The Handicapped Luna

Chapter 5 Voice

Charlie lived on the edge of the pack. Her mate was away. Their home didn't look like the rest of the homes that the pack lives on. It was a cottage. The yard had a greenhouse and a garden outside of that.

Jalen knocked, and I heard a woman call, "Come in."

We walked in, and a tall, older lady stood up. She had been sitting in a circle with symboles marked at the directions of north, east, south, and west. She had a candle in her hand. She blew it out and put it down. "Alpha, my nephew!"

"Hey, Aunt Charlie. I heard you had something for me. Also, this is my mate. Her name is Octavia."

"Hi Octavia. Come here, hunny."

I sat down next to her. She grabbed my hand and closed her eyes. With her eyes closed, she started to talk. "Oh wow. Your parents are barely lycan. And yet it's like the Moon Goddess made you half lycan. You have a power, too."

"Excuse me. Lycan, and power?"

"Shhh. Jalen, she will be so strong." She let go of my hand. "Yes, Octavia. You're almost half lycan. As far as your power. I haven't a clue what it is. But, it will most likely come out at the moment it serves you most. By the way, Xandra greeted me. She's wicked. I can see why Axel likes her."

"How can you know all this?"

"Well, it's sort of like palm reading? Except I can go deeper and read your soul. I can even interact with your wolf."

"How can I be half lycan if neither of my parents were even half lycan?"

"Well, you'd be surprised what the Moon Goddess can do. She is the soul creator of all her children. But even her children have free will. So she makes miracles like yourself and makes you destined to fight those... Black sheep."

Jalen interrupts us as respectfully as he could, "Aunt Charlie, we are pressed for time. I apologize. But, I have many calls to make."

"Yes, of course. Hey, give me a lock of your hair." She quickly snipped some of my hair. She had a bowl. She set the contents on fire and dropped in my hair. She pulled out a necklace. "Here."

Jalen took it and looked at it in interest. "What is it for?"

"The good news is that it should glow red if those you deal with, at the time, have something to hide. The bad news is that it will be vague as to what they are hiding."

"Ok. That's a start, I guess."

They agreed it may be best for me to wear. Alphas are best known as a symbol of power. But, a Luna symbolizes unity through grace. For me to spot that someone has anything hidden would be best. We thanked Charlie and were ready to leave. Charlie stopped me.

"I think it's no coincidence you were given your name. Patience, perseverance, strong willed. Use this. If you've never had a voice before... Find it."

We left, the cottage. And made our way back to the pack house. As we walked, people would stop and stare. Some smiled. But some looked at me with sharp disdain. I hobbled using my stick. The best thing I could do at the moment was look forward and hold my head high. Xander told me to give her control. She knew what to do next. With barely five seconds to count, I shifted into my silver furred and green eyed counterpart.

Jalen grabbed my stick. Cracked it in half in a display of strength. And shifted immediately. Together, Axel and Xander stood. Pack members fell to their kneels. Xander and Axel then howled loudly. Most of the pack members howled back and shifted in respect. All those who shifted ran with us. And we ran very far. We passed the pack house, went into the woods, and out the other side. When we came out of the woods, we were in a large field with wild flowers.

I stopped dead in my tracks. So did the pack and my mate. I just had to take it in. And I felt the unwavering need to howl. One by one, we all howled. Jalen shifted back into himself. When I followed suit, Jalen was ready to catch me. He grabbed my arm on my left side. Around me, everyone transformed. And they started walking towards me, greeting me with smiles.

Jalens POV

I was NOT expecting this. I looked down at my Luna as she greeted everyone. And I could see honest respect and love for her. I found myself equally proud of my pack. After several minutes, I finally broke off the crowd, and people either shifted back or walked home. We shifted, but we took our time.

Once we got to the pack house, Locklan mind linked me telling me he had the pack doctor here for the Luna. So I told her I had a surprise for her.

In the living room, Dr. Griffin had measuring tools and a notebook. He was patiently waiting for us. He stood up and greeted me.

"Dr. Griffin, this is my mate, Octavia. She needs a leg."

"Hello, Octavia. May I ask what happened to you?

"Nothing. This is a congenital deformity."

"I see." He motioned to a chair for Octavia to sit. I helped her down, and he started measuring every angle he could. "How old are you, dear?"

"Eighteen."

"Your legs have hardly any muscle. You were never fitted as a child?"

"No, sir. Just chalk it up to a stingy Alpha."

"Well, your going to want to work out your extremities. Especially your leg. Now, traditionally, a full leg can take a couple of months. But, you're Luna. We can't take that long. So, I'm going to push as hard as I can to get this done. How does that sound?"

"That sounds great. How will it look? Will it look like a real leg or be obvious?"

