His Luna’s Already A Luna
Chapter 53

Lucinda

POV

Finding the right book in the library was not easy, but when she did, it was an eye opener. There were many reasons that a bond could not be severed. The most likely was that it was because there was an actual blood bond, between them. Lucinda sat and wondered, she didn't have a blood bond with the twins. They were Matthew's sisters, Felecia's daughters. So how was it possible that it seemed they were still connected?

She was sitting in the late morning sun, reading a book on blood bonding's when Nick sat down across from her and tried to strike up a conversation. Lucinda really wanted to finish her research, to understand what was or had happened to her. She was only two chapters into the book. A little annoyed that he was interrupting her.

She did not want his help. Had probably found what she was looking for, stated it was curiosity, not wanting to tell him the real reason, that was her business.

To hear he wanted the pack to see them together and getting along. A little surprised, he seemed to dominant. Only caring about what he wanted. She wasn't about to go and parade herself around with him, so the pack thought they were all good, it wasn't like he'd tried to do that at all over the past week. Why now?

They had gotten along last night and she had really felt for him over his father's hideous deeds and having to watch his mother die. She had not seen hers die, but had felt it. Neither had she had a horrible abusive parent, who'd put her in the hospital, and although Nick had taken his sister and left. His father hadn't cared, abandoned them practically.

She could see why he was so determined and dominant, and didn't want to be hurt like that again. When he actually asked her if she didn't want any of this? Lucinda knew he was referring not to just to him, but to his pack, everything being his mate would mean. She could hear in his tone that even voicing it caused his pain.

His bond and her bond was growing and even she had been hurt yesterday, by just hearing pack members talk like that. Yet he actually was voicing it out loud to her.

Lucinda answered his question with full honesty. It was what was needed, he obviously wanted to know where she stood on their Mate Bond. Ky'ra was not willing to give up Rip, her Mate, Lucinda, knew and understood this. Her wolf had always told her they had a mate out there, and was only interested in her mate. Now she had a Mate. How could Lucinda deny them, it was just that she and Nick didn't get along at all.

Her explanation shocked him more than a little. She could see the realisation that he was the reason, she now had reservations over their bond, and that she had been willing to try before bleeding her into his pack against her will.

He had ruined her willingness to try, all by that one action. It didn't seem to sit well with him and she saw his blue eyes flicker, between the angry red of his wolf and his blue ones. His wolf was not happy or trying to push forward, maybe they were talking to each other, probably the latter.

Even Lucinda was shocked by his very direct question about rejection. Ky'ra had snarled at her instantly, reminding her it was not going to happen on her watch. Lucinda had the very distinct impression that Ky'ra would take matters into her own hands if Lucinda tried to reject their Mates. She sat and stared at him for a long time.

Nick had told her on more than one occasion now that he was not going to reject her. That he wouldn't accept a rejection from her either. But here he was asking if she was going to. Was he considering accepting it? She wondered. Ky'ra was snarling at her still. 'Quiet down. Lucinda encouraged Ky'ra and answered Nick in the best way possible, "Not at this point. no.' and she did mean that 'I do understand a Mate Bond Nick. Been there before, know how it feels to be with your mate' and she did. It was a beautiful thing, it made one very happy. To feel whole and complete, to know someone loved and cherished you. Just because you were there, accepted you as you were, flaws and all, it was truly wonderful 'But you and I. Its difficult, you didn't like me to start with, nor I you for that matter. And we both know it, yes?"

She had annoyed him, humiliated him was his response. It wasn't because he didn't like her. It was more that he didn't like that a girl had bested him. That he agreed he would have been proud of her skills if she'd been a part of his team, said a lot. He even stated there was no excuse for his behaviour, his pride had taken a hit and that had never happened before.

It was all pretty much what she and Ky'ra had thought before they'd known he was their Mate, he didn't like being bested and showed up by a tiny girl.

He stood up a minute later and practically demanded she come with him, then seemingly realised his tone and checked himself, asked nicely in fact "Please."

"Where?" she couldn't see any reason why, at this very moment, he would want to go anywhere with her.

