Luna Lost

Self dependence: -noun Reliance on one’s own strengths rather than on others; independence. They say your years as a young adult are the simplest you’ll ever experience in your life time, that maybe true for humans, but for someone born with the soul and heart of a wolf the world is a completely different place.  Your life depends on the strength of your pack, more specifically your Alpha and Luna, and your pack depends on your willingness to sacrifice anything for them.  I knew that familiar dependency as a little girl, but not anymore- my family dynamic changed suddenly after a day of me playing with my friends, not that I remember why nor did my father and mother ever give me answers, but when it did all i needed was myself - no one else. Jake’s POV “Son,” My father, Charlie, hummed- his voice rasped with age and consistent cigarette smoking. “You’re going to have to find her soon. You know that right?”  My head hung low in frustration as I rubbed my temples. How did they want me to find the Luna-... my Luna. Ever since i was young our pack’s “prophet”, “psychic”, whatever it is you want to call her told my friends and I stories of a little girl she predicted to be our pack’s next Luna- and, of course, my future wife. She recalled the day of, the girls family looked at her in resentment then at their young daughter in worry; since then she never once had seen them again, she attempted to tell the alpha- my father- of the strange family that just vanished, but due to her reputation in town as kind of the town’s crazy lady anything she said was always taken as nonsensical.  “Dad, how do you want me to find someone I have not even the slightest clue in what they look like?” I retorted, running my fingers through my jet black hair as my eyes met his. “I don’t need a Luna. I can run this pack on my own.”  Charlie scoffed at his son’s cockiness, “Look, son, I say this with love but you’re f*****g stupid.” He flat out replied, “You think you can run the pack on your own? What about feeding every hungry mouth here? What about helping tend to our sick, our injured? Do you think a Luna’s job is just to stand there and look pretty beside you-“  Before he could finish his sentence my mother, Eva, cut him off as she entered the living room. They were an odd looking couple, if I’m being honest, my dad was a tall, rough looking man: 6’2, scars even on his face, jet black hair similar to mine with eyes to match- while my mom was ethereally beautiful: her eyes were the softest blue and her hair was long, wavy and silver complimenting her small stature in a way that made her look like a light was constantly shown on her.  “Your dad is right,” She added in, offering me a tight-lipped smile, “I know it all seems impossible, but son you’re about to be twenty-two. We expected you find your mate at seventeen like everyone else, but you haven’t-“ She sat besides my father, cuddling into him as he wrapped his arm around her waist. “-As an alpha you need your Luna. An alpha always finds their Luna within their pack- And it’s nearing our time to retire son, you know that. The lost girl is your best bet and we won’t allow you to run the pack without her.”  Jake scoffed, “I just don’t understand why I need to do this, or how I’m supposed to do this?” Throwing himself back onto the cushions of the couch.  His mom stood from her spot as Charlie rose to follow, “Jake, you’re only strong as long as your Luna is safe beside you. Trust in yourself and your inner wolf that you’ll be able to find her.” Charlie nodded in agreement with his wife, chuckling as his son wretched in annoyance- though he was a man now, he acted like a child when he was frustrated. “Just concentrate on that okay?” Eva softly added, before walking away with Charlie- leaving Jake to his thoughts. How in the hell was he going to find her? What was he even going to say once he did “Oh hey i know I’ve never met you in my entire life but we’re supposed to be mates!”... pfft.. this had to be a bad joke.  Rising from my spot on the couch, I walked out the front door, sitting myself down on the bench outside- hoping that some fresh air would help clear my head. Pulling out my phone, I scrolled through my texts- as always it was littered with girls hoping to catch my attention, but none ever did. Sure I had my occasional f**k buddy, one night stands, etc- but none were ever her.  Suddenly, my phone vibrated knocking me out of my thoughts:  ~ Max- Hey you busy? ~ A sigh of relief left me as I read my best friends text- Max always had the best timing.  ~ Me- Nah not anymore- come chill for a bit I need you to hear this s**t. ~  It was as if he were already on his way because not even a moment later a loud car honk caught my attention- looking to the street Max waved to me from his mustang before hoping out and joining me.  “So you’re telling me that old lady’s story was true?” Max said in shock, seeming to only really care about the truth in the towns little urban legend.  “Ugh yes, but pay attention, it’s more than just that dude.” I groaned, “My parents went to talk to her, she gave them the family’s last name and when my dad looked into it- it all checked out.”  Max chewed on his inner cheek, nodding, “So what does that mean for you?”  Rubbing my temples once more, I sighed, “It means that I’m being forced to go on this crazy mission to find her- the lost girl. My parents say she has to be my Luna since I haven’t found her yet. They won’t let me take charge until I do.”  Max playfully threw his arm around my shoulder, and it was almost like I knew what he was about to say- he was about to be my Beta, my second in command.  “Well, looks like we’re going to go find this girl.” He jeered, harshly patting my back- laughing as I pretended to swing back at him. “Just tell me when and where, bro. I got you.”  “Dumbass that’s the thing I don’t even know where to look.” I murmured, as Max hopped up from his seat.  “Let’s go talk to your parents- or..” His voice trailed off.  Sighing, I shook my head- staring up at him. “..Go pay the crazy lady a visit”