The Rejected Luna’s Prince By Aurora Archer
Chapter 23 – Comfort Food
(Willa)
I put Emmett to bed in the room he chose, the bed felt like a cloud, and I almost fell asleep next to him. He seemed to be alright, but not one hundred percent, and it worried me. A cold didn’t seem like the right explanation; it felt like a blanket statement, Caspien trusted him as the head doctor of their pack, but even he seemed worried.
“Mama?” His voice was thick with sleep.
“Yes?” I k*issed his forehead, still warm, brushing some thick brown locks from his face.
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“Can we stay here?’ He asked, “Forever?”
I didn’t know what to say to that. I liked that he already felt so comfortable, but I still had apprehension about the situation.
If I chose this it was permanent, final; no going back.
I knew now that I wanted that but I had to make sure that he was good for Emmett and that Emmett wanted this for longer than a night. I knew too well how children’s fixations could be flighty.
“Let’s take it one day at a time,” I tucked him in and k*issed his forehead.
“And paint my room blue,” He murmured, halfway to sleep.
“That too,” I ruffled his hair, I knew I wore a sad smile, but he didn’t see it.
I wanted this that I knew. It was more evident every day, and I knew that Caspien would take me in whatever capacity. Even if I decided to continue my education and work at the diner, he would accept me as I was and stand beside me as I worked through who I would become.
I thought about all the implications that today would have as I walked back down to the first floor. The smell of garlic and butter and spices wafted through the air.
“You continue to surprise me,” Caspien had his back turned to me, standing over a pan. It might have been the s*exiest thing that I had ever seen.
“I hope only good things,” He looked over his shoulder with a smirk.
“Yes, actually.” I admitted, “Thank you again for today. I owe you.”
“No,” He shook his head, “You don’t owe me anything ever. We’re partners; I hope we are, at least.” He shrugged.
Partners, I liked that.
“Can I do anything to help?” I asked, feeling slightly guilty watching him work.
He grabbed two large wine glasses and filled them both with red wine from a decanter. I barely had two matching cups, but no matter how parallel our lives were he never made me feel like I didn’t belong here.
He set a glass in front of me, “You can sit there and relax,” He brushed his lips against my forehead and I closed my eyes leaning into the brief touch.
“I can help.”
“I know you can but I want to do something for you. You’ve had a long day and suffered through enough Pokemon,” The corner of lips pulled up slightly, “Now relax.”
“Okay,”
I found it easier said than done. The past few weeks have constantly been going, I found it hard just to sit and do nothing; I felt like I had to do something.
Caspien laid out placemats and silverware before setting a plate in front of me. Steak, mashed potatoes, and asparagus were neatly placed on them.
“Wow,” I inhaled deeply, “This looks amazing.”
“Hopefully, it tastes good too,” He took the seat next to me, “I thought you could use some comfort food, and this is mine. I should have maybe asked what yours was.” He frowned.
“This is absolutely perfect,” I grabbed his hand and squeezed it; he visibly relaxed at my touch, “Lasagna, by the way, but only when my mom makes it. If I have to make myself comfort food, I would go with mashed potatoes and fried chicken.”
“At least I got part of it right,” He smiled.
“You got all of it right,” I took a bite; the steak was buttery and delicious, “Wow,” There was nothing this man couldn’t do.
We ate in comfortable silence; he told me about his day with Emmett and asked about my upcoming schedule.
“I’m actually off tomorrow. Cali insisted I took a day after our exams I said no, but she made sure I wasn’t scheduled.”
“She’s right, you need a break.” Caspien looked at me with sincerity.
“I know.”
“You don’t though, you think you can keep going, but you need time for yourself too. I know too well how easy it is to slip into constant work and how hard it is to get out of that.”
I couldn’t stop, though; even though he gave me the loan, I wanted to pay him back as soon as possible.
“I know I’m not getting to you,” Caspien noted, it surprised me how well he already knew me, but I guess I knew him too. I knew what he was feeling by his smile and small gestures.
“I’m sorry, I just can’t stop right now. Maybe when the next semester starts.” I shrugged.
“There’s always going to be an excuse,” He sounded serious, “Promise me you’ll cut down at the restaurant, just one shift a week at least.”
I took a deep breath, “That sounds doable.”
