Lunar Legacy: Rise Of The Beastlord-Chapter 255: First Bond

Jayden descended the stairs, the soft thud of his footsteps barely audible over the clinking of dishes coming from the dining room. The aroma of Harleen’s cooking wafted through the air... roasted meat seasoned with herbs, fresh vegetables, and something sweet baking in the oven.

As he entered the dining room, he found everyone already seated around the large mahogany table. Jacob sat at the head, scrolling through his holographic tablet with a relaxed expression. Harleen was setting down the last dish, her face flushed from the kitchen heat. Tasha and Jessica sat across from each other, already engaged in quiet conversation.

"There you are!" Harleen said warmly, gesturing to an empty seat beside Tasha. "Come, sit. Everything’s ready."

Jayden nodded and took his seat, his eyes subtly scanning the faces around the table. This was it... the moment to test what the system had shown him. If the admiration meter worked as described, he’d be able to see it hovering above each person.

He focused, willing the pack interface to activate.

Almost instantly, translucent displays materialized above each family member’s head, visible only to him. His heart rate picked up slightly as he read the information:

<Jacob Smith>

*Admiration Level: 67%

[Status: Slightly Compatible]

<Harleen Smith>

*Admiration Level: 71%

[Status: Compatible]

<Natasha Smith>

*Admiration Level: 91%

[Status: Highly Compatible]

<Jessica Smith>

*Admiration Level: 92%

[Status: Highly Compatible]

*Note:

-Incompatible: Bond formation is impossible with target.

-Slightly Compatible: Bond formation is more likely to fail.

-Compatible: Bond formation is more likely to succeed. But failure is still possible.

-Highly Compatible: Bond formation has a greater chance of succeeding.

Jayden’s expression remained neutral, but internally he was processing the information rapidly. Both girls had significantly higher admiration levels than Jacob and Harleen. And that made sense.

After everything they’d been through over the past two months, after Jessica discovered his werewolf nature and they’d reconnected, after Tasha had slowly worked her way into his heart... they were his lovers now. Of course their affection would be off the charts.

Jacob and Harleen’s scores were respectable, built on months of care and the gradual rebuilding of trust. But the girls... the girls were different.

"Jayden? You alright?" Jessica’s voice cut through his thoughts.

He blinked, dismissing the displays with a mental command. "Yeah, just thinking."

"Well, stop thinking and start eating before it gets cold," Harleen said with mock sternness, though her smile was genuine.

Jacob set down his tablet and raised his glass. "Before we dig in, I just want to say how glad I am to have everyone here together," he expressed with a genuine smile. "Jayden, it’s been two months since you came back to us, and I’m proud of how far you’ve come."

Tasha’s hand found Jayden’s under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze. He glanced at her, catching the warmth in her sapphire eyes.

"Hear, hear," Harleen added, lifting her own glass.

They all clinked glasses, even Jessica participated, though she shot Jayden a playful smirk that made his lips twitch upward.

Dinner proceeded with comfortable conversation. Jacob talked about a new project he was working on at work. Harleen mentioned a charity event she was planning to attend with Penelope. While Jessica complained about a particularly difficult training session she’d had with Tasha the previous day.

Jayden contributed where appropriate, his responses measured and thoughtful. But part of his mind remained focused on the pack system, on the decision he’d already made. He would add Jessica and Tasha tonight. Jacob and Harleen would have to wait... not because he didn’t care for them, but because the bond with the girls was stronger, more essential. He needed to know they were safe, always.

"This meat is incredible, mum," Tasha said, cutting into her third piece. "Where did you get it?"

"Your dad brought it home yesterday," Harleen replied, glancing at her husband with a knowing smile. "He said it was a special cut."

"Yeah," Jacob confirmed with a grin. "Cost me a pretty credit, but I figured we deserved something nice. Consider it as an early Thanksgiving feast."

They all laughed.

As dinner wound down and dessert was served... a rich chocolate cake that had Tasha and Jessica practically moaning with delight, Jacob stretched and checked his watch.

"Well, it’s getting late," he announced, standing and helping Harleen to her feet. "We’ve got that show we wanted to catch, remember honey?"

Harleen’s cheeks colored slightly. "O-Oh, right. Yes, we better get going so we won’t miss it." she said, forcing a smile.

The three teenagers exchanged knowing looks. Whatever "show" Jacob and Harleen were about to watch had nothing to do with television.

"You kids clean up, alright?" Jacob said, already guiding his wife toward the hallway. "Don’t stay up too late."

"We won’t," Tasha called after them, barely containing her giggle.

