Scarlett's POV

I picked up my phone, texting Jackie to take Xander with her and I would meet them in the dining room. I just needed a few more minutes to collect my thoughts. I used the time to finish throwing on some mascara and sweeping my hair into a simple updo. I also didn't want Xander's massive, hulking frame to be the focus of the room when I walked in. I needed to make sure all eyes were only on me as I dispelled the fabricated lies Mika had spread. Checking the clock on my phone, I was going to be a couple of minutes late. I hurriedly grabbed my phone and threw my shoes on before making my way to the pack dining hall.

I could hear the endless chatter going on inside the room. The only separation were the double doors. I let out a shaky breath before grasping both doors and throwing them wide open. The second I did so, every set of eyes in the room tracked to me. I swallowed and scanned the room. I quickly set my sights on the table where Xander and the rest of the high-ranking pack members were sitting. I kept my eyes straight, not making eye contact with a single pack member as I slowly made my way into the room and toward Xander. The previously silent room began erupting in gasps of horror and hushed words spoken amongst one another.

I could feel the tension in the room instantly transform to sorrow. There were even a few mournful whines released into the air. As I grew closer to the center of the room, I caught sight of Mika in the corner of my eye. I switched the focus of my gaze from Xander to her, unblinking as my glare hardened. She hadn't seen my back yet, though she swallowed thickly as her eyes broke my stare and trailed over my arms.

I finally spoke when I was just a couple of feet from her. "Spread another lie about what I went through - something you can't even begin to understand or even imagine - and I will make sure it's the last thing you do. You can trash talk me about anything and everything else. Keep my past out of your mouth," I growled before continuing the rest of the distance to our table. Xander immediately stood to embrace me when I was finally within arms reach of him. His arms wrapped around my body and he rested them gently against the bare skin of my lower back.

"You're the bravest woman I know. I'm so sorry she pushed you into feeling this was your only option," he murmured against my temple. I sighed before pulling back and looking up into his eyes. He quickly swooped down and captured my lips in a sweet kiss. I knew it was both because he wanted to and as a display to the rest of the pack. I was his, he had chosen me. Pulling back I turned to face the room of shocked faces.

"I understand there are many false allegations going around about me. Rumors concerning my past and subsequently my involvement with Alpha Herrington. I think it's plain to see that these allegations are completely baseless. I may be your Luna, but that doesn't mean I have had a perfect life. I'm not a stranger to pain and I know many of you aren't either. If anyone has any questions about my intentions, or wishes to question my integrity, you can come to me directly. I have no issue answering any questions as best as I can without reliving painful moments of my past," I spoke. I scanned the crowd and met the eyes of multiple pack members as I did so.

I turned and sat in the seat that Xander had pulled out for me. There was an incredibly awkward silence plaguing our table. Vanessa was trying to shield her face from everyone. Her quiet sniffles and gentle shaking of her shoulders gave away the fact that she was crying. Xander's father had a tortured look on his face as his jaw clenched and unclenched. The hand that wasn't stroking his mate's back to comfort her was balled into a tight fist, his knuckles white.

"You're all acting like you're the ones with a mosaic of scars on your body. Lighten up," I finally spoke, breaking the thick tension at the table. Xander released an amused snort before using the hand of the arm that was draped across the back of my chair to gently stroke the skin of my shoulder.

"Good sex must've loosened you up and restored your sense of humor," Jackie commented, causing Vanessa to release a sound between a gasp and a choking noise. She proceeded to turn a bright shade of red. Riley, Raven, and Peyton let out quiet giggles at both Jackie's words and Vanessa's response. Feeling light and playful - more so than I ever had before - I decided to give Jackie an equally cheeky response.

"Must have," I murmured with a smirk that I quickly hid behind my glass of water. I was fully aware that many pack members at the tables immediately around us were intently listening to every word we were exchanging.

"So, what finally did it?" Jackie pressed further, a mischievous look on her face.

"Jackie, I don't think-" Vanessa began, looking like she'd rather be anywhere than at that table listening to a discussion concerning her son's sex life. I couldn't say I blamed her.

"He makes me feel safe," I commented with complete honesty. I was shocked that I'd even answered her, let alone told her the truth. The answer made me get a warm, tingly feeling in my chest that I knew wasn't heartburn. It also...didn't feel like it was my own? My brows furrowed slightly as I glanced at Xander next to me with a questioning gaze. He leaned down to press a soft kiss on my forehead. This time the butterflies that erupted in my stomach were definitely all mine.

"Amongst many other things," I added, trying to dispel the new wave of awkwardness my answer had brought on. It clearly made everyone think about my very public display tonight and the indications behind what I'd said.

"Other things?" Xander was the one to ask, looking both smug and curious.

"Are you fishing for a compliment, Alpha Herrington?" Donovan teased from a few seats down. Xander just laughed softly in response, but immediately went silent when I'd sent him the images my wolf was playing through my mind; very naughty ones that conveyed exactly what we liked about him that fit into the category of 'other things'. Xander's eyes went black as he licked his bottom lip.

"Giving your mate blue balls at a public dinner isn't considered polite, Luna Scarlett. Just in case no one has ever told you," Raven commented with a laugh. Everyone else joined in with her, clearly detecting the change in Xander's demeanor.

