#1 The Rise of the Crescent Moon

August

I knew this conversation was coming, but I wasn’t sure when. Probably for the best that we just get all the serious conversations out of the way now so we can enjoy our date night later. I couldn’t believe she actually thought Arlo was unsatisfied with her because she didn’t have a wolf. Arlo nearly leaped out of my head at her words, I was barely holding him in before she decided she wanted to talk to him.

Now, I assumed, she wanted to yell at me for sending a babysitter along on their shopping spree and not giving her the details on the rogue breeches. She was picking at her nails, nervous to talk to me. I reached over and grabbed her hand while keeping the other on the steering wheel.

“You’re mad at me.” I filled the air with her confession. Her head snapped towards me,

“I am not mad.” She pouted. I held back a laugh at her lower lip sticking out.

“Fine, you’re upset at me for sending Ford along on your shopping trip and not telling you all the details on the rogues.” I said, my eyes never leaving the road. She glared at me and my ability to read her mind. Even if I couldn’t mindlink with her and probably never would be able to, I could still sense what my mate was feeling and thinking.

“Kasey told you.” That and Kasey told me. I laughed at her accusation and nodded

“Well I’m not mad. I just want to make myself clear.” She crossed her arms over her chest. Her beautifully exposed chest. Arlo growled and I attempted to focus.

“That you’re not a fragile human, yeah, I’m starting to get that.” I repeated what she so often yelled at me. She glared at me in silence.

“I’m sorry, Jo, you’re right. I have a bad habit of underestimating you and I need to stop. I forget that you’re an Alpha’s daughter and very much capable of taking care of yourself.” Her face softened at my words and I relaxed under her gaze.

“As long as we’re clear.” She mumbled. Clearly I had disrupted what was, very likely, a well thought out speech.

“Feel free to yell at me anyway.” I grinned. She looked up at me with those big green doe eyes that sparkled under her thick eyelashes and I melted as a small smile crept across her lips.

“I’ll save it for some other time.” She giggled, squeezing my hand.

“Did Ford tell you about anything else that happened today?” She asked, picking at her fingers.

“He mentioned you and Kasey had a visitor.” I grumbled, figuring that she would want to talk about Savannah at some point.

“Kasey told me about her.” I looked over at Josie, sure I heard anger in her voice.

“Jo, you don’t have to worry about Savannah. I talked to her today.” I was tempted to pull the car over again, frustrated that anything would cause Josie to doubt me, especially Savannah.

“You did?” She asked.

“Yes and I made it crystal clear to her what you mean to me. But, feel free to ask me anything you want to know.” I said.

“I already know everything I need to know.” She smiled softly,

“You’re not mad?” I asked, surprised.

“Not at you.” She said.

“Don’t waste your anger on Savannah.”

“Sure, I’m not thrilled by her either. But, I’m more mad at myself. Kasey and Ford did all the talking, I couldn’t even stand up for myself.” She frowned and I realized the anger I heard earlier was directed towards herself.

“You don’t need to stand up for yourself anymore, Jo. I know that you can, but you don’t have to. You have an entire pack ready to go to war for you.” I pressed her hand to my lips, earning a small smile from my mate.

“That’s pretty fantastic.” She said sweetly. We drove the rest of the way in silence.

“We’re here.” I said suddenly as we pulled into the vineyard’s parking lot. She sat up in her chair and looked out the window, excited to take in her surroundings. I put the car in park.

“You ready?” I asked, she eagerly nodded. I stepped out of the car and hurried around it to Josie’s side, opening her door. I offered her my arm and watched deliberately as she exited the car, her gorgeously tan and deliciously long leg slipping out from under the slit in her dress as she climbed out. I wrapped my other hand around her waist, claiming her as mine as we walked across the gravel parking lot.

I watched her face light up as she admired the vineyard in front of her. The entire place was lit with twinkling lights, elegant lanterns, and string lights with large Edison bulbs. It was a rustic barn-like setting with several buildings that served different purposes. The vineyard and winery, the restaurant, the B&B, and several event pavilions.

Scattered around the restaurant were clear bubbles decorated with fairy lights. Inside the bubbles were small tables with no more than four seats. The tables were decorated with floral center pieces.

“I reserved one of the tents for us. Their heated so it’ll be toasty warm,” I explained as I watched her wrap her arms around herself against the chill evening air,

“Unless you’d prefer to eat inside.” I quickly offered. She looked up at me and shook her head,

“Outside is perfect.” She grinned. I loved watching her when she didn’t know I was looking. She wore her emotions on her face and I wanted to memorize each and every expression she had.

As we walked towards the restaurant, she snuggled against me. Our bodies complimented each other perfectly. She was a good foot, maybe even a foot and half shorter than my 6 foot 7 self. She was tiny for wolf standards, but strong for a human.

I greeted the hostess,

“Reservation for August Hayes.” The woman scrolled through her tablet.

“Of course, I see a reservation for two. Right this way, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes.” She smiled.

“Oh, I….” I started to correct her but Josie bumped my arm against hers, and shook her head. I gave her a puzzled look but she just followed the hostess to our bubble. I pulled back Josie’s chair and helped her scoot it towards the table. I took my seat and nodded thanks to the hostess as she poured us each a glass of champagne.

“I swear I didn’t put us down as married.” I said quickly, watching Josie’s face and praying I didn’t freak her out. She just giggled at my discomfort,

“I believe you. I just didn’t want the hostess to feel embarrassed.” She shrugged and then a blush wrapped across her face, so light I almost didn’t notice it. I raised my eyebrow to her in question. She shrugged again,

“Besides, I liked the sound of it, anyway.” She admitted and my heart swelled.

“Me too, baby.” I smirked, holding up the glass of champagne. She picked up her own glass and clinked it to mine.

“Cheers to us.” I said, her smile widened,

“To us.” She repeated before putting the glass to her lips. Goddess, now I was jealous of a champagne glass.