Suddenly His Luna

Meeting Her Parents

Vivien

Mating ceremonies, wolves really go all out on them. It’s special. Not everyone finds a mate but everyone definitely wants one. As a child I couldn’t remember ever caring much about whether or not I found a mate. And by the time I met the father of my son, I was pretty certain I was never going to.

The memory of him has sharp pain shooting through me.

What am I doing here? I think to myself.

An urge to distance myself overwhelms me. I’m creeping away from the gathering before my brain has even fully registered the thought. Just as I’m about to turn around and leave, I spot him.

Kieran.

He’s back, edging towards me, but he definitely hasn’t spotted me yet. If I leave now then I won't have to face him. I shouldn’t have come and now that I’ve had time to reconsider, I’m urging myself to move.

The seconds pass, and he’s getting closer.

Come on! Move! It’s like another voice yelling at me to act, but I’m stuck in place and he comes to find me. The second his eyes meet mine, the biggest grin cuts through his expression, and I cant help the little, inaudible gasp that escapes me.

“What the hell’s wrong with me?” I whisper the words under my breath. My heart feels both heavy and light at the same time. I want to run but I’m not sure if it's forward or away. He’s looking straight at me, like he’s staring at something truly precious.

Me, precious.

I can’t remember the last time I felt precious to anybody, not since… The pain gushes back through my brain even now. I try to steel myself against it, remaining stoic as Kieran approaches.

“Hey,” he says, looking down at me. He stretches his hands to pull me into an embrace, and I want to tell him to stop, but the words don’t come. He pulls me into his arms and instantly, I’m taken in by his scent.

I’ve tried meth once for the sake of a spell I was trying to figure out, and the high just doesn't compare. If it were a type poison, I’d have died happily and ingested it willingly.

I relax into his caress. It’s been a long time since anyone has made me this feel this way.

Peaceful.

Content.

Happy.

I can feel my stomach start to churn with guilt, for no reason at all. It almost feels safe, here in his embrace, to relax, to let go. And then I feel him start to pull away.

“No,” I cry, “It’s so good, I don't want it to stop!”

“Why are you crying?” His voice is so warm, soft. I look up at him and only then do I notice the stray tear making it’s way down my cheek.

“Me? Crying?” I pull away further, “No, I just had something in my eyes.” I swipe the evidence off my cheek quickly, shrugging off his concern. Although he looks quite concerned, he doesn’t question it. His face melts again, splitting into his heartwarming grin and I’m stuck on the pleasantness of him once more.

“Come,” he says, tugging me into his side, “I want you to meet my family.”

“Your family?” I question, sounding a lot more nervous than I would have liked.

He smiles, “You don’t have to be nervous, they don’t bite… much.” His tone is meant to be reassuring.

“Really?” I challenge, “Even your mother?” My question is remotely accusatory, and I watch as his smile turns shaky. Guess he’s nervous now, and I can’t help but laugh at my own triumph.

“I’m glad my pain makes you smile. Literally.”

Kieran leads us through the array of drunk, merry wolves. I’m not sure if it's alcohol or the endorphins we get from being around our mates. People dancing all around the forest, they pass by the wolf pit where full fledged wolves attack each other in battle. As others cheer in manic chaos. I had never really enjoyed the brutish culture of what is considered normal wolf etiquette. Even as a child, I’d mostly wanted to stay inside and mix spells than go out and hunt with other wolves. My parents had always been worried about me and they ways I’d chosen to spend my youth.

Speaking of my parents, they had no idea about my current situation with Kieran. I search my pockets, taking in a distracted Kieran talking with a small group of wolves he was dragged off to.

On a whim, I decide to video call them. Mom picks up on the first ring. Her face is smudged with a gray substance that looks like clay. My parents, retired war veterans, decided that they could best serve the cause by taking some outlandish expedition tour to ‘better their understanding of humans’ where they go through traditionally human cultures in order to learn what shapes them and how they think. If you asked me I’d tell you it's an overpriced waste of time.

“Hi, Mom’ I say with a smile, my heart isn’t in it though, speaking to my parents is always kind of a bittersweet experience.

