Capítulo 33

"Thank you," Phoebe smiled at the staff. She hated to think they had interrupted meal preparation, but the kitchen was quite large, and the staff assured her the use of one oven meant nothing. "Of course, Luna," Myra, the head of the kitchen, answered.

She was a robust she-wolf, a mother who successfully raised three pups and her niece. Myra reminded Phoebe of the motherly wolf in charge of the kitchen at her old pack. "You can come by any time. And please bring the pups too." Phoebe hugged the older she-wolf, much to the latter's surprise, before herding the pups back to the dining hall.

Parents were already arriving, having been told their pups would be at the kitchen rather than the daycare center. The pups greeted their parents, eager to show off their culinary results. "Mommy," Emma tugged Phoebe's hand, "can we show Daddy too?"

"Of course," Phoebe smiled, patting her head. She was still getting used to the title both the siblings eagerly bestowed on her, but it warmed her heart. Though she was hesitant to disrupt Jason's work, she wanted the pups to feel closer to him. Norah nodded encouragement, so she left the former Luna to watch over the rest of the pups still waiting for their parents and took Blake and Emma by the hand. Both had been given baggies with extra brownies for Luke, Mona, Ben, and Lucille, as none of them had pups of their own.

Considering how long both Ben and Luke had been mated, it seemed strange neither started families. Despite their enhanced libidos, werewolf pregnancies really weren't very common. She-wolves were only fertile during their heat cycle, which occurred once a year, usually during the winter months, thus ensuring their pup would be born in the spring—a holdover from when they relied on the natural bounty of the earth. Less common were she-wolves who had their cycle in the spring so that the pup would be born in the fall during the harvest season.

Even with a wolf's insatiable appetite for their mate, that left a narrow window for pregnancies to occur, and since wolves only gave birth to one pup at a time, it actually gave them a rather low birth rate. Survival rate of pups was practically guaranteed, which aided consistent population growth overall. However, in Luke and Ben's case, she had a sneaking suspicion they deliberately held off having pups so as not to make Jason any more jealous of their good fortune. She hadn't asked them yet, but it made sense given how close they all were. Prior to being marked, she-wolves had a truncated heat cycle that was both shorter and less intense than a marked female. If they mated during that time, it could still lead to pregnancy, though their fertility was really not that high. Now that Phoebe had been marked, her heat cycles would become much more intense, especially if they coincided with the full moon, and pregnancy was all but guaranteed. All wolves shared a strong connection to the full moon.

They were stronger and felt more at peace under the light of a full moon, more so than at any other time. According to Máni, the effect was even more potent with them, which was why Máni insisted Jason mark them before the Luna Ceremony, which was set to take place on the upcoming full moon. Phoebe still recalled their conversation earlier that morning.

Phoebe sensed Jason's departure but remained in contented sleep. She felt heavy as the pack bond knitted her into it.

The connection was stronger and more potent now. She had a direct connection to the ebb and flow of the pack's emotional state. It was a good thing it was so early and most were still asleep or just beginning to stir. Once they woke, it would strain her mind as their worries invaded her through the link. Over time, her mind would naturally learn to channel the input, but for now, she would have to be careful when she accessed the link.

'How are you feeling?' Máni asked.

'Good... considering. Why did you want him to mark us now?'

'It was for his own good.'

'What do you mean?'

'Our strength is directly tied to the moon. We are weakest during the New Moon and strongest when it is Full.'

'Isn't that true for all wolves?'

'Yes, but even more so for us. We've been hiding our true strength all this time, so you've never truly experienced it. Our mate is strong, but he won't be able to endure it full force. That's why we marked him now. It was the last night of the New Moon. As the moon waxes and our power grows, he can gradually acclimate to it.'

'You mean it will really affect him that much?'

'Naturally. An Alpha's strength always increases once he is marked and mated to his Luna. How much is determined by the Luna's inherent strength. It's best if he acclimates gradually!'

