Chapter 54: Ferrin

I smiled as our conversation ended. I wasn’t playing when I said I missed Willa. It was a little sickening how much I missed her. But this was part of getting back to life and responsibilities. It was the first time I realized how many changes I would be making to what was normal to me. Before Willa, my schedule was what I felt like it to be for the most part. Now, I was thinking of ways to ensure it lined up with Willa’s.

“She telling you how fucking awesome she was today?” Austin asked, dropping unceremoniously into a chair.

“No, but should I be surprised?” I replied. “So, it went well?”

“Yeah, she was a natural, as per usual,” Austin confirmed. “Sparred a guy three times her size and took him down in twenty seconds. Just to show it could be done.”

“That sounds like my girl,” I chuckled. “And how is Captain Wendell taking to her?”

“Well enough,” Austin stated. “He seemed about as impressed as everyone else.”

I nodded my approval.

“I was also able to sneak off and get that information you wanted,” he said, pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket and setting it on my desk. “It’s exactly what we need.”

I picked up the paper. Unfolding it, I found the names of three soldiers and their assignments.

“And you’ve called them in already?” I asked.

“They’ll be here tomorrow,” he said.

“Good.”

We needed to deal with our mole problem. We had three patrol guards that we were focusing on. Our mole was one of them. With the names on this list, we could flush out the one we were looking for. Damen joined us as we finalized the dates of our operation. It would require several separate missions with specific parameters to work.

“Okay,” I said about an hour later. “Let’s get these three here and keep them separated. I’ll meet with them to go over their assignments. But we’re done for today.”

I cleared off my desk and walked out with them. Reaching out to Willa, she told me she was still with Lady Petra and Lady Nora. So, I headed in that direction. I was greeted eagerly when I arrived.

“Please, don’t get up,” I told them as I joined Willa, sitting on the arm of her chair. “To what do we owe this pleasure, ladies?”

“Petra and Nora have offered to help plan my Luna ceremony,” Willa told me.

“Really? That’s great to hear,” I said with a smile. “It’s definitely something that needs to get started.”

“We haven’t even set a date yet, Ferrin,” Willa replied.

“That’s true,” I concurred. “How about a month from this Saturday?”

“That would be perfect,” Lady Nora exclaimed.

“A month?” Willa asked incredulously. “Why so soon?”

I laughed. “Why not? You’re not planning on going anywhere, are you?” I teased.

“No, but…” she stammered. “Let’s say two months.”

“Hmm… Six weeks,” I countered.

Willa bit her lip as she looked up at me. I gave her an expectant look.

“Fine,” she sighed, smiling as she rolled her eyes. “Six weeks.”

“Wonderful,” Lady Petra expressed. “That will be plenty of time. And now we can get started on the invitations. I’m sure I can establish a guest list. Just let me know if there is anyone specific you would like me to invite, Your Majesties.”

“Of course, Lady Petra,” I said. “I’m sure Miranda will be able to help you with that as well.”

“Oh, yes,” Lady Nora replied. “She was quite helpful earlier already. We are pleased to be working with her on this.”

I was glad to hear they had included her in these plans. Knowing how much she dotes on Willa and what she means to me, I wouldn’t have this being taken from her. Or Willa. But while I didn’t know Lady Nora that well on a personal level, I had always liked Lady Petra. She was a lively member of the nobility who enjoyed keeping everyone on their toes. Also, being one of my mother’s closest friends before she passed, she was always kind to me and Rebekah growing up.

“Well, I think we’ve taken up enough of your time today,” Lady Petra said as she stood up. “We’ll be on our way, but we’ll reach out to schedule our next get-together.”

They bowed to us with a farewell, and I escorted them out of the library. When I returned to Willa, she was clearing up the table. I shook my head with a grin. She looked beautiful in a light green sundress. Although she looked gorgeous in everything… and nothing.

I came up behind her and hugged her waist.

“Do I get my mate to myself, now?” I asked playfully.

She leaned against me. “I suppose,” she teased.

“I guess you won’t be wanting dinner,” I commented.

“Oh my gosh, I’m starving,” Willa replied eagerly. “I was so nervous to make some kind of etiquette faux pas I barely touched a thing.”

I chuckled. “Okay, good,” I said, taking her hand and leading her out, “because I’m hungry, too.”

Willa paused. “For food, right?” she inquired humorously. “Because I need sustenance before you start misbehaving.”

“Me?” I replied, mocking shock as I spun her into my arms. “You’re the one always strutting around looking so sexy, trying to seduce me.”

Willa gasped incredulously. “Sir, how dare you accuse me of such naughty behavior?”

“Okay, okay,” I laughed, brushing her hair behind her ear. “How about this — why don’t we go out for dinner?”

“Can we do that?” she asked.

“Of course,” I confirmed. “There’s a nice little place on the edge of town I can take you. Candlelight, wine, a secluded table where you can tell me about your day. You get a great meal, and I get to show you off a bit.”

“Plus, you’ll be more inclined to behave yourself if we’re in public,” she teased.

My lips curled up in a mischievous grin. “More inclined — maybe. But I make no promises.”

I kissed her firmly. Reveling in just how damn happy I was with her.