noun ~ the first meal of the day

Deep asleep, I was far away from my worries. But the sensation of something stroking along my jaw had my skin raising in goosebumps as my mind woke up. I muttered to myself, swatting the tickling thing away.

A deep chuckle sounded from behind me, alerting my mind from its dreamy state. I sighed softly, rolling over to lazily open my eyes. Phoenix lay next to me, his chest bare and covered in tiny little hairs. I raised my hand to cup his jaw, a mumbled good morning escaping my lips. He smirked at me, his eyes creasing in the corners.

"Morning beautiful." He chirped.

I grumbled at him, ducking my head back into the pillow. He laughed and I felt the weight shift in the bed as he sat up. I watched through one eye as he climbed out of the bed, my eyes falling to his bare back and ass. He was still dirty from training, mud-caked his ankles and arms. I watched him walk away, his muscles taught with every stride until he entered the bathroom. I sighed, knowing I had to get up despite how much I wanted to stay in bed. I heard Phoenix showering, and knew he would be eager to go down for breakfast together.

I eventually pulled myself up and glanced at the time on the wall. It was close to nine in the morning, the sky grey with clouds. It looked gusty too, the treetops below us swaying violently against each other. I hummed and swung my legs out of bed to stand. I meandered my way through the thrown around clothes from last night, too tired to be bothered about cleaning them. I fished out some clean clothes just as Phoenix exited the bathroom, still nude.

He smirked at me, but I narrowed my eyes. He knew not to engage in small talk at this hour. He chuckled, going to the side of the closet where his clothes were kept. I left him behind, going into the bathroom to get ready. I briefly washed with a wet cloth before dressing and moisturising for the day ahead. I brushed my teeth, noticing Phoenix had left the toothpaste on the side, before leaving the small room.

He stood waiting for me, my 'indoor shoes' in his hand. Basically sliders. I took them from him with a smile and slipped them on. Today I was dressed in leggings and a large sweatshirt, whereas he was in some neat, tight trousers and cotton button-down. I frowned at myself, feeling underdressed.

His arm came around my waist, sensing my distress. "You look fine, my love."

I wrinkled my nose up in disagreement but he pushed me out of the door before I could protest further. Wise man. I lead the way down the stairs and eventually into the kitchen. It was busy today, being Wednesday most wolves were up ready for training. Phoenix and Sean trained them Wednesday early mornings and they tended to finish around this time, so I wasn't surprised.

I trained every Friday, Monday and Thursday, for two hours a day. Now I had built up a good amount of weight and gaining muscle every time, I dropped the old routine. I didn't see the need to work out five or six times a week like every warrior here. I wasn't the strong, fighting type. Plus, it was too much effort.

Speaking of effort, not only did Molly train three times a week but she also went to work in the clothes store five days a week. I wanted to pay her a visit at work, to see what she was up to as I had hardly seen her this week, and a lot was going on. Not only that, but Phoenix was insistent on me getting my King's coronation dress fitted. It was too large on me, and Molly being a seamstress now, was going to be the one to fix it for me... The coronation was Saturday and I wasn't looking forward to it.

"Morning Alpha, Luna." Alex chirped.

Ah, Alex. The wolf who did Phoenix's coffee wrong and came here an Omega much like me, only to be one of the top warriors. Alex who had found me, hypothermic and drenched after I escaped the rogues. Alex, who's true mate left him for the enemy, who is now MIA. He deserved so much more than Sophie as a true mate. The fact he was not suffering meant she was alive, despite the fact they had not marked.

"Morning Alex," I greeted. "How was training?"

He shrugged, chewing on an apple. "Same old, once you've done it all it's a lot easier."

I smiled at him in return, nodding my head in understanding. Phoenix's hand on my waist loosened as he moved to grab himself a plate. Pack life was smooth, everyone together under one roof. Being a warrior pack, meant there were no families, no children to desire a home of their own. So we all lived together, like the wolves we truly are. The pack ran efficiently, everyone picked up their own slack.

There were general maids, such as Lucy who I had met when I first ever came here. But even then, she was still trained; she just spent most of her time cleaning. Then there were obviously the Chef's and others such as Gaia, who had grown too old to train and fight, so retired to caring for the pack's health instead.

I had chosen some simple toast and strawberry jam, my mind too focused on my doctor's appointment to eat anything else. Once my jam was smothered, I glanced up to find Phoenix. My eyebrows furrowed when I found he wasn't next to me, and I followed my instinct to find him stood at the far end of the kitchen island. I grinned when I saw what he held; a half-pint glass of orange juice, filled with ice.

He smirked at me, jerking his head for me to follow. I made my way around the crowded kitchen, greeting the old wolf politely, blush on my cheek at the number of times I had to say excuse me. Eventually, I made it out, and into the dining room. Phoenix was already sat, sipping at his coffee with my orange juice on a table sitting opposite him. I pecked his cheek before I sat, causing him to chuckle into his mug.

I gulped the iced drink before sighing in content. "Thank you."

He winked at me in response, chewing on his breakfast. I noticed he had chosen porridge today, littered with berries and syrup and a side that smelt like a bacon and sausage roll. Training days he tended to have two breakfasts; one before and one after since they were started at six-thirty. I guess that explained the cute breakfast for right now. He had downed his coffee like water, setting the empty mug beside us as he glanced around the room.

