Chapter 84 –
Brenna's POV Wednesday Morning
Jaxon and I had a wonderful night and an even better morning with our usual morning routine. Jaxon signed us up for a special spa day in our apartment. He wanted to treat me before the Luna ceremony. We had just had lunch in the dining room and were heading up to our room now to start treatments. Jaxon has covered all the bases today, but I can see his mother's hand in all of it.
Seven women had shown up to set up the spa day. Two were masseuses, two did nails, and the other three did hair and makeup. So, while some were getting their thirty-minute massage, others were getting their nails done. There were snacks, juices, water, and even two bottles of wine for those who wanted to drink. The free room next door had been opened up so people could shower after their massage. It was a very celebratory experience as we talked, laughed, and snacked through the day.
Cheryl returned this morning to stay with Robert, as Saoirse was here with Cara. Once Raven heard that Cheryl would not be able to come, she called to see if an off-duty nurse could stay with Robert. Cheryl would be Luna's mother-in-love, and they needed more time together to get to know each other. Saoirse was also going to have Cheryl as a mother-in-love herself. Saoirse balked a little about it at first, but Raven knew exactly what the problem was.
"Don't worry, Saoirse, I have a specific nurse in mind. She was there with me when I started having my children. Angela is a sweet she-wolf and an excellent nurse. She will take great care of Robert. She has her own grandchildren and acts like my children are hers as well. She looks at Robert like one of her own. He will be totally safe with her. Plus, she can mindlink me if there are any problems," Raven advised with a smile.
Raven had a big heart. She took care of her loved ones. Raven was a better woman than I was. I don't know if I could forgive a woman who blatantly came after my man like Cheryl had done with Brandon. I had a couple of meals with Raven while she was training me to be the new Luna. I wanted to know her thought process better so I could be just as effective as Luna myself.
Raven was a thoughtful and kind Luna. She was also strong and tough when she needed to be. It was obvious that she cared about her pack members and wanted the best for them and the pack. She made the job look easy but reminded me that she had done it for twenty-four years. She told me that once I get to the third year, it will be like I have been doing this my whole life. I was very thankful that I got such a wonderful mother-in-love, along with my mate. Brandon and Justin were both kind but intimidating to me. Their stern faces only soften when they look at Raven.
Alexei was with Jaxon and the rest of his ranked wolves. They would get ready in the Alpha quarters that Raven, Brandon, and Justin lived in. He was treating this Luna ceremony just like it was a wedding because it was actually going to be a wedding. He had told Kevin what we were doing, and Kevin had gone out after bringing Luna here this morning to go get her a ring of her own. He wanted to do the same thing tomorrow night for Luna. I gave him her ring size and that she preferred an emerald, or pear cut stone.
Jaxon bought me a ring yesterday while we were out. He wanted me to pick the ring out. He wasn't trying to surprise me, and he didn't know my ring size yet. He was going to make it official right after the Luna ceremony. He bought my wedding band, as well as one for him. He said that he wanted any man or woman that we came across to know that we were taken. We were not going to wear them daily. At least, not inside the pack. Only when we went into the human world.
Cara and Saoirse were less talkative today, but we all knew that yesterday had been a tough one for them. It takes a great deal to get Cara angry, but once she gets there, she is explosive. As evident by a home no longer on its foundation. She is upset not for herself but for her mother. It is obvious that Saoirse is quite upset. We all knew how much Robert loved her. It was obvious to any who saw them together. The problem they had was a real one. She warned him, and he didn't listen. It showed that he trusted Adra more than his own mate, which is a problem.
Saoirse had already experienced a bad relationship with Cara's father. James didn't listen to her either, and this had to be an unwanted reminder of what had happened before. I could see it, so I knew everyone in this room could see it, too. I am hoping that they can survive this. Their bond was still new. If Saoirse truly gave up, there was nothing that Robert would be able to do to fix it. She would be gone, and I could already see her shutting down, distancing herself from the pain she still felt.
