Von
I stood at the head of the long oak table in the council room, my knuckles white as I leaned over the maps. My wolf was already pacing, clawing at the insides of my ribs.
"I'm sending Cole," I said, glaring at the people at the table. "He's my Beta, he's a high-ranking member of this pack, and he knows the trade routes better than I do. He can sign the treaties."
"With all due respect, Alpha," Elder Gregori sighed, not looking the least bit intimidated.
"This isn't a trade dispute. This is a summit of the Seven Great Packs. If our Alpha doesn't show his face, the others will smell blood. They'll think you're weak, or that you're hiding. You have to go."
"I don't have to do a damn thing," I snapped, the wood of the table groaning under my palm.
"Von," Cole said, his voice calm from the side of the room. He leaned against the stone wall, his arms crossed.
"He's right. If you don't go, the North will use it as an excuse to push the boundary lines. It's five days. Just five days."
I let out a breath turning away from them. I hated them. I hated the crown. I hated anything that required me to breathe air that didn't carry the scent of my Cece.
Once the council dismissed, the heavy doors thudded shut, leaving just me, Cole, and my younger brother, Nico.
"I hate this," I muttered, moving to the sideboard to pour a coffee I didn't even want.
"I hate leaving my Cece. Especially now. She's been so soft lately. So clingy in the best way. I can't stand the thought of her being here all alone for five days."
Cole made a gagging sound, rolling his eyes toward the ceiling. "Okay, first of all, that is my little sister you're talking about. Gross! Second of all, you've been married for two years, man. The honeymoon phase was supposed to end eighteen months ago."
"It's not a phase," I growled, cutting him a look that would have made a lesser wolf flinch but he just snorted. "I adore her. Every second I'm away from her feels like I'm losing oxygen."
"Spoken like a true poet," Nico piped up, grinning as he tossed a pen into the air and caught it with his mouth.
He was lounging in one of the chairs, looking entirely too relaxed. "Maybe you can write her a poem while you're at the summit. 'Oh, Celia, your hair is brown, I'm sad I have to wear this crown.'"
"Shut up, Nico," I muttered.
"Five days of stale meeting rooms, arrogant Alphas, and being trapped in a car with the both of you instead of my wife. It's going to be a nightmare."
"Trust me, Von, the feeling is mutual. I'd much rather stay here and run the border than watch you mope over my sister for seven hundred miles." Cole rolled his eyes again.
I would pluck his eyes out by now if it wasn't the same beautiful brown shade as my Celia's.
"Look," Nico said, flipping his feet down to the floor. "If you're going to be this miserable, why don't we just bring her along? Celia loves a road trip, and you won't have to look like you're attending your own funeral the whole time."
Cole straightened up instantly, his brow furrowing. "No. Absolutely not."
"Why not?" Nico shrugged. "She's the Luna. It's her right."
The thought of a dozen other Alphas, the predators, getting a glimpse of her made my wolf snarl. I could already see it, the way they'd watch her, the way their eyes would travel over her curves, the way they'd lust after her beauty.
"Cole's right," I continued, my grip tightening on my cup. "Those men are like hungry beasts. If one of them looks at her with anything other than respect, there will be bloodshed. I'll tear their throats out before the greetings are exchanged."
Cole nodded solemnly. "He's right. She's too precious to be a target in that room. Better she stays here, safe in the pack."
"Fine. Fine," Nico held up his hands in surrender. "Celia is literally the only fun one but I'll tolerate you two. So it's just us and Von's broken heart. It's going to be a fun trip."
I ignored him, my mind already drifting back to her. I needed to see her. I needed to feel her heartbeat against mine one last time before I left and left my soul behind.
"Nico, pack my stuff," I grumbled, heading for the door. "The sooner we leave, the sooner I can get back to her."
I stood in the kitchen doorway for a long minute, just breathing her in. Celia was humming a sweet melody, her back to me as she helped a young Omega girl arrange some wildflowers in a vase.
She looked like a dream in that blue dress, her chocolate hair running down her back in soft waves. To the pack, she was the brilliant Luna. But to me, she was the most precious thing I had to protect. The Omega finished and scurried off with a giggle, leaving my girl alone.
I moved silently, making no sound on the tile, then reached around her waist, catching her by surprise, and lifted her off the floor. She let out a soft gasp, her hands instantly flying to my forearms. I twirled her around, her laughter ringing through the quiet kitchen.
I wish I could seal us in this moment, her in my arms laughing as I twirled her around. It's just too perfect.
When I set her down, I walked her back until she hit the pantry wall, pinning her there with the weight of my body. My hands came up to cup her face, my thumbs caressing her cheeks as I kissed her softly.
"Von," she breathed against my lips, her eyes wide when I finally pulled back.
"You're early! Oh, I was just telling Sarah that we should walk down to the meadow today. The lilies are starting to open and I wanted to show you—"
My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a cold hand. I leaned my forehead against hers, my eyes closing tight. "Cece baby, I can't. The council won't let Cole go in my place. I have to leave for the summit tonight. It's going to be five days."
The light in her eyes flickered, and sadness took over that nearly broke my resolve. But then she took a breath, her expression smoothing instantly. She straightened the collar of my shirt, her fingers small against my chest.
"Then you must go. You're the Alpha, and the pack needs you."
"I hate it," I rasped, pulling her into a crushing hug. I buried my face in her hair, inhaling her beautiful scent. I adored her so much it was a physical ache.
She held me tight, her head resting on my chest. After a long moment, she looked up at me, her brown eyes suddenly glazed with tears.
"Von, please. Don't go. I have this... this heavy feeling in my heart. Like something bad is going to happen."
I felt a chill, but I forced a smile, kissing her forehead, her nose, and then her lips one last time.
"It's just the stress, my moon-beam. I've doubled the guards. Cole and Nico are coming with me, and I'll call you every single day. Morning and night. I promise."
"Okay, I love you. I'll miss you." She mumbles softly, giving me a tight smile.
I kissed her again, for a long while, before I finally forced myself to step away. I walked toward the car where the boys were waiting, feeling like a part of me was being ripped out of my chest, leaving my heart behind in a blue dress.