A Luna's Awakening

S1 E8

River's POV:

I shifted slightly as I waited for the pack to gather in the dining room. I wished I had Marisol by my side. I wanted to show the pack to my mate. I wanted them to see how beautiful she was. How happy she has already made me by existing. Once everyone was seated, I stood and all eyes turned to me.

"I have an announcement to make." I saw the glances that went around the room of the wolves who already knew what I was going to say. As well as those who were utterly confused by this. "Today, while the humans were in the forest, I found my mate among them." The room erupted in a cheer and I beamed in pride at the joy of my pack. I raised a hand to silence them all. "She smells like a wolf, but she is not one. She was attacked by one of our own, and so she is scared and confused. Please show her the utmost respect when you see her." One of the elders shot out of her chair with fury.

"Who would dare?!" I glanced towards the scout's table, and she took in the sight. Her face paled as she realized who was missing. She slammed her fist on the table so hard I heard the wood crack. "That grandson of mine!" She roared in anger.

"I will deal with him," I said, and she sat back down in a huff. "He has gone too far this time. I allowed him to bend the rules for too long. It's time to lay down the law." There was a murmur of agreement throughout the room at that. Zeke walked around like he was an alpha sometimes. It was time I stopped acting like his childhood friend and became his alpha. "You all may eat," I said as I gestured to the food laid out on the long table.

The elders went first when I passed on getting my food. Grayson got his plate next and then, as the other wolves filed up to get food, I walked over to the elders' table. They looked up and put their forks down in respect.

"No need for that. I simply wanted to know if human mates felt the mate bond." I asked as I looked at the human at the table. He frowned deeply at me.

"Not in the same way a wolf does. I felt drawn to my mate even still though. Being with her felt right." He explained and I sighed softly. That didn't really help me.

"I appreciate that," I said respectfully, and left the table. I got some food and ate while I was deep in thought. So how could I convince her to stay then if she could not feel our bond as I did? What could I do? Zeke had really screwed things up for me. He had attacked her, and now she was terrified of the idea of settling here. I could see it in her eyes every time I touched her. A small flash of fear. She was even afraid of me.

After I ate, I went to see Zeke in his room. He was pacing as I opened the door, and he flinched as he saw the anger on my face. I was beyond pissed with him at that point. He stopped pacing.

"I let you get away with a lot," I said, and he glared at the ground. "Even forgetting the fact that she is my mate. You attacked someone unprovoked in our territory. Moreover, you didn't even confirm if she was a threat. When you KNEW we had humans here. This cannot happen again. If she was a wolf from another pack you would have started a war." I ran a hand through my hair and tried to remind myself that he had crossed a line there was no excuse for. Despite our history. "I'm revoking your scout status. You are restricted to the pack house for two months. Prove to me in that time that I can trust you with the pack's well-being, or it will get worse."

He stood completely stunned at my harsh punishment. It was one thing to confine him to the house, it was another to take away his status. He had finally pushed things too far though. In two months, he could have a wolf sponsor him to be a scout again if he proved himself. Until then, he was on thin ice, and now he knew it.

"Go eat dinner and keep your head down for a couple of months if you like. I will be watching you though. You nearly killed my fated. It's not something I will forget." I turned and left his room as he stubbornly remained silent. I returned to my room to find my mate in my bed asleep. I reached out and ran my fingers softly through her curls. She smiled softly in her sleep, and it made me smile too. I had to figure out how to ease her mind. I couldn't let her go so easily. I had to fight for her.

I dug the spare blanket out of my closet and laid down on the couch. Not that I minded sleeping there, but with my mate so close it felt wrong. I wanted to be by her side. I wanted to feel her body pressed against mine as I slept. I wanted to feel her more than that. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I wasn't some young pup anymore. I had to keep myself in check. I had to win her over first. Then we would have plenty of time to make our mating official and hold a ceremony. I was reminded of the image from before. Of Marisol holding a small black wolf in her arms. Our pup. Goddess help me. I wanted her so badly.

The next morning I was up early as always. Marisol was still asleep and I made my way downstairs. Grayson saw me and jogged over.

"Going for your run?" He asked and I nodded. I looked towards the few wolves who were also early risers and then back to Grayson.

"Keep an eye out for when my mate wakes up and help her get some food for me if I am not back yet." I had no idea how early she woke up. Grayson nodded easily and I smiled. "Thanks, Gray. I don't know what I would do without you."

After that, I headed to the changing room by the back door and stripped down before I shifted into my wolf form. I could smell my mate even from down here with my wolf nose. I took a deep inhale of her scent before I went out the back door. The woods felt strange today. Like something was pulling me back towards the house. Like I shouldn't be here. What was making me so anxious? I stopped suddenly and shifted on my paws. I whimpered softly. Something felt wrong.

"Alpha!" Grayson's wolf form bounded over the hill in front of me. His eyes were frantic. "Your mate!" He barked out, and I felt my body bristle in panic. I was running before I could think more about whether Grayson was right. He followed me and was right on my back paws. "She went into heat!" He nearly howled at me from behind. I nearly tripped over my own paws. Not possible. She was human. Maddie said she had no wolf. More than that, I pushed myself to run faster. If she was in heat she was in danger. We haven't mated yet. Goddess, please let someone be protecting her. As we neared the house, I could smell her. It sent every sense in my body on edge. My mate was in heat. I growled deep at Grayson, and he whimpered and backed off.

"Stay. You are unmated." I growled at him and rushed into the house. I shifted and threw on my underwear and pants and ran up the stairs. Not caring about a shirt. I saw the males in the hallway and I let out a loud growl. Standing in front of my door was Nina in wolf form, bearing her fangs at everyone. Despite their numbers and the size of the thin light gray wolf before them, no one moved. Nina was one of our best warriors. No one dared fight with her. I stepped forward. "Thank you," I told her as she stepped aside to let me in. I could hear my mate whining and gasping from the room. As I opened the door, her scent hit me like a train. I needed her. I grit my teeth and forced myself to stay in control.

I had to help her understand as her eyes flashed at me in fear. Despite how desperately my entire being ached for her. Goddess give me strength. This was going to be very difficult.