The Luna’s Takeover

Change

~5 years later~

Life. Unlike love, can be a beautiful thing and I have begun to finally see the bright side of living. Most of my life I have been in the dark, either by choice or by force, and I thought that was where I was meant to be forever. However, the best thing I ever did for myself, and my son was enter the Moonlight Pack's territory in search of supplies for the winter. This pack has become my home... home. The word seems so foreign, but I cannot think of a better word for it.

Ever since that night five years ago, I have grown into a completely different person, and I can almost feel power surging through my body with every breath I take. My hair is no longer dull and matted to my scalp due to always being dirty and up in a bun. Now it flows fiery red all the way down to my hips with waves that bounce as I walk through our small little town. Laurie took me under her wing when I first entered the pack, teaching me anything and everything there was to learn, and I have never felt more confident. I am now the strongest warrior in the Moonlight pack and even head training sessions in the mornings after I drop Aaron off at school. My once malnourished body is filled out with muscles and my skin is no longer ghost white since I spend so much time in the sun. It is amazing what believing in someone can do for them, huh?

The Moonlight pack has not changed much in the last 5 years and it's part of what I love about it. The homes all look like little log cabins with trees covering the entire property, so we are virtually hidden from outsiders. Everyone is within a 2-mile radius of each other, keeping us all close to each other. The roads are made of red bricks, meaning that absolutely no one here wears heals because... well, we don't want broken ankles! The kids all run around and climb trees, run across roof tops, and play at all times of the day... unless it is school time. This pack is a true example of small-town America, and we are tucked away in our own little bubble with only a select few outsiders knowing where we are located.

Slowly, I made my way into our city hall building to attend the Alpha meeting. Luckily, the building is small, so I made it to the main office in no time, entering through the large oak doors not even bothering to knock. I looked around and see our Luna Avery, Beta Katie, Gamma Laurie, and future Gamma Lilly. Lilly has grown in the last 5 years as she trains to take over as Gamma, but she is still a tiny little blonde pixie of a woman. However, don't let that fool you, because she will cut your throat in a second if you piss her off. Laurie still looks the same as if she hasn't aged at all in the last five years. Beta Katie is a 5ft 4 warrior with spiked brunet hair and dark brown eyes that I swear can read your every thought. Finally, Luna Avery is, in one word, amazing. She is a six-foot sss woman with bright red hair like me, but unlike my hazel eyes, her eyes are a bright sky blue.

"Chase, finally you are here. May we begin?" Avery eyed me with a raised eyebrow, letting me know that I was going to pay for being late during training tomorrow.

"Sorry Luna Avery. Aaron had a slight cough in class today, so I went to check on him real quick before I headed over. Didn't want to get anyone else sick." Smiling softly, I took my seat next to Lilly, showing absolutely no remorse for being late. The one thing these women knew above all else was that I would drop everything for my son. Alpha summons be damned as I had done it many times in the past.

"Understandable. Next time, just bring him. He makes these meetings interesting... plus you bring donuts as an apology!" Katie piped up saying what everyone was thinking. The women and I all started laughing at her outburst about donuts.

In the time since I had settled here, I had started my own bakery. Since the only training I had prior to entering the pack was cooking in the kitchens for the Dark Side pack it was a natural progression. I missed baking so I decided to make some money doing it and now I owned one of the most successful businesses in the pack territory. I have been able to employ most of the teenagers we have and make a comfortable living for Aaron and I. "Got it Beta next time I will bring donuts whether I am late or not."

"Good, glad I got my point across," The small woman huffed, crossing her arms as she melted into her chair.

I couldn't help but laugh as I pulled out a small box of four donuts from my purse and placed them in front of her. "If you stop huffing, I'll give you guys these. I was testing new flavors this morning after training. There is key lime, red velvet, chocolate peanut butter, and lemon raspberry." I pointed to each masterfully decorated donut and saw all four women lick their lips so I couldn't help but be mean. "But I mean, since I was late and all I wouldn't want to delay the meeting even further by making you all suffer through dividing and eating these donuts."

I started to lower the top of the box and pull it away when Katie jumped out of her chair and almost fully climbed on top of the table to get to the box. "I call the peanut butter one! Y'all can fight over the others!!!" I couldn't help but clutch my stomach and laugh as these grown women tore this box apart... literally into makeshift plates to eat their donuts.

Once they were done picking their donuts, Avery licked her fingers clean and cleared her throat, so we all knew she was ready for us to pay attention. "Okay ladies, I have some news about the men’s visit to our neighboring pack."

