Emerald Necklace

LIANA

I take Lucian’s hand and he leads me through the grounds, into the house, and upstairs. My curiosity is officially piqued as we walk along a corridor I’ve not been down yet.

I look around, curious as to why we’re here. We reach a hand-carved door, similar to the one to his bedroom, and my jaw drops as he opens it.

It’s like a museum, full of artifacts from kings and queens and better-known alphas and lunas.

“Holy shit!” I’m completely gobsmacked by the precious jewels and possessions on display. This room is a trove of fortunes; some showpieces are in sealed cases, while other items are hung on the walls.

Dominating the center of the room is…a wedding dress?

Sealed immaculately in a large case, it’s absolutely beautiful. Made of delicate, white lace, it has a huge, flowing skirt and gold detailing over the bodice. Beside it, on a stand, is a beautiful and intricate gold crown fit for royalty, bejeweled with the finest cut rubies I’ve ever seen, or will likely ever see.

“Wow…” I can’t even conceal the star-struck tone in my voice.

“The dress?” Lucian asks, and I nod, still trying to lift my jaw off the floor. He smiles. “My mother’s.”

“It’s incredible!” I manage, completely lost for any other words.

“They say she looked amazing in it,” he says fondly.

“Is this what you wanted to show me?” I ask, but he shakes his head.

“Actually, no. Although I’m glad you like it. This is what I wanted to show you.” Taking my hand, he leads me over to a large case of jewelry.

He taps on the glass as if counting the items, although he can’t see them. It’s fascinating to watch.

“This. Necklace?” he asks, and I peer into the case and nod.

It’s a stunning, circular-cut emerald nestled in the middle of a ring of clear diamonds. It’s not huge and over-the-top, but it’s not small, either. A perfectly modest statement piece on a shiny silver chain.

Popping open the case, he reaches in and takes the necklace out. Given how expensive it looks, I almost wince that he is even touching it. He holds my hand open and sets the perfectly weighted piece on my palm.

“Your mother’s.”

My eyes flash up to his, then back down as I smooth my thumb over the emerald.

“Uh…~what~?”

He smiles, closing the case back up.

“Every alpha and luna are gifted something by the crown. Meaning my family. This was our gift to your mother. She wore it during her wedding, but humbly asked that it be kept here after that. I think it’s better that you have it, rather than it staying locked away in here.”

My eyes fill with tears as I look down at the necklace. I squeeze it in my fist, surprising myself, and throw my arms around Lucian’s neck with a soft sob.

“Thank you,” I whisper through the lump in my throat. His arms wrap around me, and he hugs me while I ride out my emotions. I have never had, nor even seen, anything that belonged to my mother. I think my father just found it too much to keep any reminders of her around, let alone show me anything.

I’m struck dumb by Lucian’s generosity. It’s amazing that he would let me keep such a special item from this trove of treasures. I can hardly believe what he’s done. He has no idea the immense gift he’s given me—and it’s nothing to do with the necklace’s price tag, although that must be significant. It has everything to do with the fact that I now have a small part of my mother to carry with me wherever I go.

The feelings in my chest swell more than I care to admit…

“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” he says.

I shake my head against his chest and pull back a little. His hands move to my cheeks, feeling out my tears and tenderly wiping them away.

“No. It’s okay… I’ve just never had anything that belonged to her. You don’t know what this means to me, Lucian,” I whisper, still moved by his gift.

“Oh baby, come here.” Wrapping me back up in his arms, he squeezes me close. Cupping my cheek, he brings his lips down to mine with the softest kiss.

I kind of hate to say it, but I know I’m falling for him. It sounds crazy to be reluctant to fall for your own mate, but it’s just difficult in this situation.

I’m worried about what my father will think. I hope he’ll be happy for me—but if I stay here with Lucian, what will become of my pack when my father eventually steps down?

And then there’s Zeke. He isn’t my mate, but not that long ago, I thought he was my only chance at happiness. I press my thighs together and blush at the memory of the two of us down at the quarry… It’s true, Zeke never said that he wanted to commit to me, but he was still the only one who ever showed more than a passing interest in the plus-sized princess…

I was always so grateful to Zeke for finding me attractive. It’s kind of hard to stop thinking that we are connected in some way. Don’t I owe Zeke some kind of loyalty?

“Hungry?” Lucian asks, distracting me from these uneasy thoughts, and I nod against him. “Come on beautiful, we’ll go find some food.”

***

We sit on the deck together, alone this time, digging into our dinner. I wonder what Kia is doing with himself right now. He is certainly good at giving Lucian privacy when he needs it.

We’ve been keeping the conversation light, but there is something I’ve been wanting to get off my chest. With Lucian being so open, I decide that now is a good time.

“Can I ask you something?” I ask quietly, fiddling with my necklace.

“Anything,” he answers with a smile.

I’m not entirely sure how to ask this, but I’ll try. “What happens…if we mate?” I’m grateful he can’t see my blush right now.

“Meaning?” he asks with a wicked smile. He knows exactly what he’s doing to me.

“I mean, the whole ceremony experience… I still don’t know what to expect.”

He chews on a mouthful, pondering for a moment.

“Okay, well, the ceremony itself is like a wedding. Pretty straightforward there, but I assume you’re asking about what happens in the bedroom?”

I nod, waiting for him to explain further.

“So after the ceremony…when we’re alone…it can go however you want it to go. As long as we both accept each other’s bite, it can be done any way we choose. Your transition would start by the following day. If we use an upcoming full moon, it will help the transition move a bit quicker.” His voice goes quiet at the end.

I know the next full moon isn’t far away… Does he want to use ~this~ one?

“Are you thinking…this one? Like next week?” I think I squeak a little. There wouldn’t even be time to plan a ceremony, never mind get my head around the whole situation.

He chuckles softly and reaches across the table for my hand.

“Liana, I have waited my whole life for you…and I would mate you within a heartbeat,” he says with sincerity. “We could wed with just Kia and Char as witnesses—if it came to that. But I know that you need time—and I respect that. I just don’t want to wait forever for you to be ~mine~. So would you just think about it? If the next moon is too soon, that’s okay. We can wait—but just consider it? Please?”

Still holding my mother’s necklace as if searching for wisdom, I nod. I’ll think about it. I’ve never been forced to do anything with or for him. The least I can do is consider his wishes.

Thoughts of Zeke come unbidden to mind and twist my stomach uncomfortably. I am getting far too familiar with Lucian— and I know all the questions I’m asking are giving him hope. Too much hope, perhaps.

I don’t know what to do… If I accept Lucian as my mate, I’ll be a queen—and my pack will be left without a successor.

If I go back home and take Zeke as a chosen mate (if he’ll have me)…my pack would be safe. They’d have the strong alpha they need, not to mention a knowledgeable luna—but…

Zeke isn’t Lucian. And Zeke’s not my mate…

Oh Goddess, help me.