Her Unexpected Luna

Chapter 7

Tasia

Tasia peered out the passenger side window as they pulled up to the Acacia moon packhouse. According to Marcus, no one lives in the packhouse. They use the packhouse for formal meetings and events like this one. They also offer the rooms for guests who aren't keen on not having as much privacy or sleeping in their wall-less guest houses. The packhouse itself was a big gorgeous wood and stone mansion that was lined with so many windows you could see through the entire place.

Tasia hadn't realized they were already parked and ready to go until her passenger side door opened up and she was face to face with Marcus.

"You alright there dreaming beauty?" He asked with a half-c****d grin as he stuck his hand out to help her out of his truck.

Tasia rolled her eyes and ignored his hand as she turned herself around and slid out of the seat to land in front of him.

"I've never seen a packhouse like this one before," she said as she gazed over his shoulder to take it all in again.

Marcus took a step to the side so she could move forward allowing him to shut the door so they could head in. He stopped once he noticed her hesitation as she began to notice all of the people that were inside.

"You just don't get out much. All packs are different and have different styles. Acacia moon is more unique in their living style which makes the design of their homes different." He said.

Tasia nodded her head mindlessly as she was barely paying attention to what he was saying. She found herself distracted at the thought of turning back.

"Don't do it" Marcus said, pulling her out of her thoughts. She looked up to him with a questioned look on her face.

"If there's one thing that I know best about you, is that you don't give up. Don't let this be the thing that breaks you. You're better than that." He said firmly. Tasia studied him for a minute. He was right. She had never thought about backing out of anything else before so why would she start now?

The both of them proceeded inside and were immediately greeted by a tall and slim dark brunette-haired woman with deep lustrous gold-colored skin and big brown eyes with a contagious smile.

"Good morning! You must be Luna Lauren" Marcus said as he bowed his head to her in respect. He took her hand in his to kiss the back of her palm. "I am Alpha Marcus of River Moon. I'm sorry we're a little late" he said with an apologetic smile.

Lauren smiled as she nodded her head respectfully at his greeting.

"Oh don't be, we all know how these things go anyway. They never start on time as it is." She said with a chuckle. "River moon huh? You two must be southern. Is this your Luna?" She questioned as she turned her attention to Tasia. Before Tasia could respond as she began to hold out her hand formally, Marcus spoke for her.

"Oh yes, my apologies! This is my lovely Tasia!" He said confidently looking down at her with a smile and back to Lauren. Tasia forced a smile as she held back the immediate anger she felt.

"Tasia? What a beautiful name. A beautiful name for a beautiful Luna!" She said as she took Tasia's hand in both of hers and pulled her in for a quick hug. Tasia's body was stiff and hesitant as she forced a smile and nodded her head, earning a faltering look of confusion on Lauren's face before she heard a familiar voice.

"There you two are! It's about time you both got here, everyone's been waiting for ages!" Vincent said as he walked up. "Hate to interrupt, but would I be able to steal them away Luna Lauren?" Vincent asked politely with a soft smile.

Lauren nodded and stepped out of the way. "I look forward to meeting more with the both of you over these next few days. Please make yourself at home here and let me or my husband know if you need anything. The council will be making their arrival soon. There is still some breakfast if you guys haven't eaten yet this morning." Lauren said as she smiled at the both of them and wandered off.

As soon as Lauren was out of earshot, Tasia turned her full angry attention to Marcus. "What was that?!" She demanded. "Your lovely Tasia? You have no claim to me!" She snarled. Marcus's composure didn't falter as he listened to her.

"Remember what I told you? Most people would assume you to be a Luna" Marcus said in a calm tone.

"But not your Luna!" She said trying to calm herself down to not cause a scene as others were starting to come out of what she assumed to be the direction of the mess hall.

" Then whose Luna will you claim to be? Luna of a pack that no one else outside of southern territory knows about anymore?" Marcus said a little more coldly this time.

"Marcus" Vincent warned.

Tasia was taken back by what he said but decided not to respond. Taking her eyes off him she pushed past the both of them and let herself disappear into the crowd. She heard Marcus call out for her but she ignored him and made her way to the nearest bathroom.

Tasia stared at herself in the mirror as the faucet sink ran. The sound of the water helped her drown out her current surroundings. She couldn't understand why she was feeling this nervous. She wanted this. Finally getting the chance to feel like an equal amongst other pack leaders. Of course, it was going to take more than just being present at one of these things. It wasn't as if your typical Luna was treated differently. Even male Alphas who rule without a Luna are quietly looked down upon. It's also the sole fact that even though Lunas are supposed to be the equal counterpart of Alphas, they have their set role of being more passive and motherly as they are to bear pups and be supportive to the Alpha and the Pack.

