His Reluctant Luna novel Chapter 30

Alice

The kitchen was a whirlwind of activity. Pans were flying in and out of the large ovens, piles of vegetables were being washed, chopped, and diced, and enormous amounts of meat was being prepared ready to be grilled. During one of Katherine's trips around the kitchen, I have had enough. I was supposed to sit and relax, but I was never the one to sit around when there was work to be done. Moreover, after our scorching kiss in front of the pack, everyone's mood seemed to have lightened, and they were all ready to party.

Taking a spare apron off the rack, I joined a girl chopping onions. It was a few minutes before the girl realized I was there. Wide-eyed, she dropped her knife and just stared.

"What?" I asked.

"Madam Luna, you are not supposed to do this work," the girl stammered. 

I smiled, "I want to help," and continued chopping.

The girl just continued to stare.

"Come on, get back to work," I said to her. The girl immediately joined back. I asked her name, she said she was Meg, an omega who worked in the kitchen.

I could sense Lucian and immediately turned towards him. He was smiling at me from across the giant kitchen. I smiled back at him. 

"Alice, you are Alpha's mate," Katherine exclaimed, clearly in shock.

"Well, if that means I'm not supposed to cook I should warn you, not only do I cook, but I also clean up the dishes," I winked at her.

Katherine's eyes practically popped from her head, and the girl next to me shrieked, nearly falling from her seat. Katherine and Rain burst into laughter. 

"I'm so glad, you are such fun," Rain gushed. 

I looked at her and frowned. 

"Rain, you smell funny, somehow different." 

She blushed," I am pregnant." She said shyly.

"Oh wow! Congratulations, Rain, this is spectacular news. Does Damon know?" I asked conspiratorially, leaning forward.

She nodded shyly. 

"That is good, he must ask Lucian to give him some slack. You need him more." I said, feeling good about everything. It was fun talking and planning for the barbecue with the girls. Much better than being locked up in the room upstairs.

The barbecue was in full swing. Wolves filled the clearing eating, talking, laughing. Children ran wild, weaving between the adults as they played.

I was shocked by how warmly I was received as I moved among different groups. Most of the people wanted to meet me, talk to me, and touch me. Only to recoil in fear with Lucian's stern look.

I could see Lucian smiling proudly at his pack when something small flew out of the crowd and latched onto his leg. 

"Uncle Lucian" the little girl cried happily, "your mate is pretty," the little cherub with red curls said glancing at me.

"Who is this," I asked, crouching down next to the girl of around 5 who was now hiding bashfully behind his legs.

"This is my dessert," he growled quietly, picking her up and pretending to take a bite out of the giggling pup. 

I laughed, he looked adorable with kids. He would make a wonderful father, the unexpected thought flashed in my mind. Shaking the thought from my mind, I turned my attention back to the pup Lucian was tickling.

"Hello dear, what's your name?" I asked the little girl.

"I am Sherry," she cried happily.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sherry. I'm Alice," Sherry launched herself into my arms and took a tentative sniff. A tall, lean woman soon arrived holding a toddler a few years younger than Sherry. He had the same shock of red hair as Sherry. The woman had dark hair and green eyes, just like Lucian. I instantly recognized her as Lucian's sister.

She grinned at me, "Hi I am Lenora; Lucian's sister and that munchkin is my daughter." She said with a gesture towards the bundle wrapped in my arms.

"Looks like she already likes you." 

"She is pretty and smells nice," Sherry said happily, hopping in my arms.

I had met Lenora briefly at the beach party; however, I did not know then that her brother would turn out to be my mate.

"Nice to meet you, Lenora," I smiled politely. 

"And this is Matt. Don't you want to say hi to your new aunt?" Lenora coaxed.

Matt turned away from his mother's shoulder, where he had been hiding behind her glossy curls. His large blue eyes widened as he saw me and blinked his long lashes. I gave a small wave. "Hi there."