Chapter Twenty Three: Moving Closer
{ Vale }

In the weeks that passed I had George and Wex running things for me as I selfishly went up North to help Shelby get all her stuff packed and moved.

"Last box." I said as I put the box into the large moving truck before greedily kissing her.

I had been here a week and to say Shelby and I had gotten much closer would be an understatement.

"Careful now." She smirked, "You know those kisses tend to lead to much more."

"Are you saying you don't like it?" I asked playfully as I kissed her again.

"On the contrary, I seem to like them a little too much." She smiled seductively, "Just don't want the same thing to happen as last night." She said before going back into her old apartment for a final walk through to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything.

I closed up the truck and thought about last night fondly...true we didn't exactly have sex but damn did it feel good to finally be able to not only be with my Mate, but to also be openly affectionate.

I could feel my teeth enlongating as the same arousal from last night pushed forward at the memory of how far Shelby and I had gone intimately last night...so much so that I carelessly almost marked her.

'Mate's not ready for that.'

I nodded and sighed, "Soon."

'Can't rush her.'

Of course I knew that, and I wouldn't dream of rushing her into being my mate fully and becoming our pack's Luna...but I also couldn't deny that every day i've spent with her our bond has grown significantly and primaly, my wolf and I were ready to have our mate bearing our mark and ruling by our side.

But in the same instance, we also knew we needed to reign it in.

Soon we'd be on my packlands where we'd begin the charade of her being a friend of mine new to the pack.

We had to sell it perfectly otherwise the council would grow suspicious and she'd need to be presented as my Luna.

"I guess that's it then...you gonna be good on the road alone?" She asked with a deep concern filling her radiant face.

I gave her one small peck. "I'll be fine..but I want you to travel comfortably...you fly over, My Beta George will pick you and take you to your new house...he's already helped me get the main furniture all set up so it's fully furnished with the exception of one of the rooms, of course that'll be the nursery and I was kinda hoping...maybe we could set that room up together?"

She smiled and wrapped her arms around my waste..."You're too good to me My Mate."

"Not nearly good enough." I disagreed before kissing her once again."

Her car arrived and I helped get her carry on bag into the trunk before I kissed her one more time. "Text me when you board, and once you land...again, George should be waiting for you, let me know if he isn't."

She nodded and I helped her into the car before watching her go.

I let out a heavy sigh and got ready to get into the moving truck before my phone rang.

I smiled when I saw the familiar number.

"Please tell me you're back?"

"Not quite...but Mom's doing a lot better so we'll both be back soon, how're things with Shelby?" Jessa asked.

"Good, she just left."

"Then she's right on schedule...The tickets I got her said they'd be departing at 10:30...so she should be arriving in town 2 hours later...she has one layover but it's not even a 40 minute wait, but this way she can stretch her legs and eat something substancial."

"I really appreciate this Jessa, and not just this...everything you've done even though you're main focus should be on your mother."

"Please" She scoffed, "It's my job..and like I said, Mom's fine...she's just on the mend and hates to be coddled...she keeps reminding us she isn't an invalid."

I laughed, "She sounds sassy."

She chuckled, "Oh you have No idea."

I shrugged, "Well I can see where you get it from now."

"Shut up..." she laughed. "Anyways, you should get going if you plan on being back with Shelby sooner rather than later."

We hung up after that and I hit the road.

_____

When I finally got back to my pack I went straight over to the Shelby's new house, I finally killed the engine and got off to stretch.

Shelby immediately came to greet me with open arms and a wide smile that filled her beautiful face.

I didn't hesitate to kisses her.

"Hey." I smiled.

"Hey yourself...I'm glad you finally made it." She said.

I nodded, "me too...all I wanted was to get here and be with you two." I said as I placed my hand upon her belly.

"Well, just leave all this stuff here for now and get some rest...I was just finishing up some spaghetti if you're hungry?"

"I'm starving." I said as I got ready to follow her into her house.

"I also want to thank you again, this house is so perfect, I can't wait to decorate it together and get all of my stuff in here."

I smiled at how excited she was, and I couldn't hide how proud I was to have her here finally. But before I could fully walk into the house my cellphone rang, I looked at it and saw George's number.

"What's up George?" I asked as I watched Shelby smile and enter the house comfortably at home already.

"Alpha...you need to get to the pack house as soon as you arrive back into town, there's been an issue."

My heart was racing, "I'm with Shelby now, we're on our way."

As much as I wish I could just go with Shelby and enjoy her in her happy little home I could hear the worry in George's voice and to be honest it put my wolf on edge.

"Vale...is everything alright?"

I looked at her and shook my head, "honestly I don't know...but I know George wouldn't have called if it wasn't serious...go and turn your food off, we've got to get going."

She didn't hesitate to do as instructed and I anxiously waited for her. When she finally walked back out I saw she had my keys to the car I had left here knowing she'd need to get around town while I wasn't here.

She handed them over, "I know it's urgent...but do you think you can drive carefully?"

I smiled and nodded, "I've got precious cargo now...don't worry, I'll be safe." I said before I kissed her and helped her into the passenger side before we finally took off.