Ultima, Octavia Of The Black Moon

Chapter Twenty - Lessons Learned

~Waxing Gibbous Moon~

After her death I had forbid Eso to come to my rooms. He stayed in the room a floor below meant for the Alpha and Luna's personal guard. It turns out Tessa, Rhea and Hailey all went to eat when Kappa Orion, the Lead Hunter and Eso's cousin demanded Rhea not be allowed access to the ranks privledged areas, such as the castles main dinning hall. Tessa stood up to him, initiating a fight where she bloodied Orions face and broke his leg. Eso came in and calmly had Tessa restrained by multiple Wolves. He walked up to her and told her “This is all your fault.” Before growing his nails out as sharp blades, then slicing them through the abdomen of Rhea. Alpha sliced her so viciously until she was a carcass of slivered meat and clothing. The blood soaked the floor, walls and tables. Anyone near where she stood also were splattered.

Hailey recanted each moment to me later that night and though I wasn't there, I could see it as if I had been watching through any of their eyes. Tessa's spirits are hardened now. She had been opening herself up to Rhea. They had been bonding. Rhea told Tess of her two young sons she now raised alone. They were smart intellectual, twin boys with blonde hair and blue eyes. Their father Horatio's family, were unwilling to take the boys in. As Horatio's relatives were all ranked members they did not wish for the embarrassment of raising two Omega's in their homes. Rhea's family had long since passed and was an only child. As a final act of punishment from Alpha, the boys, Romulus and Remus, were sent to be raised by a human couple who were trying to earn an Omega spot in the pack. By taking in the Omega twins they have a stronger chance of being kept as part of the Black Moon Pack. Eso wanted the finale humiliation to be that the former Beta's and their children were as low as they could go while still keeping them close as a reminder to all other Pack members.

Days had past and I lay awake each night. Tonight the moon began to sneak away and the stars shined a little brighter. How beautiful the moon was. Look at how she hides her self letting the rest of the night sky show off just as she does. The way they all slow dance with each other is so peaceful. It helps to calm my mind with what happened to Rhea, just gazing at the nightly splendor instead of letting life's nightmares haunt my dreams.

Lately we quietly go about are enforced days of training with out much excitement. Delta Viviana and I tolerate one another in Theta Nixie's Healer class. She is wonderful at teaching the usefulness and magik of plants. Viviana is up to making potions where I was still learning how to locate and use them each. Lota Willow was a very kind and patient instructor. I always had a bunch of questions and she devoted a lot of time discussing them.

Nixie enjoys that I am a fast and avid learner. I keep coming back for her classes though they are not a mandatory one. Tessa enjoys parts of the class where as Hailey is now the star pupil. She had already learned enough on her own that Theta Ashur and Nixie are already teaching her advanced methods. As an Omega she was never going to be allowed these advanced classes. Viviana cursed a lot at her own short comings but never spoke out against Hailey learning. Viviana's instructor, Lota Picante, was Eso's third youngest brother. He excelled at potions and was an excellent teacher so it seems. Picante had the signature jet black hair with stunning blue eyes. It was becoming easy spotting all of Eso's family members.

Kappa Orion was an average height but stalky built man, much like that of Bedwyr. His face square and always serious. Orion's mate and partner as Lead Huntress, Kappa Merope was defensive of her Mate's broken leg from Tessa. Though Merope never retaliated. She truely loves Orion but it does not consume her. She was much like an untamable wild animal, only here to be with her mate. Kappa Merope's mannerisms and movements were like that of a feline. Always watching, calculating everything. Her midnight skin was the darkest I had ever seen until I met all of her sisters. When she joined this pack her six older sisters came with her. They all came from a large island far away, called Ezra, styles from there differed greatly from our own. They all assisted each other with their tiny braids and the beads woven into them. Them each earnin ranked positions of either Eta, Lota, or Lambda was an understatement for what they deserved. These women were Goddess on Earth! They were always the first ones running laps along the border until the sun came up before going out on the training field running attack drills with each other. They were an impressive cohesive unit. Denied the opportunity to progress further unless mated due to them being from a out side Pack.

Orion found Merope back when he was captain of his own trade ship. The sisters only allowed their baby sister to be married and mated to Orion if they were allowed to go with her until the time when they might find a mate. They were septuplets and not willing to part with one another if possible. When Eso took power Orion soon became Kappa along with Merope.

Orion was very hard on Sterling during classes. Kappa Orion is Lead Hunter so Lambda Sterling being a Hunter made it so he was going to have to tolerate the Kappa's constant belittling. The few times I went to speak up or retaliate against Orion, Sterling would use his eyes begging me not to.