Jason's return had cut off further discussion as he slid back into bed and pulled her back into his arms. He nuzzled her as he adjusted her position so that as much of their bare skin touched as possible. Phoebe tried to pretend to be asleep, but she felt his stiff member pressing against her thigh as he held her close. His large hand gently caressed her, earning a moan of approval. Jason didn't seem aware of any changes brought on by the mark. In fact, he was more concerned for her and whether she felt any discomfort from the previous night. Perhaps it was the novelty of its newness or Máni was correct after all.

Jason was replying to an email when a knock at his door interrupted him. Luke and Ben still sat on the couch trying to convince him to join their celebration, but quickly put their glasses down as the door opened, revealing Phoebe and the pups. "Daddy!" Emma squealed, running up to Jason without hesitation.

Jason scooped up the pup as he stood. He covered his awkwardness by nuzzling the pup, causing her to giggle as the bristles on his cheek tickled hers. No matter how many times a wolf shaved, they would have a five o'clock shadow a few hours later. Many usually gave up on a clean-shaved look and ended up with at least a goatee if not a full beard, Jason included.

Though their bond was still new, their scent was definitely becoming more potent. It wasn't quite the same as if they were truly from his blood, but it was more than enough to mark the pups as his and that they were under his protection if anyone intended them harm. In the back of his mind, Lobo wagged his tail, pleased with how the pups were accepting them. His wolf had always loved pups and longed for its own as much as it longed for its mate.

"What brings my little treasures here?" Jason asked, kneeling and bringing the more nervous Blake into his embrace.

He could tell Blake was as desperate for parents as his sister, but knowing Jason was an Alpha made the pup too nervous to appear too familiar. Though Jason was still adjusting to his new role, he wanted both brother and sister to be comfortable with him. Blake leaned into him and snuggled close, enjoying his embrace.

"We made brownies," Phoebe said as the pups showed off their baggies. "The cooks are making enough for the pack, but the ones we made are for the pups' parents."

"Try one! They are really good!" Emma said, opening her bag. "This one is for you."

Jason accepted the gooey offering, still slightly warm. He had never been one for sweets but nonetheless savored the pup's treat. It was the first gift his pups ever gave him.

"It's good, right?" Blake asked. Like the other pups, they had eaten their own immediately.

"It is." Jason hugged them close. Given his awkward childhood, Jason never felt particularly close to his father, so he wasn't prepared for this kind of situation, but he wanted it to last forever.

"Does that mean we won't get any?" Ben asked. He couldn't keep the hurt from his voice, as he loved chocolate.

"We have some for you, Uncle Ben," Blake said, carrying his baggy to them. "And for Uncle Luke too."

Emma followed him to the couch and happily crawled into Luke's lap before offering him one of the gooey brownies. The pups had one for each of them and their mates.

Eagerly accepting the treats, the Beta and Gamma popped them into their mouths, devouring them in a single bite. The Gamma moaned as he leaned back, practically comatose in his rapture. Blake and Emma giggled at his over-the-top reaction. "Where can I buy these?" Ben sighed.

"You can buy the ingredients at any grocery store," Phoebe chuckled as Jason slid his arms around her and held her close. "We made these from scratch."

"You did?" Ben looked at her in surprise. "You bake?"

"Sure. I find it relaxing," Phoebe nodded. Her mother loved to bake, and her father had about as big of a sweet tooth as the Gamma.

"You missed your calling. You definitely belong in the kitchen!"

"What was that?" Jason let out a short growl at the thought of Phoebe being anywhere or anything but his Luna.

"Easy, Alpha," Luke chuckled. "That's just the chocolate talking."

"Speaking of," Ben leaned forward, but Blake stepped out of his reach, saving the last brownie. "This is for Auntie Lucy," the pup declared.

Ben huffed. Like Jason, Lucille didn't have a particularly strong sweet tooth, but she would never turn away fresh-baked goodies, especially if they were delivered by her niece and nephew. Phoebe chuckled, "There are more in the kitchen. The cooks are making them for dessert."

"Oh really?" Ben perked up.

"Well, now you know the way to his heart," Jason joked, nuzzling her and kissing her temple. He didn't care how many hearts she captured, as long as hers belonged to him.