An Alpha and Luna's Diary

7 - Stay Here Tonight

Bradon’s POV

Tuesday 18th September

Dear Diary

It’s official: Elouise and I are mates. Yes, we already knew, but Amber, that’s Elly’s wolf or, as I like to call her, little wolf, came last night. She’s a pale tan, similar to the color of a Labrador puppy. The moment she came, the moon was almost at its peak and they shifted immediately. I got a mind link from Elly asking for help. Naturally, millions of scenarios ran around my mind and when I asked what had happened, her response was wolf.

I breathed a sigh of relief before I mind linked Aaron to go get her and I would meet them outside. Unfortunately, or is it fortunately? Elly’s shift drew a crowd, as it normally does. Everyone saw me trying to talk her through it and then Oscar and Amber left to go on a run together. Elly decided or was forced; I’m not sure which; to let everyone know we were mates, hence the fortunate comment.

When we got to our last period today, which was biology, she laughed and said she’s been getting scowls and dirty looks all day from my admirers. It’s great I don’t have to hide my affection for her anymore, though. I can hold hands, give her a kiss or cuddle. I’m in heaven.

On a sour note, when Amber shifted back, I was behind Elly. I saw the scars on her back and I knew she knew I had noticed them because she placed her shirt over her head quickly. What her stepfather must have done to her; I’m livid. Scars like that can only mean he beat her with something silver.

I mind linked Aaron about the scars. More so, to ask what he would do to cover something he didn’t want on his back. He knew I was talking about Elly, but I didn’t elaborate what it was she needed to cover. He said he would talk to Seth and see what they can come up with.

Anyway, Elly caught me frowning, but I quickly changed it. I don’t want her to know I am worried about the scars. I am, but not for the reasons she would be thinking. She’s coming over shortly for us to chat about something. Here’s hoping for a good night.

I placed my diary in my desk drawer when Elouise’s soft knock sounded on the door. I ran to the door, stopping to look in the mirror to make sure I was presentable and quickly opened it. “Hey” she said, walking past me and sitting down on the sofa.

“Hey” I answered, shutting the door before sitting beside her. This is awkward. More awkward than when we weren’t telling anyone. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Us” she said, and my heart dropped. She’s made her decision, and she doesn’t want to be with me. I stand by what I told her, there’s no-one else for me. If she doesn’t want to be with me, then I won’t have a Luna. “Why are you looking like that?”

“Like what?” I asked, trying to change my facial expression, to no avail.

“That” she said, grinning and pointing to my face. “Like I’m about to rip your heart out and stomp on it a million times. I want to tell you I’m falling in love with you, Bradon, and I want to try and give us a go. You’ve been patient with me, and I’m grateful for that, but I’m not sure when I will be ready for s*x, if ever.”

“I… You’re… What?” I stammered as she began to giggle.

“He’s speechless” she laughed as the smile crept on my face. “Can we go slow?”

“Um… Yeah,” I murmured, pulling her close as she curled herself into my arms. “As slow as you need.”

“Brae, I think I have a solution… Oh, hi Elly” Aaron said, barging into my room with Seth, looking very sheepish. Good timing; not.

“You have a solution to what?” Elouise asked as I tried to shake my head at Aaron behind her back, but she caught me. “What’s this about?”

“Don’t get mad” I said as she slid out of my arms and narrowed her brown eyes at me. Why did I say that? Of course, she is going to get mad the moment I tell her; don't get mad. “I saw the marks on your back and I wanted to find a solution for you to be proud to show off your figure instead of hiding it under baggy clothes. I asked Aaron if he knew of some way we could do something for you.”

“You’ve been talking about me, behind my back?” She asked, standing up and taking a step back before I stood up and put my arms around her.

“No, I would never,” I said as she stopped struggling to stare at me. I know how it sounds, but I didn't actually tell them anything. “Maybe a little, but I didn’t tell them anything. I just asked what they would do to hide something they didn’t want on their back.”

“It’s not just my back, Bradon” she screamed as my mouth dropped open. What does she mean, it’s not just on her back? I only saw the ones on her back. “He whipped me with a silver strap. My back, stomach, arms and legs are covered in the same marks. I’m surprised you didn’t see all of them, the way you were gawking at me last night.”

“Elly; Babe…” “What part of don’t call me babe, do you not understand? Jamie would call me that right before…” she screamed, trailing off her sentence as I took a step back. Tonight’s not going the way I wanted it to. And why didn’t she tell me; Jamie called her babe? Do you really think I would keep going if I knew that? I just thought she was one of those girls that didn’t like affectionate names.

