Gemma’s POV

As I searched through the closet, I mentally thanked the witch who have me my voice back. I don’t know how I know but she made it easier for me to talk. That spark of confidence I have not had in a long time. For my outfit, I decided to wear a black and white checked shirt, dark jeans damaged at the knees, a pair of black sneakers, two large black bangles an a beanie over my hair.

I walked down the stairs to the kitchen and decided to make pancakes for everyone. Grabbing an apron, I put it on and started mixing the ingredients. I grabbed my phone and put on my Taylor Swift playlist. The first song on was Shake it off! I hummed the song as I made the pancakes, lost in my own little world. I loved baking and cooking, I always forgot everything around me and only focused on the ingredients that needed to be tended to.

I cut up some fruit and set them in a large bowl, setting the table, I mind linked the others to come for breakfast. It was weird using the pack link. Opening my mind for strangers but I guess I have to make some sacrifices as luna.

Now that I think about it, I needed to fully join the pack as Luna soon. I just didn’t know how to bring it up around Conner. Soon, everyone (Ash, Eve, Jace, Caroline, Jenny, Conner) came to the kitchen, throwing me confusing and concerned glances. I just rolled my eyes.

"Good morning." I said. They all mumbled a series of yeah’s and mornings. I set breakfast in front of all of them and they dug in. I cleaned up and sat on the table with them, taking my coffee mug in my hands.

"Guys, I have something to tell you." I whispered. They all stopped eating.

So I started. I told them everything I told Conner. There were lots and lots of growls. Eve had lightning covering her body, Car has fire in her hair, Ash was controlling some appliances while Jace’s body became metal every now and then. Jenny, well, she looked like she was about to shift and kill anything near her.

"Those assholes." She growled.

"How can someone be so heartless?" Car asked tears in her eyes.

"Wow." Ash said.

"They are worse than stale food. And to me that’s saying a lot." Eve said. Jace just grunted. I swear I have never seen him smile.

"Guys it’s fine. I’m done with all that. I have all of you." I said smiling.

"Awww." The girls cooed. I rolled my eyes.

"The pack is going to love you. We should go shopping for the dress you’re wearing to the Luna ceremony." Jenny said.

I set my mug down. "What?" I asked.

"Your Luna ceremony, on Christmas.... oh. Was I not supposed to tell her?" Jenny asked shrinking back from the gazes of everyone in the room.

"Christmas? That’s in about twenty three days." I said.

"Yeah..." Conner said scratching the back of his head.

"It was supposed to be a surprise." Eve said glaring at Jenny.

"I’m sorry guys. I really am." Jenny whispered looking down at her empty plate.

"It’s okay Jen." Jace said. I looked at him weird. Since when does he offer comfort?

"Guys look it’s finally snowing." Jenny said pointing outside trying to get the attention off her.

We all turned to see the snow falling. I smiled. "Come on guys let’s go outside." I said clearing the table.

I put the dishes in the dishwasher joining my new family outside.

I walked in the middle of the front yard. Children were already playing in the snow. All giggling and laughing. I raised my hand in the air and caught a snowflake.

"Till the snowflakes turn blue, I’ll never stop loving you Gemma." My mother’s voice echoed in my mind.

Memories of our time together were the only things of her i could hold on to.

"Mommy? Why did we ride the big bird?" My three year old self asked.

"Because we are visiting your grandma at her pack for Christmas." She answered.

"Why couldn’t we stay at home and she comes to us?" I asked.

"Because grandma hates Australia, snowflake. So we visit her in America." Mummy said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because." She answered.

"Because what?" I was confused.

"Um... why don’t you look up?" She said.

"Huh?" She was making no sense. Laughing, mommy tilted my head up and I saw white things falling.

"What’s this?" I asked.

"It’s snow." Mommy said.

"Snow?"

"Yes. Put your tongue out and taste." I did as mommy said.

"It’s cold." I said.

"That’s how it’s supposed to be."

I thought of something. "Mommy? Do you call me snowflake because I’m cold?" I asked. I put my hand to my cheek. It seemed warm.

Mommy laughed. "No baby. It’s because you are beautiful, delicate and unique." She said picking me up.

"What do those words mean?" I asked.

"I’ll tell you when we get back to Australia baby. Now, we have t have fun." Mommy said with a smile.

"Okay." I bounced in mommy’s arms.

She didn’t tell me what the words meant because we didn’t go back.

Arms circled my waist and sparks spread across my body. I leaned back into the warmth behind me.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Conner asked.

"My thoughts are much more expensive." I said and he chuckled. I sighed.

I turned in his arms and circled my arms around his neck. "Just thinking about my mom." I said. " I miss her."

Conner out his forehead on mine. "I miss my parents too." Conner lost his parents when he was fourteen. Then his sister became alpha until two years later, she fond her mate and moved to his pack. That’s why he became alpha at a young age.

I kissed him and he kissed me back. What started as sweet soon became heated then snowball hit us. He broke the kiss to look to our right only to see Jenny laughing her ass off. I giggled. Conner glared at me.

"Snowball fight! Girls against boys!" Eve shouted. Everyone, including the children, split. Soon, snowballs were flying around and giggles filled the air.

"Cover me." I told Jenny. She nodded.I was crossing but Jenny didn’t cover me. She was staring at something far ahead. It was a girl. She was tall, about six feet, light brown skin, curly brown hair and brown eyes.

"Mate!" Jenny whispered running to the girl and capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. Everyone cheered. I laughed and smiled. Jenny finally found her mate after months of bitching about it. I walked over to Conner.

"Who is she?" I asked.

"She’s the lead warrior. Natasha. She has been in Russia helping with a problem. She just came back." He said and I nodded. I was happy for Jenny. I watched as her and Natasha disappeared somewhere, probably to the area around the pack boarder.

"I should go get started on lunch." I said trying to walk away.

"No. You’re going to stay here and have fun until it’s time for supper." Conner said pulling me back. I rolled my eyes.

"No. I’m going." I said.

"No you’re not. You’re staying right here until supper time even though I have to make you." He said.

"Good luck with that." I challenged.

***

He actually kept me outside until supper time.

Conner - 1

Gemma - 0

Right now, we are all seated at the table eating takeout because Conner refused me to cook. Jenny wanted us to meet her mate so she invited her to dinner.

"... and then I gave him an uppercut and knocked him out." Natasha said. She was telling us about her time in Russia.

I felt a warm hand on my thigh. I jumped a bit but saved myself from questions when I pretended to wiggle in my seat.

I glared at Conner who still had his hand on my thigh. He was staring at Natasha pretending nothing was wrong.

He started moving his hand higher and my body heated up. What was he doing? I felt his hands on the button of my jeans and I snapped my legs closed. Natasha was still talking but everything she was saying was going over my head.

Conner’s hands remained on my jean button as he used shadows to part my legs and keep them there. I looked at him from the corner of my eye.

He was smirking. Damn mate!

He removed his hand and the shadows slipped away. I looked over at him. That was it? He got me all hot and bothered for nothing? I glared at his smirking face. Okay. So that’s how it is?

Conner - 2

Gemma - 0

I’ll catch up. He’ll have to wait and see. That night, I slept in only one of his t-shirts.

Conner - 2

Gemma - 1