My Second Chance

My Parents

Though I wish I could forget all I knew from my previous life, I could not. I wanted to allow myself to just let this kiss with Alexander swallow me whole and hope that we could live happily. Knowing what I know, though, I could not let myself go there. After that kiss that quite literally took my breath away, we went inside the pack house to celebrate. The celebration took place in the grand hall. This was an area of the pack house that we rarely used. Honestly, no one was able to tell me when it was used last.

Alexander and I walked into the grand hall to rounds of applause from all in attendance. We waved to everyone and walked onto the dance floor. My understanding was that in New Moon Pack, prior to dinner, the new Alpha and Luna share a dance. It’s Your Love by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill started playing. At this point in our relationship, Alexander and I did not truly know all there was to know about each other, but he never understood my love affair with country music. I remember the first time him and I danced to this song. I was completely shocked, and him thinking about me when asking them to play this song meant the world to me. It is hard to think that way this time around.

Just remember how you felt last time, how you reacted, and try to recreate that, Allie told me.

I am trying girl. It’s just so hard. It is hard to put on a show like this.

I know it is, trust me. It is just as hard for me. Jack is trying to reach out to me as well, so you are not the only one having to put on a show. Just remember who this is for, Brooke. This is for Mom and Dad.

With that, I looked out into the crowd where I knew my family was sitting and saw my mom and dad staring back at me. They looked so happy. I could tell they were so excited for me. I remember looking at them the first time I experienced this day, hoping my relationship with Alexander would be like theirs. Oh, how wrong I was. I took a deep breath and I decided to take Allie’s words to heart and put on the necessary show. I smiled out at my mom and dad, blowing them both a kiss, then returning my attention to my mate.

Alexander and I finished our dance together, then went to sit down and everyone ate. They had some of my favorite foods that day, so Allie and I decided to take advantage and at least enjoy this part. After eating, Alexander went to mingle, so I took some time and went to see my family. I needed to hug my parents. It had been so long since I had really felt their warmth. They both stood, seeing me coming towards them, and I threw myself in their arms. I sighed, feeling my mom and dad wrap their arms around me and hold me close. I felt tears start to fall down my cheeks.

“Brooke, sweetheart, are you okay?” my mom asked. I separated myself from them and wiped my face with a napkin.

“I’m okay mom, I promise. I suppose it is just an emotional day,” I said to her.

Dad put his hand on my face and wiped a tear I previously missed with his thumb. “I know it is love, it is emotional for us too. Although this is our way of life, it is hard to see our baby grown, with a mate, and now a Luna. Mom and I need you to know though that we are both so proud of you, Brooke. We knew you were made to do great things in your life. New Moon Pack is extremely lucky to have you as their Luna.”

I did not know how to respond to this. I remember dad saying something similar the first time I experienced this day and how I felt so encouraged by his words. I had so much hope for my future at that point. I could not let them be disappointed though. This was our second chance.

I looked up at my dad and smiled. “Thanks Daddy. How you and mom feel always means more to me than just about everyone else in my life. It is important to me that you are proud of who I have become. I never want to let you down.”

“And you never will, Brooke. Just know, no matter what, we are here for you, and we always will be,” Mom said.

I hugged them both and spent some more time with both my parents and my brothers. John and Trent were there with their mates. It was so nice having my family whole again.

We need to keep it this way.

I do not disagree with you there.

After spending time with my family, I mingled around the room, receiving congratulations from the pack, as well as ranked members from neighboring packs. I ended up speaking with the Alpha of the Red Moon Pack. They lived about an hour away from us and had been allied with New Moon for decades. This alliance went back to the reign of Alexander’s grandfather.

“Luna Brooke! What a beautiful ceremony! I wanted to congratulate you on your pairing with Alexander and becoming Luna. I have heard great things about you from your parents,” Alpha Theodore said.

This does not sound familiar. Allie? Did we talk to him last time? I don’t remember him being close with Mom and Dad.

We did, Brooke, but the conversation seems different this time around. Let’s see what he has to say.

I smiled at him, “Thank you so much for your kind words, Alpha Theodore! I was not aware that you knew my parents.”

“Oh yes, Brooke. I have known them for many years. Back in their early days, your parents participated in an exchange, and came to our pack to help train our warriors. They helped make us as strong as we are today.” Hmm… this is interesting.

“This is very interesting. I love learning more about my parents. I will have to talk to them about it! Do you plan on passing the torch over soon, Alpha?” I asked him. I vaguely remember him having a son who was around my age.

He smiled back at me, “One can only hope! I have paid my dues for sure. It would be nice to retire and enjoy life. Once an Alpha, always an Alpha, but it would be nice not to be in charge anymore,” he said, chuckling lightly, “but I am afraid I must wait for my son. He was off at Alpha training for a while, and has since been visiting different packs around the country to see how they do things. He wants to improve where he can, and help grow our pack into the future.”

“Those are big goals. If he is anything like you, I am sure he will be able to do that, Theodore. I hope for your sake, though he comes back soon to take over. I must agree with you, some time off will be nice for you.”

As I was speaking with Alpha Theodore, I felt a pair of hands snake around my waist from behind me. I jumped slightly and turned to see Alexander smiling at me. Is it wrong of me to wish he was still like this, Allie?

Not at all, girl. If I'm being honest with you, I wish he was too. I miss how both him and Jack were with us in the beginning.

"Hello Alpha Theordore! Thank you for coming to our ceremony," Alexander said, smiling.

Theodore chuckled and smiled back at him, "It was my pleasure. I was just speaking with your Luna and congratulating her. Having a Luna is of the upmost importance to a pack, for a Luna is ultimately what holds the pack together. We Alphas can hold things together, but our mate and Luna is what provides the love and support that both we and our packs need. I am so glad you found that." I really liked this man. I could tell he was a kind and good soul.

Alexander looked down at me, nodding his head. "I couldn't agree with you more, Theodore. Seeing how things are now that we all have Brooke makes me realize just how much we have needed her around here, but more specifically, how much I have needed her."

I smiled back at him, realizing my conversation with Theodore, unfortunately, was over.

I wish we could talk with him more, I said to Allie, sighing deeply.

I know hun, I do as well. I have a feeling though that this won't be the last time we speak with him. He seems important in all of this. He knows more about our parents than he is saying. We should try to figure out a way to get over to his pack to visit, and soon.

Really? You think it's that big?

I do, babe, I really do.

If it helps me save Mom and Dad, I will burn down the world.