For me to sit back and watch this foul behavior was torture. Tess and I now behave this way in grieving of Rhea and her twins but also to prevent another innocent life lost. Eso has been keeping his vows and promises. It has been three days since I last accepted Eso's invitation to meet. He hasn't pushed and for that I am grateful. I know I am not strong enough yet to defeat him in a fight. Nor would Tessa, Hailey, and I survive the Black Moon Pack attacking us to defend their Alpha. It's better to be patient than reveal our intentions too soon.

Much like the Moon is now leaving this phase of Waxing Gibbous and tonight it will begin the Quarter Moon phase, we flow forward patiently changing as each step takes us closer to our intentions. Soon the stars will fade away from the night sky and the sun will have its turn to shine. Yet again it seems I am up early. Or have i even slept?

Today would be as good as any to start a new habit. To turn my focus back to where it needs to be. I gently get up and start readying myself. Trying not to disturb Hailey and Tessa sleeping on the bed. I put on my fresh purple bakama. The rounded bottoms make it fun to do jumps and kicks in.

I run down the steps quiet like a stealthy warrior might, if I had just infiltrated my targets home and now needed to escape with the acquired goods. I made it to the back door that didn't make any noises when using it. As I walked outside the crisp coldness of the autumn air penetrated my layers. Stepping out on to the wet grass I drop down into a split, just as Alcrea lunges at me, missing and flying over my dropped down body.

Alcrea turns to face me. “You shouldn't go sneaking through the castle like that. If I hadn't picked up your scent I would of actually attacked you.” He teased at me.

“It is why I didn't use any scent-blockers to mask myself. I knew you were following me since I left our floor but why I wonder?” I raised an eyebrow to him.

He gave a coy smile, “Just being certain You are safe and staying out of trouble. I'm shocked to see Tessa and Hailey not by your side, Luna.”

I began walking to the field, “It was too early to wake and spring this on them. They have had restless nights since...” I trailed off, not wanting to say any of it out loud.

Alcrea took a breath, “You can say it. Since Rhea's execution.” He sighed.

“No! Since her murder! Rhea was murdered by him! She did not deserve all that had happened to her!” I kept my tears back but it didn't hide the pain in my eyes.

Alcrea pleaded with me, “Alpha is not unfair Luna. He gave much patients to you and your sister's behavior. Tessa was warned and still conducted herself in a way that was disrespectful to Alpha. I am not saying Rhea deserved it but Alpha did you a kindness by not punishing Tessa as was expected.” I didn't like what he was saying to me but I listened attentively. “Luna. Comply with his basic commands so you and Beta Tessa can live a happier life. Alpha wishes to give you that.” He promises. I just nod my head to him and it seems to please him, “You know Luna, I am confused as to why we are out here so early?” He inquires.

“No one said you had to be out here Alcrea. I on the other hand want to ask the Bonetta sisters if I may train with them regularly.” I tell him.

He looked curiously at me but continued onward until we met up with the ladies. It didn't take much convincing as I was their Luna but it helped that the Pack they came from operated differently than this one. In their old Pack all members were up before the sun and took shifts running in each form. They all practiced and sparred together daily as a whole.

They did not hold back on their daily training just cause I was here. Running as my half wolf around the entire East and North perimeter. Once back it was hand to hand combat exercises followed by their own made up obstacle course. Tessa linked me and I explained it all and that I would meet them at breakfast. I couldn't help but admire how these women were fit and powerful in any form. Their flexibility and reflexes made them an elite group that should be getting utilized more often than what i am told they do.

After training I was sweaty and exhausted. I went in with the sisters for breakfast. I didn't bother changing since our classes started right after. Tessa and Hailey met up with us in their bakama as well. Hailey's was a lavender while Tess and Alcrea wore blue. During training a couple of young adult females in peach colored bakama were taunting two wolves in tan bakama. Alcrea broke it up before it got out of hand but several wolves, not even involved, were disgruntled by his interference.

The change I brought they fought against and the feeling was slightly defeating. The same girls now went for an Omega who wasn't even on the field for practice. He had been servicing weapons when they made him start smelling the shortest girls butt. I ran up on them as half wolf, the bakama and shirt stretched to fit my form. Knocking them all over I towered above them asserting my dominance and intolerance of their continued disrespectful actions.

Viviana ran up to us in her dull yellow bakama with Isaura in her leaf green bakama. Viviana spoke in a rushed voice, “They've learned their lesson.”

I don't look from the three brats I hold beneath me, “No I don't think they have”

Isaura spoke up, “Leave her be Vivi, I want to see who Alpha kills next. Things just keep getting interesting.”

I growl, staring at the cowering wolves , “Or maybe I should bring the death toll to even and start killing some of my own disobedient muts.” I snarl to them all.

Fear seeps from many of them. I mean what I say. I would gladly kill in the name of Rhea and Horatio. We plan to do more than that though. But to do so I am going to need to smooth things over with the husband.