The Beta's Justice

Chapter 25

Nova's POV

"Ski, what happened yesterday?" I asked as I slowly rolled away from the light streaming in through my window.

She was silent for a bit, which was not putting me at ease. "Ski?"

Then I heard her yawn in response. "Ski!" I spoke more sharply.

"What?" She asked as she yawned once more.

"What happened yesterday?" I snapped at her.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," she grumbled.

"Because I've already asked you, but you responded by yawning," I huffed.

"I responded with a yawn because I am exhausted," she responded, sounding irritated.

"You are not allowed to be mad at me. I am the one waking up with no idea what happened yesterday. You took over then I blacked out. I think I have the right to know what happened," I hissed. I just wanted to know what had happened and then I planned on going back to sleep. But now that idea was a lost cause.

I felt her presence beginning to fade. "Don't you run away!"

"I don't want to ruin my mood with your sour attitude," she retorted.

"My sour attitude... my sour attitude?!"

"Yes, your spur attitude."

"Ski did something happen yesterday?" I quieted my tone. What wasn't she telling me? Did something happen? What could have happened that she doesn't want to tell me about? My heart sank at the idea.

"Nothing happened," she responded.

"Explain nothing to me," I pressed. I needed to know.

"Well, after you gave me control, Leon did the same for Blaze. We talked and ran. We raced and played. It was magical. We went to a pond and lay next to it under the moonlight and stars. Then..." her voice trailed off as though she were searching for the right words to explain what happened next. I waited on bated breath for her to continue, but she didn't.

I gave her another few moments, trying to calm myself in the meantime. However, when her presence began to fade again, I couldn't take it. "Ski, did you sleep with him?" I said it. I finally said it.

"Well define sleep with," she responded casually.

"s*x. Did you have... did we have s*x with him?" I whispered, afraid to hear the answer. It would be her first time. But I had always thought the human side of the werewolf should be first. We would mark each other and then shift. It would be somehow romantic.

She didn't answer right away. All her pausing and slow responses were sending my heart rate through the roof. "No, we literally just slept next to each other."

A weight lifted off my shoulders. But it was quickly replaced with anger. She should have just said that. Why did she have to drag it out and make me stress about the possibility? "Ski, why didn't you just say that then?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"I wanted you to think about the possibility. To know that you wanted to do it. That he is your mate. He is good for you. We are good for him too. You have been so composed and careful. I just wanted you to think of the possibility of being intimate with him. I know you aren't ready yet, but when you are, I want you to be aware of it," she explained. I could hear the genuine concern in her voice. She was worried that I was forgetting about the most intimate part of a relationship. But I didn't. I thought about it. However, when I did, I shoved the thoughts back down. I buried them. Right now, there's too much coming at me too fast. I just want the world to stop spinning first. Then I'll think more deeply about it.

Before Ski and I could continue our conversation, there came a knock at the door. "Nova, I hope you're awake." I heard mom's voice coming through the door.

I jolted out of bed. School! How could I forget? "Yes, I'm awake," I called out to her.

"I'm leaving in twenty if you want a drive," she told me.

"Okay!" I responded as I practically fell out of bed and rushed to my dresser. I pulled out something to wear, raced to the bathroom, and showered. It was the fastest I had gotten ready to go somewhere since I moved in.

I grabbed my bag and went to the kitchen to grab a banana, but before I had a chance, I noticed Leon nonchalantly sitting at the dining table with mom and dad. Talk about stress taking over all other senses.

"Take a seat, sweety," Mom said as she motioned to the chair across from her, which happened to be next to Leon.

"What's going on?" I asked as I went to the chair and sat.

"Leon was telling us that you are going to be helping Luna Lily with the festival this coming weekend. We, your father and I, wanted to tell you how proud we are of you," she said with her smile broadening.

"Oh, I'm really not doing that much," I responded, feeling my cheeks redden.

"That's not what Leon has been telling us."

"Oh..." I wasn't sure how to respond.

"I thought since you seemed sad yesterday that you would see me less because of needing to go to school and working with my mother, I would come and drive you to school today and pick you up after. If that is alright with you," he informed me as he casually placed this hand over mine.

