Chapter 172

Carol’s POV

I was surprised when Aiden asked me to be at the execution and use my powers to provide a less hostile environment. I was also flattered he trusted me enough for such a task. I was used to using my powers for this kind of thing during hockey games, but this was something different entirely.

“Are you sure?” I asked him. “Do you really think that’s a good idea?”

“Yes,” he told me, and I could see the honesty and seriousness in his eyes. “I think it’s needed. I think Oliver could use it, as could those who are going to be there.”

I nodded and wrapped my arms around him, resting my head against his chest and feeling his heart thud. It comforted me and made me feel even more relaxed as he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close to him.

“It would be an honor,” I told him softly. “I will do whatever I can to help. I am the Luna after all.”

I could feel him smile as he kissed the top of my head.

“My mother is praising your performance by the way. She might have been forced to work with you and acted like she respected you because of who your father is… but you gained her respect when you saved those children. You truly are a strong and powerful Luna.”

My heart swelled.

“When I had that vision back in Cassidy’s apartment, I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t let them get taken away by that man. He was unstable and it scared me,” I admitted. “Anyone with a conscious would have done the same thing.”

“Not everyone,” he told me. “You are genuine and caring. You are everything this pack needs and I’m so very proud of you.”

I smiled at his compliment.

“Thank you,” I said, and I truly meant that.

He kissed me gently on the lips before releasing me.

“Now, I want to relax for the rest of the night with my wife. How about we order some food tonight and watch a movie.”

I smiled.

“I love that idea. You know, I’ve been having the strangest craving lately for Thai food,” I told him, my mouth already watering at just the thought of it. “Can we order that tonight?”

“Sounds like a plan,” he said, peppering another kiss on my lips. “How about you pick out a movie and I’ll order the food.”

I nodded.

“I’m just going to take a shower first and then I’ll pick out a movie,” I told him.

He nodded and I grabbed a clean pair of comfortable clothing before retreating into the bathroom.

The hot water was incredible. My mind has been so clouded lately that it felt nice to just relax for a little while. I closed my eyes and let the water soak through my hair and release all my stress. I washed my body and my hair and by the time I was finished, I felt a lot better. I wrapped the towel around my body and peered at myself in the mirror.

I somehow looked older; maybe more mature. The mark on my neck stood out and I found myself feeling proud of myself and my accomplishments. I was proud of the woman I was becoming. I have come a long way since my relationship with Zach and I would never look back for anything.

I quickly dressed and put my hair up in a bun. When I left the bathroom, I could hear Aiden speaking in the living room. I put my dirty clothes in the laundry basket and cleaned up a little before joining him in the living room.

He was on the phone, running his fingers through his hair and looking kind of stressed.

“The execution will be scheduled tomorrow evening at 8 pm. The training grounds will need to be ready. Oliver decided it was best to just burn them. He’s going to speak with them both first though,” Aiden said into the phone. He paused while the person on the other end spoke. “Yes, just make sure the training grounds are ready and those invited have access. The King is going to need a place to stay as well. I don’t know if the queen is coming too, but make sure he has the biggest room in the packhouse.”

He paused again, nodding, even though the person on the other end couldn’t see him. I curled up on the couch and grabbed the remote so I could find a movie on Netflix while I also listened to his conversation, wondering who he was talking to.

“I knew I could count on you, Damien. Thanks. And make sure Luca knows the plans for tomorrow, I haven’t had a chance to speak with him yet. Don’t bother me for the rest of the night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Without another word, he hung up the phone.

He smiled at me when he noticed me watching him and then he walked over to sit with me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

“Who’s Damien?” I asked.

“My intern,” he answered.

I looked at him surprised.

“You have an intern?”

He nodded and sighed.

“Yeah, he’s fresh out of high school. He’s acting as my assistant while he attends college for business,” he explained. “He’s Luca’s brother and I promised him an internship a while ago.”

I raised my brows.

I had no idea Gamma Luca had a brother; then again, I didn’t know much about Luca.

“And he’s getting things ready for tomorrow?” I asked.

He nodded.

“He called when he saw the King’s email about it. He wanted me to confirm the execution for tomorrow. I’ve been so busy I hadn’t been able to actually talk to him about it until now. But no more work talk. The food should be here soon. Did you pick out a movie?”

I shook my head.

“Not yet. I can’t decide which genre I want. Are you in the mood for comedy, romance, or action?”

“How about horror?”

I blanched.

“I don’t like horror movies,” I admitted, biting my lip. “Sorry.”

He grinned.

“You choose. I’m good with whatever,” he tells me.

I nodded and continued to flip through Netflix until I decided on a romantic comedy.

“Can’t go wrong with that,” he agrees.

Just as I pressed play, the buzzer went off.

“That’ll be the food,” Aiden said, kissing my cheek. “I’ll be back.”

He quickly left to retrieve the food. A few minutes later he returned. My stomach was growling angrily as soon the smells hit me and my mouth was practically salivating. Aiden piled the food up on the counter and grabbed some plates, napkins, and silverware.

“What do you want to drink?” He asked as I walked into the kitchen.

“A root beer is fine,” I told him.

He nodded and grabbed a can of root beer from the fridge and a sprite for himself. He handed me the can and I smiled my thanks to him. My mouth nearly dropped open when I saw the amount of food he got.

“Get enough food?” I asked, teasingly.

He grinned.

“I wasn’t sure what you’d be in the mood for. So, I got everything,” he told me.

I laughed and started to pile my plate with food.

“You did good,” I admitted, winking at him, and then I took my food back into the living room as he followed after me with his own plate.

We sat together on the couch, eating food, watching romantic comedy, and stealing kisses. It was an incredible evening, and I couldn’t have been happier, even if I tried. There was still so much food left over and once we were finished, I helped him pack things up and put them into the fridge.

By the time the movie was over, we were both incredibly full and exhausted. We snuggled in bed for the remainder of the night and fell asleep holding one another.

The next morning came quickly, and it was time to start our days. I spent the day at the packhouse in my new office doing some Luna work. I checked in with the pregnant women in the pack, including Cassidy. She was still doing well; she was in the hospital and her baby was about to be born any day. Her other children remained at the packhouse with Aiden’s mother. Speaking of Aidne’s mother, she’s been trusting me to do the Luna duties by myself these last few days and hasn’t been stopping by the office at all.

I ended up going to see her this morning to make sure everything was okay with her and the kids. The kids loved spending time with the former Luna, but they also really missed their mother. I couldn’t blame them, and I felt bad. I took it upon myself to bring them to the hospital so they could see their mother for a little while.

I had lunch with Aiden’s mother and the kids, which ended up being way more pleasant than I thought it would be. Aiden was right; I gained her respect and she’s starting to treat me like an actual Luna.

After I finished my Luna duties for the morning, I went to the hockey stadium to start my afternoon work as an administrator and assistant coach.

This was the moment I was dreading through because I was finally going to have to face the music and face Allen about the kiss.