THE UNIQUE LUNA

CHAPTER 12: HEAD ACHE

It was almost dinner when the meeting finally ended. Wolves slowly refilled the pack house, some glancing at me from across the room, keeping their distance yet never taking their eyes off me.

“I win,” I said with a proud huff, placing my last card on the table.

“Oh no… not again!” Hans pouted, sulking over his twentieth loss in our ongoing card game.

Dione laughed, shuffling the deck for another round. “The meeting’s done. Can I go home now?” I asked, glancing at my wristwatch.

He shrugged. “Alpha hasn’t given permission yet,” he replied with a mischievous grin. “Up for another game?”

I exhaled sharply in frustration and shook my head. Being surrounded by wolves—even young ones—felt tense. They weren’t angry exactly, but their presence reminded me I was still a human intruder in their territory. Now was not the time for games.

“Aw!” Hans hissed in disappointment. “I thought I could win at least once!”

“As if you could, Hans,” Dione scoffed. “It’d take you a hundred years to beat us. I won’t play with you again.”

“Eh? Am I really that bad?” Hans said, shocked.

I laughed softly, reminded of the endless bickering I used to share with my best friends. A pang of nostalgia hit me, bittersweet and aching.

“Okay, stop it, guys!” I yelled when they began wrestling on the floor again. “No more fighting.”

Immediately, they sat properly on the floor, still grinning. “Why don’t you stay for the night?” Hans asked with puppy-like eyes. “I want you to stay longer. I’ve enjoyed guarding someone today.”

I forced a smile, scratching the back of my neck. He must have forgotten how much the rest of the pack despises my presence. “I… think that’s not a good idea,” I said gently, turning down his suggestion.

“Oh… right.” He pouted and cast a glance at his surroundings before looking down at his feet.

“Freya,” Alex called brightly as she saw me. Relief and warmth shone in her eyes. “I’m glad you’re still here.”

I smiled at her. “Hey, Alex!” I greeted, teasingly. “Or should I call you Luna Alex now?”

She playfully slapped my shoulder. “Alex is fine,” she said with a wink.

“Good evening, Luna,” Dione and Hans chorused, almost in unison, addressing Alex.

I shuddered. Diane was stirring inside me again, furious at the pack calling Alex their Luna. Her pride surged; her claim as their true Luna rejected the existence of another.

I am their Luna! Diane yelled sharply in my mind. Tell them!

“The f-fudge…” I hissed, clutching my temples as a headache threatened.

Diane, stop it! I groaned mentally. You’re hurting me.

Just give up already! You’re not their Luna anymore!

They don’t even know about you!

I gasped as Diane whimpered and cried in my mind. Her feelings were real and raw, and it hurt me to feel them—but she had to accept reality. I was a human, and the human world didn’t function like the wolf community. Mates and pack hierarchies weren’t binding here.

“Hey Freya! Are you okay?” Hans tapped my shoulder, concern etched on his young face. “You’re pale and trembling.”

I forced a small smile. “I… I got a sudden headache. It’s nothing serious.”

“No, no, no,” Alex objected. “You can’t ignore it. I’m a doctor—I know how dangerous even a mild headache can be for a human. It could be a symptom of something serious.”

I exhaled, Diane finally calming inside me. “I’m fine, really. Don’t worry.”

“No! Let’s go to my clinic!” Alex insisted. “I’ll check you properly.”

I sighed deeply. “Fine. I surrender.”

Alex smiled at Hans and Dione. “Come with us,” she commanded.

“Yes, Luna,” they replied politely, and Diane groaned audibly inside me, frustrated at being reminded of her own claim to the pack.

“Oh, come on! Not again!” I hissed, clutching my head as another wave of headache hit.

Dione and Hans immediately panicked and carefully carried me into Alex’s clinic. She helped me lie down on a bed. The familiar surroundings brought back a flood of memories.

“Nothing’s changed,” I murmured, looking around the clinic.

Alex hugged me from the side. “I heard from Donnie about your situation with Alpha Dwight. If I’d known sooner, I could have helped clear your name. I would have shown them your medical certificate, even my monitoring reports. You’re innocent,” she said, her eyes filled with sadness.

I gave a small smile and hugged her back. “I’m sorry for thinking the worst of you, Alex. I thought you betrayed me,” I confessed.

“I know. It’s normal to feel that way,” she replied softly. “Being involved with our kind… we’ve caused you a lot of unpleasant memories.”

I bit my trembling lips as two years of pain and flashbacks flooded me.

“I’m very sorry, Freya,” Alex whispered, holding my hands tightly. “I can’t believe our former Beta did this to you—framed you for a sin you didn’t commit. I wish I could turn back time and save you.”

I gave a sad smile. If only. If only I could rewind everything to before that incident. But regrets are heavier than any pack hierarchy.

I cleared my throat. “Where is he? Beta Jimmy?” I asked, looking around for him.

Alex glanced at Hans. “Uh… Dad passed away six months ago from a rogue attack,” he explained gently.

Diane whimpered at the news inside me. I could feel her anguish, sharp and piercing. My head throbbed again.

Then, a sudden pressure pressed from the front of the clinic door. The Alpha had arrived. Maybe this meant I could finally go home.

Alex looked at me, questioning my sudden alertness. The door swung open, and Alpha Dwight stormed in, eyes scanning the room frantically.

His gaze landed on me.

A faint glint of gold shimmered in his eyes.

“Freya… there you are,” he smirked.