"A rematch. Let's see who is better!"

Lucinda nearly laughed out loud, was he nuts? She'd been training all her life, since childhood, with her bow and knives. Lucinda doubted he had, couldn't help the smirk that lit up her face, 'oh, your going down today' she thought merrily "My blades and bow?" she asked, preferring to use her own, of course.

"We'll use training gear, makes it fair for both of us. I don't have a bow tailored to my size or strength like you do."

"Okay." Lucinda stood up. "Don't expect to win, Nick."

"You're cocky aren't you?" he smirked right back.

"We'll need judges. A fair duel, no cheating."

"Alright! I'll call the boys, they are all itching to see who'll win between us anyway."

"A wager is there? I'm in." Lucinda couldn't help but smile, tucked the book she was reading into her back pocket and rubbed her hands together, she was not going to loose. Hadn't lost to anyone in a long time. Didn't intend to now either. Lets see what this big bastard is made of. "What is the go, with Half Moon Pack and all the bets and gambling?" he questioned her.

"It's Alpha Corey's way of lightening the mood around serious matters. Sometimes the bet is simple money. Other times something to make fun of the loser. A box of chocolates. Though now getting him to put in a bottle of his prized pink gin" she laughed, he had done so on her mating alliance, "means he intends to win and all his pride is on the line. He's willing to subject himself to some minor humiliation in front of his pack. Give them all a laugh, so to speak." "Interesting," he commented, though it sounded as though he didn't approve.

"I don't see you ever doing that yourself."

"No, your right on that. But Jeremy humiliates me plenty."

Lucinda laughed "I'm sure he does." she thought, thinking about that photo. She now had on her phone, her home screen. If Nick ever saw it, would probably get real angry. She hoped Jeremy could run fast.

They walked together out to the training ground. Several members of his pack nodded to him in passing. He nodded back, Lucinda greeted them with actual words. When they nodded to her "hello." she responded to them.

There were more than a few people sitting around in the training area, she noted. His Alpha Unit were setting things up and there were a good 30 or 40 wolves, both male and female sitting around, all here to watch their duel, she supposed. "Bloody Jeremy." she heard Nick mutter under his breath, and wondered if he was concerned he might actually lose this little duel of theirs.

"The more the merrier." Lucinda grinned up at him. She had no intention of losing today. As she looked at the crowd gathered she spotted the warrior from training the other day. "Excuse me," she said to Nick and walked away from him and directly over to the warrior. He was watching her and knew she was headed for him.

"Hi! I'd like to apologise for training the other day. I should not have attacked you the way I did." she bowed her head slightly to show him respect.

"It's fine, Luna." he acknowledged "Mad at someone else that day, I saw."

"Indeed I was. I had no right to take it out on you. I'm sorry."

"Thank you." he nodded "now whom should I be betting on here?" he asked her with a smile.

Lucinda smiled right back at him, "The tiny woman, who's had a Bow in her hand since she was five." she stated loudly, winking at him. Turned to smile at all the people gathered to watch their duel. "I'm going to win." she stated loudly, firmly and without hesitation. Then she turned and walked back to where Nick was standing. He was staring right at her and she chuckled. He had just realised she'd been training with a bow for 21 years, and wondered how long he had been. By the look of his frown, not as long as she had. Jeremy was killing himself laughing "Oh Nick," he yelled out, "My, bets definitely on your Luna."

Nick didn't actually say anything, he was trying to ignore everyone talking and trying to guess who was going to win here today, or at least that's what Lucinda thought. By the sound of it, there was a 50-50 split.

The noise didn't bother her at all. She was used to it. Training was always noisy. She did spy a handful of teens over by the fence kind of hanging back trying not to be seen. She recognised them as the ones that had watched her and asked about being trained. She waved them in to the area, it was fine for them to watch.

"Nick, let's make this interesting."

"Hmm."

"If I win...and I intend to, just so you know. I get to train that bunch of teenagers over there. In both knife throwing and the use of compound bows, my way."

