I couldn’t remember ever being this happy. Sitting on the rooftop patio outside the third-floor living area, looking out at the ranch under the moonlight, my heart soared.

This was our pack territory. Our pack. Tristan’s and mine. We’d been through so much in such a short time.

While I waited for Tristan to finish signing all the legal documents with Gabriel’s lawyer, I toured the house and settled into our apartment at the top of the manor.

We didn’t have many belongings, so it didn’t take long. There would be a major shopping spree in our future to obtain everything we all needed as far as clothing and toiletries.

Gabriel decided to officially turn the property and trust accounts over to us on our first night here. He said it was symbolic of the establishment of the pack and should happen today. Fortunately, he had several attorneys at his beck and call in each city in which he owned property.

One million acres! This would be the second-largest pack territory in North America. What a responsibility it would be for an Alpha and Luna as young as us.

In a few days’ time, our pack would grow to nearly five hundred wolves when Angelica’s blood relatives arrived from the eastern United States.

Tristan and I had a few minutes to talk after being shown the master’s suite, which comprised the entire third floor of the massive home. Avery had already taken to calling it the pack house or the lodge.

This floor was akin to a penthouse suite. It had its own kitchen, dining and living area, an office/study/library room, and four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom.

Just outside the living room was one of many doors leading out onto the rooftop wrap-around patio, where I was currently seated. So far, I had noticed additional doors leading out to the deck from the Master Bedroom and Dining Room.

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Upon realizing its size, we quickly discussed and decided to offer Avery, Angelica, and her parents the other spare bedrooms in our suite while we were short on living quarters. Once the pack arrived, we’d have to cram people into every sleeping space available on the ranch until new homes could be built. Tonight, however, everyone was leaving us to get acquainted with our new home…alone.

During our conversation, Tristan and I spoke honestly and frankly about our concerns and fears.

He was worried there wouldn’t be enough housing and wanted everyone to have a place as soon as possible. I pointed out that everyone is family and wouldn’t mind doubling up on accommodations for a while. I also reminded him that more wolves meant more hands to help build the ranch into a prosperous, functioning pack. It was already a prosperous ranch, after all.

He smiled and hugged me tight, then asked if I was worried about anything.

I confessed I didn’t know if I could be a good Luna. I had only known how to serve people and remain unseen.

He reminded me that Alphas and Lunas do lead the pack but good leaders, unlike his father, also know how to serve. It is that service that protects and provides for the needs of every wolf in the pack.

I was inspired to share that I hoped for us to create a pack where no one was ever treated like I was under Tristan’s father. Where even orphans would have a place, and no one should ever be invisible.

Tristan smiled and held me close, whispering into my neck as the sparks ignited our skin everywhere it touched, “That sounds like the heart of a Luna to me.”

I could feel his pride in me through our connection, and I would have purred if I’d had a wolf to do so.

He’d sighed, breathing me in deeply, then reluctantly said, “It’s time to sign the paperwork. Be ready for me when I come back, Mate.”

I blushed, and then Tristan growled sexily into my ear as he sucked my earlobe into his mouth momentarily and then released me. He moved quickly before he could change his mind and stay with me for hours and hours. I admired his new, larger physique as he walked toward the door. When he disappeared behind it, I sighed again like a little lovesick pup, which I suppose is what I was.

I got cozy on the rooftop deck and sat looking up at the moon. I found myself sending up a sweet prayer of thanks and gratitude to the moon goddess for her divine blessing and intervention in our lives. I hope she continued to help us weather the coming storm with strength and courage.