“Hi sweetie!” She yells cheerfully into the receiver, “Oh, you look nice.” Her voice is full of surprise.

“Who’s there?” My Dad’s muffled voice carries through the phone, half his head in something that seems to be a pot?

“It’s Vivien!” Mom says, “Come say hi.”

“Hi Dad,” I say meekly.

“Snooglybum?”

I hear Kieran scoff, suddenly back in hearing distance. My cheeks flush crimson, I had no idea he was even listening.

“Dad can you not?” I say, already mortified.

“Oh, don’t mind your father dear, he’s just having a little fun.”

“Oh. She knows that! Come let me see my little girl. Ou, you’re right, she does look good.” They’re both nodding at the camera in agreement while I squirm in place.

“What’s wrong sweetie?” Mom questions, “You seem nervous.”

“Hmm, that she does!” Dad agrees.

“Well, actually I’ve got exciting news.” I tell them.

They both look at each other, confused before staring back at me, waiting for answer. I look at Kieran who’s giving me thumbs up. Of course he’s still butting into my conversation.

I take a deep breath. Here goes nothing.

“I erm, I’m actually at a mating ceremony”

“Oh,” Mom says, turning to look at my father, “That’s nice sweetie, what are you doing there?”

“If you had told us, my gosh, maybe we would have joined you!” Dad laughs, and a sudden spike of annoyance sours my mood.

Taking another deep breath, “Um, actually no Dad, I’ve erm, I’ve found a mate. My mate.”

Talk about awkward silence.

Another beat passes.

My parents look at each again, confused. To be honest the whole thing has gotten old, really fast. “Listen-”

“Oh baby!” Mom interrupts, “We’re so happy for you!” She’s a little too excited. I think I definitely preferred when they were confused.

“Uh, thanks Mom, you know it’s really not-”

“You know your father and I were fated mates!” My mother cuts me off.

Like I said, getting old.

“Yeah, Mom you’ve told me-”

“You’ve got to introduce us sweetie-”

“Yeah, Mom,”

“Oh! don’t be frustrated with us sweetie, we just… we just-”

“Oh, Mom,” I say, “Don’t cry,”

“Uh, Hey,” Kieran interrupts, “It’s Kieran here… The uh, mate.”

My head jerks in his direction. Where did he come from ? He turns to look at me and gives me a sheepish shrug paired with another half-assed thumbs up. Why is he always so happy?

“Oh wow! Vivien, he’s quite the looker!” Why is she blushing as she says that? “Isn’t that right sweetie?” She turns to dad.

“Oh, well I don’t care how he looks. He just better take care of my snooglybum!”

Kieran bites back a laugh when I shoot him a glare.

The conversation with my parents didn’t go as bad as I expected. And that’s saying a lot, cause it was terrible.

The music is so menacingly loud. Traditional drums beat, feet thrash through the ground echoing through the forest. How can these people feel so careless in the middle of a war? Kieran seems to notice my discomfort because now we’re somewhere away from the festivities and fire twirling wolves to somewhere a bit more secluded.

Wow, I think to myself. This part of the forest is mostly dark but it’s nothing to be terrified of. Most humans find the dark frightening, wolves revel in the night. It was as if the night was day, the cool breeze felt warm and soft. The crickets were like a romantic song of the night. I look around in amazement and awe.

Kieran catches my eyes and smiles. That damn smile.

I know by now I’m as splotchy red from the neck up as I can be.

I try to hide my embarrassment. He pins with a knowing look and I can't help but smile. He takes my hand in his, leading me away from the crowd and towards the trees. We stop under the shade of a large oak and he turns to me. Tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, he looks into my eyes.

“I think you’re someone special, Vivien.” He says softly, making my heart thunder within the confines of my ribcage. He leans in, pressing his lips gently against mine.

It’s like no other kiss I’ve ever experienced. It’s like a promise of something more.

We stay here for hours, talking and exploring our new found connection, and I feel something I haven’t felt in a long time.

I feel hope.

**** Because I forgot to update yesterday, I have for you, two chapters for your reading pleasure. Please leave a vote if you can and comment please, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this chapter and the next.