The Handicapped Luna

Chapter 15 A Queen

Sebastian's POV

He took my throne. And inadvertently caused my mate and pup to become hostages. I need them. Where is Jalen? I will take him down. I don't know why he would be a part of this.

I ran to a cliff with a river below. Without hesitation, I jumped. And continue running, letting out a howel. And a howel answers me... And another one. Both are in different directions. One sounds like Ajax. One is another I don't recognize.

But, Ajax is all I care about. And, I growl. I hear thundering feet. Further south, I hear a group howel in a very threatening way. Like the charge of a battle.

Suddenly, I see two eyes. They glow red at first but change to a golden glow, with flecks of sapphire blue. Ajax. My family are the only wolves with this trait. He starts to be submissive and trots to me. I come to a halt with my paws digging into the moist dirt. My demeanor stayed angry. Which must confuse Ajax because he twists his head to the side.

I growl and lunge for his throat. He's grown and powerful, but I'm angry. It's a battle of loud menacing sounds. I open a link and hear my brothers wolf. But, not my brother.

"Sebastian, why do you fight. Stand down and talk to me. Where's my mate?"

"Your mate. Where's mine? What have you done with her and my pup?"

"She is safe. Please, Sebastian. I need Octavia and Xandra."

"Why would you side with Pete? Our family would never stoop, so low."

I lunged forward, catching him of guard. My fangs bury themselves into his neck. But, another wolf tackles me off. She bites my leg and yanks it, breaking the foot. After my loud yelp, she stood over my body.

She howels. A clear sign to stand down. For some reason, I'm forced to listen and powerless to stop. The group of wolves finally catch up. Three shifts to human form immediately. Two remain wolves. The wolf that tackled me walks over to Ajax and licks his face. She cries a little. Ajax moves but transitions into my human brother. I transition, too.

"Octavia?" Jalen asks.

She licks his face and transitions. "Jalen, it's OK. I'm here. Stay calm." She looks away and sees me. "Is this Benjamin or his wolf?"

I look down and give Benjamin control. He is completely confused. I let down the block. With a few words, I give him images and snap shots of what has been happening.

He looks up and sees Octavia. She starts to talk wearily. "Benjamin, what's your wolf's name?"

"Sebastian." He bows.

"Sebastian, Pete forced you out only to wrongly torture you. Nothing is Jalens fault. We've all been looking for you. Your mate and pup are back at Golden Moon with the rest of the pack until your pack is ready to return home."

I feel ashamed. Benjamin fusses at me.

"Preston, get someone out here to pick these guys up. Benjamin's leg is broken. It's was the only way I could stop him from killing Jalen."

She looked curiously around and stood up. She was missing a leg. "Anyone bring my extra leg?" She started to scratch her head.

Preston laughed. "Hold on." He disappeared for a few moments. Then, he returned with a stick for Octavia.

She took it and smiled. "Thank you."

Preston answered, "You're welcome. Locklan will be here in about an hour."

She gasped. "Wait, what time is it?"

"4:30 in the morning."

"Someone let me use their phone to call my parents, please."

As someone gave her their phone, her face went white. And she hit the ground, having passed out. Preston yelled out her name and ran to her. Jalen sat up but then groaned. The person tending to his wounded neck ordered him to lay back down. Preston assured Jalen she was OK. She's probably just tired and exhausted from tonight's events. I scooted myself over to Jalen to help him. And we all waited for our ride.

Octavia's POV

I woke up in the infirmary. Again...

Blinking my eyes, I looked around. I started to sit up, but I realized how much I hurt. Determined, I sat up and called out. A doctor came in carrying a clip board.

"Your highness. How are you feeling?" He started checking my vitals.

"Hurting and hungry. My head is throbbing. Is my baby ok?"

"Your boy is OK. And, yes... You would have a headache after yesterday's events. I'll get some Tylenol in here for you. As for food, let's start simple. I'll have them send broth and crackers. You haven't eaten for a while."

"How long have I been asleep?"

