HIS SPECIAL SECOND CHANCE LUNA

Charles three

The pups had been given a room in the packhouse that was hardly larger than a closet. Somehow, they crammed into two camping cots and a pair of trunks inside.

According to the pups, it was dark since it only had one small window and no one bothered to install a light bulb in the single overhead light. Even worse, the pups' had mandatory bed checks.

After bedtime, the patrolling security made periodic checks to ensure the pups were actually in bed. It had been bad in the beginning, but now the patrols were getting more lax, allowing Nicholas and Luis to sneak away, returning to Hope's cottage where she kept their room ready.

Hope's heart ached knowing her anger made life more difficult for the pups.

Yuri whimpered in her mind, sharing her guilt. Their anger was completely justified, but they expressed it in the wrong setting. Even so, Hope continued to care for the brother and sister.

The herbal lesson with the pups had ended and hope ensured they all returned home safely.

Hope made her way back to her cottage. Her mind raced with meal ideas as she recalled Nicholas and Luis begging to visit her in the evening. She smiled, already looking forward to their company.

Normally her meals were solitary affairs unless Mary, her friend, stopped by, so the pups would most certainly be a welcome change.

Yuri perked up. Hope could practically feel her tail wagging in anticipation.

One day they will find a way to keep the pups close. She just had to be patient and avoid Luna Jessica's notice.

"There you are Hope."

'Speak of the devil,' Yuri huffed.

Hope cringed in her mind as she turned, "Hello Luna."

Jessica was almost a half foot taller than Hope with a lithe body punctuated by an hourglass figure. Her long, blonde hair was neatly highlighted and professionally styled, as were her nails. It was clear she spent a lot of time and money on her appearance. Yet her aura was minimal.

Hope barely felt it even when Jessica tried to exert influence over her. Yuri confirmed that Luna's aura was exceptionally weak, so Hope knew she didn't imagine it.

Jessica resorted to rather extreme measures to keep her authority over the pack. Hope struggled to maintain a neutral expression, keeping her disgust contained.

"How can I help you, Luna?"

Jessica smirked, "We're having some very important visitors next week and I don't want those annoying little spawn to bother them. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Luna. I'll arrange some activities to keep them busy and out of the way."

"Good." Jessica smiled, tipping up her nose. "Poor Hope, I do pity you."

"Pardon?"

"If only the Goddess had been kinder to you and gave you a wolf, then you wouldn't have to deal with those snot-nosed kids."

With a condescending smile, Jessica walked away. With a sigh, Hope tried to calm herself. A luna was meant to be the heart of the pack and ensure the pack's future. How could she not like pups?

'She is no true Luna,’ Yuri gave a dismissive snort. 'A Gamma, maybe. Delta most likely!’

'Hmm.’ Hope really couldn't argue considering the alpha had been her fated mate. 'I don't see why she has to act like that. She'd get more respect if she was more personable.'

'She is in a position she was never meant to have so I suppose an inferiority complex is natural,’ Yuri said. 'Especially since her wolf is submissive to us!

'Is it?'

'Oh yes. Imagine how much her pride hurt every time her wolf shows its belly to you...a wolfless she-wolf!

Hope frowned.

This was not the first time Yuri mentioned something similar.

Although her wolf continued to hide itself, other wolf spirits instinctively sensed her presence and reacted in various ways. Higher ranks acted subservient, causing disconnections to their human half, while the lower-ranking wolves showed difference and respect.

'Well, we'll just have to stay out of her way!’

'Or she could stay out of ours,' Yuri countered. 'Next time... I vote we don't save her!

Hope chuckled, remembering the night as if it had happened yesterday. It had been the night of the Winter Solstice and the pack was celebrating the longest night of the year in fine style.

***

Avoiding the party as usual, Hope's quiet night was interrupted by Yuri suddenly declaring an urge to go for a run. Since the majority of the pack would remain at the party, there was no reason to be overly cautious.

She heeded her wolf, and after making sure they were alone in the woods. She shifted and dropped in her fours before racing through the woods. Yuri suddenly slowed and stopped.

She sniffed the air, hackles curling back as she caught the faint scent of arousal in the crisp air. They were relatively close to the packhouse but still far enough away for it to be unusual to meet another.

Cautiously she eased forward until her sharp vision located the pair currently engaged in illicit activities.

Hope jerked to attention, recognizing the she-wolf as none other than their luna. She was pressed up against a tree moaning as her partner plowed into her rather forcefully.

Hope recognized the male as one of the Delta warriors though she never had contact with them. Yuri growled softly at the sight. Either it was too quiet to hear or the pair was too occupied to notice because they didn't stop.

'H—how can she do this!' Hope stammered.

Yuri didn't answer immediately. In the brief encounters they had with her, they had picked up on subtle smells of her affairs. Though Jessica tried to hide it with frequent baths and perfume, it followed her like a cloud.

'You really shouldn't be surprised,' Yuri finally said. 'We've known she's been doing this for some time!

'But...shouldn't the alpha be tearing everything apart because of her betrayal?'

'Under normal circumstances, but remember they are chosen mates. The bond between them is weaker.'

'I know, but still...

'Plus, their wolves never bonded.'

'They didn't?'

'No. The alpha's wolf has been disconnected since he rejected us and the Luna’s... well, I'm surprised she can still shift at how weak it's become since rejecting her fated mate!

'She rejected hers too?'

'Of course.'

Hope cringed at the thought of the pain the other must have suffered. She didn't know if there was anything crueler than rejecting one's fated mate. Yuri whimpered comfort and turned to leave just as hunting howls chorused through the forest.

Five rogues emerged from the night setting upon the distracted pair. Though the warrior attempted to protect his Luna and lover, he was quickly overwhelmed. He only managed to kill one before he was brought down.

Jessica screamed in horror watching the rogues tear him apart. She was completely frozen in fear, unable to shift or defend herself.

Yuri briefly considered leaving Jessica to her fate, but a gentle prod from Hope made Yuri interfere. Rushing forward, she was on top of the rogues before they even sensed her.

Yuri leaped, landing on one and breaking its back before attacking another. She sank her teeth into its neck, ripping its throat out.

Whirling around, she charged a third, bowling it over and ripping it into its belly before darting back into the woods, leaving one for Jessica to manage on her own.

Angry howls filled the air signaling the pack warriors were on the way. Jessica would only have to handle the remaining rogue for a few minutes.

Yuri raced through the woods with unmatched speed, quickly distancing them from the fight. Once clear, she rolled in the snow to remove any traces of blood from her fur before heading home. She took a long, meandering route back to avoid pursuit.

Hope quickly dressed before heading inside. Locking the door, she turned off the lights before going to the shower to wash away any lingering scent of the rogues, then headed to bed as the hunting howls continued to echo through the territory.