Triplet Alphas Gifted Luna novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45 The Hunt

“My beautiful, strong, loving, perfect daughter,” Thea’s father said. He embraced her. “I’m so proud of you. You will make an excellent Luna. You’ve already made the pack stronger.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Thea said. “Shouldn’t you go join the hunt?”

“In amoment. I want to spend time with my daughter. We’ll be flying back out tomorrow. We’re not done investigating out there. Tell me. Is there any doubt in your mind you’re meant to be Luna of this pack?”

“No. I love this pack.”

“But you’re sad,” her mother said.

“Of all the things that have happened and that I’ve learned in the past months, the things I’ve been preparing for,” Thea said. “I didn’t see this coming. I never considered the possibility that I would be human. I’m grieving the loss of something I never even had. I’ve been looking forward to the day I would shift ever since I can remember. This should be a happy day, and I feel like I’m dying inside.” |

Her mother and father sandwiched her in a hug as several wolves whimpered—Delta team members. They could feel her pain through the oath bond.

“Remember to have faith that the moon goddess has a plan for you. You’ve always put others’ needs before your own. She’ll reward that,” her father said.

“Take comfort in your mates,” her mother said.

“Remember, you’re not just human. You still have Alpha blood in you,” her father said.

Thea nodded. They released her.

“This mark is extraordinary,” Thea’s father said. “The color, the size, the intricate detail, and patterns. I’ve never heard of a mark like this.”

“I can’t see it,” Thea said.

“There are three distinct sections,” her mother said. “ But they merge to make one. I think Alaric’s mark is an iridescent white, Conri’s is silver, and Kai’s is gold. They overlap and mingle. It’s gorgeous.”

After a few more minutes, her father and mother shifted and joined the pack in the woods. The only people left were Delta team and the unshifted.

Lizzy came running up to her.

“Back so quick?” Thea said.

“Oh, like I was going to take down a deer. I did my social duty. Now I’m here for you. Thea, that was amazing. I can’t even describe what I felt-what we all felt. If that’s even a little of what the matebond feels like, I can’t wait to find my mate. I felt connected to the whole pack. I could feel each person individually. When we hugged, their touch was comforting and relaxing, like being hugged by your mother. Each pack member feels like true family. I care about them more, and! feel like they care about me more.”

Thea smiled.

“Good. That’s what the mating ceremony is supposed to do. Unite the pack.”

“I can’t believe most Lunas don’t know how to make that happen. Or don’t care enough to. How sad is it for all the packs out there with selfish leaders? We are so lucky. Goddess, I’m on such a high right now. It’s like I love everyone. Everyone’s been saying it forever, but you make the pack stronger.”

“I’m glad I can do something,” Thea said.

“What’s wrong?” Lizzy said.

“I feel like I can’t do much for the pack without a wolf.”

“You do so much. You always have. What’s really bothering you?”

“I’m sad I don’t have a wolf. I’m sad I can’t join with everyone in that way. 1 can’t mind link. I can’t mark my mates.”

Lizzy hugged her. “I’m so sorry. It sucks that you didn’t shift. This sucks.”

“It’s okay. I’m going to move past it. It’s just fresh right now. Watch, I’m putting alock and key on it. Not going to dwell on it, not going to mention it again.”

“It’s okay to hurt.”

“Not right now,” Thea said.

“I know I’m lucky. I have so much. I’m going to try to focus on that. Ihave amazing mates who will make up for any shortcomings I have. Wonderful friends who love me regardless. I had a train run on me in front of everyone, and the pack loves me for it.”

Lizzy’s eyes went wide.

“Iam truly blessed,” Thea said, trying to suppress a smile.

They burst out laughing together.

“Really,” Thea said.

“I realized during the mating ceremony that I canbe happy and fulfilled by taking care of my mates. I know they can handle taking care of the pack. My job is to take care of them. I had it in my head for so long that I was going to be Beta. I needed a wolf for that. I don’t as Luna. As everyone loves pointing out, 1 wouldn’t have been able to shift while pregnant anyway.”

Lizzy put her hand on Thea’s stomach. “Just think, you could be growing a pup in there right now.”

Thea smiled and blushed. “Stop,” she said. “Don’t make me think about it. 1 want their pups, but pregnant while I’m still in high school? I’ve heard enough gossip about myself for one lifetime.”

“I don’t think anyone would even notice with how gorgeous your marks are,” Lizzy said. “They look familiar, somehow.” |

“I can’t see. I need a mirror.”

“You were a knockout hottie before, but this I can’t stop looking at them,” Lizzy said.

Eventually, pack members started coming back. Everyone was naked. Some people put their clothes back on, and others stayed naked so they could shift freely. Servers brought out food and wine from the kitchens. Someone cleaned up the table on the dais and set it up as an altar. People brought offerings and gifts to honor the future Luna.

“I’ll take it,” she said. She grabbed the sides of her robe and wrapped them around Conri in a hug. “I don’t know if that’s fair. I’m powerless when you use the mark.”

“You said I’d get you for the rest of the night if I went on the hunt,” Conri said.

“I did,” Thea said.

“I think that means! get to use the mark.”

“Mmm. So it’s a reward? Payment?”

“It’s mine.”

“I can’t argue that,” Thea said.

“I missed you,” Conri said.

“I missed you too.”

The triplets felt her sadness before she tried to shut it down. She didn’t want to make them feel bad.

“It’s okay to be sad,” Kai said. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “] don’t want you to hide from us.” Thea bit her lip. Conri held her tighter.

“Let us in,” Alaric whispered in her other ear. “We want to know how you feel. We want to comfort you.”

“I’m sad that I couldn’t go on the hunt with you,” she thought. “I’m sad that I’ll never be able to join in those pack activities.”

“I know if you had your wolf, you would’ve taken down the elk before us,” Alaric said.

“Oh, come on. It’s ceremonial. I would’ve let you guys take it down,” she whispered, trying to lighten the mood. “Who knows, maybe my wolf would’ve been clumsy. Or vegetarian. Maybe she was vegan, and that’s why she didn’t show up. She was too ashamed,” she joked.

The triplets kissed her, smiling.

Someone brought them the first elk steaks off the grill. Conri wouldn’t let go of Thea, and she wouldn’t stop holding her robe to shield him. Kai and Alaric fed her since her hands were occupied.

“Did you guys see the gift table? Or, our sex table turned into a gift table? Are we supposed to go through those now?”

“We’ll have them taken into the pack house,” Alaric said. “We can go through it all tomorrow.”

The pack celebrated late into the night. Conri held onto Thea until Alaric and Kai demanded a turn. Thea insisted Conri put some clothes on. If he wasn’t holding her, he didn’t mind putting on his robe.

Delta team surrounded Thea the whole night, keeping an eye out for anything strange.