Belonging To The Luna

Some Things Never Change

           “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer to wait until your office is ready to do this?” Sloan asked me as I dug into the first box of files on the pack’s omegas.

           “I’ll be fine. The rec room is clean and decluttered enough to use for now, and I called Sookie last night to come down and give me a hand. If you want to help, you could send someone to the airport for her.” I replied.

           “I’ll pick her up myself; just send me the details. I don’t want her to hex me again for sticking her with a strange wolf from the pack as her escort.” He shivered, recalling being unable to call forth his wolf during his last meeting with my grandmother.

           I kept my eyes on the files in front of me, fighting to hold back a giggle. Meeting Sookie had been an eye-opening experience for my mate, one I was sure he would never forget.

           “I arranged for my Beta Charles to be the first person you meet with.” He continued, getting the conversation back on track. “You’re not marked yet, so I asked him to stay nearby in case you need help. The pack should be thrilled to have a Luna, but with your history here, I want to cover all the bases.”

           “Thank you.” I smiled, moving to give him a light peck. “That is really helpful. I’ll be more than happy to let him sit in.”

           “Great. I’ll catch up with you when I bring Sookie back. I have some phone calls that need to be made now that we have the official seal of approval from the council.”

           I watched as he strolled out of the Alpha’s quarters. The sight of his backside causing a delicious throbbing to begin between my thighs. I sent up a silent prayer that I could make things work. Even with the warning I had received, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay once the danger had passed if the pack couldn’t accept me as their Luna. I needed to clear my head before I meet with Charles and subsequently the pack’s omegas. With a sigh, I decided to walk to the coffee shop in town.

           The line inside of the coffee house was barely contained to the small building. I was thrilled that no one seemed to notice me though, I wasn’t sure I was ready to face the general population of the pack quite yet. Everyone seemed more focused on their phones than the strange she-wolf standing in line with them. The time was passing in pleasant silence until I heard a familiar voice a few places behind me.

           “Ugh. This is taking forever.” Marissa’s voice carried over the soft murmur of the crowd causing me to turn towards the commotion.

           A smile spread across her face as her eyes landed on me. ‘Oh no, here we go.’ I thought as I watched her force her way past the people standing between us.

           “Jaz, how wonderful to see you here!” She cheered, slipping her arm through mine before turning her attention to the people in front of us. “Excuse me. Do you people not know who this is? Move so your Luna can get her coffee.”

           My face burned with embarrassment as the line parted before us, people bowing their heads slightly in my direction.

           “Really, this isn’t necessary. I’m happy to wait in line like everyone else.” I groaned as Marissa dragged me to the counter.

           “Nonsense. A Luna doesn’t wait.” Marissa replied, smacking her hand against the counter. “Excuse me, can we get some service here? You would think these baristas would know not to keep us waiting.”

           “Please, let them do their job. It’s fine.”

           “Barista, excuse me. Are you going to serve us, or do I need to speak with the manager?” Marissa continued to berate the young girl behind the counter.

           “I’m so sorry for the wait, Luna.” The girl breathed, bowing slightly to me. “Can I take your order?”

           “Finally.” Marissa exhaled. “I need a large, iced espresso, triple shot, extra caramel drizzle on the side. I swear, you better put it on the side this time. Make sure you use exactly three capfuls of skim milk and two pumps vanilla.”

           “Just a large, black coffee for me.” I said when the girl turned to me for my order. “And, please put the rest of the line’s order on my card.”

           The girl gave me a broad smile as I handed her my card. I assured her it would be no problem for me to pick it up later and that the rest of the customers in line were on me. Marissa continued to chatter away, pretending to be nice while we waited for our order. As soon as our order was up, I grabbed my coffee and made my way to the door. I wanted to get away from Marissa as quickly as possible, but she seemed to have other plans.

           “That was really something back there.” She said once we had moved away from the building. “Paying for everyone’s order like that, it was really sweet of you.”

           “You can drop the act, Marissa. I know you’re just trying to get in my good graces because I’m Sloan’s mate.”

           “Sloan’s mate, huh?” She said, dropping the mask of kindness from her face. “You’re nothing but a filthy mutt who decided to try and take what’s mine. I will have what I deserve. So, you go ahead and keep thinking you’re winning people over as Luna, throwing your New York City money around everywhere. We can see right through you, Jasmine. The Alpha, and place as his Luna, they belong to me, and I’m coming for what’s mine.”

           I kept my face blank as she stormed away. I had to give it to her, she put on a show to make people in the pack think I felt entitled to special treatment, and when that backfired, she waited until we were out of anyone’s hearing range to tell me what she actually thought. Her true feelings hadn’t surprised me in the least, but her delivery had. The Marissa I grew up with wouldn’t have hesitated to humiliate me in front of as many wolves as possible. I suspected it meant her standing in the pack had dropped significantly once her father had been forced to retire from his beta position.

           I made my way back to the packhouse, sipping my coffee, as my mind worked to figure out what to do about Marissa. Part of me wanted to accept Sloan’s offer to have her exiled, but I wasn’t officially Luna yet. I hadn’t even marked my mate to show the world our claim on one another. Marissa’s father still held sway in the pack on top of everything else. If I had her exiled, he could turn the pack on Sloan, and I couldn’t allow that. I needed to find another way to deal with her.

           Deciding to discuss the situation with Sookie when she arrived, I made my way to the rec room. There was a large male wolf seated uncomfortably on the sofa, waiting for me. His skin was almost as dark as mine, though his shaggy hair was a soft brown with red streaks running through it. The couch appeared to groan with relief as he stood to greet me. He was built larger than any man or wolf I had ever seen. Had I not been expecting him, I would have been worried for my safety.

           “Luna, I’m Charles.” He smiled, extending one of his large hands for me to shake.

           “Call me Jaz.” I smiled, marveling at how delicately he held my hand when his own could have easily removed my head from my shoulders.

           “The Alpha sent me to meet you and to assure you that I am here to act as security if needed.”

           “Well, thank goddess for that!” I laughed. “One look at you should send anybody acting against the pack running for the hills.”

           His laughter boomed off the walls as he gestured for us to get started. The omegas would begin arriving soon, and we needed to get the rec room looking more suited to interviews.