Lyla
The sun had barely risen, but I was already awake, standing before the packhouse, watching as Ramsey gave final instructions to Seth and Lenny. I felt a knot forming in my stomach, an unease and ache I couldn't quite shake.
I've been jumpy all night. I've barely rested. All I could think of was the trip and Nathan. The more I thought about the person Nathan was evolving into, the more it felt surreal. Everyone was getting it wrong about the kind of person he was.
After giving instructions to Lenny and Seth, we rode to the Private Jet Tarmac. Ramsey decided flying would be better than riding for almost six hours to Blue Ridge. When we arrived at the tarmac, I stood before him, trying to keep my emotions in check.
"I'll miss you," I whispered, straightening his already perfect collar just to have something to do with my trembling hands.
He gazed at me fondly and teased."You look like you're about to cry."
I huffed, crossing my arms. "I'm not."
He came closer and caught my hands in his, bringing them to his lips. "I'll be back before you know it, baby. Lenny will take good care of you while I'm gone," he promised.
I let out a shaky breath. "You better be."
He leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to my lips. I clutched the fabric of his shirt, not wanting to let go, but knowing I had to.
"Take care of yourself," I whispered against his lips.
"I will. And you …" he gave me a pointed look, "…don't do anything reckless while I'm gone."
I rolled my eyes. "I make no promises."
He chuckled, shaking his head. Then, with one last squeeze of my hand, he turned and walked towards the waiting jet.
Lenny, who had been standing a few feet away, gave me a reassuring nod. "Don't worry, Luna. He'll be back in one piece."
I forced a small smile. "I know."
Ramsey climbed onto the jet, his gaze swept over me one last time. "Lyla."
I met his eyes, my heart pounding.
"I know this is not a perfect time to say this but I feel like I need to do this right now and here. Not because I'm worried about anything but because I want to always remember that I am yours and you're mine."
I moved closer to the jet. "Why?"
"There's a ring at the bottom of my drawer, the one beside the bed. It's under a stack of documents. I've been wanting to propose for nearly three weeks now…."
"Yes!" a tear rolled down my cheeks as I swiped at it hurriedly. "Yes, I will marry you, Ramsey Kincaid. Hell! I thought you'd never ask."
He exhaled sharply, holding his chest. "Oh, gods! I can't believe this… So, let's get married when I come back?"
I nodded. "I'll wait for you. I promise. I'll wait for you, Ramsey. I trust you."
He stared at me for a few seconds. "I love you," he said.
My breath hitched and for a moment, I forgot how to speak. His confession was so sincere that I was at a loss for words. Then I managed a teary smile and whispered, "I love you too."
With that, the jet took off and I watched it disappear into the clouds, with my heart aching even as I whispered a silent prayer for his safe return.
"Congratulations, Luna Lyla!" Lenny broke into my thoughts. I whirled around to see him watching me with a smile. "I always knew both of you would end up together. Ramsey is a good man and you've changed him in more ways than one."
I beamed shyly. "I thought he's changed me. Thank you, Lenny. I've always wondered, how did you become his Beta."
"I was chosen the same way he was by the White Moon Throne but we grew up as childhood friends. You might not believe this but Ramsey used to get bullied a lot and I just couldn't stand for it. So, I always fought for him and made sure I tagged everywhere with him since he has a nonchalant attitude towards his bullies until one day he fought back."
"He did?" I laughed, picturing a younger Ramsey beating up his bullies.
"Yeah!" Lenny nodded. "I think he's had enough that day and retaliated. All of them ended up in the pack hospital for nearly six months because he beat them up pretty badly. Ramsey is slow, annoyingly patient but when he works up the courage to get angry, you don't want to see him in that mood... he becomes a different person."
I paused staring at Lenny. I couldn't help but feel a subtle hint of threat underneath the words but was it for me or was he speaking generally?
"Why do I feel like that was a warning?"
Lenny sighed. "I'm just giving you a heads-up, Luna. Ramsey is a perfect man in every ramification. He tricked everyone into neglecting him for years by living like a playboy, acting like it, more like. You're the only real thing he's ever done and would do because he loves you so much. But I also need you to remember that he has responsibilities and…"
"Lenny…" I interrupted him. "Why are you telling me this? I don't want to listen to your long speech. Just tell me the purpose of all of this."
He stared at me for a few seconds before sighing. "Nathan, sooner or later needs to be crushed and you need to make up your mind about where your loyalty lies. Else, Ramsey would have no choice but to…"
"Are you threatening me, Lenny? Are you saying that I cannot be Ramsey's weakness?"
"Yes!" he nodded. "Ramsey prides himself in being able to make decisions that favour everyone and not just him alone. You need to prepare yourself to become his Luna, to see him for who he is and not expect him to call in favours for you. Just because I am Ramsey's Beta doesn't exclude me from being tried if I flop. The same goes for everyone. What he did to his grandfather should be lesson enough."
He paused, then said with a wide grin. "Overall, both of you are perfect for each other. Congratulations once again."
I nodded absentmindedly.
"The morning briefing morning starts in the next thirty minutes but I'll delay it for another fifteen minutes so you can get dressed and do what you must. Meet up at the training ground."
I stared at him with surprise.
"Why? I'm not Ramsey."
"But you're his Luna and in his absence, you have to be present at meetings and be expected to make decisions regarding certain situations."
I laughed. "Chill, Lenny. I practically became his Luna – unofficial yet – a moment ago. That doesn't count."
"Here it does!" he replied. "A Beta does not rule, we only assist. You're in charge now, Lyla. C'mon, let's hurry back."