Luna Rising: The Prophecy

Chapter 9: You Can Stay

Seventeen years ago

"There's a visitor by the pack gate," one of the Blue Moon guards marched into the Great Room and announced. He was soaked through from the heavy rainstorm outside.

Luna Carlotta looked up from her thronelike chair, where she'd been laughing with several other guards, all male. "Well, who is it, did you leave them at the border?" She asked impatiently, peering over the guard's shoulder. "Stay on the rug, I don't want you ruining the floors."

"They are just in the entryway, Luna," the guard said, standing up straighter and pulling his arms in so he wouldn't be further admonished. "I waited to bring them in because of their purpose here. They have requested to join our pack. A mother and her small child."

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"Really?" Luna Carlotta said lazily. "Very well, bring them in."

The guard promptly left and returned, this time with a soaking wet woman and her toddler. The woman looked thin and malnourished, a telltale sign of a rogue, but her toddler looked rosy-cheeked, bright, and inquisitive, looking around the room at everyone and everything.

"This is Luna Carlotta," the guard said to the pair. "Luna, this is Violet Morgan and her son."

"So, I hear you seek to join Blue Moon," Luna Carlotta said, gazing down at them from where her chair sat on a raised platform. "But you see, I'm not sure we can accommodate you. You'll have to understand, in today's political climate, taking on rogues is considered quite risky."

"I understand, Luna," the woman, Violet, began speaking in a quavering voice. However, it grew stronger as she continued speaking. "You see, I was not always a rogue. I was cast out of my pack for having a child outside of a mate bond."

Several quiet scoffs and judgemental snorts were heard around the room. It was considered very ill breeding to have a child outside of the mate bond, similar to having one outside of human marriage. It just wasn't socially acceptable.

"I see," Luna Carlotta said, suppressing a smirk. "And do you know who, out of your string of lovers, is the father of your child?"

"His name is not important, but yes," Violet replied, her chin held high, her wet hair plastered to her forehead and cheeks. "The father was my mate but for a day. We consummated our bond, but he chose to reject me instead of marking me and claiming me as his own."

Luna Carlotta's eyebrows arched. "I see," she said again. Then she leaned closer, gazing intently at Violet's son. The mother pulled her son protectively to her side in response. "Your son has the aura of a Gamma!" Carlotta exclaimed with surprise.

"Yes," Violet said, her shoulders sagging a little. "I think my omega status was not high enough for my mate's needs."

Carlotta really did smirk this time. "How unfortunate for you. And your pack decided to cast you out, knowing the story?"

"At the time, nobody believed me," Violet said. "By the time he was born and his aura was revealed, I didn't want to go back, even if they changed their minds." She looked lovingly down at her tiny boy, who looked back at her with baby blue eyes. "But my son needs a pack, and so do I. I want him to grow up as a werewolf pup should, and give him everything I possibly can so he can have a good life."

"As any mother would," Luna Carlotta said, looking at the boy again and frowning slightly at something. "Why did you decide to pursue Blue Moon as your new pack?"

"I was told that your pack was filled with good people, and led by a kind and understanding Luna," Violet said, casting her gaze downward.

"Oh, well, isn't that nice," Luna Carlotta said disbelievingly, but still a little flattered. "We do like to think of ourselves as a generous pack. However," she said, raising a finger. "We do expect all of our members to contribute to the pack's well being."

Violet nodded. "I have experience with cooking, cleaning, and laundry, and I'm willing to work hard, as long as I can get childcare for my son while I'm working."

"The pack childcare is usually paid for at the parent's expense," Carlotta said condescendingly. "I'm not sure you would be able to afford to keep him in childcare on an omega's wages, considering omega wages at Blue Moon consist of only room and board."

Violet's face paled. "I-I can make it work," she said. "I'll find ways to contribute until he starts school, then I can work full-time."

One of the guards leaned over the back of Luna Carlotta's chair. "The omega parents usually trade off watching each other's children on their days off," he whispered in her ear.

She waved him away like a pesky fly. "Yes, yes, I'm aware." Then she zeroed in on Violet. "Can you tell me with one-hundred percent honesty that you are not and never have been a spy?"

