Moon Children

A CELEBRATION TO REMEMBER (2)

Reluctantly, I made my way to the Alpha’s office. I tried to ignore Ezra who was still following closely behind me, his intoxicating scent invading my mind. I feel the sadness and guilt rolling off of him, and for a minute I wanted to turn around and hug him, to know what it feels like to be held by your mate. I didn’t, though. I needed answers first.  

One by one we entered the room, which was covered with dark leather and wood. Luna Gretchen must have placed the hints of lilac to offset the masculinity that seeped from these walls. It was a nice attempt, but purple curtains and throw-pillows wouldn’t fix this man cave. My parents and Ezra’s sat across from each other on matching leather sofa’s, while I chose to stay standing to face all of them. Ezra leaned up against the dark walnut desk that would soon belong to him. It was located at the opposite center of the two couches, facing directly towards me.  

Each and every one of them looked as though they were struggling for words. It was so quiet, I could hear my brothers screaming at our Beta to let them join us from the grand hallway downstairs. I walked over to the door to quickly close and latch it before returning my attention to the people in front of me. Still, no one said anything, so I spoke first. 

“I have way too many questions so I’ll start this easily. I will ask a question, you will answer. I just want the truth. No bullshit, no half-assed apologies. Got it?” I glanced up and realized who I was talking to. 

“Respectfully, I deserve to know what’s going on... Please.” I bowed my head to the Alpha and Luna.  

“Very well. You may begin.” Alpha Chad said coolly. 

I tried to quickly sift through all the questions so I could be direct and obtain the most accurate information.  

“This is probably the most important question for me, and it’s for all of you. Did you know that we... Ezra and I, were mates?” 

They all nodded their heads slowly.  

“Yes.” Ezra was the only one to verbally respond. His deep, thick voice dripped with shame. 

“Wow. Okay, so Ezra, what was it? Am I not your type?” I deadpanned. 

“No! I mean, yes? Darci you are the perfect other half for me. I just couldn’t tell you we were mates.” He tried to reason. 

“It wouldn’t have been fair to you baby. You wouldn’t be able to feel the bond until you came of age. We just wanted you to live a normal life.” My mother pleaded to me. 

“I would have trusted him until I could feel it. If he had told me I was his mate, I could have got to know him in the meantime. Instead he’s avoided me like the plague! But that’s a whole other question in itself. Why have you purposely avoided me our whole lives? It’s not like you could’ve known I was your mate until you turned 18. And why do you know Mom? Dad?” 

Luna Gretchen beckoned me to sit on the couch beside her. Noone can resist a Luna’s command. She carefully placed her hand on my arm. 

“Darcietta, we all know he’s your mate because we were there when your soul-binding happened. Ezra never said anything at his announcement because he already knew who you were and we had all agreed it would be best for you to find your mate the traditional way. It was never to hurt you darling.” She looked into my eyes, gauging my reaction no doubt. 

“How? When did you all find out? It’s not even possible to find your mate before you come of age! Soul-binding?!” I retorted. This time it was my father who spoke, much to my dismay. 

“Dar, you’ve known for a long time about what you are. Your powers, heightened abilities, the prophecy of you bringing prosperity to your pack. You’re a special gir-young lady. The elders say what happened to you two is incredibly rare, another gift from the moon goddess herself. Normally, two souls are born bound to eachother, only to be discovered once of age. You two, however, are an exception.” 

“What? Us as in Ezra and I? What happened to us and when? I deserve to know!” I’m getting a bit worked up, which I find justified given my circumstances. 

“Let me tell her.” Ezra spoke up. He slowly walked to the coffee table between the sofa’s and perched himself on the corner to face me. He reached for my hand and before I could pull away the aura enveloped the room. 

“And what is THAT?” I exclaimed, referring to the fact that every time my mate and I touch the room turns orange. f*****g orange! He smiles before he responds. 

“It’s new for me too. Every time we’ve ever had any kind psychical contact you weren’t of age yet. Most of that time neither was I.” 

“We’ll have to consult the Elders. I’ve never seen anything like this, not since that day...” Chad says as he carefully extends his hand, swirling the colored air around. 

“Seriously? Enough with the cryptic talk, WHAT DAY? Please, someone tell me what is happening.” I pleaded. I think Ezra can sense my distress, because he grips my hands a little tighter to focus my attention back to him. He sighs deeply. 

