Dead Luna
Chapter 44

Amelia's

POV

The mystery of the ginormous tip was perplexing, but wasn't important in the grand scheme of things. I had several tables that night besides the 2 tables of werewolves. It could have been any of them.

"So other than Moon goddess telling me what your wolf did to save me, I know very little about you. So just in case I choose another Alpha to be my mate, I need to know what you are hoping for in your future Luna." I tell Derrick. "Hmm." He thinks for several minutes, as he starts to pick a few flowers, making a colorful bouquet that he eventually hands to me. "I guess I've never thought about it. I trust in Moon Goddess to know what I need. And I always figured if I saw the woman I was destined to be with, I'd just know it, I guess."

"I was very impressed when I saw you walk up to our table, though, you looked ready to take on the world with your kick a*s attitude. And so tall, curvy, and gorgeous. You are like the full package. Everything a man needs, and then some. I did hope at that point that you really were my mate, but Harry said no, he'd let me know immediately if you were. And I even asked what he thought about maybe taking you as a chosen mate. I could tell he was interested in you, but he still said not unless the moon goddess told him so." "Then that mind link you sent me? So clever and sensible. Those words will stay with me for the rest of my life, about learning to be happy with what you have, or you don't deserve anything better. I've never been in love before, but all it took was our brief interaction that night, and I was already halfway there!"

"So I guess what I'm saying is that I hope you and I become mates. I don't know if you recall or not, but Harry actually did come forward as you were dying in my arms and promised that if you lived, I'd make you my Luna."

"Wow!" I say, I hadn't known even half that stuff. That he had started to fall in love with me, a virtual stranger, so quickly. Me, some nobody omega without even a wolf back then. No mate bond or anything, but he was willing to take me as a chosen mate? Even knowing that I had been rejected by Leo. I was extremely flattered!

"I realize that it's your choice, of course. But I'm really hoping to be the alpha that you choose. I would love you and care for you, and I believe we'd be very happy together. And I will offer your mom a comfortable retirement. I'm sure you'd want her close by when we start having pups!"

"How many pups do you think we should have?" I eagerly ask Derrick, as children are a priority of mine.

"Well, I'm hoping to have several, but if you only want one or two I'd be okay with that. Whatever makes you happy is the right number." Derrick says, and my heart does a happy little flip flop at his answer. He honestly sounds almost too good to be true. "If you don't choose me, I'm sure you'd still make sure I was mated to a wonderful Luna. I've always known you to be a generous hearted woman, starting from when you were just a little girl. I recall you nursing a half dead kitten back to health after it had been attacked by a dog. You couldn't have been more than 6 or 7 at the time."

I nod, amazed that Derrick remembered that. I had named the kitten Tommy. He had ruled in the kitchen for many years afterwards, keeping the place rodent free.

"I also recall the time you found me crying right after my grandmother died," Derrick continued. "You ran away, and I thought you had left me. But you came back with cookies that were still warm from the oven. I thought you were so clever and had somehow stolen them, but apparently all you had to do was ask your mom."

We both laughed at this remembrance of our youth.

"I guess what I'm trying to say here, is that I trust you with my heart and my pack. I'm positive that whatever it is you do, it will be what is best for everyone."

Then he wrapped me in his arms and kissed my forehead, before we headed back to the pack house for dinner.

Jackson got us a vase from the kitchen, which we set in front of my plate for the colorful little bouquet of pink dianthus, purple blue bachelor buttons, and creamy white mallow flowers.

Everyone started arriving for dinner at that point, including my mom who was dressed again in the fashionable beige dress. I was wearing my favorite blue sundress today. I took my seat next to Derrick, then Leo entered and sat on my other side. I saw him glance at my flowers, unimpressed.

Then he is talking around me at Derrick, saying that the movers would be there the day after tomorrow to clear everything else out of the gamma suite.

"Sure," Derrick grunts. "That'll be fine."

Then Leo looks at me for a moment as if he has something to say, only he seems unable to form the words. He then looks down at his hands, almost as if he is praying.

I'm about to give up on whatever it is Leo wants to say to me when I hear a mind link that comes from him. Can I please have the first appointment tomorrow?

Of course!

Then dinner was being served, everyone seeming excited to have fried chicken except for Luna Francine who didn't like to eat greasy foods, and with her fingers, no less! She was given a special meal of chicken cutlets in a creamy Dijon wine sauce that was more to her liking.

The servers brought the meals out plated already, and with shiny metal covers. A couple people were staring suspiciously in Leo's direction though, when his meal was uncovered to reveal that he was given smiley face chicken nuggets and broccoli. He stared at it for a moment, then started laughing. He picks one up and takes a bite.

"Hey, the nuggets are hot this time!"

Everyone was laughing and joking around by now, the story from the diner being spread rapidly.

"May I please have some ranch dip?" He asks one of the servers as she passes by. But when she came back, she took the nuggets away and gave him a meal of fried chicken, corn on the cob, and broccoli. Leo thanked her before digging in.

I was torn between laughter and embarrassment over the silly joke that Derrick had pulled, as it had been done apparently at Derricks command. It seemed to be just as big a dig at me as it was for Leo, in my opinion.

"I was just messing with you, man!" Derrick says once he was finally able to stop laughing.

"Well, it's all good, as long as you haven't messed with my apple pie. That would be unforgivable!" Leo replies, sounding good natured and laughing along with everyone else. "And at least you aren't making me pay for everyone's meal this time!" Wait? What the hell?

I quickly glance over at Leo's face and watch as it rapidly changes color. It was clear that he realized he had let slip some information that he had apparently never intended to. He was no longer laughing.

Were you ever planning to tell me? I ask thru the mind link, as we both dig into the crispy and flavorful chicken. I can tell that he seems conflicted about whatever his reasons were for the huge tip. I have to wait some time before he finally replies. I'll be early tomorrow...