Chapter 106

Dominic

I woke up with Mira curled into me.

Her head was tucked into my chest so tightly that I wondered if she could breathe properly. I rolled backward just enough to let some light shine down on her. Her whole body seemed to inflate as she breathed in the air that rushed between us.

She stretched like a puppy, then sniffed her head forward back towards the scent of my body. I thought she was doing this in her sleep until I felt her lips meet my bare chest. Her right eye opened slightly and she then opened her mouth and licked me.

“Agh!” I reacted fast and in a breath I had her pinned underneath me.

Her arms held above her head causing her chest to arc slightly upwards. I mirrored her gesture, placing my lips just at the top of her sternum. I raised the ante, allowing my tongue to glide lightly down the ridge between my breasts.

“You’re cheating!” She chided me sleepily, her eyes closing again.

“Cheating what?”

I kissed down the fabric of her nightdress onto her stomach, then rested my head there. I didn’t even realize the symbolism of it, but I was just drawn to rest on the warmth of her soft belly. And then I imagined what was within her, the power to create life, and how much I hoped one day we would make a child together.

“I know, I want one too.”

I looked up at her, and her golden eyes were watery but calm. I crawled back up to her until my mouth was on hers, and her hands were holding the sides of my face. She held me there while she kissed and kissed me. Her breath was becoming more and more urgent.

Her legs slithered out from under me and wrapped around my hips, pulling me into her warmth. Nestled between her thighs, her body electric underneath me, it wasn’t long before my own body responded to meet her desires.

With a shift of fabric I pressed inside her, and we found a slow rhythm to greet the morning. Our eyes were locked on each other nearly the whole time, until hers closed suddenly as a wave of pleasure flooded her body.

One eruption set off another, and Mira clung to me as I came as if afraid I might fly away from her. We fell asleep for a while in that position, sweaty bodies stuck together.

A huge breath woke me and my first thought was that I was crushing my wife. She was still fast asleep, a smile on her face.

I leaned down to lick and kiss her ear, making her yelp as she woke up. Before she could get annoyed I kissed her. She wrapped her arounds around me and sighed into me.

Finally I pulled away from her, groaning, knowing that we both had to get out of bed. As I backed off of her I purposefully pulled the sheets with me, just so I could see her. She squirmed a bit under my scrutiny.

“What?”

She tried to pull her feet up towards her as she sat up, a faint blush in her cheeks.

“Nothing,” I said with a shrug, “just wondering if our child would be as golden as you.”

I only saw her roll her eyes briefly before a pillow connected with my face.

We prepared for the day ahead, moving about the apartment. Mira seemed a bit on edge as she prepared to leave for the day. I wondered if there was more to this visit with Rae, and if the girl had told Mira something that she had to keep secret. I stopped her at the door, planting a kiss on her forehead.

“Let me know how it goes,” I told her, “and call if you need anything.”

She smiled a crooked smile, but her eyes were uncertain. “I will.”

Mira had been gone for only half an hour when there was a knock on the door to our apartment. The door opened to reveal Celeste, coffee mugs in hand.

“Good morning!”

“Celeste, hello,” I said, not hiding my surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you—“

“I know, sorry, it’s early,” she said quickly, her voice high and bright. “I just wanted to catch you before you left for the day, didn’t mean to barge in on you…”

“No, it’s fine,” I said, still wary. “Did you need something?”

She bit her lip, which unfortunately brought my eyes to her lips.

“I just wanted to check in, see how you’re doing,” she said with a touch of pity in her voice. “I heard some of what happened out there— with the Rogues— it’s just horrible.”

I sighed, images of the crime scene coming back into my head.

“Can I come in?”

Celeste took a step closer to me as she said it, offering one of the mugs in my direction. Steam rose off the surface of the dark liquid, her pale face reflecting like a moon in a dark sky.

“Yes, of course.”

We sat down on the couch, and I planted myself as far away from her as I could without feeling ridiculous. Celeste had taken her shoes off, now curling her legs up under her and leaning on the back of the couch.

“I know you’ve seen a lot of tragedy,” she said, breaking the silence, “but that doesn’t mean it doesn't still affect you. I hope you’re taking care of yourself.”

“I am,” I responded too quickly. Then I chose honesty. “I am trying to, at least. We both are.”

I gestured around the room to the spirit of Mira, her presence so obvious in the home.

“Right, good,” Celeste responded, nodding, “you do have each other, shared trauma.”

I winced at her words, but kept my face straight.

“Not, well—“ she exhaled. “I just mean— it’s not always healthy, for either of you, to only have each other to talk to about these things. It’s good to vent to someone who isn’t trying to heal from the same thing.”

“Like a therapist?”

“Or a friend?”

She held my gaze and became very still. There was a hopeful question in her eyes.

“I could always use a friend,” I said, my face relaxing.

“Good.”

She smiled, and something in the room changed. The air or atmosphere, or maybe just my perception of the situation. Things might still be awkward at times between us, but having a friend in Celeste made me feel lighter.

“Where is Mira, anyway?” Celeste asked, looking around. The change of subject made me sit taller. “Off to work already?”

“She’s actually going to the Brooks Pack this morning,” I explained. “Rae called and was asking for her. Mira is very close to her.”

“How sweet,” Celeste said, though her eyes looked dark. “I don’t understand how she can keep herself so busy. It seems like she’s never home at all, always prefers to be out somewhere else.”

My eyes narrowed as I thought about it. “She’s dedicated, for sure,” I said, slightly defensive. “As a Doctor and now as Luna, Mira gives so much of herself to others. It’s something I admire about her.”

“Of course,” Celeste said, brushing a hand through the air. “It must be hard though, to be her Mate, never knowing when she’ll need to up and disappear to help someone else. I just hope she doesn’t burn out, gives some time to herself and to her family. To you.”

I nodded, not sure what she wanted me to say. Mira was obviously a busy woman, but it wasn’t overshadowing our relationship. Was it?

“It’s none of my business, I know,” Celeste went on, her face carrying a secret, “but I just want to look out for my friend. No one wants to see their friend being used or neglected by their Mate.”

“Excuse me?”

“Not—“ her face was reddening fast, “Gods, it’s just— people talk, and people see, and we all just want to make sure our new Luna is honoring our Alpha. Honoring the future of the Pack.”

“Mira is an excellent Luna, and Mate,” I said, feeling my own face heat up. “I appreciate your looking out, but I don’t need to hear the Pack gossip.”

“You’re right, totally,” Celeste said, nodding sheepishly. “I shouldn't have said anything. It’s just gossip from the silly hospital staff, nothing more.”

I stood, wanting to end this.

“I think I should start my day,” I said, trying to stay in control.

“Right, me too,” she said. “Do you mind if I use the bathroom on the way out?”

“Sure, you know where it is.”

“I sure do.”

Time stopped as we acknowledged the past, then lurched forward again.

When she was gone, I sat back on the couch again. Much to my chagrin, I was haunted by her words.

The Pack

There should never be a camera in a bathroom, for reasons that should go unstated. But let us be a fly on the tile wall at this time, watching a guest use the family in the Alpha’s apartment.

Celeste was efficient as she opened the medicine cabinet, leaving a small plastic container of pills tucked in the back. Her fingers were swift as she moved the Alpha’s tincture bottles around. She hardly made a sound as she went through a medical kit nearby.

By the time she left, the room looked untouched.