The Beta's Justice

Chapter 23

Nova's POV

I had just finished packing my school bag for school tomorrow and was staring at my closet trying to pick an outfit. I needed one that would say I was a future Luna, but also not so different from the other wolves at school. "Future Luna" the words echoed in my mind. Was I really going to accept Leon? Was I really okay with being the Luna of this pack? Could I be a good Luna?

The doorbell rang, pulling me from my thoughts and insecurities. I left my room and went to the front door, wondering who could be on the other side. These days only Audrey and Leon came by to see me. Reaching out, I turned the doorknob and pulled open the door. There Luna Lily stood in all her glory. She was so elegant, tall and slender. Everything about her screamed Luna, while everything about me said, child.

"May I come in?" Luna Lily questioned. I was clearly standing there for too long without saying anything.

I felt my cheeks redden from embarrassment. "Yes, yes, of course," I said as I stepped aside to let her in.

She stepped inside and I guided her to the living room after closing the door. "Tea?" I asked as she took a seat on the couch.

"Yes, that would be lovely." She smiled as she placed her hands on her lap.

Quickly, but gracefully, I made my way to the kitchen. I stood looking around the room, the realization settling in that I had no idea where mom kept the boxes of tea. In a bit of a panic, I searched the cupboards and drawers, trying hard not to be noisy. I didn't want the Luna to think I couldn't make simple tea. What would she think of me? Finally, I opened the long cupboard next to the fridge to find the tea boxes on the second shelf. Relief washed over me as I looked at them, but it was soon replaced with the realization that I had forgotten to ask what kind of tea she would like. I tried hard to think on my toes. I pulled out a tray, placed the fanciest tea cup we had on a saucer and then both onto the tray. I boiled water and poured it into the cup and then took one packet of tea from each box. I laid them in a perfect line on the tray. Picking it all up, I walked back to the living room and placed the tray on the coffee table in front of the Luna.

"I wasn't sure what type you would most prefer," I told her, feeling shy and a bit embarrassed as I sat across from her. I looked over the selection. There were eight different types; Earl Gray, Peppermint, English Breakfast, Ginger, Black, White, Green, and one more that I couldn't even begin to pronounce.

Luna reached forward, took the peppermint tea bag, ripped it open and plopped the bag into the hot water gracefully. "This is very nice of you," she complimented.

"It's nothing really." I felt my cheeks warm.

"I suppose I should explain why I've come to see you," she began as she stirred her tea.

"Take your time," I quickly said, hoping she didn't feel rushed.

She took a sip before she decided to speak. "I'm sure you are aware of some of the tension between wolves and the special wolves."

"I am," I confirmed.

"Leon and I have been speaking on the matter. How would you solve this pack issue?" She asked and took another sip of her tea.

I sat for a moment, thinking. How would I solve this problem? I was an outcast, but I didn't know what could be done to stop it from happening to another wolf. What would I have wanted? A normal school life. What else? A safe place.

"Is it true that they are not being given the opportunity to go to school yet?" I asked.

"We have kept them separate from the pack. In the beginning, it was for the safety of the pack until they could control their new abilities. However, now it is for their own safety since the pack fears them," she explained.

"Let them go to school. Make a safe place for them at school in case they are overwhelmed or something happens," I suggested. Mom had been my safe place when I went to school.

She smiled at my response. "I knew you would want to send the kids to school. What about the adults?"

"To work?" I offered.

"What jobs do you think the other wolves would allow them to do?"

"I don't know..." I admitted.

"School is a good start. It will be easier for the pups to adapt to a new way of life. However, the adults will need more," she told me. "Leon and I spoke. We have decided to host a festival. A celebration of the building of the pack and union of wolves and special wolves."

"I think that might actually work, but what will you do to prove that they are no longer a threat to the pack?" I questioned. A party would lift the spirits of the pack, but if they thought that would smooth over how the wolves felt about the special wolves, they were wrong.

She thought for a moment before responding. "What would you suggest?"

Her question caught me by surprise. No one ever asked for my opinion or suggestion on any matter. Especially not one that felt so big. I needed time to think, but it felt like she wanted an answer sooner rather than later. "Let them help plan the festival. Maybe they can even put on a kind of show so that the other wolves can see the powers they have. Although it could go one of two ways. It may cause more fear, but it could also give more understanding," I finally responded, trying hard not to sound foolish or too idealistic.

"Then I will need your help," she suddenly said.

"My help?"

"Yes, I think this will be excellent Luna training for you," she smiled as she finished her tea.

"Training?" I swallowed hard, trying to push the anxiety and fear down.

"Yes, you are the future Luna and, as part of the job, we put on events. A festival is an event and so it will be excellent training for you."

"Are you sure you want my help?" I questioned again.

