The Beta's Justice

Chapter 24

Nova's POV

There came a knock at the door just as Luna Lily and I were searching through the Luna event planning book. It was becoming increasingly apparent that this kind of event had never really been planned before. Therefore, we would have to take bits and pieces from previous events and meld them together.

Luna Lily rose from her seat to answer the door. When she opened it, Audrey was standing on the other side. She smiled warmly at me before addressing the Luna. "Good afternoon, I heard from Alpha Leon that you are planning a festival to help the special wolves become more accepted by the pack. He thought it would be good for me to come and lend a hand in planning as well as see what you would like me to help the wolves prepare."

"Yes, of course," Luna Lily responded and then stepped aside to let her in. "Please have a seat. We have only just begun planning." Once Audrey was in, she closed the door and went back to her seat.

We sat in the Luna's office for a few hours discussing different ways to make the coming festival a success as well as what we would need. I don't know how Luna Lily remained so calm while I felt the stress building as our list of things to do grew longer.

Suddenly, she stood, closed the book, and announced. "That's all the planning we can do for now."

I looked down at the list and the plan. There was still so much to work out. How could we be done? We only have a few days to pull the whole thing together. "Sometimes stepping away from the planning stage and starting to set things in motion will help to prepare the event better. It will also give us a brain break." Luna Lily seemed to have been reading my mind.

"Okay!" Audrey jumped up from her chair, rearing to go. "I will start with planning a show or maybe a talent show! The special wolves will each showcase their talents, then the other wolves can vote on who they think the winner is." There was excitement in her voice. Looking into her eyes, you could see the wheels already turning.

"That is an excellent way to present their powers in a secure environment as well as make it entertaining for others to watch. Very good Audrey," Luna Lile complimented.

Audrey's cheeks reddened, but there was pride in her gaze. "Thank you, Luna."

"Of you go. There is a lot to be done." Luna Lily smiled sweetly at her.

"I will update you once I've designed the program! Please also let me know if there is any more I can do to help," Audrey said with a bow.

"You are doing more than enough," Luna Lily spoke kindly.

Audrey bowed once more and then made her leave. I could hear her start running as soon as the door had closed.

"Now we need vendors," Luna Lily said as she looked down at the to-do list.

"And a place to put on the event," I added.

"Oh, we will be using the training building and the surrounding grounds to set up the festival. We need to remove the stigma that the home of the special wolves is off limits or dangerous," she announced. I wondered how she informed Audrey because I didn't remember discussing it. "I've already informed Leon and Audrey, do not worry."

"How do you do that?"

"What?"

"Know what I'm thinking?"

"It's not difficult. Your face is very expressive," she informed me.

"Oh." I felt my cheeks redden from embarrassment.

"We will work on that."

"Why?"

"We can't have everyone reading the future Luna's thoughts so easily. In times of trouble, you will need to be calm and reassuring to the pack. If they can see fear, worry, or any other negative emotion, they will feel more afraid. Lunas are to offer reassurance at all times," she spoke matter of factly.

I nodded. "I see. Then I will try my best," I promised her.

"This event will be great practice for you," she told me with confidence. "Also, I would like for you to speak with Audrey and have yourself enter the show of power. We need to assure the wolves that their future Luna is not only in control of her emotions but of her powers as well."

I felt my heart skip a beat. I had only used my powers when it was necessary. Otherwise, I tried to do everything with my own strength. "I am your strength," Ski whispered. "You are not alone." Her voice was reassuring.

"You're right." I felt her confidence, which helped me to relax.

I turned my attention back to Luna Lily. "I will do my best to prepare well," I told her, trying to sound confident.

"I know you will. Now we should focus on vendors. We have until Saturday to have everything in place. While you are in school, I will continue with the planning and preparations. However, as soon as your classes have ended for the day, I expect you to meet me either here in the office or at another predesignated location." There was reassurance in her voice. It was almost as though she had faith in me even before I did anything to give her reason to believe in me.

