Unrelenting Destiny [COMPLETED]

17. Beginning of Our Forever

Luciana Faith Moore

"Astral Twilight, I would like you all to meet Luciana Moore, your Luna." 

Jasper's words rang through the town hall. Luci shrank down in her seat, a wild blush on her face as the attention was drawn to her. The entire pack seemed to explode in conversation. The wolves around her gave her reassuring words of congratulations and greeting. It wasn't until an elderly she-wolf nudged her shoulder, bringing her to her feet. As she stood and made her way to the stage, taking her place by Jasper's side, the entire pack bowed their heads in respect.

"Welcome, Luna Luciana." Beta Embry smiled to her encouragingly as the pack echoed his welcome. 

The pack soon dispersed, still buzzing with the information they had received. A few had stayed back to question the royalty about more details. Luckily, Luci did not have to address anything regarding Orianna or Ivan. Most who approached her were more interested in her "escape" from The Claiming, a few younger she-wolves asking for the more romantic details of her first meeting with their Alpha.

"No, I didn't know Jasper was my mate until the next day. Perhaps if I had actually gone into the clearing, I would have noticed sooner." She admitted to one, a she-wolf who had introduced herself as Maeve. Her twin brother, Fighter Maverick, had been named the new Gamma. Maeve swooned as Luci recounted when they first laid eyes on each other, rambling about how she couldn't wait to meet her own mate for the first time. Luci felt herself relax at the conversation. This was the kind of welcome she was hoping to receive from Astral Twilight from the beginning.

"Luna, we will be returning to the pack house now to address Orianna's banishment." Beta Embry informed her, distracting from her conversation. She nodded feebly, wondering if she should join them. Seeing the worry in her eyes, Embry placed a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry. We'll make sure you don't encounter her. I imagine she wouldn't take kindly to your identity."

Luci nibbled on her bottom lip, "Actually, I think it might be a good idea for me to talk to her first."

"Are you certain?" Jasper turned to join their conversation, dismissing Maverick to take Ivan to the apartment he would be moving to.

She nodded, a bit more confident now, "If I were her, I would want a proper explanation. She is losing her mate and her home in one day. The least I can do is sate her curiosity for the woman who replaced her."

Jasper walked along with her towards the pack house, taking her hand within his. He leaned down to kiss the side of her head before murmuring, "You are no replacement, Luciana. You are my destined mate and the true Luna of this pack. This is your place." 

She paused, looking up at him as they reached the entrance of the house. The setting sun blanketed their figures, casting long shadows across the front lawn. Luci lost herself in his oasis eyes, drawn to him like moths to a flame. Lifting herself onto her tippy toes, she placed a kiss on his lips, whispering, "I love you, Jasper."

"I love you, too." He smiled softly, kissing her once more. Electricity crinkled between them, their bond only strengthening as they affirmed their love for each other. His large calloused hand brushed against her neck, touching the soft skin where it met her shoulder, "And soon the entire world will know it when my mark is placed here. It will be the beginning of our forever." 

Her skin goosebumped at his words, imagining the feeling of being marked by the man she loved. It took all her strength to pull away from him, remembering the task at hand, "I do believe we have a few things to do before then, Alpha."

He rolled his eyes playfully, chuckling from deep in his chest, "I had to spend the last two days away from you and you only tease me further." Luci joined in his quiet laughter before turning to open the front door. She dreaded every step that took her away from Jasper and towards Orianna - but the encouraging looks she received from the bustling Omegas who had returned to the house reassured her. The entire pack was so accepting and it fueled her confidence, finally feeling like a proper Luna. She shivered a bit as she descended the stairs to the basement. Luna Luciana, Eve mused good-naturedly, rolling onto her back and swatting playfully upwards, I like the sound of that. Feels like destiny.

Before Luci could respond, she opened the basement door, turning as she saw the cells. Ivan had been released and taken to an assisted living apartment so he could be closely watched by Elder Elroy. Orianna sat on the floor in the corner by herself, the door guarded by a Fighter wolf. 

"Luna Luciana," the Fighter bowed his head respectfully, "my name is Oscar. I was told to stand by the rogue's cell in case anything happens. The witch Diana left some wolfsbane in case she tried shifting again."