"Of course. I think you have some wonderful ideas for this pack. I also believe that you will be the driving force which will help strengthen and unite the wolves," she praised. I felt my cheeks flush. I wasn't used to such high praise, especially not from the Luna herself.

"I will try to live up to your expectations," I responded, suddenly needing a glass of water.

"I know you will." She smiled reassuringly. She checked her watch. "Looks like it's time we started planning," she said as she stood.

"Now?"

"Of course. The party is at the end of the week," she informed me.

"There is no way to plan an event of this size in a matter of days," I worried.

"There is when you are a Luna," she responded with a confident smile. "And we have the Luna event planning book."

"What's that?"

"It's a book that has been passed down from past Luna's. Each one of us adds to it and then passes it on to the next Luna. It's basically a cheat sheet to how to plan an event in the most efficient way," she explained.

"So we have four days to plan this? And I have school..." I began to feel overwhelmed.

"After school, come and help me plan the events we will have at the festival. As for today, we will begin as soon as we reach my office," she declared.

"Okay!" I responded, deciding to think of this not as overwhelming, but as an opportunity for me.

Taking the tray, I quickly went to the kitchen and put everything away. Then I went to my room, grabbed my phone, and sent mom and dad a message to let them know I'd be at the packhouse. Finally, I walked out the front door of my house and soon after entering the packhouse. We went straight to her office. She pulled the Luna book off the shelf and placed it on her desk.

"There will be something in here about festivals," she said confidently.

Audrey's POV

My phone rang with Leon's name flashing across the screen. Quickly, I answered hoping he was going to give me some good news about the wolves and let them out of what they have now deemed "The Compound".

"Hello, Alpha," I answered.

"Hello, Audrey. How is training coming along?" he questioned and I felt a little torn. I had hoped we would be talking about an outing, not training.

"It's going well. Most of the wolves have gained good control over their abilities," I informed him. I was still confused about why he was asking. I turned in a report to him just yesterday. Not much would have changed between then and now.

"Good, good," he muttered thoughtfully.

"Is something on your mind?" I asked as I leaned against the wall in the training room. Everyone was still training. Since they couldn't go out, I had to create a unique training regiment to help the pups get out as much energy as they wanted while also making it fun. They were getting stir-crazy.

He was silent for a long time, causing my anxiety to suddenly rise. Usually, silence meant there was bad news. "We are going to be putting on a festival. It will be our way to introduce the special wolves to the rest of the pack in a way that will make them more known. As well as understand that they are in control of their abilities and mean no harm to the pack," he informed me.

I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. This was our chance. "What do they need to prepare?" I quickly asked a little too loudly and a little too excitedly.

He laughed lightly. "Good to know that you are in. Yes, well as for what we need the special wolves to do, you’ll have to ask my mother. She and Nova will be organizing the festival," he informed me.

"When should I go to see them?"

"I believe..." he paused for a moment. "Yes, they have just come into the packhouse. So, you could come to see them now if you have the time."

"I will!" I exclaimed as I pushed myself away from the wall.

Before I hung up he got my attention again. "Audrey."

"Yes, is there something more?"

"I just wanted to make sure you are aware that school is starting again tomorrow."

I groaned internally. "I know," I grumbled.

We are just finishing the year that we missed due to the battle. I have already spoken with the school board. We will be having school for the next month and a half. Then those who were supposed to graduate will. Others will have a short break so we can get the new school year back on track," he told me. I felt like it was a bit of a lecture.

"Fine," I groaned.

"Audrey, you know it's for the best," he laughed.

"You are just saying that because you don't need to go back," I responded.

"Maybe a little," I admitted.

"Don't forget about school and come to the packhouse to see what my mother and Nova need your help with." He was right. There was so much to do. "Oh and by the way, we will be having the festival by end of week."

I nearly fell over. "You have got to be kidding me. That's like no time to prepare anything," I responded, feeling flabbergasted that he would think it was a possibility.

"Talk to my mother and Nova. Go from there," he responded calmly.

"Okay," I responded, and then we ended the call.

"Who was that?" Darren asked as he came over.

"Alpha Leon," I told him.

"What's going on?" He seemed a little nervous about what Leon may have told me. I wanted to press him on the matter, but I needed to focus on getting the special wolves prepared for the festival. This was a chance to make a good impression on the rest of the wolves in this pack. We needed this.

I took him outside of the training facility, trying to stay away from prying eyes. Then I told him everything that Leon had relayed to me. He took it all in and then smiled. "I don't think it will be as hard as you think it will be." He tried to encourage me.

"I hope you're right. Can you continue running training today? I need to go meet with Luna Lily and Nova to see what they want us to plan," I told him.

"Of course, I can," he smiled.

"Thank you so much," I said as I pushed myself up on my tip toes to give him a quick kiss.