“You are my gift, as I am yours. Always have been. I couldn’t be around you, because I wasn’t strong enough to handle it yet. I didn’t know about your powers until you were poisoned in the battle with the rogues a couple nights ago. My mother told me the rest when I was 7 years old, so I will tell you exactly what she told me. When you were just a baby, maybe a couple of days old, my parents brought the twins and I to meet you. You had those beautiful eyes from the second you were born, but the orange wasn’t there yet. Your hair was bright white-blonde, too. You were so unique, even as a baby everyone knew you were special. Maria held you first, which is why we think you’re so close to her. Then Clara, and lastly me.  

But, when I touched you, the room started glowing just like this. She said I spoke in an ancient language, and your hair turned to that fire reddish-orange that it is now, along with the swirls of orange in your eyes and mine. That day changed the course of our futures forever. A mark appeared where my thumb was placed to support your head, right behind your left ear. I was only 2 years old, so I don’t remember any of it. None of our parents knew what happened until they contacted the Elders. They told them that while it’s nearly unheard of, especially at our ages, I had imprinted on you. The mark of the eternal mate, as the books call it.” He grinned. 

“ From that point forward we were absolutely inseparable for the next 5 years, until I turned 7 and my mother told me the same story that I just told you. I know you were probably too young for those memories to stick, but I remember. I didn’t even know what a mate was but I was undeniably infatuated with you. When my mother finally explained to me what we were, I couldn’t handle it. I stopped interacting with you all together and shut myself away from everyone for months. It was too much for a child to process. We are eternally bonded, our souls finding one another through each life, the soul-binding happening every time. We are part of a very old story, essential to our kind and replayed over and over again until werewolves no longer exist. 

When I got older I thought mates were a stupid concept. A flaw the Moon Goddess designed to wire us with a natural weakness. Over the last couple years my parents and Luc have taught me that I was completely wrong and I swear I’ve straightened myself out. I know how important you are to me now and I can’t change the way I’ve acted, or the pain I’ve put you through, being with all those she-wol-” 

Ezra cut himself off, realizing he said too much. Our parents eyes widened, not expecting the last statement. My mind was reeling trying to attempt processing the overload of information I’d just received. I was imprinted on? I involuntarily touched the spot I had thought was a birthmark, which was still tingling in Ezra’s presence. I’ve had a mate since I was born, and not a single person that knew thought they should tell me. I feel betrayed, and hurt. But that very last part pushed me over the edge. I’d never thought of it until now. All those nights I screamed in agony from phantom pains with no idea what caused them... the tears shed... the bleeding noses and the days of weakness that followed. The clawing at my chest and stomach to relieve the burning, all of it. I thought there was something wrong with me, when it was all his fault. He caused me unbearable pain for years. 

“H-how c-c-could you? You knew I was your mate and you still slept with all those girls. Did you not care how bad it hurt me?!” I croaked through tear filled eyes. My father tried his hardest, but a low growl escaped his lips hearing this. 

“No, Darci, no! I would never hurt you, not anymore! And never on purpose! Noone told me about that! I thought since you couldn’t yet feel the bond, you wouldn’t feel my... indiscretions.” He hung his head in shame. 

“Please, Darcietta, forgive me. I didn’t know, I swear to the Goddess I didn’t know.” He pleaded. 

The floodgates had opened, my heart felt like it was shattered to pieces. Tears flooded down my face, and Vyra whimpered in my head. Mates were supposed to be the one person who would never hurt you, your knight in shining armor. Ezra Harrison was not a knight, he was a man w***e. An inconsiderate, selfish, self-absorbed man w***e. How could the Moon Goddess gift him to me? I just wanted someone to love me for who I am, not what I am. Not for my looks or my power, but for my brain and my heart. Someone who would be faithful to me. He knew what we were when he chose to take them to bed, and that is unforgivable in my eyes.  

“I can’t even believe this. Every single one of you need to leave me alone.” I cried.  

I flew out of the office down to the common area with Ezra chasing me. Harvey and Luca growled when they saw what a mess I am. I linked them both to leave me be, and keep Ezra from following me. I turned around and growled at my mate, and I think he got the picture. I opened the side door to avoid all the guests still celebrating my party, kicked off my heels, and proceeded out across the front yard towards the western tree line.  

For the first time in my life, I wanted to avoid my problems. I couldn’t handle the pain and the betrayal, not only from my mate - but my parents and my Luna and Alpha too. I’m supposed to become Luna of this pack? All they do is keep secrets from each other! I appreciate honesty above everything. I stripped out of my dress and shifted, knowing Vyra needed this release just as badly. I tied it around my leg so I wouldn‘t need to search for clothes later. Without thinking twice, I ran away from it all, escaping for just a little while. Come tomorrow, I will have to face him and make a decision, just not right now.