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There are a variety of flowers that bloom with spring, walking near the southern part of the territory with Zeta and her litter of pups she's charged with caring for. Pups that have been orphaned are given a new mother figure as the pack regards and cares for them as their own. The saying, 'it takes a village,' resonates will within their pack beliefs and morals.

Four pups are under Zeta's care today; Fern, Laressa, Ferguson and Knox. They are quite the handful and feed off each other's energy when they're teamed up together...though separated, it's amazing to learn their unique personalities.

Narkis, along with one of Rakkon's elitist warriors; Oakley, are also accompanying us...though they are watchful from a distance. Regardless of my new status, I'm still the weakest in the pack physically and the others stand guard at all times when Rakkon is not close by. Our protectors and guardians, it's easier to fall into a sense of security I've really never known and I trust in the pack to provide it now.

"Luna Ashling, why daisies?" Laressa tilts her head to the side curiously as I'm sitting on the grass with a curious Knox kneeling in front of me. Laressa stands to the side of me as I finish picking the last one, Knox furrowing his brows.

I smile with a side eye at Laressa and say, "We can make necklaces or a crown of flowers if you'd like."

She gasps and nods her head up and down, clambering closer to me as she sits comfortably. Knox scratches the top of his head and asks, "Isn't that girly?"

"Who says boys can't play with flowers?" I arch a brow while Laressa giggles at Knox, sticking her tongue out at him.

Knox is embarrassed and I see him having a hard time to regain his confidence with how Laressa teases him. I have a perfect idea though and after I show Laressa how to weave the stems together, having her start on a necklace of her own, I rise to my feet. Zeta catches me waving at her as she is playing hide and seek with Fern and Ferguson. She nods her response as she brings the game closer to the pups so she can keep an eye on them all.

I squeeze Knox's small hand, bringing my lips closer to his ear as I say, "I'll be right back."

"O-Okay," he is still embarrassed and unsure of whether or not he can touch the daisies to help Laressa. She gives him funny looks and I move away from them, nearing closer to one of the tree lines to a bordering grove.

I'm halted by Narkis as he informs me, "Take the next pathway..."

"What's...?" I question, my voice trailing off as Oakley shifts his stance near the other end of the area we are occupying. His eyes are hard on a few spots, waiting and watching as his senses are heightened.

Narkis explains in a lower tone, "The nightshade grows within the deepest grove, I don't want you stumbling upon it, Luna Ashling." Nodding my head, he then says, "I'll show you the safer route and the one everyone learns to take."

I follow Narkis as he leads me down a separate pathway, around what appears to be an almost fenced-off area. My gaze falls away as we reach the other side and I find where I'd seen the Cymbidium Orchids blooming. The colors are vivid and beautiful, Narkis asking me as I pick one, "Why this in particular flower?"

"You'll see," I smile back, Narkis arching a brow as he walks back with me, catching sight of Laressa setting the flower necklace around her neck. I reach for one of the bobby-pins keeping my hair up, retrieving one of them as I approach Knox.

He has on a light jean jacket and when I tell him, "I have something special for you," I motion for him and he quickly gets to his feet. It draws the curiosity of Laressa, Fern, and Ferguson continuing their new game of chase through the grass.

I reveal the Cymbidium Orchid, Knox's eyes widening as I bring it close to one of the button slots on his jacket. I weave the bobby-pin around and through the button slot, pinning it to his jacket as I say, "Now you look like a charming little man."

Laressa's eyes are staring wide open as she watches the two of us. Knox looks down from my gift to him before his eyes lift to meet with mine. He suddenly reaches out and wraps his arms around my waist, hugging me tightly as he almost cries, "Thank you Luna Ashling...it's amazing."

A smile is on my face as I tell him, "You're welcome, now make sure to be a good, kind and carrying, little man."

I wink at him and he turns around to show Laressa a better look at the gift I've given him. Knox proclaims with strength and without a hint of embarrassment, "A flower from my Luna!"

A sweet smile forms on Zeta's lips as she's watched most of the interactions between the three of us. Even Narkis has this light smile on his lips as he nods his head at me when his eyes briefly catch mine. Knox has such a confidence boost, he doesn't hesitate to sit down with Laressa and begin using the daisies to make something new...

...when he's finished awhile later, it's a crown of flowers...which he offers Laressa.

Laressa giggles and smiles, allowing for her gentleman to place the gift upon her head. I can't help how happy it makes me feel, watching them all as each moment is turned into a lesson to better help their growth within themselves and how they treat one another.

I don't realize how late it is before I feel Rakkon's presence as he nears the area we are occupying. He stops his footfalls, his gaze landing on Zeta as he says, "Bring the pups home for the evening."