There was a soft knock on the door, bringing Tasia back to reality. She turned off the water and went to open the door to a sorrow-faced Vincent.

"Hey," he said. "There's someone I'd like you to meet" He added as he moved out of the way to reveal a very short light brown-haired woman with bright sky blue eyes. She was wearing a light pastel blue sundress with a line off the shoulder sleeves. Her long waist-length curls bounced around freely as she peeked out from behind Vincent who towered over her. It also dawned upon Tasia that she was Human. "Alpha Tasia, this is my mate, wife, and Luna Molly." He said.

Molly moved out from behind Vincent so she could present herself a little better with a soft smile on her face. "Alpha Tasia, I've heard a lot about you! I have been excited to officially meet you" she said respectively.

"I've heard a lot about you as well. Including the good news about you two expecting baby number two," Tasia said as she held up two fingers. Molly beamed as her hand instantly reached up to hold her stomach.

"I'm hoping for a girl this time, but by the way, it's going I'm sensing another strong Alpha brewing in here," she said as she gazed down at her stomach lovingly. Vincent snaked his arm around her to hold her close and plant a kiss on the side of her head.

"I'm perfectly fine with having more until we get our girl," he said through a chuckling grin.

"I'm sure you are," Molly said giggling.

"Hey, I know what Marcus said was an assholish thing to say, but he is trying to help you," Vincent said hesitantly. Thalia looked away as she nodded her head.

"I know," Thalia said. "It just seems hard to believe that no one outside of the south knows about my pack." She stated.

"They know about Fiorire Moon, they just don't know that it's been rebranded with Alpha Tasia," Vincent said. "For all, they know the pack has been disbanded".

Molly reached out to take Tasia's hand in both of hers to give her a reassuring squeeze. "You are an amazing woman Tasia. You have done incredible things and overcome a past that shouldn't be wished upon anyone. Your parents would be proud." She said with a hopeful smile. Tasia smiled back at her and nodded her head in appreciation.

"That means a lot, Molly. Thank you." Tasia said appreciatively.

"It seems like the council just got in. We better go." Vincent said as he intertwined his fingers with molly to pull her along.

Tasia stepped out into the hallway to follow them until something caught her attention. It was a smell. A smell that sent shivers and goosebumps down her arms. It seemed very faint as her body turned and began to follow the trail on its own. Curiosity getting the best of her.

"Ginger.." she said to herself under her breath as she continued to follow the dulled scent. She found herself at the infirmary where the scent tended to be the strongest but still so faint. Finding herself oddly disappointed for some reason she turned to head back to the designated conference room but ended up finding herself running smack into someone. She stumbled back to steady herself when two hands reached out to help keep her upright.

"Woah! I'm sorry about that! Didn't mean to sneak up on you like that. I figured you would have noticed I was there" The man spoke. He was a younger boy, seemed of warrior rank but also had the aura of Alpha lineage.

"Sorry about that... I seemed to have wandered off. I guess I didn't... hear you" Tasia said confused for herself. It wasn't like her to be caught off guard like that. She must have been distracted.

"That's alright! I'm Chase by the way. The younger brother of Alpha Ryan and top male warrior" He said as he stuck out his hand.

"I'm Al..." she began but quickly corrected herself "Tasia.. I'm Tasia," she said as she quickly shook his hand and pulled away. He stared at her blankly for a moment before speaking again.

"Tasia? Luna Tasia? You arrived with Alpha Marcus of River moon! I gotta say a lot of us were surprised to see him finally show up with a Luna!" He said through a chuckle. Tasia looked at him with a questionable look.

"We all thought he was just destined to run his pack alone. Not knowing if moon goddess decided not to bless him with a mate or if his fated decided to not wait for him" he said with a shrug. "There were even bets placed.

"You guys placed bets on whether or not he would find his mate?" Thalia questioned beginning to feel a little bad for Marcus now.

"Okay, saying it out loud makes it sound a little worse than what it is," Chase said.

Tasia studied him as he seemed to be feeling a little uncomfortable under her gaze.

"Well I'm going to go find him now so that the losers can revel in all the money they lost," she said as she pushed past him.

Making her way into the room where everyone else was, she spotted Marcus right away, talking to a group of Alphas. Determined, she made her way over to them and slipped her hand into his as she gazed up at him. This caused him to look over at her with a surprised look on his face.

"So the rumors are true! You did show up with a mate!" one of the Alphas said. A few of the others cheered and clapped Marcus on the shoulder. Marcus seemed to be without words for once as he looked to her for confirmation.

"Sorry to burst your bubble this year boys. I hope you guys didn't lose out on too much" She said with a pointed look. This comment caused them to go silent and glance at each other with nervous looks. Marcus raised an eyebrow at her as she pulled him away from the speechless group.

"Trust me. It's best if you didn't know" She said.

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