"Goodnight!" Harleen added over her shoulder.

"Goodnight," the three replied in unison.

As soon as Jacob and Harleen disappeared up the stairs, Jessica burst into laughter. "A show? Right. As if we’re still children."

Tasha shook her head, grinning. "They’re not even subtle anymore," she laughed.

Jayden simply stood, gathering plates. "Come on, let’s get this cleaned up," he said.

Jessica raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Since when does the great Jayden Starrk volunteer for dish duty?"

"Since always," he replied smoothly, carrying a stack of plates toward the kitchen.

Tasha was already at the sink, rolling up her sleeves. "I’ll wash, Jess you rinse?"

"Sure thing," Jessica said, joining her sister at the sink while Jayden brought over the rest of the dishes.

He positioned himself nearby, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed, watching them work. The kitchen was filled with the sound of running water and clinking plates, a domestic scene that felt oddly peaceful.

"We’ve got this covered, you know," Jessica said without looking at him, scrubbing a plate with exaggerated thoroughness. "You don’t need to supervise."

Jayden smiled... a rare, genuine expression that softened his usually stern features. "I’ll just watch then," he chuckled.

Tasha glanced at him, her cheeks warming slightly at that smile. "You’re being unusually helpful tonight. What’s gotten into you?"

"Can’t I just want to spend time with you two?" he replied, his tone carrying just enough sincerity to make both girls pause.

Jessica shot him a suspicious look but said nothing, focusing on her rinsing duties while Tasha returned to washing with a small, pleased smile on her face.

This was it. The moment felt right. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Jayden closed his eyes briefly, focusing his thoughts on the pack system. He visualized Tasha first, her name, her face, the connection he felt to her. Then...

"Add Tasha Smith to Twin Crescent Pack," he ordered with a thought. And the system responded immediately:

[PACK RECRUITMENT INITIATED]

*Target: Natasha Smith

[Analyzing bond strength...]

[Processing...]

Jayden stared at the screen, patiently watching. And after a few seconds, a notification appeared:

[Bond Formation Successful]

[Natasha Smith has been added to the Twin Crescent Pack]

[Pack Members: 2/10]

[Pack Slots Left: 8]

Just then, a warm sensation bloomed in Jayden’s chest, spreading outward like ripples on water. It wasn’t unpleasant, it was rather like a connection clicking into place, a thread of awareness linking him to Tasha. He could sense her emotional state: contentment mixed with happiness, and beneath it all, a deep affection that made his heart flutter.

Before he could fully process the sensation, he quickly focused on Jessica, then gave the same command.

"Add Jessica Smith to the Twin Crescent Pack."

The same process unfolded again, and after a few seconds, he got the same result.

[Bond Formation Successful]

[Jessica Smith has been added to the Twin Crescent Pack]

[Pack Members: 3/10]

[Pack Slots Left: 7]

Jayden felt another wave of warmth, another thread of connection. This one felt even stronger, pulsing with an intensity that took his breath away. Jessica’s emotions washed over him... happiness, love, and a fierce protectiveness that mirrored his own feelings for her.

He could sense them both now, their presence in his mind like two bright stars in a dark sky. It was overwhelming and exhilarating all at once.

Then, multiple notifications flooded his vision:

[Pack Bonus Activated]

[+2% to all stats for adding Pack Member: Natasha Smith]

[+2% to all stats for adding Pack Member: Jessica Smith]

[Total Stat Increase: +4%]

Jayden immediately felt the boost effect on his body. He could feel a perceptible increase in his strength, agility and stamina. But he didn’t linger for long, turning his gaze back to the screen.

[PACK INFO]

Subpack Name: Twin Crescent

*Regent Alpha: Jayden Starrk

*Current Members: 3

*Member List:

1. Natasha Smith

- Level: 23

-Ability: Lightning Manipulation

- HP: 650/650

2. Jessica Smith

- Level: 20

-Ability: Wind Manipulation

- HP: 620/620

Jayden’s eyes widened slightly. He could see their levels, their health points... everything, and without the help of Dragon Eye. This was incredible. He’d be able to monitor their status from anywhere, know if they were in danger, if they were hurt. The worry that had plagued him for months, the fear of something happening to them while he wasn’t around... it lessened considerably.

But then something unexpected happened.

Tasha suddenly froze, her hands stilling in the soapy water. Her sapphire eyes widened in shock.

Jessica noticed immediately. "Tasha? What’s wrong?" she asked out of concern.

"I..." Tasha blinked rapidly, looking down at her hands as if seeing them for the first time. "I think I just leveled up."