The Banished Luna

Chapter 3

It was an agonizingly slow three days for Georgia, confined to the small room of the Alpha and Luna's longhouse. She could faintly hear the chatter of the pack through the door and the metallic clattering of kitchenware through the walls so she was always aware of the presence of strangers all around her.

She paced, and napped and stared out the window for hours at a time. The only good thing about this boredom was that Geneva remained silent. After being bested by a fox and then rebuked by the Alpha, Geneva was in no mood for quality time. Out of desperation, Georgia even tried reading the single English book on the bookshelf; but there was only so much she could read about the various lichens of the tundra and taiga before her eyes started to blur.

Three times per day, she was given a tray with savory porridge, stew, or dark bread with vegetables and hard-boiled egg. She had to admit, the food was filling and nourishing, but she desperately craved syrup-drenched pancakes and pepperoni pizza.

Nobody spoke to her, nobody visited. Georgia was left completely to her own devices. She thought a lot about what happened before her banishment. Even though it was less than a month since her father schemed to forcibly install her as the pack's Luna, it seemed so far away now. A lifetime away. And with the distance, came clarity.

Goddess, I was so stupid, she thought to herself. He used me. I was desperate, and he used my desperation for his own revenge. Regrets swirled in her mind, and more than a few tears were shed.

By the end of the third day, Georgia's anger and desperation had simmered into defeat and homesickness.

Luna Erika was the one who came to end her confinement on the morning of the forth day. She entered and bade Georgia to sit on the bed.

"Georgia Napelli, are you prepared to enter the Snowbright pack as an Omega?"

"But I was a Luna! My adoptive father was Beta of Blackthorn pack, and my biological father was the Alpha!" She whined. It was still strange to think that Xavier wasn't her actual father, but her true father's Beta who rescued her from the ruins of Blackthorn pack.

"Here, you are less than nothing." the Luna snapped. "And I recommend that you stop whining like a child. You will find no pity here for such an attitude. You will work, and you will be thankful that you were not executed for your betrayal."

How dare she speak to us like that! Geneva bristled indignantly and could no longer stay silent.

"And I suggest you learn to keep your wolf in check. She has become vulgar and arrogant, and is a disgrace to you and your lineage."

Georgia and Geneva were equally in shock.

Can she...hear me?

"I can. The Goddess has granted me this power."

Geneva fled into the back of Georgia's mind, not liking the sudden vulnerability.

"You will both learn." The Luna concluded. Georgia couldn't tell if it was a simple statement of fact, or a threat. "Now, come. I will introduce you to the family and to your duties. You will need to change first though."

Georgia had been dressed in loose sweatpants and a tight tank top, and had brushed her long dark hair - though it was now frizzy from being washed in the sink with strong lye soap.

"What's wrong with this? I can work in this." She tried not to whine this time.

"You will do as you are told, child." The Luna replied coldly. She motioned to another woman standing outside the door, who entered holding a pile of folded clothes. "While you live here, you will dress modestly and simply, as suits your station as Omega. Flora will help you dress today, then bring you to the Wisdom House for introductions. Afterwards, you will go with her to the kitchen to start working. Is this understood?"

Georgia looked down and shrugged noncommittally. When she looked back up at the Luna, she could see Flora behind her mouthing exaggerated and silent words YES MA'AM. She sighed dramatically.

"Yes ma'am..."

"Good. I will see you shortly."

Once the Luna left, Flora scurried in and dumped the pile of clothes on the bed and smiled brightly.

"She really is very kind once ye get on her good side. She's just really strict." The woman spoke with a thick accent, but one that was very different from the lisped sing-song accent she'd heard from the Alpha and Luna.

Flora continued despite the surprised stare, unfolding a long tunic and holding it up to Georgia's body. "It's not often we get someone who isn't from the Nordic territories. Where are ye from? No, this one is too long... Oh, ye're so tiny! I'm jealous."

In the space of 3 minutes, Flora provided more warmth and conversation than Georgia had experienced in nearly a week. It was overwhelming, but wonderfully so.

"Ohh...I'm sorry, lass!" Flora exclaimed, seeing Georgia's tears. "I didn't mean ye're TOO tiny!" Ye've got a lovely figure!" Her face reddened with embarrassment as she fussed amongst the folded clothes on the bed.

"No, no" Georgia laughed-sobbed. "It's just...yours is the first kind word I've heard in so long."

The woman visibly relaxed. "Och thank the Goddess. I let my mouth run away with me sometimes. There, there, wee one...I know this is a lot" Flora enveloped Georgia in a long firm hug. "But ye'll see your family soon enough, and they'll be so proud of ye!"

"I have nobody! And the Alpha and Luna hate me already!" Georgia erupted into fresh sobs, hot tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Oh...there I go again, putting my foot in my big mouth."Flora fretted. "Sit down, lamb, and tell me what happened. I'm guessing that ye're not an exchange student, or passing through on a mate search, then?" She led the sobbing girl to the bed and sat next to her.

The story tumbled from Georgia's mind, through her lips. Rhys, her father, the would-be human Luna, the battle, and the banishment. Flora listened attentively, speaking only in soft exclamations or soothing responses. Once the story was done, and all Georgia's tears were cried out, Flora squeezed her hand.

"Ye'll be worked hard, here, and that's the truth. But if ye do your duty, behave yeself, and listen to the wisdom of the Goddess, ye'll thrive here. I swear it. Now, let's get you dressed. The Alpha and Luna are waiting."

Georgia sniffed and nodded.

I like her.