“Since you’re here, Elly; do you want to hear the suggestion?” Seth asked, trying to defuse the tension in the air as she turned her glare towards him. “It wouldn’t hurt to hear it, and then you can yell at Bradon, all you want.”

“Fine” she snarled, sitting down on the sofa again as I released the breath I was holding. Let’s hope it’s a good suggestion, because I don’t need to be in the doghouse this early in our relationship. “What is it?”

“Tattoos”, Aaron said as she raised her eyebrows at him. “Cover the marks with a nice tattoo. I’ve been searching the internet…” she scoffed, stopping him from speaking, although she didn't seem angry at what he was saying.

“I can draw something way better than what they have on the internet” she snarled, as I raised my eyebrows at her. I didn’t know she could draw. But then again, I never took art as a subject.

“Then design something, and you can get that done”, Seth explained, as her facial expression softened a little. Does this mean she likes the idea? “I’m not sure how many marks we are talking about, but it’s not unheard of to have tattoos over our bodies” he continued, pulling the sleeve of his shirt up to show a full arm tattoo.

Seth got it done the moment he turned 16. His aunt is a tattoo artist and his parents gave him permission since he was classed as a minor. Mum told me I had to wait until I was 18 and if I wanted to mark my body, it was my choice. “Would you design something for me too?” I asked as Elouise’s eyes grew wide. “I wouldn’t want someone else’s design on my body.”

“Lame…” “That is so cheesy…” Aaron and Seth said at the same time, causing me to growl in their direction.

“It’s a good suggestion, but… I don’t know” Elouise said, shaking her head, a look of concentration still on her face. “She-wolves don’t get tattoos like you guys.”

“Are you telling me, all the time you have been sharing a room with my twin sister, she has never shown you her tattoo?” Seth exclaimed as Elouise shrugged her shoulder. “I got permission and, of course, she needed to get one. It’s an eagle with its wings spread out on her lower back. Aunty Judith did our tatts.”

“Not everyone’s parents are as cool as yours”, Aaron said, sitting opposite Elouise as I moved to sit beside her again. “The moment I turn 18, I want a wolf tattooed on my chest.”

“I only asked them, because I want you to see yourself as I see you” I said as she turned her face to look at me, a tear rolling down her cheek. I held her cheek and moved my thumb to wipe it away; “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. We are trying to help, that’s all.”

“I want to” Elouise whispered as I pulled her to my chest, a small smile appearing on my face.

“When you are ready, I can book you in to see Aunty Judy”, Seth said as Elouise nodded into my chest. “With that, I’ll leave you.”

“You are going to be the coolest Luna, ever” Aaron exclaimed, walking out the door behind Seth.

“I should have locked the door” I murmured under my breath.

“Why? So you could gaslight me?” Elouise fumed, although her smile was telling me she was playing around. “Thank you for trying to be considerate, but I would have liked to have known before being bombarded.”

“And I’m sorry for calling you, babe. I wouldn’t have if I’d known the full extent to why you didn’t want me calling you that” I whispered as she nodded her head and a grin started to appear on my face. “How’s sweetheart? Darling? Honey…” “Stop rambling. All of those are acceptable” she laughed, cutting me off and swatting at my arm playfully. “But Elly is fine. I don’t need a cutesy nickname.”

“Sugar, sweet pea, pumpkin?” I grinned as Elouise rolled her eyes with a small groan. “Stay here tonight?”

Elouise’s brown eyes bulged from their sockets at my question; “I’m not asking to have s*x” I said quickly as she released the breath she was holding. “I was just asking for you to sleep next to me, but if you’re not ready, just forget that I…” “OK” she said interrupting me, and it was my turn for my eyes to bulge out of its sockets in shock.

Once the shock of her agreeing wore off; “I didn’t know you could draw?”

“You never asked,” she said as I nodded my head. That is true, but I never saw her drawing either. “I used it as a refuge; no-one really knows. When I was at home, I hid my pencils and sketch books in a spot Jamie and Victoria never thought to look, and only got them out when they weren’t at home.”

Elouise stood up and walked to the door; “Where are you going?” I asked; a little disappointed, she said she was going to stay, and now she was choosing to leave.

“If I’m staying here tonight, I have to get some things from my dorm room,” she said, turning on her heels and giving me a smile. “I’ll be back.”

“I’ll come with you” I said, taking the few strides to where she was standing as she smiled again. “In case you change your mind.”

“I won’t” she murmured, and we walked out the door, hand in hand.

“I’m falling in love with you too” I whispered as Elouise stopped walking to look at me. “I just wanted you to know that.” Elouise nodded her head before we continued to her room to retrieve whatever items she said she needed.