Heart of a Luna

Chapter Five ~ Coming of Age

After talking with Marcus I decided to head home and try to study but to no avail. I had basically spent the day stuffing my face with Cheetos and biscuits watching mindless TV instead. I just didn’t know what it meant still and my concern for my family was rapidly increasing, I’ve lost one family I can’t lose another…

Saturday... The day I usually look forward to but instead, I just want to stay curled up in my room with no visitors. But Jesy and Marissa refuse to allow that and invite themselves in to remind me it’s my birthday tomorrow. “Stop being a misery guts and get dressed” Jesy laughed whilst pulling at my hair. Marissa was knees deep in my wardrobe looking for an outfit for me to wear because according to her I do not ‘show off my figure enough’. Her eyes roll “C’mon Maia you only turn 18 once so whether you like it or not you’re going to try and look like a girl today”. Jesy laughs but agrees “She is right Maia, enjoy yourself you’re officially an adult tomorrow so let’s act like kids today” he smiles encouragingly. “Fine,” I say begrudgingly.

Marissa Pulled out an emerald green dress and some black boots with a leather jacket whilst Jesy threw my hair up into a stylish bun. We made our way out to our favorite Café, mostly because Marissa enjoyed the view of Marcus teaching his classes from the back window. Not that I ever argued of course it was a sight to see. “So we decided to give you your present early because if we’re honest we’re impatient” Marissa laughs. Jesy rolls his eyes but grins through in agreement. “Oh guy’s you didn’t need to do this, it’s beautiful!” I gushed. I had unwrapped a small box and inside was the most beautiful necklace I have ever seen. A silver chain with a small moonstone locket hanging below. “Eeeeek she likes it” Marissa jumped up and down clapping her hands like a lunatic.

“So I’m going to hazard a guess that you have also made some plans for today?” I smirked. “Yes Me, Jesy, and Marcus are going to take you to dinner tonight” / “ Yes Italian because the only thing you love more than us is pasta” Jesy spat out then gasped as if he was thinking out loud. I hit him playfully and we all rolled around laughing.

That stopped when Marcus had entered the café and sat right next to me at our tablet. “Hello love” he grinned. Marissa naturally developed a staring problem and Jesy began to be quiet almost as if he had an issue when he was around. “Hey, I didn’t know you were joining us tonight?”. Marcus smiled, tapped me on the head like a child, and said “Wouldn’t miss it”. I grunted I hated it when he did that and hated that he smiled even more because of it.

//Later that evening//

I came back to get ready to find Rick and Samantha holding a box wrapped perfectly. Rick smiled “Here’s an early gift for your meal tonight, Alissa helped us choose”. I carefully unwrapped the box and pulled back the tissue paper to find a stunning backless black dress. “We knew that Alissa would pick something you’d like, and your friends gave us the heads-up on their plans,” said Sam.

“Thank you so much I love it! I want you both to know that I really appreciate you taking me in as your own and I love you all so much” I said tearfully. They both smiled filled with emotion “It was one of the best choices we ever made darling” Sam said wincing slightly holding back tears. “Now go and get ready or you’ll be late,” Rick said shuffling me upstairs. I straightened my hair, put on the opaque backless dress, I also dusted my face with some makeup and a sharp winged eyeliner. Of course, I kept my boots on before pounding downstairs to find Marcus waiting for me an orchid in hand.

“Wow Maia you look- incredible,” Marcus said stunned at the sight of her. “Not so bad yourself” I blushed whilst taking the beautiful blue Orchid. Sam and Rick grinned and waved us off as we walked out to Marcus’s car. We got in and pulled away but before long he had stopped. I looked over at him to find him running his eyes all over me in awe. “Why did we stop? Is something wrong?” I said looking puzzled. “No nothings wrong love, you just look incredible” he smiled. I could feel the tension building in the car as I felt our hearts racing, I couldn’t help but admire how good he looking in a tight white shirt with a black tie. He leaned into me and our lips were mere moments from touching before he pulled away and started driving again. Was he about to kiss me and if so why did he pull away?

We arrived at the restaurant on the other side of town. I won’t lie I was a little torn that Marcus had pulled away from me so I took off my seatbelt and left the car quickly. He called after me but I rushed over to Jesy and Marissa and waited for him to catch up. “Happy Birthday!” Marissa squealed as she and Jesy pulled me into a bear hug. “You look amazing- Doesn’t she look amazing Jesy?” Marissa blurted out. “Yeah, she sure does Jesy said shyly. “Oh Marcus you do scrub up well” Marissa gushed, “Let’s head inside shall we?” I said abruptly.

The restaurant was much fancier than what I expected, the ceiling lit with hundreds of lights, and each booth was made of red leather. A polite waiter seated us and we proceeded to order starters, plenty of pasta mains, and even tried to squeeze in a dessert. Marissa’s father knew the owner so I was able to have my first legal drinks with my older friends a day early and it didn’t take us long to start the cocktails.

At the end of the meal, we were full, lightly buzzed, and giggling. “Thank you so much all of you for an amazing meal and for being a great company!” I gushed. “You’re so welcome” Marissa beamed and Jesy helped up his glass in agreement. Marcus looked at me and smiled but I still wasn’t happy with how he handled events in the car.

Suddenly I felt flustered and my body temperature was rising, I didn’t think much of it earlier but now my bones were aching and I realized m first shift was coming. Marcus could sense it too so he suggested we all finish our drinks and head home. By the time we left the restaurant, I felt like I was becoming a dull ache so I quickly waved goodbye to Marissa and Jesy and fumbled into the car. “Are you okay Maia?” Marcus asked with worry. “I’m fine” I snapped back at him “It’s my first shift that’s all can you take me to the woods please?” I groaned as I felt pains shoot up my legs.

Marcus drove fast towards the woodland and leaped out of the car and carried me into a clearing in the woods. “I didn’t think this would happen until tomorrow night” I laughed in pain. “You’re a Lycan Maia your first shift happens sooner than ours,” he said whilst cradling me. I realized that I was going to have my first shift soon and needed to change and move further into the woods to avoid any humans. “You can leave me here Marcus it’s safe, I promise I’ll text you tomorrow,” I said reassuringly. “No Maia I don’t want to leave you for your first shift I want to make sure you’re ok” he insisted. After feeling rejected earlier I didn’t want him to stick around, call me petty but my body feeling like it’s being pulled inside-out didn’t leave me in much of a mood for having him around right now. Marcus sensed that and said “Ok but I will just drive around the woodland perimeter to make sure your safe, and I’m not taking no for an answering love”.

I moved not the clearing leaving him my shoes and necklace, I wasn’t sure if my clothes would tear so I went behind a tree and took off my dress but kept my underwear thinking it’ll keep me less exposed. For the next two hours, my body yelped in agony twisting and crunching with every bone that would break. Finally, after grueling pain, I had transitioned into my wolf. I was Pure white with green eyes and what seemed to be a heart-like shape of tan fur on my neck.

Next thing I know I’m waking up in Marcus’s arm. “What happened?” I quizzed. “You’re okay love, your first transition was long and painful you must have passed out and shifted back” he sighed in relief. After coming to a little more I realized I was butt naked in his arms with nothing but my dress covering me like a blanket. My cheeks flushed bright red and I curled into a ball tighter. As I got closer to Marcus I felt fuzzy. I could smell Peaches and cream and all I could think was “Mate”...