I felt it. It was much stronger than ever before. The shock. A thrill that zipped through my whole being. Before yesterday, I would have pulled away. Scared. But today, it was comforting, reassuring even. "That would be nice," I finally responded.

He gave my hand a quick squeeze before he pulled away. "Then it's time to go," he announced as he stood.

"But breakfast," I pouted.

"I've already got it prepared," he told me proudly.

"Where?"

"In the car of course." He looked down at his watch. "Oh, if we don't get going you are going to be late," he said as he pushed in his chair and waited for me to follow.

"I'll see you at school," I told mom as I waved to her and dad.

"Have a good day," Dad said, his expression stern, but something had softened.

"Have a good day at work," I quickly responded as I grabbed my bag and followed Leon out to his car.

As soon as I was seated and he was turning the car on, he leaned back quickly and brought a bag to the front. He set it on my lap. "Breakfast is served," he announced in a grand voice.

Opening the bag, I saw two breakfast sandwiches and two bottles of orange juice. "Did you prepare this?" I asked with a smile. I had a feeling he had requested this as well.

"This time, I personally prepared the meal," he responded proudly.

"Really?"

"Of course. A breakfast sandwich isn't that difficult to make. Now eat up."

Happily, I took out an orange juice and set it in the cup holder after I opened it. Then I pulled out the breakfast sandwich, unwrapped it and took a bite. I had to stop myself from gagging. The gesture was sweet, but he had forgotten to cook the bacon and egg. He had forgotten to toast the bread and butter it. It tasted more like he had rushed to make it. It was a simple meal and made it all the more amazing that it tasted so bad. I managed to swallow the bite I had taken and then looked inside the sandwich. He had put mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, and another unknown sauce inside.

"So, how does it taste?" He asked. I could hear the expectation in his voice.

It took me a moment to decide how to respond. "It is different from any breakfast sandwich I've ever had," I finally said.

"And hopefully we'll never have to be subject to this kind of torture again," Ski added.

"Shush you. He is trying," I responded. I wanted to defend his cooking, but there really wasn't anything I could say that would be positive about the sandwich.

"You can eat the second one, too. I can just make another one for myself when I get back to the packhouse," he encouraged.

"Really, one is more than enough. I don't really eat much in the morning," I tried to explain and hoped he wouldn't press the matter any further.

"Okay, well, at least take the orange juice with you. I had the pack chef teach me how to make hand-squeezed orange juice," he told me. I watched as he broadened his chest and sat up taller. He was so proud of doing this for me.

"Of course, I will," I promised.

Within seconds, we pulled into the school parking lot and I practically flew out of the car. "I'm going to be late," I rushed to explain.

"Just a minute," he said as he got out of the car and walked around to my side. He opened the car door and helped me out. I took his hand and he pulled me in for a quick kiss. "Have a good day," he whispered with his lips still ever so slightly on mine.

"I will now," I responded happily.

I started to walk away when he called me again. "Nova, you forgot your breakfast," he said as he caught up to me and handed me the orange juice and sandwich. "Can't have the future Luna going to school hungry."

I took the food and drink from his hands. "Thank you," I responded, plastering a smile on my lips.

Then I headed into school. The halls were empty since I had arrived twenty minutes before others would. I could have spent more time with Leon, but I really wasn't sure if I could stomach another bite. I knew if I had stayed he would wonder why I had stopped eating. Opening my locker, I set the food and drink inside. Then I took out my books and sorted them into the locker. It felt so foreign to be here. It felt more like I should have already graduated.

I was standing in front of my locker, trying to figure out what I should do with the food and drink. Finally, I decided to try the orange juice at least. He really couldn't have messed up that recipe. I grabbed the bottle, opened it, and took a small sip. I nearly spat it back out. "Who puts hot sauce in their orange juice?"

"Who does?" I heard someone ask from behind me.

Startled, I almost dropped the bottle of so-called orange juice. "Sorry didn't mean to scare you," they said, their voice was so familiar.

Turning, I saw Darren with a concerned expression. "Oh, I didn't expect to see anyone here now. Especially not you."

"Why?"

