(Willa)
I furrowed my brows. “That wasn’t anything groundbreaking,”
“Don’t diminish it. It's something that even Griffen didn’t think of. Usually, the teams don’t have to work together and it's easier just to leave them to it. But what you mentioned about complacency and them all fighting as one unit. Brilliant.” He looked at me again and I couldn’t make out his expression.
“Don’t patronize-”
“I’m not.” His icy eyes widened slightly.“Seriously. I’ve been so focused on getting to know you now that I sometimes forget that you’ve done this before. You’ve probably sat in on hundreds of meetings already. I apologize for ever forgetting that, but I am not patronizing you, I never would.”
I snorted, and he leaned back.
“I’m being serious, Willa.”
“No, it wasn’t that. I believe what you’re saying, but I maybe sat in on a couple of meetings, if that,” I shook my head.
“What?” he asked, his jaw hardened, but I didn't understand why.
“It wasn’t the duty of the Luna,” I explained. I knew that he didn’t have a Luna, obviously, but I thought he would have known their duties from his mother.
“What?” He repeated, seeming genuinely confused. “Willa, do you mind telling me what they told you were the duties of the Luna?”
“Being the face of the pack, planning parties and coordinating events, welcoming guests and making sure they’re comfortable, knowing the names and positions of other ranked members in allied packs.” I waved my hand.
“What else?”
“What else is there?” I asked. Now it was my turn to be confused.
“You’re making it sound like a Luna is a glorified party planner.” He leaned back.
“Aren’t they?” I snorted.
“Not if they don’t want to be.” He tilted his head. “My mother does love planning a good event, but she also helped the Beta with training schedules. She worked with the architects to help design our pack building. She was solely in charge of all housing and moving members in between pack houses. I don’t know how she did that.” He shook his head in awe.
“But those were only some of her duties. Every Luna is different, but those are a few things that my mom excelled in, as well as matters that involved negotiation. My father would be a complete i.diot to leave her out of those meetings or not have her next to him leading those negotiations at other packs.” He shook his head.
I thought of the times that Nolan and his dad went to other packs, or conferences, without me. The times that Nolan went alone. All of the meetings where he looked at me to leave when visiting Alphas entered his father's office.
“Willa? What is it?” Caspien stood from his side of the desk and took the chair next to me.
“I just, that is different than what I was told. I wasn’t allowed in meetings.” I looked up at him, his icy blue eyes churning.
“I. dots,” he breathed, shaking his head. “If you ever were to become my Luna you would have control over what you wanted to be a part of. I would want you standing next to me through it all.” His eyes flickered with something else entirely.
Desire? Passion? Yearning?
I swallowed. “That does sound better than planning parties. I was never good at that. Also, I really f.ucking hated it.” I frowned and he gifted me a small smile.
“If you want, I’ll hire an entire party planning team. We will have an event coordinator on call. You won’t ever have to choose a color or a table decoration again.” His smile widened, and mine matched his.
“Now, that is a proposition I could get behind.”
I let myself think for a second about how it would be to be his Luna. To have someone take my thoughts, feelings, and ideas into consideration. To stand next to him at pack events, attend meetings, and actually participate.
A shiver ran through me, and I wasn’t expecting it. The thought of being a Luna, his Luna, felt really good. It wasn’t entirely off the table, but I had a lot of things to figure out before then. We had a lot of things to figure out.
“What are you thinking?” Caspien reached out his hand, and I placed mine in his. He rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand, and it took any worry away.
“Just how different it would be to be your Luna,”
“Different to?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Different to being the Luna of Blue Ridge. Vastly different.” I met his eyes, and he gave me a smile."In a good way."
“I’m glad to hear that.”
I leaned back in my chair, feeling a lot of things. Relieved to have some buffer money-wise, happy that I met his Beta and Gamma and actually liked them, and safe and content with him and our potential future, whatever it would hold.
“I do have to get back. Cali is watching Emmett,” I frowned, grabbing my phone. There were no texts, but I’d been here for a few hours now.
“Here.” Caspien went back behind his desk and pulled out a card, walking around to place it in my hand. “This is the number of the packs and the company's car service. Anytime you come here, or he.ll, if it's raining and you want a ride to the restaurant, give them a call. You won’t be taking taxis or anything else. It might take them a few minutes to get to you, so factor that in, but you’ll use them. Promise me?”
I nodded. “I will.”
I didn’t feel entirely right about it, but I knew there was no room for negotiation on this. Plus, I couldn’t afford the taxi fee here and back every time. Assuming there would be another time. There definitely would be another time. I couldn’t even deny that.
“Good.” He smiled at me, taking my hand again. “Why don’t you text Cali and let her know that you’ll be a bit longer. I can call you a car but, as I said, it might take a few minutes.” He raised an eyebrow, moving his hand to rest on my thigh.
Every part of my body focused on his touch. Even though his palm just rested on my jeans, it was closer to where I really wanted him than he had been before.
“Okay.”
I pulled out my phone and sent her a quick text updating her. She texted back immediately, saying she just got home and the kids were fine and to take my time. I felt like I could fully relax after that, even though his thumb started to rub circles on my thigh, and my body tensed under his touch.
“Everything is good.” My voice sounded far away.
“Good.” His voice was low.
“So, I guess I should start to head down?” I asked, suddenly nervous. My body reacted to him in ways I didn’t remember ever feeling.
“You can.” He shrugged, not taking his eyes off mine. “Or I can show you just how appreciative I am of your help this afternoon.”
“Just how would you do that?” I found my voice. “I should be the one thanking you for your, uh, loan.” I struggled to keep my gaze level.
“I would gladly accept that. Another time.” I couldn’t help my confusion. “I want to do something for you, Willa, if you’ll let me.”
My stomach dipped. Was it too soon? It didn’t matter; I wanted this more than anything. My body yearned for him.
Yes, please- Iris howled in my mind. She practically begged me to mark him every time we saw him, so I guess I could give her this.
Give us this. Don’t pretend that this isn’t for you and your lonely c.oochie.
I swear.
I shut my eyes, shoving her away. I could feel the faint blush cross my cheeks from her words and Caspiens.
“Willa, will you let me?” He moved his hand closer to my center, and my body heated along with my face. “I need to hear you say it.” His palm moved up and down my thigh.
“Yes.” I breathed.
His hand was off my thigh in a moment, and I fought a frown. My body felt cold without his touch.
“Come here.” He stood up in front of me. His hands reaching for mine. My heart beat fast against my chest as he led me to the other side of his desk.
He shrugged off his jacket and laid it behind me. I couldn’t help myself. I reached up to place a hand on his arm and another on his chest, running it over the soft fabric of his shirt. A rumble vibrated through him, and it sent a flush of heat through me.
He was warm, hard, and honed. He placed his hand over mine on his chest and pulled me closer, snaking his other arm behind me so I was flush against his chest.
“Willa,” he murmured into my hair, and I settled into him, letting my head lie on him. I savored this moment of complete peace. His fingers started to rub circles on my lower back, and I leaned into him, breathing in his sweet woodsy scent.
His hand moved to the back of my neck, and he tangled his hand in my hair tugging it gently, making my head tilt back. His eyes flashed black for a second before he captured my lips with his.
The sparks that flew through me at his touch took my breath away. I didn’t know if I could ever get used to the feeling of him.
His hand wrapped around mine on his chest, and he pulled me closer. I felt his hardness against me, and I realized just how badly I wanted this; wanted him.
I gasped as he pushed me back against the desk, his length rubbing against me. Even through the fabric of our pants, it felt good, and I craved more.
He smiled against my lips. “I want to hear you m.oan, Willa,”