightly kissed her under the ear. I could feel Genni tremble and hear the small moan escape her lips. I heard a small cough and looked up to see Gregory with a huge grin on his face, ''EWWW, try keeping it in your room, you're making all us unmated guys jealous”. Genni buried her face in my chest, laughing. I hugged her close as Martha scolded Gregory “ you leave them alone now, ya hear! There is nothing wrong with showing affection for your mate and nothing wrong with reacting”, she said, looking at the Grand Luna. “I was the same when my Stanley was alive, never could keep our hands off each other and we never tried to, most natural thing in the world my love” I could see Martha still as she suddenly realised she had called the Grand Luna ‘her love’ Martha blushed slightly and went to bow her head, but before she could Genni said warmly at her “thank you, Martha, us girls need to stick together”. Martha was beaming now and asked if Genni wanted breakfast, 'I'll have what they are eating', and pointed at the plates. Nodding and bringing a plate and cutlery over, she placed them in front of Genni. Normally Martha was only openly affectionate with me, so it was a shock to see her gently cup Genni’s cheek and whisper ‘blessed be'. Martha then spun on her heel and went to clean up.
*Genni POV*
I stared after the older woman and felt so touched by the reception I had received from her that I was humbled. Saying this to Joans and Gregory, the latter shook his head and said “If I may be permitted Grand Luna, it is because you are so humble that anyone who meets you is instantly enthralled by you”. I could feel myself blushing slightly. I thanked Gregory for what he said, not believing it, but it was still nice to hear.
Gregory stood up and told us he was going to go for a run in the forest, before meeting the warriors at 8 am. Raising his eyebrows at his Alpha, I could tell he was mind-linking with him. I could see Jonas nod. I said out loud, 'Can I come or is it boys only? I think Sapphire would love a run in the forest”. I could feel Sapphire’s excitement at the thought of running through the woods with Jax and looking at both men. I waited for the answer when I felt the smile slide off my face as the two men just stared back at me.
“Grand Luna, how did you know what I mind linked to the Grand Alpha? That shouldn’t happen, should it?” Gregory was looking at Jonas now, waiting for an explanation. “It seems your Grand Luna may be getting some of the promised abilities from her Mother,” Jonas said quietly. “We think Genni can hear any wolf at any time and converse with them”. Gregory looked shocked at first, and then, slightly awe-struck, he bowed his head towards me and whispered ‘blessed be’.
I felt a little awkward and tried to explain to Gregory that I didn’t mean to do it. I was sorry, but Gregory wouldn’t hear a word about it. “Please Grand Luna, there is any need to apologise to me. Never”.
“So, what about this run then?” Jonas said, clapping his hands together and breaking the slight tension in the air. We all got up from the breakfast bar and left the kitchen. Jonas led me to a special room where pack members used to take off their clothes and store them so they could shift. It was like a large locker room, but with more lockers than I had ever seen running the length of the wall, floor to ceiling. This time of the morning, there were only a handful of people already in the room. Seeing the Grand Alpha and Luna walk in, they bowed their heads respectfully.
Nodding back, I looked to Jonas as a guide. “This way”, he said after nodding to the pack members, “we don’t change in here”. Leading the way, we walked over to a door with a small sign on it that reads, THIS ROOM IS FOR THE USE OF UPPER PACK MEMBERS ONLY. Opening the door, Gregory held it open so we could walk in, it was very similar to the pack locker room, just smaller. And slightly cleaner, I noticed as I sniffed the air. “Ready” and nodding at Jonas, I started to take off my jeans and shirt. As I slipped off my shoes, I asked where Gregory had gone.
Jonas explained that if the Alpha use this room, then no one else could. Feeling less anxious, I said to my wolf ‘Take it away Sapphire’.
Taking control Sapphire shifted, when Jax had done the same, they both walked out of the door and found they were right next to the tree line of the Empire forest. Jax rubbed the length of his body along the length of Sapphire, licked her muzzle and took off running. Sapphire took off after him, and after meeting with Seb, they all dashed away into the depths of the forest.