"You back to normal Nova yet?" He mused.

I rolled my eyes, swallowing my toast. "Yes."

He chuckled, his eyes intent on me. I shifted under his gaze, always slightly intimidated by his beauty. I wasn't sure how I got so lucky with him. I felt measly under his gaze like he should have someone more...beautiful like him. His curled hair wrapped perfectly around his ears to stop at his lobes, a few stray curls adorning his forehead. His angular jaw was lightly stubbled, obviously not shaven in a couple of days. His nose was larger than mine, although perfect for his perfect damn face, although it did hold a slight crook from the number of times it had been broken in a fight.

His skin, beautifully tanned to match his dark hair and hazel honey eyes. His Spanish traits really thought; yes, let me make the most beautiful man alive. His shoulders were wide and strong, his arms thick and taught as they stayed clasped around his cutlery. His many rings, I counted five, fit perfectly thick fingers that had me blushing. Although, his nails needed work; they were broken in places and need of a file.

I knew his hands were rougher than the rest of his body, overused and often injured. His skin lay littered with small scars, from where he had been caught by silver in the past. I knew he also had some harsher scarring on his shoulders from where his father used to beat him with his silver-buckled belt. He was still not ready to open that door yet, and I would wait until he was ready.

The bullet wound from the fight left a wonderful spiral effect, reminding me of a whirlpool below his left nipple. And let's not even get started on the rest of his body. Mountains of muscle above strong legs and wide hips. Admiring his body just reminded me that, yes he was beautiful but his body held a lot of secrets and a difficult past. It had carried him through a lot, much like mine, and I admired him for that. I didn't see him as the vicious King's Alpha who mercilessly killed wolves like many others did; like I did when I first met him.

"Is she okay?"

I snapped back to reality at the new voice, blinking up to see Charlie sat beside Phoenix. The latter laughed, shaking his head.

"When did you get here?" I wondered.

Charlie rolled his eyes. "I think it was when you started to drool."

I narrowed mine in return, going back to drink my juice. He chuckled at me before turning to glance between us. I could see questions in his eyes, and swallowed the juice down bitterly.

"What's up?" I wondered.

He shook his head. "Nothing, just wanted to come see my favourite people."

"You don't randomly pop up for no reason." Phoenix nodded in agreement.

Charlie huffed, his brown hair shorter today; he must've had it cut this morning. "You guys suck out all the joy."

Phoenix smirked, leaning back in his chair to get a better look at Charlie. "What is it?"

Charlie glanced at me, nervously. "I was wondering if you could talk to Calida today, see if she will speak to me."

I frowned, finishing my breakfast. "I can try... But she's..."

"Difficult." He grunted.

I held back a laugh, biting on my lower lip. "I was going to say, hard to persuade."

He grunted, crossing his arms. "I don't know what to do. I tried talking, I tried the flowers trick but they backfired massively. Sean was picking thorns from my back for an hour!"

I couldn't help but laugh this time, noticing Phoenix was watching the room until I did so, then his eyes turned back to me.

"Nova can visit her after her doctor appointment." Phoenix commented.

Charlie's eyes widened. "Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I'm really surprised I'm not an Uncle yet, with the amount of times you guys get it on."

I blushed but Phoenix just rolled his eyes. "We don't-"

"Please, you constantly stink of each other, and not just as mates do naturally." Charlie snorted. "I'm just glad your floor is soundproof because I am directly below your living room and do not want to here that."

I choked on air, groaning his name. Phoenix seemed delighted, his eyes alight with amusements as they flickered to look at me. I could tell her was finding pride in knowing other wolves knew we...mated a lot. I could feel the pride in his chest through the bond, letting me know just how much he loved it.

I shook my head in disbelief. "Despite the...fact-"

"Of your rampant sex life." Charlie added.

I blinked, inhaling deeply. "Despite that... Kate is going to see if there is any reasoning as to why I am not...working as normal."

Charlie dropped the teasing persona, choosing to give me a soft smile. "Well... when you find out why you are weird, let me know if I'm gonna be an Uncle or not, yeah? You guys practice enough so I don't see why it won't happen."

I groaned, having fallen for his chance of appearance. "Charlie..."

"Okay, enough teasing of my mate." Phoenix smirked. "Despite our sexual activity, Charlie, we are concerned with Nova's health, so please, let's not bring it up again okay? You're making her uncomfortable."

Charlie huffed, "Whipped ass clown."

"Says the guy who brings his mate flowers to win her over." I jeered.

His brown eyes snapped to me in surprise before a mischievous smile graced his face. "Oh, is that how you're getting me back?"

"Perhaps." I shrugged before standing from the table. "Now, are we going to get to work or chat all morning?"

"Oh, eager aren't we? Baby number one could be cooking right now and you don't even know it."

"Charlie." Phoenix snapped.

Charlie's mouth clamped closed in response and he chuckled softly to himself. "Okay, got it. No baby talk. Have fun being prodded Nova."

I shook my head in disbelief, a small smile on my face. He was such a wind-up, I couldn't help my reaction. Phoenix took my hand and led me out of the dining room, leaving Charlie to take our plates away. I would get my payback on him somehow...

***

Heyo, sorry this is rather late today guys. I am having so much stress lately cause my toddler is either getting poorly or out to give me an early retirement lol

2239

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