"Yes, Luna!" I bowed slightly.

"Now, since today is your first day of event planning. I'll give you an option. You can take off now and enjoy your final evening of freedom before school starts tomorrow or you can stay longer and start making calls with me," she offered.

A big part of me just wanted to leave. I was already exhausted just by looking at the list of names to call. Tomorrow school would start and I would need to re-meet my classmates. Or I could stay here and help more. It would make a better impression. I know it would. But I so wanted to go. I wanted to rest and prepare mentally. "Sweetheart, you can go. Do not feel pressured to stay," she tried to reassure me it was okay not to continue helping today.

"Are you sure?" I questioned. Somehow it felt like a trap, but I also knew she wouldn't do that.

"I am. I was once young." She smiled sweetly at me.

"I swear, I'll be here tomorrow as soon as school is done," I promised her.

"Good, then we will see you tomorrow after school," she said as she stood to show me I could leave.

"Thank you, Luna. If there is anything you need between now and tomorrow afternoon, please let me know." I bowed once more and then left the office.

As I made my way down the hallway, I slowed when I neared Leon's office door. The thought of knocking to see if he was in was so tempting, but something was stopping me. I didn't want to be a bother. He would be working behind those doors. He has been very busy over the last few months, understandably so. Just as I had decided to not disturb him, his door opened and he walked out almost knocking into me. "Nova, are you done meeting with my mother already?"

"We've been planning for a few hours now and she thought I could use a break from the role of Luna until tomorrow," I informed him. Part of me now felt bad that I had taken the break. He didn't get one. He was now Alpha full-time.

"So you're done for the day," he asked with a mischievous grin.

"Yes..." I responded as I tried to read his expression.

"Let's go out!" He declared as he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the exit.

"Now?!" I exclaimed. I was sure it was late and we both needed to rest. This was going to be an extremely busy week.

"Of course. When else? I will hardly see you after you start back to school," he pouted.

"It will only be for a few months. I just need to finish all my classes. And I bet, it'll be less than that since we will more than likely skip a lot of the senior events," I tried to reassure him.

He stopped and spun around to face me with the most serious expression I had ever seen on his face. "We must go out tonight," he declared.

"Why tonight specifically?" I wanted to laugh because I had never seen him so serious.

He stopped for a moment, thinking deeply. "Because it is better to live for today than the promise of tomorrow," he responded in his most wise voice.

Now I couldn't help myself. I burst out laughing. "Why are you laughing?"

It took me a second to breathe normally so I could respond. "I've never seen you so serious," I told him. "It's kind of funny."

"I'm always serious. I am the Alpha after all," he declared as he stood straighter.

"Yes, yes, of course," I conceded, yet I still had the urge to laugh.

"Now that you've been cruel enough to laugh at your Alpha, I think you need to apologize in the way of going out with me." He smirked as though he had won an argument I didn't know we were having.

"Fine, but we can't stay out too late. I have to get ready for tomorrow still," I said as I slid my hand back into his.

"Okay!" He exclaimed as he practically dragged me out of the packhouse. "I have the perfect place!"

"Where?"

"Oh no, that's a secret now."

"What? Why?"

"Because you laughed at me," he said over his shoulder.

Reaching his car, he opened the passenger side door for me. "Hop in," he grinned.

I thanked him and got in. He closed the door and then raced around to the driver’s side. We were pulling out of the packhouse before I knew it. He turned down numerous roads, so many, in fact, that I had no idea where he was taking me and, by the look of his face, that was his goal. Finally, we reached an open field. It felt familiar. I had been here before, but I couldn't remember when. He parked the car, turned it off and hopped out. He opened my door and extended his hand for me to take. Unbuckling, I took his hand and got out of the car. There was something so familiar about this place. I could almost see the memories in my mind, almost.

He closed the door and guided me to the field. There were mountains practically placed around the field. The grass had been cut in different areas, making it easier to traverse. “Did you eat?” he asked suddenly.