She was no longer the happy person she was when I met her. Even when she popped in on us in the hospital room, she was teasing us. She was so happy to get Cara back. She was cautious around Robert, but I didn't realize why at first. He felt it; he knew who she was to him, but he was patient with her. He wanted her and pursued her. I hope he gets well soon, as he is the only one who can fix things between them. Cara told me what happened. That Saoirse begged him not to go, yet he trusted Adra. He hadn't even realized what a slap on the face that was to her.
Chase could have asked any of the ranked members to go. But Adra had set this whole thing up by demanding that Robert come. He went because Adra was inconsolable. I was furious that someone in our pack was in on this whole thing. They had deliberately set that fire, ruining the whole shipment of wood that was still on the trailer. We were out well over a hundred thousand dollars because of it. That doesn't even cover the cost of the trailer being damaged and needing to be replaced.
I want to get to the bottom of this, too. That money will have to come out of the general budget again, taking away money that would have been used to help our pack members. We now also need another trailer load of lumber. I knew that this whole thing had stressed Jaxon. He had spoken to Brandon and Justin about what had happened. They both agreed to question Adra the morning after the Luna ceremony.
Cara really cares about the people around her. She doesn't withhold her affection from the people she loves. I was glad to see her loosen up more once Luna arrived. I was glad to see her too, as it was rare that we were all three in one place together these days. I have to say that I felt lucky that Cara lived here with me. She could have just as easily lived with Luna. Saoirse is here because of Cara. Cara could split her time between our packs if she wanted.
I was glad that Casey was returning to Black Moon tomorrow with Kevin and Luna. Casey has been a good friend to Luna. We were glad that she had another friend that she could trust now, Elizabeth. Luna had taken Elizabeth under her wing and was personally going to help her train now. Luna was regaling us with the story about a fight she had yesterday. It was funny to me because everyone has always underestimated both of my sisters. I almost wished that the people of the Kamaria pack could see how strong Cara was in just two short weeks.
I was also proud of Luna for standing up for herself. She did all that on her own, alone. Cara and I were furious when Luna got to the part where that bitch tried to kill her. Kylie had better be glad that she only got banished. If she were still there, I doubt that Cara or I would have been able to pass up the opportunity to show her that our sister is not to be messed with. I cannot believe that Kylie was willing to murder Luna in cold blood in front of her fellow pack members. She must have been out of her mind. If she had been paying attention, she would've never tried it.
Luna is a strong fighter. She was not just going to roll over and give up her true mate. Kylie must not be very intelligent. You need to size up your opponent as you are fighting. That was something our father taught us in our first lesson that he drilled into us, never underestimate your opponent. The second lesson was not to tip your hand while fighting them. Don't give away what you know. He could tell by the time I started training at five years old that Cara would not be a fighter. She didn't like to fight.
What I taught her was more about defensive moves. Showing her ways to break free from an attacker and be able to get away. Cara could teleport, but if they were in her vicinity, her opponent could teleport with her to the next location. She had to be able to get them at least 5 feet away from her in order to get away from them. Cara has done an excellent job learning from me. She can land hard punches now, too. I wanted her to be able to defend herself, especially with Jana still lurking around.
Dad had never really tried to teach Cara. He was too embarrassed by how weak she was in front of all the other pups. I think, in the end, he was sorry that he had kept her from Saoirse. Yet he never tried to give Cara the letter to reunite them. I don't know why he did what he did. With his passing, we will never know. He loved my Mom; he really did, but I knew that at one time, he had also loved Saoirse. I knew that because Mom had told me that herself when I turned sixteen.
It was an odd conversation between us. I don't know if she encouraged me to support Cara from being bullied or distance myself from Cara. Mom wasn't mean to Cara, but she never truly loved her either. Although Mom was Dad's true mate, she always hated that Dad loved Saoirse, even without the hard push from the mate bond. I could understand how that would cause jealousy and resentment for my mother. Dad always ensured that Mom knew he loved her by having their special date nights together.
Cara has always taken care of me from the moment I was born. She loved me, so it was only right for me to protect her when she needed me to. There is nothing that I would not do for my sisters. The time I am getting to spend with them today is one of the very best memories that we have ever shared together. I am so thankful that Jaxon and Raven planned this for me. I cannot wait for tonight when Jaxon officially claims me as his Luna and his wife.