"10 hours here. I was about to come wake you up myself."

"Jalen, where's Jalen."

"My nurse is already calling him. He'll be here shortly. He came in pretty beat up. But I suspect he's probably already healed." He started poking and proding different places. "Ok, so I'll send for the food. Give you about 30 minutes after eating. That will be dinner time. In the morning, we will double-check on your son. As long as everything stays in order, you will go home right after. Sound ok?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Ok." And he smiled and turned walking out.

I turned on the TV. I laughed as the first thing that came on was a documentary about wolves. I watched curiously till a handsome man came into my room. My mate. He smiled and enveloped me into a big hug. He kissed me, barely letting go of the grip he held.

"I'm so glad you're OK. I was so afraid. I feel like everything has became so unhinged. You passed out because you're pregnant, then get abducted, and I find you only to pass out again."

"I'm OK. So, are you."

He sat by me while I sipped broth and ate a few crackers. Every few minutes, I could feel his eyes on me. I knew he was thinking something.

"Penny, for your thoughts, my love?"

He sighed. "Let's get married. But, keep it simple. No real planning needed."

I choked. "What. While I'm pregnant?"

He nodded. "Yes, before you start to show. Like in a few days."

"Ok. But, have someone else plan it. I need to get to work. I have a clear path from the Moon Goddess, and I need to walk it."

"Okay." He smiled and kissed me again.

The next day, when we returned home, I requested a laptop to help me. This way, I could do my work and continue resting. And, I wouldn't have to worry about hearing outside issues to disturb my thoughts.

I reflected for a few minutes about all the things I've come to discover. My son could become driven by worldly needs and desires, and then other wolves will follow. But Pete sees this as a threat from the Goddess. I see it as a consequence of our trajectory from Wolfkind. After all, Selene gives us clear guidelines for a reason. Maybe I don't quite understand why. But, how do I change the trajectory we are on?

The obvious is remembering the tools given to me. My powers and Selenes Blade. But how do I reach people without the brute force. I shouldn't have to bring the Moon Goddess back to our lives by violence alone. Social media? Political... Wait, I'm a queen. A Luna Queen. The Goddess gave me another tool. My throne.

A knock at the door yanks me from my thoughts. My husband walks in with food and a laptop. Locklan follows with Samantha.

"Hey, love. Please eat some lunch. Here's your laptop. Samantha is going to be out here if you need her. Ariana and your mother are planning the wedding together as we speak." He gave me my food and kissed me.

"I love you. I actually need to speak with you."

He sat down on the bed as I relayed all that I had learned. His face started to take many different expressions. But, nether looked surprised.

"What does the Goddess believe will happen if we can't correct anything?"

"Just that our son will be led by his temptations. Wolfkind will follow. And the world the way we know it could change."

"Octavia, I've noticed a lot over the past ten years. There's way more selfish wolves out there. More and more seem to be led by their wolf. Wolves and their humans are giving into temptations more and more. And some, like your ex Alpha, are turning to worldly means of wealth rather than the wealth of life the Goddess privileged us with. Some would rather sleep around than find their one mate to be with. The list goes on."

"But, how do we? Or I, take charge."

"The first thing is what all queens do. Lead. Starting with a proper introduction to Wolfkind. Let's get the packs together. Over time, we will start traveling and pushing for change. We should get with the Elders too."

"I want someone to follow me. Take notes of ideas. Correct me when necessary, and help me formulate my words when publicly speaking."

"You basically want an assistant/image consultant."

Ariana came busting through the door with a dress for me. "Me, I can do both of those things." My mom was trailing behind her.

My mom pulled me up. Ariana supported me while my mom put the dress on me. "Don't worry, Octavia. Everyone here will help you. I'll always be here, too."

"Here, meaning there, though."

"Uh no. We moved here. The old Alpha stepped down. Maxwell took over."

"Oh wow."

Ariana squealed as my mom finished the zipper on the dress. "Yes. This is it!"

My mom cupped my face. "A wedding dress fit for a Queen."