"What happened? Are they okay?" Laurie asked hurriedly, putting her donut down. Laurie's husband, Mark, was one of our weakest warriors due to a bear attack years before. He had been on duty protecting the territory when he heard screams coming from the village. By the time he came back, Lilly's parents were dead, and the bear was going after a scared ten-year-old Lilly. Mark managed to kill the bear but not before causing serious damage to himself. This is when Laurie and Mark took Lilly in as their own since they had no children of their own.

I turned and took Lilly's hand, noticing that she had started playing with the bracelet on her arm. Over the past 5 years, we had grown closer, and I knew all of her nervous ticks. The most noticable one was that she always played with her bracelet when she remembered her parents and felt guilt over Marks injuries. "The men are fine," Avery interrupted so no one would continue to worry. "However, the pack has decided that they will not work with us unless they come to see our territory personally and see how we run things."

We all nodded, knowing this day would come eventually. A year ago, when it was announced that Lilly would become Gamma eventually, it was decided that we would no longer hide behind the men when dealing with other packs. So, we began slowly letting our allies know the truth about our pack. "So, are they on their way here? Is that safe?" I asked, biting my lip. So far, all of our allies have been accepting the truth. Especially because they already dealed with us over the phone and with paperwork. Some had even figured out the truth before we told them. However, some packs are still stuck in the past and not only are we woman run, but we are also rogue run which are two major taboos in our society.

"It will be fine; he will be with guards the entire time and is being blindfolded on the way here so he cannot find us later." Avery said, matter of factly watching all of us for our reaction. When she was satisfied that we all were not going to argue, she sighed heavily and spoke once more, "We will need to introduce him to our future Gamma Lilly and our future Luna upon his arival."

I looked up at Avery confused, "But we have not named a future Luna."

"Actually, we have. We decided on it when you were late for the meeting. You know maybe that is why you should get here on time." Lilly giggled, elbowing my side, giving me hell like any sister would.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, so who did you choose? I think Makena would be great. She's a great warrior and, as a principle, we already know that she knows how to lead."

"That is true, Chase, but Makena only knows what she was taught and has no desire to learn more. We need a true Luna. A true leader who knows pain and can lead us into the future." Katie smiled, licking the last little bit of chocolate off her fingers.

"We would like to name you as our future Luna Chase." Avery said, leaving very little room for negotiation.

My mouth fell open looking between all 4 of them, "But I..."

"Have trained all our warriors?" Avery smirked, crossing her arms, and leaning back into her chair.

"Yeah but I..."

“Know how to care for not only us but the children?" Laurie added, following Avery's lead.

"But that is because I..."

"Make the best donuts ever!!!" Katie yelled, happily rubbing her full belly, making all of us laugh.

"No, it's because she is a mother, Beta Katie!" Lilly piped up. "When they asked who I could see as my Luna, you were the only person I could think of. You have been through hell and have come out sweet and loving when many would have turned deadly."

I teared up not knowing what to say, so I just nodded, showing my acceptance of becoming the next Luna of the Moonlight pack. This caused Lilly to clap and squeal as loudly as Beta Katie had about her donuts. "Good now that we have discussed that. It is time to get ready. The Dark side pack will be here in a few hours." Avery said this softly but loud enough that I stood straight up and slammed my hands on the table.

"What!!! That pack of all packs is who we are allowing on our land." I couldn't help myself as my anger surfaced. I started to feel warm all over and the air around me began to feel thick with heat. Before anything happened, Lilly placed her hand on my arm, calming me instantly. "How... How could you give me a few hours' notice that that pack, of all packs, was about to walk into the home I have created..." I was scared that everything I had built would be tainted as soon as they walked into the territory.

"Relax Chase," Avery warned, standing up, letting me know that she was still in charge. "I would never allow the ones who harmed you to enter this territory without talking to you first! Do you trust me that little?"

"No... but they are coming..." I looked at my Luna so she could see the pain and unshed tears that were in my eyes.

"Yes, but it is not they. He. He is coming."

"He who?"

"The only person you said ever showed you kindness in that pack. When they said they would only do business with us if they saw how we functioned firsthand, I told them only one was allowed to come. Only the new Alpha." Avery stared me down until I fell into my seat trying to get my emotions under control. "Now everyone go get your sections ready we have," She sat down checking the clock on the wall. "A little under three hours till the Alpha and our men are home. Get ready."

With that being said, we all nodded and grabbed our stuff, leaving the room to get our sections ready before the men returned. After seven years, I was finally going to come face to face with my old pack. Would the memories cripple me or am I strong enough now to hold my own against the Dark Side pack? Taking a deep breath, I tried to push thoughts of what was to come out of my head. However, one person's name kept repeating in my mind, Alpha Aaron.