“Think about it,” He stood up, taking my plates, “Don’t say you’ll help either,” He cut me off before I could open my mouth to protest, “This is part of you relaxing,” He smiled at me before putting the plates in the sink and topping up my wine.
“Join me by the fire?” He raised an eyebrow reaching a hand out to me.
“I don’t think I would ever say no to that.”
“I’ll remember that.” He led me back to the couches and had me sit in a chair while he folded up the sheet on the couch Emmett was sleeping on.
He threw a match into the fire at it lit instantly. He took my wine glass and set it on the table before pulling me onto his couch. I settled back into him, breathing in his sweet woody scent. He wrapped his arms around me and buried his face into my hair, doing the same.
It was so nice just to be with him; I felt like the version of myself that I always wanted to be. I was a shell of myself with Nolan, and I didn’t like who I became; I gave up all of myself to become the perfect Luna and partner for him. With Caspien I felt like I was the person that I always wanted to be, who I truly was. I didn’t give up anything to be with him, but I gained so much.
“Can I talk to you?” I murmured into his warm chest.
“Always.”
I pulled back from his embrace to look into his churning blue eyes.
“I want you; I want to be with you. I want to accept you as my mate.”
His eyes widened before his hand came to my neck, pulling me towards him. His lips met mine, and an explosion of sparks crashed through me, warming me. I had more to say but didn’t want to break the intense k*iss. His tongue explored my mouth, and my stomach curled as his other hand wrapped around me.
I pulled back breathlessly, needing air.
“But-”
He k*issed my nose.
“Wait for a second,” I laughed, “But I need some time.”
“As much as you need,” He promised, biting the bottom of my lip. My stomach clenched at the movement.
“I want to make sure, with Emmett. I know you guys got along today, but if it were just me, I would have you mark me right now.”
Caspian eyes flashed black, and he growled lowly, lowering his mouth to my marking spot and s.ucked it sending shivers running down me as I let out a gasp.
“But it’s not just about me,” I forced myself to go on, “You both have to accept each other. I don’t even know how you would feel about that if you wanted kids or how he would fit in.”
“Well, we obviously would have to paint his room blue,” Caspien pulled back, and I felt like I could breathe again, “But I would like you both to live here. I want you in my life, both of you. I don’t want him because of you. I want him as mine.”
My stomach dipped, and I looked at his face; I didn’t just want him to be saying that. It was too soon, they barely had any time together.
“I like the kid. Atlas has already claimed his as his,” Caspien gave me a genuine smile.
“He did?” I asked.
Werewolves were possessive, especially Alphas. I didn’t think an Alpha wolf would ever claim another man’s child.
Caspien nodded, “From the moment you mentioned you had a child.”
I chewed my lip, that made me feel better than he could have imagined.
“He’s not baggage, he’s not a burden. I got a mate and a bonus.”
I laughed at that, “Thank you,” I touched my forehead to his, closing my eyes.
“I know I don’t know him well, but from what I’ve seen, he’s a good kid. I didn’t think I would get along with him as well as I did; I’m surprised he wasn’t scared of me.” His voice was low.
“It means the world to hear that; I think he really liked you too. No, I know he did. But this is forever, and it’s not just about me. I need to make sure for both of your sakes. That both you and Emmett want to be a family.”
A wide smile spread across his face, “A family, I like that.” I couldn’t help but return his smile.
“Did you ever want kids?” I asked.
He shrugged, “I honestly didn’t overthink about it. It’s a*s*sumed as an Alpha that I would carry on the line and have an heir, but I never decided for myself if I wanted them. But I think I do. Since I met you, I would love to create a life with you.”
That took my breath away. I honestly didn’t think about having more kids, but with him, I wanted that. I wanted to have a pregnancy with someone that worshipped me; I wanted to have a child whose father was there during my labor and was one of the first people to hold our child.
I wouldn’t give up Emmett for the world, but I wished so much for both of our sakes that his father was there for it all and wanted to be there.
“Of course, that’s in the future,” He added.
The future, our future.
It was like something clicked. We had a future together, and I could really see it now. It didn’t feel like something in the distance anymore it was something that was already falling into place.
“I do have to ask you, though,” Caspien’s voice turned serious, “Does Nolan have any legal rights over Emmett?”
I bit my lip, “I don’t think so?”
