Wolf-less Omega Luna

CHAPTER 20: MIGHT BE A HOBBY

Alana’s POV

“Hey,” I say, clearing my throat in an attempt to get rid of my high pitched voice.

“Hey, Alana,” and a quirky smirk is all it takes for me to forget how to string sentences together. “I’m sorry I couldn't see you before bed yesterday. After my discussion with Tyler, we had to start with preparations. What have you been up to?” He asks with his hunched shoulders brooding over my small frame and blocking the burn of the sun.

“Not much,” I say, keeping the sentences short. The shorter they are, the easier it will be for my brain to process them and let them out. “Preparations for…”

“A get-together is coming. We’re hosting and inviting pack members.” He takes my hands in his to emphasize the “we’re” and a whizz runs through my skin. “Other packs will be joining us as tradition, including some that share the same… concern … with us. It’ll also allow us to meet with the Alphas of the packs that have been getting attacked recently so that we can put heads together. Mom and Dad will be here too.”

“Wow. You mean Alpha Micheal and Luna Valentina?”

“Yes. My parents will be attending, as well as invites from other packs.”

“That means it’s a big deal.”

“You can say that.”

“It is. I heard that your parents only come down to the pack on important occasions. Seeing as they will be in attendance, it means it’s a big deal.” I sigh. “Plus people from other packs? Whew!”

“I guess it is a big deal then.” His chest rumbles with a peal of laughter that does not part from his lips. He takes on a serious expression. “As Luna, you’re supposed to oversee some of the preparations for the day. Will you be okay with that?”

“If I know what to do, I think I can try,” I say. I’m trying not to shy away from the responsibilities. Doing them can help me get closer to the pack.

“You will have help from pack members, as well as Coral, Tyler, and myself.”

“Won’t you be busy with your Alpha duties?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I won’t have time for you too. I’m good at multitasking,” he winks.

Whatever he meant by that had me blushing like a teenager.

“Okay. What do we need to put in place?”

“Accommodation for the guests, food, drinks, and prepping the hall for the party. That’s all you should be occupied with. We can handle the rest.”

“Hmm,” I nodded.

“Yeah.”

“How many people are we talking about? The guests.” I asked.

“Quite a number. Other than pack members, we should have around thirty visitors altogether.”

My mind swivels through how much work there will be to be done. This would be my first time attending a party and overseeing it instead of serving as the help. My heart beats erratically with… excitement… anxiety… both?

“I can do it. We can do it. Right.” It sounds more like a question than a statement.

Axel being Axel senses my nervousness and runs the flat of his thumb over my knuckles once and twice, causing a calm sizzle to run up my hands.

I inhale a lung full of his manly aroma. Musky and sexy scent, and I breathed out slowly.

“We sure can.” Is all he says and brushes his lips against my cheek, close to my lips.

“Splendid.” I nod repeatedly. Too eagerly.

“Luna.” A pretty blonde haired teenager comes into view. She’s clasping a book against her breasts and bowing a distance from Axel and me. “I’m sorry to bother you. Alpha, hi.”

She looks familiar. I must have seen her around the pack a few times, but not enough to know her name or speak with her.

“Kennedy, how are you doing? Staying out of trouble?” Axel answers first.

It’s remarkable how he knows almost all, if not all the pack members by name and also knows quite a bit about them and their families. Effortlessly, might I add.

“Yes, Alpha,” she giggles. She should be no more than fifteen, but her giggle carries a speck of a crush for Axel.

I chuckle inwardly.

“How are Cash, and your parents?” He asks, his face expressionless, and his hands still firmly latched on to mine.

“They’re fine, Alpha, thank you.” Her head is still slightly crouched.

Axel looks over to me and gives me a nod meaning he has given me the room for me to acknowledge the teenager.

“Hi, Kennedy, it’s nice to meet you.” I clear my throat. “I’m Alana.”

“Hi, Luna, it’s nice to meet you too.” She smiles broadly, meeting my eyes for the first time and revealing the perfect set of teeth and green eyes, the color of peas.

“You have pretty eyes,” I say to her in a compliment, not knowing what else to say.

Her eyes shoot wide and hold mine. “No, Luna,” she laughs nervously. “Yours are way prettier. And every other thing as well. Your hair, your nose, she blabs. Here,” she presses the book from her grip and into my hands. It’s a novel of some sort. Large enough to fit in one hand. “Please have this. It’s for you. A gift. It’s super interesting.”

“No, Kennedy, this is yours, I can’t accept it.”

She waves her hand over her head and blows a raspberry. “I’ve read it four times.” She says proudly. “Besides, I can get another copy anytime. I want you to have this copy. Please don’t reject it.” She looks over to Axel as if asking him to plead with me but quickly hunkers her head when she meets his eyes.

“Okay, I look forward to reading it. Thank you, Kennedy.” I reach out to her hand instinctively and pull back almost instantly but she grasps on before I can.

“You’re welcome, Luna,”

“Alana.”

“Bye, Luna. It was really good talking to you.” Her honest smile reaches her eyes, and so does mine. “Bye Alpha.” The last part is hardly heard as she skittles away giddily.

I look down at the worn out cover of the book in my hands. It does look like it has been read multiple times. Pink stick notes pop out from the side of a few pages and I flip the pages once over, sighting marks of green ink highlighting some words and lines.

“Having fans already, Alana. Ow, I’m hurt.” Axel says, palming his chest hard, simultaneously running his tongue over his teeth and letting out a tsk.

I release the chuckle that has been rolling in my ribcage for a while, short of words.

“Purple Hibiscus,” I read out the title of the book out loud.

Excitement bubbles within me and I can’t pinpoint if it’s from the gift I just received or from being eager about reading the book itself.

I’ve never owned a book. Never been in a library. I hardly ever read.

I remember reading when I was younger and in my former pack, but that’s it. I’ve never had the time or books to read since I’ve been here.

I think about what it would feel like to read the book. How mesmerizing it would be. She did say it was super interesting. I quiver excitedly at the thought.

I was going to start reading it whenever I got the chance to.

I quiver again, this time it’s visible enough for Axel to notice.

“You seem excited.” Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“I guess I am,” I say through my teeth. “I don’t own any books. Not until now. I guess I’m happy to try something new,” I say, positioning the book above my head and against the sun, searching for goddess knows what.

“I take it you haven’t opened the box I gave you.”

My shoulders slouch almost instantly.

“I planned to open it when I had enough time by myself. After the announcement, I was so exhausted and Coral practically dragged me out of the building this morning with my breakfast in my hand, my hair dripping with shampoo, and my top inside out.”

I explain as fast as I can, stuttering halfway and gasping to catch my breath.

“Wow. Tell me all about that.”

I laugh, marveling at how easy it is with Axel. I feel blessed. For the first time in a long time. In forever. Truly blessed.

“Open it whenever you want to, Alana.” The way he calls my name, dear goddess. “It’s yours, baby. I am yours.” With that, Axel dips his head to mine, invading my airway with his masculine scent, and plants a soft kiss on my already parted lips.

“Let's have dinner together.” He says after we part, leaving me wanting more.

Well, all that happened!