Link [noun] - a relationship or connection between two things, especially where one affects the other.

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The next morning, there was an unfamiliar ache in my heart.

I had spent all night in bed, trying to fall asleep but having no success. I knew it was because a part of me didn't want to sleep. My body was on high alert with Kane in the next room. A part of me wondered if I would wake up to my nightmare again. The environment, with its snowy and spacious landscape, allowed it.

The first night in a new pack was bound to be hard. I was around unfamiliar people, and while they had been waiting for my arrival for years, my life changed in one night.

Finn and Carmen had eased the shock to my system. Meeting them was the first step to feeling part of something again. We had gotten to know each other a little bit and it was endearing to see how they were able to make Kane laugh.

His relationship with his betas seemed warm. It surprised me because Kane hadn't grown up with them like they did with each other. I would've assumed their relationship would've been just cordial but Kane had a good friend in each of them. I had made a mental note to ask him about his journey to becoming the alpha of his pack.

The ache in my heart worsened as I thought about him and I sighed. The mate bond was already getting stronger and would make us want to be near each other more. I was sure he felt it already too.

I got out of bed and tried to sense where he was. His scent was already becoming familiar and I caught the trail going downstairs. He was making breakfast like he said he would.

I stopped by the bathroom first and freshened up before making my way to him.

He was quietly chopping vegetables, seemingly in his own world until he heard me coming. He looked up and a small smile graced his face. "Morning."

I returned the smile, taking a seat on one of the barstools opposite him. "Good morning." I noticed he was already dressed for the day in a black sweater and jeans. It brought out the warm honey tone in his eyes. I found his eyes a lot less disarming when he wasn't in wolf form.

The tugging sensation in my chest let up slightly and it prompted me to ask him a question. "Do you feel...different when we're not near each other?"

He reached for a bell pepper and looked down at the chopping board. He began slicing it. "I do. An odd feeling here." He stopped for a moment and placed a hand on his chest. "Do you?"

I slowly nodded. "It's crazier than I expected it to be—I never knew you could alleviate my pain." I thought back to when I had decided to reject him and my wrist burned in response. All he had to do was put his hand on it and the pain just went away. "How did you know touching me yesterday would help?"

He shook his head gently. "I didn't. I just acted on instinct."

My eyebrows raised slightly in shock and I pressed my lips together. Our connection was more than skin deep. It made me wonder if the nightmares did stop because of him. Maybe touch was the answer to making a start on breaking the ice between us. "Kane...this is going to sound weird."

He tilted his head in confusion. "Okay..."

I wanted to back out but the thought had been planted in my head and the mate pull was taking the reins. "Why don't we try a hug?"

His lips parted in shock and he placed the knife down. "We can do that." He wiped his hands on a tea towel as I pushed my chair back and walked around the counter.

I stopped in front of him and held my breath as I looked up at him. It was almost like I forgot how to hug a person until he opened his arms. I stepped forward into his embrace and exhaled quietly. My head rested against his firm chest and I could feel his heart rate picking up. I slowly wrapped my arms around his body and felt his muscles under my fingertips. I fit perfectly in his arms and the tingle that emanated from everywhere we touched felt warm.

His movement was hesitant when he lifted his hand and cradled my head against his chest. I closed my eyes and took the moment in for what it was. After a minute or so, I pulled away and brushed my hair back with my fingers. His eyes were focused on me and the silence stretched between us.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered.

The warmth spread across my face and I sighed softly.

"You must be hungry." He turned around to face the stove. I was grateful for the redirection before I could feel awkward about what I had asked. "I'm making breakfast tacos. They should be ready in ten minutes."

I stared at his back for a moment and the way his sweater fit against his broad shoulders. His touch had been exhilarating. I walked back to my chair. "It smells good. Do you have coffee?" I was going to need it.

He nodded and tipped his head towards the coffee machine. "I'll put on a fresh pot for you."

I needed something to do with my hands now that they weren't on him. I stood up again. "It's okay. I can do it."

"Coffee grounds are in the top shelf."

I busied myself with the task and when it was done, I poured us a mug each. He was making scrambled eggs with vegetables and breakfast sausage. I watched him assemble the tacos and he slid a plate in front of me.

My mouth watered at the smell as he pulled a few sauces out of the fridge. I thanked him and realised he was waiting for my verdict.

I chuckled. "Right. I'm the judge."

He nodded with a smile.

I took a bite and the flavours complemented each other well. The avocado balanced out the perfect saltiness of the sausage and I was in heaven. "Kane, this is really good."

"I'm glad you like it." He dug into his.

I noticed that this was the first time between us that felt easy. The hug had made me relax in his presence and I hoped it was a start. I didn't like the fear that I felt—it felt backwards like my head and the mate pull were at odds.

"Are you up for meeting the pack today? Everything has been pushed back this morning to make time for everyone to come together."

