The Eclipsed Life of Luna Mischa (by Jennifer Francis) novel Chapter 49

Anthony stood next to her and smiled at everyone as they came in. His phone had been put away, and he slid a tentative hand across her lower back to curl around her hip, and he murmured down the mind–link ‘Please smile a little and try to look happy. I’ll rectify things.

She smiled at the guests as they came in, and she was complimented on the dress she was wearing. They sat down at the table designated for the Alphas and their units. Anthony smiled right at her and reached out and brushed some of her hair back. “She does look lovely. So very beautiful,” he told them all.

“Why so very dressed up?” Nicholas asked, “A bit odd for you, Mischa, normally you’d dress more like you were at dinner last night.”

“I didn’t choose it,” she answered him simply.

“I bought Mischa the dress she’s wearing,” Anthony stated. “It’s the first mating ball here inside the pack with snow all around us, so I thought it was the perfect time to buy her a new dress, something beautiful for the occasion, and doesn’t she look lovely in white. Soft and gentle, beautiful like the winter snow,” he stated.

She didn’t know if that was the reason he’d actually bought the dress or if he’d made up some tale to tell them all. She just smiled and nodded. “It is lovely, a little too much, but I can appreciate the thought,” she stated.

Though where she was going to wear this dress ever again, she had no idea. “You know, Mischa, you never really did get the big fancy Luna Ceremony. Unfortunately, we couldn’t afford it at the time. Perhaps, now that we can, we should give you that,” he offered. “You could wear this very dress.” Anthony smiled right at her.

She looked at him with a slight frown. “22 years we’ve been mated.” She didn’t understand his thought process.

“Yes, I’m aware. Perhaps on your birthday, a big celebration then, let me spoil you just a little. I know you’re against things that… you consider wasting pack money, but not once have you ever asked for anything other than a bunch of flowers and dinner in the private dining room. We should go all out for your next birthday.”

“Hmm, probably should have done it when I turned 40, not when I’m turning 42.” She advised him.

“Our anniversary it is then, big and bold. A grand event here in the ballroom,” he stated, and she understood what he was doing, showing he was willing to do these things for her, and she was shooting him down.

+25 Points

“How about we keep that for our 25th mate bond anniversary. It’s only three years away, and I can plan ahead, and I can see each year’s actual profit, and allocate a portion of it to that anniversary fund.” She offered up instead.

He frowned at her. “Always so practical.” He sighed.

“Yes, because I know how badly we were in debt once, I don’t want to be the reason for us going back there. I’d rather the pack be prosperous than have a party. But it is a lovely idea, 25 is a big number. I’ll concede and allow a pack event. Does that make you happy?”

Several at the table chuckled softly, and one of them laughed heartily. “Teach you, Anthony, to have your Luna in charge of pack funds. She sees every single cent coming and going.”

“That I do.” Mischa nodded.

“But she is a wise Luna, to know when to spend and not to, her thoughts are also valid, you’ve not been out of debt all that long a few years. You don’t want to fall back into that. Some Alphas would love a Luna that doesn’t want to be lavished with gifts all the time,” Alpha Bryan

stated.

“Definitely would see many packs be wealthier. Saph and I have an agreement, no spending over five thousand between us for birthdays and anniversaries. We’ve been Mates for as long as you two have and have everything we need.” Alpha Hector nodded “Spoiling in the beginning is good, but wasteful after a decade. Be thankful you don’t have heirs to spend your money yet.” He laughed softly. “Goddess, I have to rein in my 17–year–old daughter at times, she thinks money grows on trees.” He shook his head.

“Well, hopefully soon, Mischa and I can look forward to doing that.” He turned and looked at her. “Now that we’re in the black, I do think it’s time we could start trying for a pup.” He smiled at her. “A son would be lovely.”

“You’ll get what the Goddess gives you,” she smiled at him. “A boy or girl is solely up to the Goddess, not me, not you.”

“I’ll be thinking son the entire time we’re making that pup.” Anthony chuckled, and so did many at the table. She just smiled along and nodded. He could think about it all he wanted

1. to.

Anthony was by her side all night long. If she got up to get something to eat or walk about, he was right there next to her, he pulled her out onto the dance floor after the moon set and the scenting out and pairing up of wolves happened. And the night evolved into a dance for those that didn’t mate off.

She tried several times to have him just stay and talk with the other Alphas; it didn’t work. You’re smothering me,” she finally told him regardless of the other Alphas at this table.

+25 Points

Anthony raised an eyebrow at her comment, as he caught the slight annoyance in her tone of voice. Jeremy laughed. “It’s shades of you Nick, every time Lucinda’s with pup.”

