"You still make me nervous when you walk in the room. Them butterflies they come alive when I'm next to you. Over and over the only truth: everything comes back to you."

~Niall Horan, 'This Town'

~~~

*Easton's POV*

| TWO YEARS LATER |

"No, I specifically asked for circular tables with cream-colored linens," I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying not to shout at the frazzled wolves. "Do those look like fucking circles?"

"N-No, Alpha," one of the wolves stammers. "We'll fix this! Don't worry about it!"

"I wouldn't have to worry if my pack would differentiate a circle from a square," I growl, and they pale before scurrying away. Sighing, I shake my head and look down at my list. Tables, catering, music...

"Dude, you need to take it easy," Mateo says, bringing his hand down on my shoulder. "You're scaring everyone."

"Tonight has to be perfect, Mateo," I stress. "It's Landon's eighteenth birthday. He's finally going to become Luna of our pack. I won't settle for anything less than perfect."

"Kind of weird to have his Luna Blessing when you two haven't even mated yet," Mateo snickers, and I shoot him a glare. "Oof, sorry. Touchy subject?"

"You try having blue balls for two years," I grumble under my breath. "Okay, I'm going to check on the food. Can you make sure they bring in the correct tables this time?"

"You got it, boss," Mateo salutes with a wink. Rolling my eyes, I head off to the kitchen to oversee food preparations. Satisfied with what I find, I go through each item on the list, checking them off when they're satisfactory.

"Easton!" Leon, now fifteen-years-old, runs into the ballroom. "Landon's on his way!"

"Already?!" I shout, panicked. "He's not supposed to show up for another hour! Stall him!"

"I tried!" He whines. "I took him to that coffee shop you said he liked, and he slipped away while I was paying!"

"Damn it," I exhale, already feeling exhausted when the night has barely begun. "Okay, go upstairs and start getting ready. Mom picked out a suit for you to wear tonight."

"I don't need mom to pick out my clothes," he grumbles, and I shoot him a look.

"Just go," I shoo him away, ignoring him as he curses under his breath. Once he's run, I run a hand over my face.

'Tonight's going to be a disaster.'

"Shut up," I growl, squeezing my eyes shut.

'Landon doesn't want to be your Luna. He knows how fucking pathetic you are. How weak.'

"No," I say, louder this time as I cover my ears.

'They will never accept a male Luna. You're only going to humiliate him.'

"Enough!" I shout, causing heads to turn in my direction.

"Easton," a soft hand falls on my shoulder, and I whip around in surprise to see Landon staring at me with wide eyes. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I lie quickly. Landon furrows his brows, clearly not believing me.

"Then what was—"

"You look amazing," I cut him off with a smile, and this time I'm not lying. He's wearing a dark maroon suit that matches mine, only he looks a thousand times better with his golden hair swept back.

He blushes at the compliment. "Thank you. Are you sure this suit isn't too much? The material is really expensive."

"Of course it's not too much," I wave it off. "Babe, it's your Luna Blessing. It's only fitting that you're dressed your best."

"Okay," he nods hesitantly. "If you say so."

I press a kiss to his forehead, taking the chance to breathe in his scent. Landon's eyes flutter as he looks up at me.

"Your scent..." Landon starts in awe. "It's stronger now."

"That's because you're eighteen, pumpkin," I grin. "You can feel our bond better now."

He blinks before a smile slowly spreads across his face. "Leo's been yapping about you being my mate in my mind, but I was too worried about you to focus on that. I guess I'm just used to being your mate at this point."

"How does it feel?" I ask, pulling him in for a hug. He instantly melts in my arms.

"Amazing," he whispers. "It's even better than I thought it would be. I feel so much more connected to you. Do all mates feel like this? Or am I special because I fell for you years ago?"

I chuckle. "Well, all wolves do feel connected to their mates, but I won't deny that you're special. What do I smell like to you?"

Landon presses his nose to the crook of my neck; the contact sending sparks of pleasure to erupt in my body. I bite my lower lip, suppressing the urge to moan.

"Pumpkin spice and bourbon," he grins before wrinkling his nose and frowning. "And cigarettes. Were you smoking?"

I wince guiltily. "Just one earlier. I'm sorry, babe, I was stressed."

He sighs, pulling away to cross his arms. "You said you would stop."

"I know, and I will. I just slipped up. It won't happen again."

"If you say so," he mumbles, looking down at the ground. Feeling bad for upsetting him on his big day, I cup his cheeks and tilt his head up. His bright blue eyes meet mine as his pink lips part slightly.

"I do say so," I vow, leaning down to connect our lips. Landon gasps against my mouth, clinging to my suit jacket. He whimpers as I kiss him hungrily, getting a taste of what I'll be receiving later tonight.

"Holy shit," he breathes out. "That was so much better than before. Fuck, can we just skip the blessing and go upstairs?"

"Nope," I tease, even thought that's exactly what I want to do. "If you can get through the evening without complaining, I'll give you a reward."

He perks up. "What kind of reward?"

"The best kind," I say with a wink, making his blush deepen. Before long, wolves are showing up at the ballroom, dressed to the nines. Landon and I greet each of them, and I watch with a secret smile as my mate interacts with his pack. He's practically glowing as each pack member shakes his hand, enthusiastically congratulating him.

"Boys!" My mom waves us over, dressed in a dark green floor-length gown. "It's time to start."

Taking Landon's hand in mine, I lead him to the stage at the front of the room. His family sits at a table with mine, and they all beam with pride as Landon joins me on stage.

"Silver Woods Pack," I start confidently, immediately silencing the room. "Thank you for being here tonight as I introduce my mate and Luna to you all. Landon Grey."

The crowd cheers when Landon steps forward with a wide smile on his face.

"As is customary, the previous Luna will pass on a blessing from the Moon Goddess to your current Luna."

My mother steps forward, taking Landon's hands in hers as they face each other. Their eyes start to glow as the blessing commences.

"Landon Grey," my mother begins. "May the Moon Goddess shine upon you for all your days as Luna of the Silver Woods Pack. I can think of no wolf better suited to be Easton's mate, and I trust that you will make an excellent Luna."

Landon smiles warmly, his blue eyes glowing brightly. My mom pulls him in for a tight hug and everyone cheers wildly.

"We will now have a banquet in honor of tonight's blessing," I announce, signaling for the staff to bring out the food. Landon glances at me, and I can tell we have the same thing on our minds.

When the hell can we slip out of here and fucking mate already?