Lucinda watched as his eyes turned on the teenagers she'd waved in. Lucinda had already told them she would and he'd have to deal with it. So let's make it official, and with them in earshot, so they knew he was going to allow it. They had seemed a bit worried he would say no.

"Alright." he nodded after a minute of contemplation "What do I get, if I win?"

Lucinda laughed, he wasn't going to win. "What do you want...and don't ask for," she used the mind-link for the rest of her statement 'Mating or Marking in anyway!

Watched him smile at her. She wasn't so dumb.

"A date, a real date. Dinner, a movie and a night walk." he voiced for all to hear.

"Deal." she nodded. The i***t wasn't going to get that, thought he was, but he wasn't.

Kevin came up to them and handed her and Nick a bow each. She tested hers, adjusted its tension. Notched an arrow and drew back on the drawstring, released the tension and adjusted it again. Nick stood and watched her.

This was his training gear. She supposed "I'd like two test arrows, seeing as I've not used your gear before."

"Go ahead." he nodded, seemingly un-phased by her request.

Lucinda notched the first arrow, lined up the target down the end and let it fly. Not as powerful as her bow, but it landed exactly where she aimed in the blue ring. She huffed as though she was annoyed.

Readjusted the bow again and notched another arrow, lined it up and let it fly. Hit the edge of the yellow and red rings "it's not like my bow." she shook her head and sighed a little. Turned the bow over in her hand as though disappointed in it.

'are you playing with the boss?' Jeremy's voice came down the mind-link fully amused.

'I have no idea what you're talking about.' she shot back with amusement, lacing her words as much as his had.

Heard him snort and when she glanced at him, almost had trouble not laughing as well.

Turned to Nick, looked up at him, bloody tall bastard was going to give her a crick in the neck one day. "Guess I'm ready."

He smiled down at her. "I'm ready too."

"10 arrows, 5 blind shooting."

"What?" he asked.

"Blind folded." Lucinda clarified to him, with a smirk.

"Fine. You want to go first."

"No, be my guest, you shoot 5, then I'll shoot 5."

Nick shrugged "Alright." he was clearly confident in his ability.

Lucinda watched him, saw his stance, watched the way he notched his arrow and drew it back, listened to his breathing, his heart rate was a little elevated, she noted. Ah, he was nervous it seemed, just didn't portray it in front of her or his pack.

His first arrow shot down the field and slammed into the target, buried deep, his power and strength evident, but his accuracy was a little off, hitting the second yellow ring, scoring a 9. He smiled as he notched his 2nd arrow, another 9 only just missed the inner ring. His next three arrows were all in the centre ring "48 of 50". He smiled at her, seemed pleased with himself.

"Nice." Lucinda nodded, waited for Braidy to remove them.

"Good luck." Nick teased her as she notched her first arrow.

"I don't need it." she smiled right up at him and winked.

She turned her eyes to the target down the other end. Sighted down her arrow, adjusted for the slight breeze, took in a calm breath and released her arrow as she breathed out.

"Bullseye." she heard Braidy yell. Lucinda turned to look right up at Nick, winked at him and then returned her attention to the task at hand. Notched her second arrow, let it fly. It landed next to the first, smiled big when she heard him curse softly under his breath. All three of her next arrows hit the ten ring, a nice cluster, what she had planned on.

Lucinda placed her hand to her mouth, "OH! 50 out of 50" she exclaimed loudly, feigning utter shock and dismay. Then laughed along with Jeremy a moment later.

Turned to look up at Nick again, winked playfully at him "Now Nicky. You're not going to be a sore loser, are you?" she teased him, saw his eyes go wide at the way she called him Nicky, couldn't help herself, just knew it would irk him just a little.

"No my dear," he shot back, though he sounded a little annoyed "Still got five to go."

"I hope your aim is true," she giggled. "you've seen me shoot without looking, I believe."

'Call yourself a teensie weensie little girl! she heard Jeremy through the mind-link.

He was frowning now, Kevin held out a blind fold to him, Lucinda walked over to Nick. "Now my dear," she returned his words to him, and pat him gently on the chest "You promise me, you'll not get mad, when this teensie weensie little girl beats you." and then hurriedly stepped back from him.