"I am not, Luna," Violet said, starting to look hopeful.

"Will you commit yourself to working hard for the pack and keeping both your son and yourself from being any burden or trouble?"

"Of course."

"Very well then. You may stay," Luna Carlotta said, flopping back in her chair, supremely unconcerned now that the matter had been decided. "Dalton, show them to some vacant omega lodgings, would you? And Violet," she said, addressing the mother once more.

"Yes, Luna?" she replied, looking back up at the chair with her son now on her hip.

"You may begin contributing to this pack by cleaning the floor in here," Luna Carlotta said haughtily. "You've drenched it in rainwater, and now the floors need mopping and the rugs need drying. After that we'll see about your pack initiation."

Violet paused. "Right now?" She asked timidly.

Luna Carlotta looked thunderous. "Not even accepted here for half a minute and already you dare to challenge me!?" She shrieked.

The omega shook her head violently. "No, Luna, I promise I wasn't. It's just that my son is—"

"Did you not just promise me that your son would not be a burden or cause trouble?" Carlotta interrupted with a glare.

"Yes—"

"So figure it out!" Carlotta yelled at her. "Your son is not my problem, just as my own son is not your problem. If you don't like it, you can find some other pack to take you in." With that parting remark, she stormed out of the Great Room, leaving a terrified Violet in the middle of the room, still clutching her son.

Beta Hudson was waiting in the hall where he'd been listening. "Carlotta, that was a bit harsh."

The Luna rounded on him. "Ugh, give it a rest, would you? Something's fishy about that woman." She fixed her steely gaze on her Beta and lowered her voice. "See if you can find out who this so-called Gamma father is. Discretely." When Beta Hudson nodded, she added. "If he is from an enemy pack, then I will kick her out myself. Blue Moon doesn't need any more problems."

"Yes, Luna," Beta Hudson said, bowing at Carlotta's graceful retreating form.

---

Back in the Great Room, the omega looked lost for a moment, then approached Dalton, the guard that had first brought her in. "Do you know where I could find cleaning supplies?" she whispered.

The guard looked at her with pity. "Yes. Follow me," he said quietly, leading her out. "I can show you where the omegas usually keep an eye on one another's children as well," he murmured after they stepped back outdoors. The rain had dissipated into just a drizzle, making it easier to travel quickly between the shelter of trees and eaves without getting much wetter than they already were.

"Thank you," Violet said gratefully.

"You seem very determined, considering your reception in there," the guard said.

"I don't have any other choice," Violet said, shrugging.

Dalton glanced back at her, but didn't make an additional comment. Soon, they came up to an open-air pavilion, where several children were running around, while others were playing with some marbles. A couple of other omegas were there, watching over all of them.

"This is Harriet and Gwen, who help out watching the children on their days off," Dalton introduced the women. "Ladies, this is Violet," the guard said. "She and her son are joining Blue Moon, and she's already been assigned some work. Think you could take on one more?"

"The more the merrier, Dalton," the older of the two women said jovially. "Nice to meet you, Violet. And you, little one!" She waved at the boy, who hid behind his mother's skirts.

"I'm sorry," Violet apologized. "He's been through a lot lately, and he's a little shy." She knelt down in front of her son. "Now, sweetheart, you're going to stay here and make some new friends while mommy helps out at the packhouse. Okay?"

The little boy looked solemnly at his mother, his blue eyes wide.

"I'm sure he'll adjust soon enough," the older woman said. "Nice to meet you, Violet."

"Nice to meet you too," Violet said, standing again. "I can't thank you enough for taking care of him right now. Please be sure to add me to the childcare rotation so I can help pay back everyone's kindness."

"Sure thing, just let us know what your days off are and we'll figure it out," Harriet said easily.

"We really have to get going," Dalton said uncomfortably, shifting his feet.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep you," Violet said hastily. She kissed the top of her baby boy's head. "I'll see you very soon, sweetie, I promise."

She left him in the capable hands of Harriet and followed Dalton back toward the packhouse and the wet floors that had her name on them. It's worth it, she thought to herself. We have a home now, a support system, a pack. And most of the people seem nice. Some occasional ill treatment is worth it.

It had to be.