Nicholas smiled. “Hmm, having my undivided attention and never being more than arms length from her annoys her too,” Nicholas chuckled. “Bangs her office door closed in my face.

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“Ah, come on Nick, that’s not the funniest thing she does. It’s funny when she’s got that bow, pulled all the way back and aimed at you. Just to get an hour to herself,” Jeremy laughed.

Mischa smiled as Nicholas rubbed his shoulder, almost as if recalling an injury. “Hmm, Ky’ra beat me with granny’s cane that one time and then ran off to Granny’s to hide.” He smiled. ”

She’s an adorable handful that one.” Nicholas chuckled.

“Annoy her on purpose, don’t you.” Alpha Bryan laughed.

“Hmm, it’s fun for me, and Rip enjoys being chased by Ky’ra.” Nicholas laughed. “So yes, we

annoy her at times on purpose.”

“I dare say I’ll be the same when Mischa and I have our first pup,” Anthony stated and smiled right at her. “We could start working on that now.”

“On birth control, remember.” She stated and picked up her wine glass.

“You could come off that, I’d like you too. It’s about time we gave this pack some joyous news of our own. I think they’d all be happy about the pack getting an heir. We’re also financially stable. That was all we were waiting for. Before starting our family,” he told her

with a smile.

“Mm, I’d like to wait and see at least one more year. We kind of hemorrhaged money in the past year. If we don’t hemorrhage money this financial year, I’ll consider it.”

Anthony frowned at her. “What are you talking about?”

“Pack’s accountant remember.” She sipped her wine. “I not only see who spends money in this pack, I see what they spend it on.” She smiled at him and several Alphas chuckled once

more.

“Oooh she’s got you on that one,” one of them laughed.

“We’re fine,” Anthony stated calmly. “But if you wish to limit pack cards for a while, go ahead if you really feel it’s necessary. Just notify me and those that will be getting a lower limit.”

“Alright.” She really smiled now, fully amused by his words here for all to hear. There was no backing out of that statement, “I’ll start with yours and your Lunas cards. The pack doesn’t need to suffer, in order for you to get an heir.”

CH 1.

+25 Points

His eyes moved right to hers, a little more than shocked by not only her words but her full amusement as well. There was more chuckling at the table as she tipped her glass to him. She rarely spent any money on unnecessary things, it wouldn’t affect her, but Christy wa going to pitch a fit when she was declined a purchase in the city on her shopping trips.

Even when she’d asked for things for her new suite, she’d had Anne check the basement stores for second–hand items. That swing chair on her balcony had come from the things others had left behind when moving to another pack. It had been in excellent condition as well, barely used from what she could tell.

“Let’s say by 50%, on your daily spending limit, for, oh say, six months and if there’s a noticeable savings, we’ll see if we hemorrhaged or not prior to that.”

She heard Bryan snort, “Glad my Luna isn’t my pack accountant.”

She smiled merrily at Anthony and his deepening frown at her, but then turned to Bryan. “It’s probably why most aren’t and that particular job falls to the Alpha, or one of his unit.” Mischa nodded. “I’m a bit of a grinch, but I guess really, that just stems from having to pinch pennies for the majority or our Mate bond.

“It’s ingrained into me, to check every dollar spent and see where frivolous spending occurs and can be stopped, or when something bleeds money and isn’t a good investment, or we’re pouring money into something and there isn’t a good enough return to see us continue doing so. It’s often me that puts a stop to bad ventures, because I see the loss before anyone else in the pack does,” she told him.

“Yes, and I value that highly. You’re very responsible, Mischa, and never fail to maintain the pack’s funding.” Anthony smiled at her. “That’s why I have to splurge a little and buy you nice dresses, because you don’t spoil yourself enough and never ask me to either.” she felt his lips press against her temple in a soft kiss “A Luna worth her weight in gold.” He murmured.

“Why don’t you let her come and enjoy a few days at my pack’s Day Spa,” Nicholas stated as he watched Anthony press his lips to her temple. “Lucinda would love that, and we’re only across the border. I think spoiling her with a spa weekend would show her just how much you want her to relax and unwind.”

She smiled at Nicholas. “I would honestly love that, Alpha Nicholas, I’ll call Lucinda and book a weekend retreat. In say, oh seven or eight weeks. After the deep snow is over, and safer to

drive down,” she stated.

That would also see her out of the pack when Christy got out of the cells, and give her more time away from that she–wolf. With any luck, she’d come back right as Christy was about to go into heat and get a few more days of peace and quiet.

+25 Points

Anthony, although he frowned, he couldn’t decline the invitation, he’d just told her to spoil herself, and if he vetoed it, every one would ask why.

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