The snarl that was Jeremy's name made her laugh out loud, then next thing she knew, Jeremy was right behind her. "Protect me, my Luna."

Lucinda leaned back on him. "Of course, Jere's." she smiled. "Now Nicky, it's your turn, I believe."

Though it was his turn, Nick's eyes were on Jeremy, he was fuming, it seemed, as Jeremy fiend fear, of his Alpha and hid behind her.

Lucinda knew Nick was more likely ticked off at their current position, than her words. He'd yet to put his blindfold on, was staring down his Beta for being this close to his un-marked Mate. Jere's, it seemed, was a lot like her. Had no fear of his Alpha. Lucinda started to worry if Jeremy was in real danger. She knew what wolves were like, all primal and aggression, especially around their Mate, worse if the Mate was un-marked.

Took a step away from Jeremy after about 30 seconds of watching Nick stare down his Beta. To try and ease the tension. It seemed to her Nick or maybe even his wolf was ready to pound Jeremy into the ground, regardless of the fact they were just playing. She was teasing him.

The distance she put between herself and Jeremy didn't appear to be enough. Nick reached out and grabbed her, pulled her towards him 'Never that close. He shot down through the mind-link, pulling her well away from Jeremy.

'Okay' she agreed 'I was just playing', she told him truthfully.

'We don't like it.' he muttered.

"Nick, come on calm down." she said out loud "The match isn't over."

His eyes moved off of Jeremy and met hers. Finally, "Never." he reiterated.

Lucinda nodded "I understand." She knew it was his need not to let any wolf touch his un-marked Mate, being and Alpha wolf probably a bit more desire to rip Jeremy apart, and she didn't want that "Come on Nicky." she batted her long lashes up at him and smiled sweetly "Try and beat me" she challenged him. As an Alpha, he wouldn't be able to resist the challenge and, hopefully, her sudden lighthearted playfulness would save Jeremy a beating later.

Nick pulled her right up close to him, her body was touching his. 'Don't toy with me my dear, you might wind up naked in our bed!' he murmured down the mind-link. 'Really....that's my choice!

'I haven't even turned on my charm yet. You could find yourself seduced unwittingly!

Lucinda blinked, hadn't even turned on the charm. Then what had he been doing this past week?

Almost as if reading her mind, Nick answered her unspoken question 'I've just been playing with you!'

Then he finally let her go. His eyes moved to Jeremy, glared at him for a second and then turned away to the target, pulled on his blind fold, notched an arrow and let it loose down the field. He re-sited after every shot, scored 45 of 50, all 9's. He pulled his blind fold off and looked at her. "You're up my dear." his voice still held annoyance, she noted.

"Oh Nicky, I can spend some time training you if you like." she giggled, knowing she was likely playing with fire, but he'd promised not to be a sore loser in front of all those witnesses.

She took the blind fold, checked her stance, lifted her bow and sighted down the field, heard him clear his voice "no cheating."

"I don't need to." and she didn't, she was simply feeling for the stance she would need, where her arms would go, what her muscles felt like in order to shoot straight and true. Lucinda pulled the blind fold down. Notched the first arrow, took a breath in and raised the bow, till she felt all her back muscles, arm muscles and shoulders fall into that same position. She knew by feel was her true aim down the field to the target. Then she let loose the arrow. She did not re-site any of them.

After the last arrow was sent down the field, she turned to Nick, knowing where he was, he hadn't moved at all, and smiled "Do you need some training?". She could hear the chatter, she'd won. Removed her blind fold to find him just staring down at her. "Do you want a rematch on the knife throwing?" her smile turning to a smirk now.

"No," he murmured, "by that smile, I'd say you're betting on winning that as well."

"Yes Nicky." she teased with a little chuckle.

A growl erupted from him, both he and Rip. She knew it was all playful, her teasing had been too much for him. She tossed the bow down on the ground and turned and ran away from him using Ky'ra's speed. Ky'ra was very excited all of a sudden and lent her everything, 'play time' she chortled as they ran away from the training ground with Nick chasing after them.