The Discarded Luna

Before The Summer Ball

Limping back, I thought about the first day Vanessa started to claim she was Luna. It was almost two years ago, right after I lost my parents, that whispers of Alpha had found his mate.

Nothing was confirmed though until Vanessa showed up at my small cabin and claimed to be Luna. I did not believe her and fought back. After the Gamma's punishment, I never fought again. Others started to confirm Vanessa’s claim, and then came the announcement from Alpha. I was not allowed to attend, per Vanessa’s rule, but I heard from Jason that Alpha Dante confirmed that Vanessa was Luna.

Finally making my way to my cabin, I unlocked the door. My leg still hurts like crazy but it should heal by tomorrow. Laying on the couch, I put an arm over my eyes.

Why me? I asked again for the millionth time. I never understood why Vanessa targeted me, why I was the only one to really receive this punishment. I knew the rest of our community was suffering a little, with the Alpha not being attentive as he used to be, but why this cruel punishment. Why not be allowed to change?

I don’t know how long I laid there, but knocking at the door roused me. Pain shot through my leg again. Sniffing the air, I knew who was at the door.

“Come in.” I yelled, and Jason walked in. He took one look at me and sighed.

“What did she do this time?” He asked already knowing who did this.

Not daring to see the pity in his eyes, I stayed hidden under my arm. “Just a bite, it will heal by tomorrow. What do you want Jason?” I said a little too harsh.

Jason huffed and I felt him sit in an armchair. “Just checking in on you.” I could feel him pout at my reaction to him. Sighing I looked at him.

“Jason, I am fine. You don’t have to keep doing this.” Jason was definitely pouting, even had a little of his bottom lip sticking out. “Look,” I added, “I will be fine by tomorrow. Good news though, I am allowed to go to the Summer ball.”

Jason’s face lit up at that news. “Do you have a partner?” All concern of my health gone, instead I could feel the lust start to come from him.

“No,” I sighed and looked at the ceiling.

“Maybe we could,”

“No,” I cut him off. “Look Jason, I like you as a friend and that is it. We can meet up at the ball, but I will not go with you. I do not want to give you false hope.”

Jason growled and I turned my eyes slowly to him. “I want you.” He growled at me, slowly rising from his chair.

“No.” I said with strength. He faltered at my tone and the power behind it. Staring into my eyes, I pushed my will onto his. Jason averted his eyes, cussed, and stormed out of the house.

'Good girl.' My wolf, Laura, growled with satisfaction. Chuckling, I sat up carefully. I may let Luna run all over me, but I was not a weak little wolf like she believed. I was strong, stronger than most knew.

I cussed as I know what just happened will bite me in the ass later. Hopefully not literally. Getting up, I carefully went to shower. My wound was mostly healed with only a little of blood trickling from the deeper puncture wounds.

Sighing, I laid back down on the couch and turned on the t.v.

The next day, my wound was fully healed except for a scar. Most werewolf inflicted wounds left scars, but it didn’t matter to me. I already had a lot and it wasn’t like people were going to see them.

Finishing my work for the day, I texted the Gamma that I had the required weeks work completed. Standing and stretching I thought about tonight. I only had one fancy dress that I wore to prom over five years ago. It would have to do, as it was a ball and we need to be fancy.

Werewolves loved tradition, and balls. Dancing and mingling were basic requirements of any successful pack and we were the most successful. Well, maybe not lately. I glanced down at my reports on our businesses and frowned. The businesses were starting to drop in revenue for some reason. Not a lot of new growth was developing in the last year and contracts we should have easily been able to fill were not getting done. If this continued, we would lose a lot of income and that would affect our people’s food and housing.

Ding. My phone went off. Looking at the message, I cussed under my breath. The Gamma, Charlie, wants me to do a border patrol by myself until sunset. That is the moment the ball starts. Sighing, I changed into my workout gear.

Usually patrols were done in pairs and in our wolf form, but Charlie knows Vanessa has requested I not be allowed to change into my wolf. To hide the fact that they are not allowing me to change, Charlie always has me do patrol alone, even though it is not safe at all. Sighing again, I finished lacing up my shoes and walked out the door.

Closing my eyes I centered myself, and then started on patrol. Heading straight for the border I walked and ran the whole territory about four times before sunset. As the last rays of light sank over the horizon, I headed home to change.

'Rogue.' Laura, my wolf, screamed into my head as the breeze changed. A new smell, one of blood, dirt, decay and an old wolf came on the breeze. It was clearly a rogue’s disgusting smell. Scrunching up my nose, I tried to pinpoint the location of where the smell was coming from. Following it, I found the boundary breach half a mile away. It was recent as I did not smell it before.

'Gamma,' I mind linked him.

A growl echoed through my head. 'This better be good.' Charlie said. I relayed what I knew to him. 'I will be there in five.' He growled then shut the link.

Looking around, I tried to find where the scent went off too. My blood ran cold as I realized it headed towards our community. Charlie was there in less than three and with four other wolves. Omega transformed back into his human form as he walked past me to the border.

Sniffing the air, Charlie glared and growled. “Hunt it down.” He told the other wolves. Turning to me, as they ran off, he clenched his jaw. I looked at the ground. “Good job.” The words barely got out through his teeth. Nodding my head I asked what I could do.

“Nothing,” he spat and turned towards the boundary. Taking it as a sign of dismissal, I started back towards my cabin. “Do not tell anyone about this.” I heard Charlie growl. Bowing my head again in acknowledgement, I practically ran from my Gamma.