"Yes, Alpha Rakkon," Zeta rounds up the pups, but not before Knox runs over to me once more and hugs my waist tightly again. My arms wrap around his small shoulders and I kiss the top of his head, watching as he heads off with Zeta and the rest of the pups.

Rakkon nods to Oakley and Narkis, they two of them heading back to protect and escort the den mother and her pups. I'm left standing there with Rakkon, my cheeks reddening when he says, "You'll make a wonderful mother one day."

"What makes you so sure?" I furrow my brows, Rakkon's left hand settling on my waist. His eyes stare down into mine, his lips brushing mine with a ghostly touch.

"You know how important it is to be cared for, to be looked after and shown the right direction to love in life," Rakkon's voice is calm, his tone sincere. He places a gentle kiss to my lips before he tells me, "The pups are drawn to your calmness and caring demeanor. They know who to trust and who not to, who's genuine and those that give off bad auras."

My wolf is filled with excitement and the prospect of being a mother, of caring for a pup of her own...

...but I hold my own reservation in regards to what I'm expected to produce; what any luna is expected to produce...

...an alpha heir.

How pitiful and weak would it be and look if an alpha's pup was an omega?

It wouldn't matter the reputation Rakkon has established, he would be seen as weak and threats would attempt to overstep their boundaries...what if they attacked?

"Ash?" Rakkon asks me, bringing me from my thoughts as I lift my gaze to see his eyes fill with concern when he continues, "Is something the matter?"

I hesitate at first, but I ask him, "What if I can't have a pup?"

Rakkon's eyes hold mine and I see a golden glint flicker across his irises as he says, "That's not the question you wish to ask..." his voice trails off as he sees through me, "...you're dodging your true concern. Tell me, what do you fear Ash?"

"I-I..." my voice holds a pang of fear and guilt as I sadly admit my true question, "...what if I can't give you what you want?"

Rakkon chuckles at this, grasping my chin with his fingers when my eyes avert out of instinct away from his. He asks me while arching a brow, "What is it that you believe I want?"

"An heir?" I pipe up quickly, but quietly.

Rakkon brushes the pad of his thumb over my lower lip, his eyes searching mine as he says, "I want whatever the Moon Goddess has planned for us...though we may not see it, everything happens for a reason and I'll accept what she has to offer for us."

Just like every doubt I have that crosses my mind, Rakkon is there to chase it away, bringing me back to a stable state as I nod. It's hard, wanting and trying to fight her back...

...my wolf has yet to see her mate for his true self.

I'm afraid his wolf will see how truly weak we are as he's never seen her either. He doesn't know how...

"Ash," Rakkon's voice alters, his irises shifting to a golden hue as he commands, "let me see your wolf."

He picks up on the slightest change in my demeanor and behavior, swallowing hard as I tell him, "I don't know-"

"Let me see her," Rakkon's voice holds an alpha tone this time and I shake slightly as it settles into my muscles. I don't want to keep them from one another, I just don't want her to get hurt should his wolf not entirely regard her as Rakkon does me.

I nod my head and take a step back away from him, slipping out of my clothes while my irises shift. My bones snap, ligaments shifting as everything aligns with that of her...fur replacing skin as she takes center stage of our mind. I'm in the backseat, watching as she stands before Rakkon while he looks over her once more.

It's a few moments later that he undresses as well, watching as his wolf slowly reshapes the Rakkon I've come to know. His large black wolf replaces him, dwarfing her in sheer size, standing tall, stiff-legged gait, tail sticking out and slightly raised...proud and strong before her. She cowers slightly at the mere stature he portrays, the power that exudes from him.

His wolf takes one step forward, only for her to quickly lower her belly to the ground while her ears are flat back and close to her head. Her head rests on her front paws as he steps closer to her. His muzzle comes closer to her's sniffing her fur over as he takes in her scent.

For the way she's always been judged and ridiculed for her size and weakness, it's a turning point when his wolf licks her muzzle. She's never been this elated before, her ears moving up slightly as she licks his muzzle in return. She ventures more when she raises her hindquarters into the air, her tail wagging slightly as a smile is on her face.

His wolf entertains hers, almost with an amused look on his muzzle as he also lowers his stance in a playful manner. They play tag, chasing one another as his wolf allows her to catch him when he should easily outpace her. A good hour passes by as they leap and bound with one another in the grove area, her energy levels dwindling rather quickly though.

She comes to a halt and lowers herself onto the grass under a tree, his wolf walking up alongside her before he also lowers himself to the ground. He licks her muzzle, nuzzling himself against her fur as he ensures his scent is well transferred.

The two of them are calm...a peace; one she's never known, but finds as if this has been her whole life in a short timespan.

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