I thought for a moment, trying to remember if I had eaten with the Luna or if we had only worked. “No, I don't think I did,” I finally responded.

“Good thing I brought this,” he said as he showed me had been carrying a basket. I must have been too focused on my surroundings to not have noticed he had been holding a small basket.

“What's inside?”

“Food, of course,” he chuckled.

“Yes, what kind of food?” I asked, rolling my eyes at him.

“You'll have to wait,” he responded as he scanned the field. He was searching for something.

“What are you looking for?”

“Our spot,” he said without glancing my way.

“So, I have been here before,” I said thoughtfully as I peered around, trying to find something that might jog my memory.

“Once, yes.”

“Only once and we have a spot?”

“Anywhere I go with you is our spot,” he smiled as he continued to walk further into the field.

“Then we can make a new spot.”

“We could, but this spot is very special.”

“Why?”

“There it is!” he exclaimed as he started to move faster. He pulled me until we were next to a group of trees. He pulled out a blanket from the ridiculously small basket. “Help me,” he said as he handed me one end of the blanket.

It took us a few minutes, but we managed to lay the blanket down relatively nicely. He then set the basket in the middle and sat down. He started pulling out food around the blanket. “Are you going to sit? I thought you said you were hungry.” He continued to bring out more and more food as well as dishes and utensils.

“How did all that fit in such a small basket?” I gawked.

“Magic,” he laughed as he patted the empty space next to himself.

I took my seat. “The twins must like you now,” I giggled excitedly as I looked over the variety of food.

“Well, they were hesitant at first until I mentioned it was for you,” he said as he rubbed the back of his head.

The idea of him going to the twins and asking for help put a smile on my lips. “Can we eat now?” I decided to change the subject instead of rubbing it in his face that they prefer me over him.

“Yes,” he said as he handed me a plate. “Take whatever you like.”

I scanned the food for a moment before I decided what to start with. French fries and a mini burger. I took a bite and tasted heavenly. “Tell me you didn't cook this all for me,” I praised him as I looked over at him wide-eyed.

“I wish, but no, I had the chef put the meal together.”

“Well my compliments to them. They outdid themselves,” I said as I continued to not only eat the food I had placed on my plate but also take bits of food from the other plates. I hadn't realized how hungry I really was.

“I'll make sure to let them know,” he responded with a new kind of happiness in his voice.

We sat in blissful silence until all the food was practically consumed. Then we placed everything back in the basket including the blanket. I started to walk toward the car before I felt his hand on mine. “Where are you going?”

“I thought that was it.”

“No, not in the least. I have someone who misses his mate very much,” he said with a smile.

“Who?”

“Blaze,” he responded, confused.

“Oh and who is his mate?” I continued to question.

He looked at me for a moment, trying to gauge whether I was serious or not. Then I couldn't hold a straight face any longer and ended up laughing. “Stop joking around. Blaze was having a panic attack,” he huffed.

“Ski wants to see him too,” I admitted.

“Good. Blaze was asking rather forcefully if he could take a run with her. This was one of the first places they ran together. They had a race actually,” he told me with a bright smile.

I thought for a moment, but it was hard to ignore Ski's pleas to be let out, especially since I hadn't shifted since I woke up from the comma. “Okay, I suppose I can let her out.”

He didn't say anything, instead, he dashed off into the trees. He emerged seconds later, but not as Leon, but as Blaze. He came over and gently nudged me toward the treeline. “Okay, okay, I'm going,” I laughed as I walked to the trees and started to undress. Within seconds, Ski emerged.

“Why don't you give me the reins? You can relax. That's what you wanted to do anyway,” she said in a soothing tone, but there was excitement buzzing from her.

“Alright, have fun,” I handed control over to her.

Then darkness consumed my vision. I was far more tired than I had realized. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, I was back in my bed waking up to the morning light.