Becoming a Leader

Chapter Nine - Luna

Once we arrive back home I see hundreds of people standing outside the pack house. “What’s going on?” I ask.

“I had my parents gather all our people so I can announce you as my Luna.” Merrick says, he takes my hand and opens the door to the car. He helps me out and walks me to the front steps of the house. I look over to his left and see Zane, Emma, Griffin, and Valencia all standing proudly on the steps. “As most of you know we have some guests staying with us from The Nightwalker Pack. They endured a terrible tragedy yesterday, a rogue faction attacked and many of their people were lost, their house burnt down, and lives forever changed. While arriving to aid them, I came upon their new leader, Skylla Layton.” He says while looking towards my direction. “She is my mate and the Luna to our pack. I want her and the people of Nightwalker treated with respect as they become members of our pack today. Nightwalk pack please step forward.” The crowd parts and allows my people to walk up to the steps. Merrick steps down and one by one he welcomes them all into The Evercrown Pack. They all pledge to him to keep the packs secrets and protect it with their lives. After he’s done he walks back up the steps and takes my hand in his. 

“Do you Skylla Layton promise to keep pack secrets and to protect it with your life?” He asks me.

“I do promise so.” I respond looking deeply into his eyes.

“Do you promise to lead this pack with honor and strength as my Luna?” 

“I promise to do so.” 

“I welcome you, Skylla Layton to The Evercrown Pack as a member and Luna.” 

Suddenly I hear the pack link open and am greeted by multiple voices. All the people clap and shout in happiness. Merrick stands proudly beside me with a firm grip on my waist. Happiness and fear washes over me, I’m happy to be Luna to this glorious and fear that I may let them down. I raise my hand and everyone starts to settle down.

“Thank you for welcoming not only me but my people, I am honored to be your Luna.” I say and I hear more applauding. 

“Shall we go inside my little mate?” Merrick whispers in my ear.

“Yes please.” I say with a smile on my face. The driver of the car brings up the fireproof box and hands it to Merrick.

“Let’s go see if we can get this opened.”  

Merrick and I walk inside and head up to our floor. He opens the door to his room and puts the box on his bed. “I’m going to go grab a few things and I’ll be right back.” He tells me before he leaves the room. I slip off the shoes I borrow and unzip my dress, throwing it into the hamper. Merrick comes back into the room with the clothes from Emma and a few tools. 

“That was fast.” I say.

“I keep a few tools in a closet down the hall, you never know when you might need them, and as for the clothes I thought you might want to move into my room now that we have officially announced to the pack.” He replies.

 I watch as he puts the tools on the bed and walks to the closest to deposit the clothes. I follow him in order to get myself a fresh change of clothes. I see a comfortable blue sun dress and slip it on before exiting the closet. After Merrick changes into jeans and a shirt we start working on getting the box open. It takes us a while but we finally get it open. 

“It’s a bunch of papers and documents.” Merrick says while we sift through the contents of the box. “The deed to the house and land, bank information, and something addressed to you.” 

I look at the envelope in Merricks hands as he hands it over. Sure enough it has my name written on it in my moms beautiful handwriting. I open the envelope and pull out a couple more pages from inside. 

 My darling Skylla, 

I’m sure if you’re reading this then it means that your father and I have died. I’m sorry to leave you before we could see you become a great leader. I want you to know that your father and I love you so very much. You are the greatest blessing the Moon Goddess ever gave us. I want you to find happiness and love in this dark time, you deserve it. How I wish I could be there when you find your mate and have children, to see you grow into the strong woman you're meant to be and lead our pack with integrity. Have confidence and passion with everything you do my darling girl.

Love,

Mom

My eyes swell with tears while I read my mothers words, I miss her so much. Merrick holds me as I cry for my dead parents. Sobs wrack my body and I don’t hold them in, I release them into the chest of my mate. He doesn’t say a word, just lets me cry and holds me as I mourn the loss of my parents. I cry until no more tears will fall and eventually I fall asleep in Merricks arms. 

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I hear people screaming and vicious growls while I hold onto a couple of the kids. I'm trying my best to keep everyone quiet while my pack gets attacked. I have to stay strong, even though I’m scared out of my mind. More screams and howls of pain. More fighting and growls. After a while everything goes quiet, it’s eerie and I can’t move a muscle. 

I scream out as I wake up to a dark room all alone. My body is shaking from the dream of the worst day of my life. I take deep breaths as an attempt to calm down, but it’s not working. Suddenly Merrick comes barreling through the door and sees me on the bed. He quickly crosses the room and wraps me in his strong arms.

“I’m sorry I left, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay.” He whispers as he smooths my hair down and rocks me back and forth. I start calming down due to his touch and finally I stop shaking.After awhile I’m ready to get up and go downstairs for dinner. 

“What were the other papers in the envelope?” I ask Merrick.

“It was your parents will, they left everything to you. I put all the papers in your office.” He answers.

“I have an office?”

“Yeah it’s right next to mine, I’ll show it to you later.” He says with a smile on his face. We walk hand in hand into the dini hall and take our seats at the head of the table. The Omegas start bringing the food out and we all start eating. Tonight our people talk with each other and I see a few smiles from the new members. It makes me happy that they can feel at home after such a tragedy.

“Oh my mother is planning a celebration for next weekend, for you and the new members.” Merrick tells me while he cuts into his food.

“Does she need any help?” I ask.

“I’m sure she will have it under control, but you can always ask.” 

“But as Luna shouldn’t I be planning parties?” I ask, feeling guilty.

“Well after this party my mother said she will show you the ropes. Don’t worry angel.” Merrick says as he takes my hand and gives it a tight squeeze. “Let’s finish eating and then we have a few things to attend to.”

“Luna,” I hear a voice and look over to find Valencia. “I wanted to properly introduce myself, I’m Valencia Chambers, Delta female..” Valencia bows her head as a form of respect to me.

“It’s nice to meet you Valencia and thank you for letting me borrow the shoe earlier.” I tell her.

“No problem Luna, you can keep them, If there’s anything else you need please don’t be afraid to find me.” She says and walks to the other side of the table, taking a seat next to Griffin. 

“Are we still going to go see the rogue?” I ask Merrick.

“Yes as soon as we are done we will go.” 

I nod and look down at my food that now doesn’t seem all that appetizing. The thought of seeing a person who had a hand in my parents and people damise makes me feel sick to my stomach. But there’s questions I need answered and I can’t just sit around wondering. I need to know why.

“I can’t eat anymore, I’m going to go get my shoes on and I’ll be right back.” I tell Merrick, I stand and kiss him before leaving to go back to our room.