"I'll make it up to him later," I commented off-handedly, not-so-subtly maneuvering my hand to his thigh and giving it a light stroke. My remark caused all the men at the table to roar with laughter before releasing a few teasing hoots and hollers. The rest of the dinner went smoothly. My scars were still a very interesting subject to the pack as it didn't sound like much conversation was happening around us.

"Luna Scarlett," came a soft baritone voice behind me. Immediately recognizing it, I turned to give Damien a smile. I nodded for him to continue. He shifted nervously on his feet as everyone at the table's eyes set on him. "I just came to tell you congratulations on your mating from all of us. Um, from the orphanage? Yeah. And thanks again," he said softly, a hue of pink splattering his cheeks. My smile grew immensely.

"Thank you, Damien. I appreciate it more than you'll ever know," I said, sincerity in my tone. He was the first member - outside of high-ranking officials - to formally acknowledge my officialized status among the pack. Something I didn't take lightly. He didn't hang around long - only enough time for me to ask how school was going now that he was attending with the rest of the pack children.

Things continued going smoothly with conversation starting to pick up more around us. That is, until dessert was being served and Xander's father decided to speak up.

"So, when can I expect you two to make me a grandpa?" There was a playful look on his face, telling me that he had no real expectations and that he was just jumping onto the teasing wagon - as everyone else had along the course of the evening. The corner of Xander's mouth turned upward into a lazy half-smile that made one of his perfect dimples pop.

"Who knows? Could be in just nine short months, I suppose," he commented off-handedly, taking a bite of cheesecake to hide his cheeky smile. I giggled behind my hand, anticipating his parents' reactions. However, a huge crashing noise sounded behind us.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Mika's distinct voice screamed at the top of her lungs at one of her minions. She quickly stormed out after. By the looks of things, the crash appeared to be all the plates from the table Mika had been sitting at swiped to the floor in her rage.

"Well, apparently someone's not happy Xander's been shooting his baby juice inside you," Jackie muttered under her breath. It was only loud enough that I could hear. I sputtered out a laugh before giving her an incredulous look. "What? Clearly it's the truth," she snorted. Everyone looked at us, curious as to what we were talking about.

"On that note, I think we'll take the rest of our dessert to go," Xander said as he stood from his chair. Everyone at the table eyed his already empty plate.

"You have such pressing matters that you can't stay a little longer?" Vanessa asked, looking only slightly serious.

"If you want to be a grandma, yes," he shot back with a mischievous smirk.

"Xander Joseph!"

**

Xander's weight fell completely against me, pushing me further into the mattress as I panted in an attempt to catch my breath.

"Doggy's definitely my favorite so far," I commented as my breathing continued to slow and even out once again.

"Fuck, I love you so much," Xander groaned out against the shell of my ear. "Oh, shit, am I crushing you?" he rushed out before swiftly pushing himself up, removing his weight from my body.

"Mmm, I kinda liked it," I murmured softly, "however, my knees are starting to ache from being on them in this position for so long," I said. He chuckled, moving onto his back. Once settled, he shifted my body so I was tucked against his side. I pressed my face into his chest. A few minutes passed before I decided to bring up the thought I'd been mulling over since we'd retired to our bedroom for the night.

"So-"

"I can already tell I'm not going to like whatever is about to come out of your mouth solely based on that opening," he huffed out. I laughed softly in response.

"I'd like to start training again. And with someone who's appropriately matched for me as far as skill set. I don't want to lose my edge just because I left The Council. I don't think there's anyone among your female warriors suited to spar with me-"

"Then you will train with me," he immediately growled, though it was soft and more gruff than anything. I fought to keep the smile that wanted to break out on my face at bay. I lifted myself up so I could get a proper look at his face.

"You don't think that would be too much of a distraction?" I asked, purposely batting my lashes and beginning to trace barely-there, teasing lines across his chest with my pointer finger. He swallowed thickly. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head harshly.

"No. I don't. It may be hard to believe, but sex isn't even close to the most important thing to my wolf where you're concerned. It's your safety. I can't promise when we're done training that he will just let you shower and go right to sleep, though," he said. A grin that couldn't be described as anything other than wolfish pull at his lips. It was at that moment I knew Xander was purposely allowing his thoughts to roll over to me.

An image of him and me in the shower slowly appeared in my mind. I was kneeling in front of him. His hand harshly gripped my hair, pulling it back and out of my face. He was simultaneously using the grip to yank my head back and expose my neck. His other hand gripped my breast, tweaking the nipple to a hardened peak. My hands were wrapped around his painfully erect member, the throbbing tip just about to enter my mouth.

My breath caught in my throat at the image. Remembering his words - that the most important thing to him was my safety - made warm fuzzies envelope my chest. An increased surge of moisture added to the already growing wetness that was accumulating between my legs. This man made me feel so wanted in the best ways.

"I've been having real trouble reaching that spot in the middle of my back when I shower. Think you can lend me a hand?" I leaned in to whisper against his lips. I trailed my hand down and wrapped it around his dick as I said the word hand. He released a long hiss as his hips jerked upwards into my palm.

Safe to say Xander got me dirtier before finally helping me clean up during that shower. Not that I was complaining one bit.