Lupani Luna

We the Lupani, are hated by half the packs in our region. The other half have binding contracts with us. And none of them would be able to interact peacefully without us. Inter pack conflict would devolve into chaos which would inevitably spill out into the human world. We were put here to protect them. We may not be bathed in the inherent glory of being werewolves, but neither do we get to enjoy the innocence of being human. Lunaria may be your goddess and she may have anointed you as her chosen people but she is still our patron. And as long and it is still her will for us to serve as the 'hall monitors' of the werewolf community, we will endure. ° ° Aunt Jyn had been lecturing me about honing my diplomatic style for at least ten minutes while I studied the binder on the table. Our clan specialized in inter-pack relations and my last few missions as an ambassador hadn't gone... smoothly. I idly flipped the binder pages and tried to memorize the names and faces for the two packs that were coming. "One of these days your going to actually stick to a plan when we make it and then maybe then you won't need to get pulled out from underneath whichever alpha you've chosen to seduce that week." Her words were harsh but one glance at her face told me she was more amused that angry. I simply rolled my eyes and went back to studying the binder. "It's not like I always plan for that to happen... but it does make for a more interesting extraction." "And what, exactly, do you extract during these improvisations? Or don't I want to know?" "Why, information of course, Aunt." I couldn't help a smirk, "why, what did you think I was implying?" This time, she just laughed and rolled her eyes, and I knew her anger was forgotten. My aunt sobered slightly as she peered over my shoulder at the binder full of faces and names. "I hope this new alpha is more agreeable than his father was." I sighed as she continued, "though from what I've been hearing he isn't necessarily disagreeable, but he is an unpredictable drunk." "I can handle a drunken alpha," I murmur, smirking as I study the picture of the newly declared alpha of the Emerald Lake pack. I had never formally met his father though I had seen him at gatherings once or twice. Like alpha Steve his eyes were as green as the stone their pack was named after. I could only hope my aunt was right in him not inheriting his father's temper along with his eyes. I woke with the dawn birds, singing in the trees below my window. Cracking my eyes open enough to see the time, the clock on the wall making me sigh at it's remorseless truth. I only had enough time for coffee and no breakfast before I had to make the long drive to Emerald Lake. I really didn't have time for coffee either but I'll be damned if I'm going to deny myself caffeine before I have to spend a week in contract negotiations. Stretching with a groan I rolled myself off the bed onto my knees so I can retrieve my t-shirt from under the bed. I didn't remember kicking it down there, but my own drunken habits amuse my friends and mystify myself. Rising with another stretch,I made my way into the bathroom to try and wash off the consequences of the night's drinking. Damned Italian gin. I never could resist it. I finally go down to the kitchen where the heavenly smell of dark roast greets me. Aunt Jyn is already sitting at the counter and pulls out a stool for me where I finally sit with my cup. Before I can reach for them she wordlessly slides the cream and brown sugar over to me, making me smile at her remembering my preferences. I especially appreciate her letting me take a blessed sip before she speaks. "I know I don't have to tell you that I trust you to do this mission alone, just like you don't have to tell me you can handle it. But I do wish to remind you how important this last pack is for us." She gazed into her empty coffee cup. Gently putting my hand on hers, I have it a small squeeze, "I know. If we can get this pack, then the whole region will be at peace for the first time in fifteen years." "Beryl it's not just about getting this pack, it's about not losing this pack. If they decide not to renew our contracts then it sends a dangerous message to the other packs that they don't need us to be mediators." I notice the slightest tremor in her hand under mine as she tries to continue before I interrupt, nodding. "If the packs think we've lost credibility we could be in the same situation we were in fifteen years ago." I shake my head now, "too many lives were lost during the Five Pack War." I hurriedly gulp the last of my coffee, "don't worry Aunt, it'll be fine." I made my way to the back door, and my packed bag waiting for me, determined not to fail her. Beginning the drive down the long highway, I could only pray to the moon goddess that I would not. From the first time Aunt Jyn had sent me on a mission alone, the welcomes I had received had been ... unpredictable. Some packs I was treated like family and in others I was treated as an unwelcome squatter. As I had been made to wait in the stark office belonging to Alpha Liam, alone for almost half an hour, I could already tell that the coming week would be unpleasant. Finally an omega pokes his head in the door, "Alpha Liam is going to be finished leading a patrol soon and then he will be able to meet with you." Sighing internally, I smile and ask, "would it be alright if I step outside for some air?" Gesturing at the french doors leading into a garden from what I could see, "it was a long drive and I'd quite like to stretch my legs you see." The omega, who's name I couldn't remember, shrugged permission and told me to not go too far, and they would find me when the alpha was ready for me. The late afternoon sun shone warm through the cool air as I strolled slowly among the sad garden beds. Clearly this has once been a beautiful quiet space, but time and neglect had shriveled the hedges, thick patches of weeds growing over the paths. Looking around, I was reminded somehow of long dead love, left unmourned. Not wanting to dwell on whatever it was I was feeling, I stepped into the shade of a nearby tree grove. Dusk made the shadows grow thick under the branches, so I continued along a path until I came out and stopped short. A breathtaking sunset greeted me, the powerful colors seemed alive in the sky. Over a vast gently sloping meadow, the symphony of colors merged in a silent dance. Reds, oranges, and purples burned in the clouds edged in gold, as the sun eased down to rest. Just as the sun kissed the horizon I noticed movement coming from the treeline across the meadow. It was a group of wolves running in formation toward the packhouse behind me. I paid them little attention, returning my gaze back to the gorgeous sunset as it began to fade away. As they neared, the largest wolf made eye contact with me. And stopped dead in it's tracks. The wolf behind having to jump to the side to avoid a collision. I was frozen in place, confusion washing over me as something primal inside me cried out to run to this strange wolf. The others paused unsure but a different signal from the mystery wolf sent them scurrying home again. The running steps of the other wolves' paws receded and took time with them. Frozen we stared at each other as the sunset finally faded. I could barely breathe through my battling instincts. One side wanting to fling myself at this mystery wolf, the other wanting to run as far and as fast as I could. Finally a breeze rustled through the trees behind me getting the scent of dinner with it making both human and wolf start. He moved a single paw towards me and that one action sent me flying back the way I came through the trees. Along the path, through the grieving garden, and back into the alphas office. I hadn't heard any sounds of pursuit, though a wolf that powerful would have no trouble catching me. Not wanting to wait and see how long it would take for him to follow me inside, I lost the office and sought refuge in a ladies powder room off the main hall, and finding it empty, promptly locked the door. Finally alone in silence, I could allow myself to form the question of, "what the actual f**k?"