“The Lionel, you know, doesn’t have much time; protect the new Lionel with all you have. He needs you, and you have to believe him, no matter what.”
Zera stood before the window, looking out at the settling moon in the quiet room. Aaron had gone ahead to check on Ivan to know the progress of the unmarking ritual while she stayed back. Somehow, the anticipation she had for the unmarking decreased with every hour that passed. She would like to say it had nothing to do with what Quincy told her a week ago and today, but it did. What did he mean by the old and new Lionel? What does protecting him with all she has meant? Wasn’t she protecting him as it was?
She didn’t want to think about what he said; it only brought her confusion. But having repeated it twice now made her understand she couldn’t ignore it.
What if things go bad tonight? What if something terrible happens? What then?
Could Quincy see the future? Why did he speak with his mouth closed? Did he even speak, or was this all in her head like the first time? She pounded the answer and couldn’t make it up. She would have asked what he meant or how he knew what he knew if his father hadn’t come for him almost immediately in the hall. Asking those questions while his father was present would not have gone well. Besides, she was certain she was the only one who heard his voice, so Aaron and Zion would look confused if she questioned Quincy in front of his father. She had a lot of questions, and she wasn’t finding answers.
“The moon is already up, my love, unless you’re looking out for something else.” She heard Aaron’s voice from the side of the door, and she snapped out of her thoughts and turned around.
Zion was taken to stay with Diya today since there was no one to look after him. Usually, Ivan watched over him during the full moon, but knowing the assignment before Ivan tonight, it was best to keep him in a place that would be safe. The best place she could think of was Greg and Diya’s place. That way, during today’s shifting, they wouldn’t have to think about him.
“I just have a bad feeling about the unmarking, that’s all,” she admitted with a sigh.
“Why? Do you not trust Ivan?”
She did, and she hated doing this to herself. Thinking negatively about the night ahead. “I do.”
“Then what is it? Because everything is in place, and it looks completely safe,” he added.
Her lashes fluttered. “Quincy spoke to me today; his words were, ‘The Lionel you know doesn’t have much time; protect the new Lionel with all you have.’ I don’t know what that means, yet the thought of what it could mean scares me.”
“Quincy? Zion’s friend?” he frowned.
She pressed her lips together and nodded. “He told me the same thing on his birthday and then today in the hall,” she said.
“To protect Lionel?”
She nodded.
“Is he like Zion?”
She shrugged mildly and rubbed her palm over her head. “I don’t know, but I’ve become so sceptical since then. What if something happens to Lionel?”
“We do not know that. We do not know if this was what he meant or if he wasn’t just joking around; he is still a child. Last I checked.”
“Yes, you’re right about that; I might be working myself out for no reason,” she says and exhales.
He leaned in and kissed her on the lips, and she kissed back, “Come, Ivan and Lionel are already waiting for us.” He said this, taking her hand and leading her out of the room.
The moon cast a glow on everyone out and under its light, and it was a beautiful sight to behold. The excitement she felt for today returned, and she couldn’t help it. She’s certain all will go well.
Lionel saw her approach, and he smiled happily. She smiled back, and it came out better than she imagined it would.
He looked happier than ever. “It’s today.”
Ivan used the estate’s backyard, which would put them under the full moon and close to nature. He also said there would be a little bleeding involved, hence why it was best to do the unmarking outside. Though it was cold outside, Lionel didn’t seem to care much about it; he seemed ready for it. Ivan needed little for the unmarking, apart from the presence of the full moon.
It was the full moon, and while Aaron would lead the rest of the pack for their shift, Ivan would be left with Lionel to perform the unmarking ritual. By the end of the shift today, Lionel would have already been unmarked.
She concord, “Yes, and I cannot be happier for you. I mean that.” She hugged him tightly and didn’t want to let go, despite knowing that she had to.
They finally pulled away, and she stepped away. Lionel had a bright look on his face, and that alone was enough to give her hope for the course ahead.
“See, he’s in safe hands,” Aaron says as they walk away from them to the awaiting pack.
“Take off your clothes,” Zera heard Ivan’s voice say before she tore her mind from them to the night ahead.
Aaron took the lead, and she didn’t mind following behind; she always loved to. The new members who had joined the pack in the last month and who needed the shift were paired with stronger teams and mates to increase strength and boost their abilities.
Aaron did a wonderful job of being the Alpha, and if she had never told him that before, she was saying it now. He made leadership look so easy and flawless. It made her stomach flutter just watching him tell her how things would be done and carried out. She supported them and came in to help whenever he needed her. He didn’t have to say it; she knew when to step in and do what he wanted, and that had to be the mate bond. It was great and surreal.
“It’s so hard to keep focus when you’re being so cute tonight. It makes the urge to take you all the more intense.”
“I didn’t do anything,” she said in an oblivious tone of voice.
He cocked a brow at her, not accepting the words she just said. “Really? Zera, my love, you know your effect on me when you do nothing, much more when you do.”
Oh, he read her thoughts then. She thought he was too busy with the pack to even pick that up; it seems he wasn’t too busy for her.
“I’m sorry then,” she said, biting her bottom lip.
He walked over to her and tilted her chin. “Do not apologise for that; I love when you think sinful thoughts about me,” he told her with a smirk. “Once the full moon is over, I will show you just how much hotter I can be.” He leaned in and kissed her lips.
Her stomach fluttered even more, and her legs curled up in excitement. She indeed couldn’t wait to be alone with him, and she happily counted down the hours.