Moondance Pack - A Collection of Novelettes

1. Beyond her First Shift - Birth

*Charles POV*

Gabriel’s eyes glazed over. The faint smile on his lips indicated he was in a mind link with a pack member. The expression of joy suggested it was about good news, finally!

“Lila,” Gabriel’s voice cut through the air. “Please, gather my parents. They need to be at the hospital.”

Lila threw her arms around Gabriel in an embrace that lifted her feet off the ground and kissed him. When she stepped back, her smile was nothing short of determined, a mirror to Gabriel’s resolve. “Consider it done,” she declared, her voice echoing a promise, understanding the gravity of what this moment meant for Gabriel.

Gabriel announced, “I’ll go by Matthew’s parents to let them know of the good news! Let’s converge at the hospital,” he proposed. “Today, we celebrate new life, standing strong amidst the remnants of our battles.”

I made sure I went with Lila to the pack house. Though victory seemed ours, the shadow of the enemy lingered. I could not bear the thought of Lila navigating that alone.

Lila’s eyes sparkled with uncontained joy, her words tumbling out in an excited rush, barely able to stand still. “Can you believe it? A new life,” she exclaimed, her happiness lighting up her features. It was a moment of pure joy that I got caught up in despite my usual reservations.

Markus and Gloria were excited to greet us. Lila’s announcement that they had a new family member to welcome set everything into motion; their reactions were pure surprise and overwhelming joy.

When we arrived, joyful whispers filled the hospital room. I hung back, allowing the family their moment.

#

As I stood at the threshold of the hospital room, hesitant, Lila’s soft yet insistent voice reached me. “Charles, you need to see her. She’s beautiful,” she urged, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears of joy. It was a sight that softened the hardest of hearts, my own included.

Gloria cradled Marisol close, her lips moving in a silent lullaby. Markus stood by her side, a hand resting lightly on her shoulder, his eyes reflecting the joy and pride of a new grandfather.

“This,” Markus said, his voice carrying a weight of wisdom and love, “is what makes everything we endure worth it. Welcome to the family, Marisol.”

As I slowly approached, the air around me felt charged. When my eyes finally rested on Marisol, time seemed to pause, a silent witness to this pivotal moment.

Marisol lay in Gloria’s arms, her tiny face a perfect blend of the features of her parents. She had wisps of soft hair, the color of the dusk sky, and even in her peaceful slumber. Her tiny fingers curled into fists as if ready to grasp the world and all its wonders. The sight of her, so vulnerable yet filled with potential, struck a chord deep within me.

A torrent of emotions surged through me. My chest tightened at the sight of Marisol’s vulnerability. My hands itched to shield her from harm, and a tender and fierce softness bloomed within me. There was this inexplicable sense of connection, a bond that transcended mere blood relations.

My knees weakened. It was as if Marisol had redefined the contours of my world, sharpening my focus and deepening my understanding of love and duty. I felt like I was falling, literally and figuratively, as I let go of emotions and barriers around my heart I didn’t know I had.

#

“What’s going on?” Isabella asked, anxiety coloring her tone. I struggled to find the right words. My mind raced as I tried to articulate the impossible revelation that had just dawned on me. “I don’t know how to explain this,” I admitted, feeling the weight of her gaze and the expectant looks from those around us. “I don’t even know how this is possible,” I continued with wonder and disbelief.

Tears blurred my vision, an emotional response I hadn’t expected. Compelled by a force I couldn’t resist, I stepped closer to Marisol. I reached out with a trembling hand to gently touch the baby’s tiny fingers. Feelings of awe, tenderness, and a deep sense of responsibility overwhelmed me more than ever.

The low rumble of Matthew’s growl snapped through the air. It pulled me back from the edge of my reverie.

“First, you were infatuated with my mate, and now with my daughter. What is your deal?” Matthew’s accusation was steeped in protectiveness and confusion. I couldn’t fault him for his reaction.

Markus and Gloria, their expressions a mixture of wonder and joy, stood as silent witnesses to the unfolding drama. They knew about mate bonds from the werewolf perspective, but only my father knew firsthand about interspecies bonds.

Lila’s gasp was soft, yet it cut through the silence. “Isabella, Matthew. Marisol is Charles’ mate.” Her words hung heavy, defying nature itself.

I mostly muttered, “It all makes sense now.” Suddenly, my strange fascination with Isabella made sense in a way I’d never imagined.

Lila’s hand found my shoulder, squeezing gently, a silent promise of support that steadied my shaking frame. The warmth of her touch pierced the chill of my doubt.

Matthew instantly growled with anger and protectiveness. He was upon me in a blur of motion. Gabriel, alongside his father, intervened, their combined efforts preventing the situation from escalating into violence.

Markus, with his Alpha authority, calmed everyone down. ‘Let’s take this outside,’ he said, stabilizing the chaos.

#

Outside, the cool air clashed with my raging emotions. Matthew’s pacing and angry words showed the turmoil we all felt.

“Mated with a newborn? A vampire mated with a werewolf?” Matthew questioned the absurdity of the situation, which was not lost on anyone.

My father, King Vlad, joined us and asked for clarity, clearly concerned. “Son, what happened?” he asked.

“I found my mate. She’s a newborn. She’s a werewolf,” I explained, the words feeling as surreal as the reality they described.

“Stay the hell away from her and my family. That’s what you do,” Matthew shouted at me, his voice a mix of anger and protectiveness.

“I see.” My father’s voice was steady and sure. He looked around before his gaze landed on Matthew. “A long time ago, interspecies mating was not as taboo as today. If we examined your lineage, we’d likely find traces of other supernatural species’ DNA. True purity of blood is a rarity.”

He addressed Matthew directly, “The mate bond holds sacred significance for vampires, just as it does for werewolves. Often, we wait centuries for it. This situation, though exceptional, is not without precedent.”

Matthew’s growl cut through the air. His wolf, Greyson, was clearly close to the surface. “Exceptional or not, he’s not marking my newborn daughter. That’s not happening.”

“Calm down, pup,” my father continued with a sternness that commanded attention, a reminder of his authority and experience. “Nobody here harbors inappropriate intentions towards your daughter.” he paused.

“What did you name her?” my father tried to defuse the situation.

“Marisol,” Matthew managed, his tone slightly softening at her name.

“Such a pretty name,” my father remarked, aiming to diffuse the tension. “Our history has seen a few instances where one mate was a newborn.” Turning to me, he said, “Charles, you’ll need to protect her until she’s older. Until then, you will be what she needs you to be. Nothing more. Nothing less.” His look was full of expectation.

He spoke to all of us, explaining the bigger picture. “This bond could strengthen the ties between the Moondance pack and the royal vampires.” He paused, looking at Matthew. “We can help you and Isabella understand our mate bond. I can share experiences from our history concerning similar situations. Please, try to be patient and understanding.”

Gabriel, catching Matthew’s eye, silently communicated through the mind link, “Are you OK, bro? This must be overwhelming. If you want, I can ensure he stays away from the hospital.”

After a moment, Matthew shook his head, clearly torn. “Let him meet her...” Though it was clear every fiber of his being resisted, logic prevailed. Staring at me, he added, “Just one chance.”

Holding Marisol for the first time transformed me profoundly. I whispered, “You’re my everything. I’ll be whatever you need,” promising her my protection, devotion, and love.