"I thought you had graduated like Leon had done."

"How would I have? I'm not the Alpha of this pack and I don’t really hold a rank of importance at this pack," he responded.

"Right. That makes sense."

"If anyone should have, it should have been you. You are the future Luna, after all."

I wasn't sure how to respond. I had thought the same thing, but I also knew Leon was hoping I would make better connections with she-wolves and wolves my age if I went back to school for even a short amount of time. "Where's Audrey?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"She's reorganizing her locker. Something about it being outdated, whatever that means," he shrugged.

Our conversation hit a standstill. Neither one of us knew what to say next. It was odd since we had gotten along before the whole Ryker trying to take over the pack ordeal. But now, we both seemed at a loss for words. Then it happened, someone bumped into me, causing me to drop the opened bottle of orange juice all over the floor. Instead of apologizing or helping me clean it up, they laughed. Something inside of me lost it. It was as though I had experienced something similar before, possibly many times.

I straightened up to look to see a she-wolf standing next to her friends with a smile OK her lips. She was feeling proud and successful for some unknown reason. "Clean it up," I demanded.

She looked shocked that I had said anything to her. Then her gaze hardened. "No," she declared.

Students were beginning to gather around us. Many were waiting to see what would transpire. "I will repeat myself only once. Clean up the mess you made," I ordered. For a moment she was stunned into silence.

I could hear others whispering around us. Some were saying they had never heard me speak, let alone order someone to do something. Others were reminding each other that I was the future Luna. While others talked about my memory loss from being in a coma. Their tones were hushed and the room stilled. "Just because you think you're actually going to the Luna doesn't mean I have to do what you say."

"Actually it does..." her friend whispered.

"No, because she only thinks she will be. I don't believe Alpha Leon would choose someone like her. She has terrible breeding after all," she snapped at her friend.

"If you want to talk about terrible breeding, look in the mirror. I am the daughter of an Alpha and Beta. I stand stronger than anyone in this school. Now I suggest apologizing and cleaning up the mess, now!" My voice rose as I spoke. I could see she was fighting with something inside herself. However, her friends had stepped away from her, fear consuming their expressions.

"No," the she-wolf gritted out. Her forehead had beads of sweat as she tried to refuse my command.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped closer to her. "Clean up the mess," my tone lowered as my words came out with an understood threat.

She was fighting hard not to obey. While a part of me wanted to let it go, another part understood that if I did, I would be seen as a weak Luna and something terrible could happen. Something would repeat itself. Darren stepped up behind me, but I waved him back. Now Audrey had joined the circle, confused. Darren whispered to her, informing her of what had happened. "b***h! Clean up the mess," she growled.

For a moment, the she-wolf appeared to relax, believing that Audrey was siding with her. "Lila, stop disrespecting the future Luna," Audrey continued in a slightly more civilized tone.

The she-wolf's face fell. "Audrey, you can't be serious. You are the one who hated her the most and now you side with her? Did you lose your memory as well? Is there something in the water?" spat Lila.

Within seconds, Audrey had pinned Lila to the wall. "I may not be the future Luna, but I am still of Beta blood. You should know better than to disrespect anyone of a higher rank than yourself," she hissed.

Slowly, I placed my hand on Audrey's shoulder. "Thank you, but I will fight this on my own," I told her gently.

She nodded, letting go of Lila and moving away to stand next to Darren. "Now Lila, I try to avoid foul language and violent behavior. I don't like it. But if you don't mop up your mess, I will make an exception," I threatened.

I watched as the hairs on her neck stood on end. She understood the threat or at least her body had. "No..." she muttered as she averted her gaze.

"I am the future Luna!" I declared. "I will stand by Leon's side and run this pack with or without you and anyone who decides that I am not their Luna." I glanced around, making sure the weight of my words were being felt. I took a step back and held out my hand with my palm up. "Clean it up," I said as a ball of fire appeared above my hand.

I heard screams, but no one moved except for Lila who quickly took the mop from the janitor who had come to clean up the mess. "Do we have an understanding?" I questioned those around us.

"Yes, future Luna!" All their voices echoed up and down the hallway.