Adea
I shook my head. I had the feeling he realized they were evenly matched but didn’t think he’d stop the fight. I definitely didn’t think he’d choose both of them. I don’t need two guards. I peeled my eyes from Ethan and picked my jaw up from the ground.
Looking out towards the field, I stared at the two winners. I wasn’t sure what to think. I looked at Gabe. I knew why he participated, he’d spoken to me about it. He was the reason I knew there was a competition in the first place. My eyes flicked to Leo. I still don’t know him. I fought him once and have spoken to him maybe two times. Did I trust him? No, but now, I’d have him by my side.
It was crucial for the new members to merge into our pack peacefully. Having one of the new members as a winner in this competition showed good faith. The onlookers were quiet and I wondered if they felt unease at a new member winning. Despite my thoughts, I needed to make sure it didn’t show in my actions.
Korra stretched low, her head on the ground, her backside in the air. She shook her head and stood straight. “This doesn’t have to be a bad thing,” Korra murmured from the back of my mind.
“How so?” I asked her.
“Well… these two will have to guard you with their lives,” she said. “If we are to take your dreams seriously, they could prove to be very helpful.” I hadn’t forgotten my dreams. I may have pretended they didn’t still haunt me but they did. He’d killed everyone I loved and I’d do anything to stop that from happening again.
“It’s not just them you need to protect,” Korra said, her voice serious. “You need to protect yourself too, Adea. Shane captured you. You need to think about yourself.”
“I don’t remember you having guards in the dreams,” Korra murmured.
I sighed.
“That doesn’t change the way I feel about Leo. What guy would be willing to guard a woman who put him on his ass?” I hissed. “this whole situation is fucked, Kor.” I don’t make a habit of swearing but that word worked perfectly here.
Ethan offered me his hand and I pulled myself from my thoughts. I stared at his open hand for a second before taking it. I stood beside him and stared out at the field at them. The night sky had gotten darker and the chilly air sent a shiver down my spine. I didn’t miss Darci’s gaze and the way her jaw ticked as a look of approval spread across her features. She turned to face the front and nodded her head at them. I couldn’t help the unease that began to spread. I was being suspicious but I couldn’t knock the thoughts that whispered she was also a new member.
I swallowed. She turned to face the front and nodded her head at them. She lifted her hand and beckoned them to come closer. Gabe and Leo began walking towards us.
“That was before he knew you were Luna; his Luna. He probably just wants to serve you… Like I said, this could be good,” Korra murmured. She wanted to stop me from worrying and I knew she honestly believed what she said.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with the fact you think he’s hot?” I teased.
Her ears perked up and she howled. “No,” she laughed.
“Mm-hmm,” I said, stifling a laugh. “After our last encounter with him, I don’t think he’s someone we can trust,” I scolded.
“I only have eyes for Elijah,” she sighed. “But, I think Leo deserves another chance. Let him prove he can be trusted,” she said.
Ethan started clapping and the onlookers slowly joined in; cautious clapping, if that’s a thing. They weren’t as enthusiastic as before and seemed unsure. Ethan led me from our seats and we stood in front of Odis and Darci as they made it to the edge of the field. We needed to show a united front, so I lifted my chin and smiled.
“I present to you, Your Luna,” Ethan said. His gaze fixated on the two men as they made their way in front of us. Gabe bent a knee and Leo followed him. I looked down at them, my eyes traveling from Gabe to Leo. They lifted their chins and stared up at me.
“Tonight, in front of these witnesses and in front of your Luna,
You swear to be courageous,
To hold pure thoughts for your Luna,
To defend her at all costs,
To exhaust no means to protect her; including laying down your life,
To be true to your word,
To bring hell to those who try to hurt her,
And forgive no one who does,” Ethan said to them.
“I swear,” Gabe said without hesitation. I turned my attention to Leo and he didn’t bat an eye as he spoke.
“I swear,” Leo said.
I swallowed.
“From today onward, you are now granted the title of Protector. You will live in the packhouse and will be regarded as ranked,” Ethan said. “Leo, we will have a room prepared for you tonight.” Gabe and Leo bowed their heads. They didn’t get up until Ethan told them to stand. Their gaze turned to me.
“With the Luna Ceremony tomorrow, your first shift officially starts tomorrow. Meet me in my office at sunrise,” Ethan said to them. “We will go over your duties then. Enjoy the rest of your night, it may be the last one you have to yourself in a while.”
“Yes, Alpha,” they said.
“Let’s go, My Queen,” Ethan murmured, as he lifted my hand to his lips. I had so much I wanted to say, to ask.
“Okay,” I breathed.
Ethan released a breath and something shifted in his eyes. His shoulders lifted an inch as if a weight had lifted from his shoulders. The Ceremony was tomorrow and I would focus on that.. Looks like I’ll have to wait and see how this pans out.