Her Unexpected Luna

Prologue

Thalia

"NO!" Thalia cried as her mother pulled her towards the pack border that was currently unguarded due to the current circumstances. " I won't leave you, momma! and I won't leave father!" she pleaded to try to stop her mother from dragging her across the end of the pack lands by sticking her feet out to pull back against her mother's firm grip on her wrist. "He didn't do it, we have to help him!" she said. Tears and snot streamed down her face. Her mother finally stopped and pulled her in front to face her.

"Shhh, my little rose" she cooed using both of her thumbs to wipe away the tears. Her mother's tears fell from her face as she spoke.

"You and I both know more than anything that your father is innocent. But I can't save him if I know you're at risk. Your safety is my highest priority and I trust you to keep going and never.. do you understand me NEVER come back here. Your father and I will find you." she said trying to hold her composure.

Thalia can see the fear in her mother's eyes and hear the heartbreak in her voice.

"Promise me you'll come together" Thalia demanded. Her mother hesitated as she stared into her sea-green eyes. "Promise me!" Thalia said once again but louder causing her mother to gasp and look around to make sure no one was around

"I promise!" she said urgently as she fixed her daughter's ruffled scarlet hair before she cupped her face to hold her forehead against Thalia's with closed eyes to take in her scent and give her one last nuzzle.

"I love you with all my heart little rose, and I promise you that we will find you, together," she said. Her voice trembled as she emphasized her last word. Her mother kissed her on the forehead and urged her across the border as she forced herself to turn the opposite direction, letting her wolf take over to sprint home on all fours with her clothes clutched in her mouth.

Thalia watched her mother disappear into the woods within the blink of an eye. She stood there for what seemed like forever before she finally convinced her legs to move and carry her away from the Scarlet moon pack lands.

The sun had started to peak up over the horizon as Thalia continued to make her way through the woods. Her mother instructed her to go 4 towns over and get on a bus going southeast but to travel out of sight until she got to the last town. Thalia made it to the fourth town but had missed the bus by a few hours. She was informed that the second bus was broke down and there wouldn't be another until later this evening. She had 8 hours to kill but was nervous to stay this close to the pack lands. Thalia being only 15 she wasn't able to shift just yet which left her at risk of being tracked down and outran by the warriors if they were to be sent after her. The only perk of not being able to shift is her scent not being identifiable or strong to other wolves besides her parents so it would be harder to track her.

After evaluating her surroundings she noticed an inn nearby she had decided to check into to stay out of sight from curious local eyes who could recognize her. News of the Scarlet moon alpha being murdered would soon be spread around and Thalia knew she needed to be long gone before it got there. She had little time to shower, change clothes, and attempt to take a nap to regain her energy. Her heart throbbed as she replayed the events of what her family had been accused of. It's not unheard of, but she just couldn't wrap her head around her father being accused of killing their Alpha. Alpha Derek was her father's best friend. Thalia even looked up to their Alpha as an uncle. There was absolutely no way it was possible but to anyone looking in from the outside, there was no denying the fact that the evidence pointed directly at her father. The beta of the Scarlet Moon.

Thalia had been woken up abruptly to something feeling wrong. It was dark outside and she looked at the time in panic. Luckily she still had 15 minutes before the bus arrived but that wasn't the reason why the hair on her arms felt as if they were standing straight up. Wolves who have yet to shift still possess strong hearing and strength. The closer they got to their 18th birthday the more their abilities improved. With only being 15 Thalia already had an outstanding hearing, almost as good as her parents.

Thalia sensed someone wasn't able to rely on her wolf to protect her just yet, she had to play dirty to protect herself from other wolves. It was a .45 long colt revolver that shot silver bullets laced with wolfsbane. Her father had taught her to shoot more out of fun, than protection considering she was the daughter of a beta and blessed with natural skills of hand-to-hand combat. Anything could happen from the time they start out as a pup to when they are considered an adult after their first shift. He wanted his daughter to always be protected whether it be from others or herself, in this case, she was on her own. Her heart rate quickened as she held her gun in front of her pointed towards the ground with the hammer pulled back and her finger next to the trigger. She remained still and silent until she saw the door handle jiggle and finally snap in a swift turn. Bringing the gun up she held her breath as the door slowly creaked open, her finger moving to the trigger ready to pull until she heard a familiar voice.

"Thali?" a soft whisper came through as a head poked out from behind the door. The man's eyes widened as he pushed open the door to reveal himself with his hands up panicked.

"It's me Thali!" he said in an urgent tone.

Relief fled through Thalia's body as she dropped her aim and placed the gun on the bed after disarming it and immediately rushed over to pull him into a hug. Thalia's hearing had greatly improved but scents hadn't seemed to kick in as strong. She had probably been too overwhelmed to notice a scent even though smelling him now was still semi-new since he had just shifted for the first time only a few days ago.

"Jasper! what are you doing here?" she questioned. Doubt started to kick in as she backed away from him slowly studying him. He seemed different but couldn't quite tell why. Concern dawned upon Jasper's face as he noticed her acting strangely towards him until he realized.

"I'm not here to bring you back," he said with his hands up again. "I couldn't..." he started but trailed off trying to find the right words to say. "I saw Lilith rush you to the border on my way back from out of town. I wasn't sure what was going on so I followed her back to the packhouse and that's.....that's when I heard about your father.." he started but was immediately cut off by Thalia's outburst of anger

"HE DIDN'T DO IT!" She bellowed. Jasper raised his hands once again apologetically.

"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant. I don't believe it either... I promise" he said. Thalia began to calm down and nodded her head as she sat down on the bed. "listen...Thali.." he started as he sat down next to her but respectfully gave her space. "I want to come with you, it's not safe for you to be alone without being able to shift," he said.

"I can take care of myself" Thalia retorted coldly. Jasper let out a sigh but turned his head to look at her.

"you're my best friend, and the only one that knows about.. him," he said in a hushed tone.

Thalia relaxed and turned to look at him in silence. He was clearly in pain, she wondered if something had happened again. Now that Jasper could shift and was a full-fledged werewolf, he could heal faster. He was right. She would be safer with him around, and he would be safer away from the pack. Away from his father.

"okay" was all she could make herself say.