Anxiety took root in me but I pushed it down. Be a luna. "Yeah, sure. Anything I should know beforehand?"

He finished his mouthful. "My parents are going to be there too but don't worry, they're going to love you. They've wished for me to have a mate for years."

He piqued my curiosity and I placed my taco down. "You didn't have words on your wrist either. How old are you?"

A frown appeared on his face at the reminder and it was like he was being transported to the past. "My wrist being empty caused me a lot of...pain. I'm twenty-five next week. Four years have felt like a long time."

I knew the feeling. I turned my wrist to look at it. "Still doesn't feel real."

He chuckled. "It doesn't. But we've been given a chance, right?"

I looked up into his amber eyes, wondering when they would feel like home. Maybe time was all I needed. "Right."

—————

Seeing his pack all in one place was more nerve-racking than I thought it'd be. We had all gathered in the communal hall and the place was decorated with a welcome banner and balloons. Refreshments were laid out on the tables and people were talking amongst themselves until Kane and I walked through the door.

They shocked me when they popped their party poppers and cheered. Getting a new luna was one of the most monumental moments in a pack's history and I could feel their happiness. It must've been multiplied since Kane never thought he'd get a luna.

My eyes widened slightly and I grinned. Their energy was infectious. I looked up at Kane and it was like he brightened up in the face of their joy. His arm gently brushed against mine and I debated taking his hand. I didn't want the distance between us to be so evident in front of his pack.

I linked my fingers with his and he glanced down at me. His smile widened and he squeezed my hand. He led me forward and I was quickly greeted by who I instantly recognised as his parents. He looked like a perfect mix of both.

His mother was the first to pull me into a hug. "Welcome to the pack, Rina." Her embrace was warm.

"Welcome," his father echoed. I hugged him next. "I'm Lachlan and my wife is Moira."

"It's nice to meet you both." I tried to give them my best smile. Kane hadn't made the best impression on my parents so I didn't want to have the same dynamic.

Moira's eyes were the same amber as Kane's. It made a difference now that I knew he had his mother's eyes. She placed a warm hand on my arm. "I remember the day I met this pack. Just take it one person at a time and if it's too overwhelming, let me know."

I covered her hand with mine. She reminded me of my mother. "Thank you."

I spotted Finn and Carmen across the hall and waved at them. Kane was beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder before he addressed the pack.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice. It brings me great pleasure to introduce my mate, Rina, to you all. As you all know, I left for the annual treaty revision a few days ago. She's from the beta family in Alpha Eryx's pack."

There were a few hollers and claps. He squeezed my shoulder and I mustered up the courage to address them too. "Thank you for being so welcoming. I look forward to getting to know you all."

The hard part was over. I wouldn't officially be the luna or gain my new rank until Kane and I completed the mate process but the title was a formality given beforehand out of respect. I didn't want to spoil the moment by thinking about how long it would take Kane and me to get to that point.

I spotted Finn and Carmen making their way towards me when a small girl who looked to be approximately six years old ran up to me. Her ginger hair was in two braids and her blue eyes glistened at the sight of me. "Hi, Luna! I drew this for you!" her Scottish accent was thick and endearing.

I took the paper into my hand. She had a welcome sign with stars and flowers all around it. I crouched down to meet her. "This is beautiful, thank you! What's your name?"

She grinned. "Sophie."

I held her drawing to my chest. "Well, Sophie, I'm going to hang this up at home. Thank you for making it for me."

She bounded forward and wrapped her tiny arms around me. I quickly caught her in my arms and hugged her back. The emotion gripped me by the throat. Her kindness eased my anxiety.

She pulled back and scanned my face. "You're really pretty, Luna."

"You are just the sweetest! So are you." I hugged her again and she beamed from ear.

I stood up when the group of kids she came from called her over. They were watching us excitedly and I made a move towards them when I was stopped by a woman.

She was beautiful. Her honey blonde hair reached her shoulders and her eyes were a rich brown. She held out her hand to me. "I'm Celeste. It's nice to meet you."

I glanced at Sophie and watched as she ran over to join her friends. I shook Celeste's hand, mustering up a smile until I noticed she was looking past me at Kane. I looked back at him for a moment to see an unamused expression on his face.

"Rina," I replied, squeezing her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

She tore her gaze away from Kane and smiled at me but it was a stiff one. A crease formed between my eyebrows and I let go of her hand. Kane stepped forward and stood beside me.

"This year's treaty revision was more fruitful than expected. Congratulations, Kane." She punctuated her sentence with another smile.

The last person to have called him by his name was my father and I couldn't easily forget the angry reaction he had. This time, however, he simply sighed.

"Celeste...this was always a possibility. I'm sorry."

I was officially lost and the confusion written on my face was like blood to a shark. Celeste looked at me and her eyebrows raised. "You weren't told..."

"Celeste, not here," Kane warned.

She shook her head with a laugh. "Up until yesterday, I was chosen to become this pack's luna."