Orianna snarled, "I'm not a rogue yet, you mindless drone."

Luci chose to ignore her for now, smiling in greeting, "It's nice to meet you Oscar. But I think I'll be okay. Could you wait maybe outside the door so I may speak to Orianna privately?"

"Oh, she deigns to come down from my bed and my mate's lap to speak to me." Orianna sneered as Oscar departed, reassuring Luciana that he would be just outside. 

Luciana sat down on a folding chair across from Orianna's cell, just out of arm's reach, "Orianna, I wanted to come here so you could ask me anything you needed to directly. I don't want you to be wondering anything that can be answered by me."

"How sweet of you, Luciana." Orianna's eyes glared, "Is this how you choose to repay me for nursing you to health? For stopping Hunter Jonathan from killing you and disposing of you in some ditch for thinking you a rogue?"

Luciana's own pale blue hues hardened, "You should have some sense that none of this was planned. I had absolutely zero intention of even meeting Jasper after running from The Claiming. Aren't you the one who overreacted by turning to a witch and concocting some convoluted plan to have pups with him against his will?"

"I never did that!" The she-wolf screamed angrily, "All of these stupid accusations are baseless. I don't know what that b***h Monica is planning but she's framing me for all of this! Both Ivan and Saravie were my friends. I was there for them when their pup was born. I would never even imagine harming them - especially not to have Jasper's pups."

"You told me yourself that you wanted pups even though he didn't." Luciana retorted, "And Jasper told me you lied through your teeth when Monica exposed your pills."

Orianna's glare faltered slightly, pausing before she responded in a lower, broken tone, "I know it looks bad. But I...I didn't do this. Why does no one believe me?"

Luciana's own gaze softened, seeing just how downtrodden she was, "Look, Orianna, I don't know you. I don't know Monica or even this pack well enough to know what's going on here. But if you say you didn't do it, you're going to need more than just hearsay to exonerate you."

She sighed, eyes tearing as she took in Luci's words. Finally, she spoke, "I saw you two when you first met. I had watched from our window as he saw you. He stopped and couldn't stop staring at you even when he spoke to Ivan. I remember feeling so jealous that he had eyes for someone else when he barely had eyes for me."

"That night, Monica told me that the birth control I was taking is likely the reason why you and Jasper felt your mate pull despite him marking me." Her fingers moved to trace the spot where his mark still lay. Luciana noticed it was on her wrist, not her neck, "Suppressing my wolf to prevent getting pregnant also meant suppressing the magical properties that bound our wolves together. I can't help but wonder if I hadn't done this, if I had just let nature be, none of this would have happened." 

Luciana remained quiet, contemplating her words. Just as before when Orianna had questioned her about her intentions with Jasper, her entire demeanor and words contradicted her previous claims to innocence. She clearly knew there was something between Luci and Jasper and had brought it up to the witch. Even Luci did not know where the truth lay in the situation. 

Orianna looked up, their gazes meeting. At that moment, she did not seem the jealous she-wolf nor the aggressive rouge. She looked like the kind, sympathetic woman who had given her a sandwich just a few days ago. Luciana sighed, getting to her feet and moving closer to the cell, "Look, Orianna, even Jasper admitted to me that all of this doesn't seem like something you would do. If you say you are innocent, perhaps I can speak to Jasper about keeping you here so you may plead your case."

"What good can I do from a cell?" Orianna asked, just the slightest glimmer of hope and relief in her light brown hues, "And even if I do prove my innocence, where does that leave me? In a pack that isn't my own, without a mate or a home."

"You wouldn't be a rogue." Luci said firmly, reaching out and placing a delicate hand onto Orianna's, "You would still have a place. I saw the reactions from the pack when Jasper told them of your accusations. Many of them didn't believe it either. Even if it doesn't feel like it right now, this pack is still your home, I can tell."

"Thank you, Luciana." Orianna smiled weakly, "You really are a wonderful Luna already."

Luci rose to her feet, saying goodbye as she began formulating the words she would have to say to convince Jasper to keep her there. She told Oscar to make sure Orianna was taken care of, promising she would return as soon as she could.