I Am The Luna

VALERIE

He cocks a brow, looking down at me. "I don't want her to..." he sighs. "Never mind."

"Talk to me, Atticus. Help me understand why you refused her."

He shakes his head. "This place is coming along great. I like it. So Zade did most of this?"

"Yep," I respond, wishing he hadn't shut the conversation down so suddenly.

"He's talented in a lot of fields. I have to give him that."

I nod. "Oh, he is. He is incredible, after all. And we are making an adjoining hospital. It's going to be small, but my pack will have healthcare at the ready for them, and then I'll branch out."

"Yeah, I'm your brother, so make sure you try to figure out something for my pack before Sebastian's. Our hospital isn't really the best equipped," he says, making me chuckle.

"Well, I can't promise that... I mean Sebastian's pack was my previous pack, you know," I joke.

He scoffs, mocking hurt. "How can you say that? I'm hurt."

"Well, if maybe you end up having pack ties with someone from our pack..."

His smile fades and I sigh.

"Atticus-"

"Shall we return? They might wonder where we have disappeared to."Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I nod, not knowing what else to say as we turn and head back to the house.

The music is now on, and the smell of the food is making my stomach rumble.

We enter to hear Sebastian, who has his arms around Zaia, talking about the inquest into the government's political parties due to the disease that was indeed being spread by the Arkan.

Somehow, they found a lot of proof regarding the matter and well, it was only making people hate the government further.

Zade hasn't said anything, but by now I'm certain he is the one who had that stuff dug up.

That's my man after all....

He's currently playing boxing with Xander, although Xander is just trying to punch him and Zade keeps blocking him, giving the frustrated little Menace pointers.

"Hugh and Aran have arrived," Atticus says just as I hear the car doors shut.

"Great!" I say, as I hurry to the kitchen and begin uncovering the dishes to take to the dining table. Zaia comes over and smiles at me.

"Who cooked?" she chuckles,

"I purchased the food from out," 1 admit, making her giggle.

"Good on you," she says.

The two older men enter, and Hugh gives Atticus a hug, asking how he is. Although he was only married to Shelby for a week, he made it clear that her kids were his. I smile sadly, looking down at the tray of grilled meat.

When the food is all on the table and I return to grab the ice for the drinks, I see a shadow fall over me just before a strong pair of arms wrap around me, causing me to gasp.

"Fuck, Zade! You alarmed me!"

"What did I say about letting your guard down?"

"Oops, seems I forgot... what are you going to do, punish me?" I ask softly.

He slips his hand under my top, caressing my stomach.

"I'll leave it a surprise... just watch your back," he whispers dangerously in my ear, making my heart thud.

He steps back, takes the ice from me and walks off. Glancing back at me he looks me over, biting his bottom lip before he disappears, leaving me feeling all giddy.

Goddess, this man....

Smiling, I hurry after him, ready to spend the evening with friends and family.

"Oh, Damien! Anthony! Come on in," I welcome the men who have just shown up, with Linette and her family right behind them.

Now we have a full house. I just wished Adriana could be here too.

"Can someone pass me the wings?"

"Oh, here."

"Thanks. Damn, this is good."

Zade looks me over as I approach him and he tugs me close, his hands resting on my ass and he gives me a naughty squeeze that makes me blush.

"Behave," I whisper.

"Only you don't really want me to, now do you?" he murmurs, making Damien hoot. He's right, I don't want him to.