"Well, how would you like one of both? I'll rush a general one that will do what is needed. It will be obvious. And I'll order the good one, but it will have to take time so it looks good?"

Octavia looked up at me with excitment in her eyes. "Please!???"

"Sure thing, Octavia."

The doctor finished up with the measurement and took all her vitals. He shook my hand, and then I handed him a wad of money. The doctor told us goodbye and left.

I had Locklan ask the Omegas to bring us a small late lunch in the office. The three of us went straight there. Octavia looked around at all the books in the office. She moved around by holding on to tables and chairs. But, I had some calls to make.

First, I called Elder Chris. I reminded him of the situations we had with the packs. I told him I had an idea for the Blue Moon and Sunrise Pack. When I told him, he sounded unsure. But, he said it was a good idea. But he just needed to run it by with the other Elders. I told him to take his time but not too much. And I would not bring it up with the Blue Moon Alpha till it was agreed to. He said he understood. Finally, he said he would let us know at the Alpha Ceremony in four days.

In the middle of the call, an Omega brought us a tray of sandwiches and fruit. Ten seconds later, Locklans sister, Ariana, knocked on the office door and came in.

"Locklan, we need to talk about my birthday party next Friday. I had an amazing idea... Oh, sorry, Alpha."

"Ariana." I greeted her and introduced her to my Mate.

"Hello, Octavia. Oh my goodness, how old are you."

She smiled and answered her. "Eighteen."

"No way. I turn eighteen Friday night."

I smiled. I could see a real bond here. "What's your idea, Ariana?"

"Alpha, can I have a party and invite a handful oh my friends. That way, when I shift, we can all go for a run?"

"Ariana, call me Jalen. How much is a handful?"

She looked mischievous. "Twenty-five, people?"

Locklan jumped, "Arian, seriously."

"No, it's okay, Locklan. Ariana..." I looked at her sharply, but with some degree of humor.

"Twenty-five people are mostly for people who already live here. Really, it's only like ten extra people."

I smiled, "Okay Ariana."

She screeched. "Octavia, come with me." She grabbed her hand and pulled Octavia up. But, Octavia must have been surprised because she fell down instantly.

"Oh, my Goddess! I'm so sorry."

"It's OK, Ariana. It is what it is. But I can't just get up." She looked ashamed.

"I just got so exc... Never mind, I'll get a new outfit on my own. But, I'll bring some older ones for you to try on. I do need to get rid of some clothes."

"Oh, that sounds great. I didn't actually bring a lot of clothes from home."

"Ehem. Ariana, do you have a dress she can borrow actually. I don't have time to go shopping before the Alpha Ceremony."

She got excited and asked Locklan to help her get Octavia up to her room. I thought it was a great idea. I had work to do anyway.

When they left, I made a call to Boris Black. Boris is in charge of a secret group of people I created. He is in charge of one person in every pack, up to sixty miles within the area of the attacks.

"Boris, how's everything going?"

"Alpha, I've got a strong Gamma within every pack. That's within the area of the attacks and sixty miles out. Each person I know well."

"Good. Is there a way we can form a meeting for each person? It needs to be kept quiet and not on any packland territory. Perhaps at some hotel with a convention center, we can rent." Boris said he'd get right on it. And hung up.

"I see you actually did it." Good Goddess, I jumped. Locklan was back in my office. He knew I was thinking about doing the secret group. "May I give you my opinion?"

"Please do."

"Your mate... They are supposed to make you stronger in every way. Charlie said she had a power that only time would bring out of her. And, Octavia got the medallion. Tell her everything. Keep her with you. You may be surprised at what she could handle. In just one day, I see she can take a lot."

"Perhaps you are right." I told him thank you. And decided I needed a solitary run.

Locklans POV

Jalen is carrying a lot, I know. He says he's okay. But, honestly, before Octavia arrived, I would have called BULL. She seems to have dispelled some of his anguish. So, I can only hope that she helps him focus on a bigger picture.

I walked down the hall to mine and Samantha's room. She was sitting there writing. She journals everything she can. She's so afraid. And she says something in the universe feels off suddenly.

"Samantha, I have an idea for you."

"Yes, what is it."

"This might seem like servant work. But, it's deeper than that. I think Octavia needs more of something... Not just training."

"It's funny you say that. I took a nap after training today. And I dreamed about her. She was standing around a bond fire. And everyone was shouting LUNA. I suddenly can't get the girl off my mind. Like there's something I'm supposed to do for her."

She told me she was thinking about taking a break from training pack members. And dedicating herself to the training, care, and protection of our Luna. I support it wholeheartedly.

She closed her eyes and mind-linked Jalen to meet with her.