“He’s not on the birth certificate?” I shook my head, “Was he notified of the birth?”
“No? He knew I was pregnant.” I trailed off, obviously.
“Oh,” Caspien looked worried, “I don’t know human rules, and they don’t apply here anyway, but for werewolves, the father has to be notified of the birth of their child.”
“But-”
“I know, in this situation it’s stupid. But legally, you have to notify him of the birth, then he has thirty days, I think, in order to accept responsibility.”
“Emmett is almost five,” I said flatly.
“I know, but just so that he can’t come back in the future.”
My stomach dropped; what if he decided to accept responsibility? What would that mean?
“It’s archaic, some werewolf claim; you know how possessive we can be.” He almost rolled his eyes, “But also it makes sense, so people know they have a child out there if the mother decided to leave without telling the father.”
I nodded, it made sense, but I didn’t know that was a thing.
“I would feel better knowing that he has no legal claim, “Caspien went on.
“So, how does it work? How do I know his response?”
“You send a notarized letter, make sure it gets into his hands, and then if he does nothing for the month, then it’s void. If he wanted to lay a claim, he can contact you.”
“Okay,” I was suddenly filled with anxiety.
I knew Nolan didn’t want to claim the child, but what if he did something out of spite? I still didn’t understand what I did to make him almost hate me and reject me in public without any guilt.
Caspien rubbed my cheek with the back of his finger, “We can do it tomorrow, have it sent out, I’ll have one of my men go and deliver it personally and confirm that he received and opened it. Just to put it behind us.”
“Okay,” I nodded.
“It will be okay, then we can move forward completely and legally.” I nodded again, not really sure what moving forward legally entailed.
“Now, let’s focus on something else,” I opened my eyes, and he pulled me back to his chest. His scent momentarily distracted me, but anxiety still tugged at me.
He rubbed circles on my back, and I breathed deeper, settling into him. His hand slipped under my shirt and continued rubbing my back; the warmth and sparks danced on my skin under his touch.
My body started heating up from my center, and I grabbed at his shirt before running my fingers, tracing his muscles under it. I wanted to feel him.
“It’s my turn now,” I moved my face so that my lips brushed against his neck.
I sucked his marking spot, and a low growl rumbled through him; his hands froze on my back.
Mark him, mark him, mark him Iris chanted in my head
Soon hopefully
I reached my fingers up and placed them on his neck, he stayed motionless as I k*issed his neck shifting toward him. His grip on me tightened as I turned around, s.traddling him.
I felt his hardness through his pants as I moved myself across him, sighing at the way it felt. I couldn’t imagine what he felt like. I wanted him, but I wanted him fully to myself when we were completely alone.
But that didn’t mean I couldn’t taste him.
“It’s my turn,” I breathed and eased myself from his lap.
He lifted up, helping me remove his pants.
“You don’t have to,” His icy eyes met mine.
“I want to,” I unhooked his boxers sliding them down his legs.
His length surprised me, my mouth was dry looking at it. It was beautiful, and I would have never used that word to describe a f*uc*king p.enis.
I swallowed as he sat back.
I rubbed my hands up his thighs, feeling the muscles tighten under my touch. I cupped his silky balls as I moved closer to him and took his soft tip into my mouth.
He sucked in as I swirled my tongue around him, tasting him and loving the feeling of having him in my mouth.
My hand wrapped around his silky length as I moved my hand and my mouth together. He groaned, his hand brushing my hair from around my face and holding it behind me. He didn’t push me down and just let me do my own thing; his hand tightened into my hair as a low growl reverberated through his body.
Heat pooled in my center, knowing that I was making him come undone. I wanted to make him feel as good as he made me feel. I wanted to show him how much I appreciated him. I was so turned on by having him in my mouth and the way his body responded to mine.
“F*uc*k Willa, I’m close,” He groaned, thrusting up toward me.
I took him in deeper, wildly. Focusing on nothing but his pleasure.
“Willa,” He grunted and spilled into me.
I swallowed all that he gave me, taking one last long dip to make sure I got all of it.
When I was done, I leaned back, still sitting between his legs. I placed my hands on his thighs while he caught his breath.
“I don’t think I have ever seen anything more beautiful.” His breathing was ragged as he stared at him between my legs
“I was about to say the same thing,”