Becoming a Leader

Chapter Twenty - Fights and Honesty

“Will you just listen to me?! Please I’m telling you the truth, why would I lie to you about this?” I yell at Merrick. I just told him about my meeting with Artemis and he’s looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“I am listening to what you’re saying isn’t making any sense. Why would The Moon Goddess appear out of nowhere in the woods to tell you that she's blessed our unborn children? Why would she bless our children in the first place?” He asks, while pacing around our room. 

“I told you exactly what she said to me. That’s all I know. You don’t think I have questions too?” I’m sitting on our bed, watching him walk back and forth. If he continues he’s going to wear a hole in the floor.

“This is nuts, what’s so special about us? About our kids?”

“I don’t know, will you just sit down and talk to me? You’re making me nervous.”

“Listen Sky I’m not saying I don’t believe because I believe you think you know what you saw. But could it be possible it didn’t really happen? I mean we were just talking about contacting her and then she appears out of nowhere in a big light? That doesn’t sound real to me.”

“What are you saying Merrick? You think I just imagined it? That I’m going crazy?”

“I’m not saying you’re crazy but you have all these extra hormones going through your body right now. Maybe you’re hallucinating or something? Maybe Dr. Kearns needs to do another checkup or something. I just can’t believe The Moon Goddess did this.”

“I’ve never heard of hormones causing hallucinations.” I stand up and walk to the bedroom room. “How about I sleep somewhere else until you believe me?” 

I leave the room and slam the door behind me, entering the room across the hall and slamming that door as well. I sit on the bed and rub my face. It’s two in the morning and I start to feel hungry because I haven’t eaten since lunch since I couldn’t eat dinner earlier. I’m too angry to go and get myself something to eat but I know I need to eat something for these growing babies. I hear a small knock at the door and roll my eyes because I know it’s Merrick.  I stand up, walk to the door and open it to find a bottle of water, a banana, and muffin on the floor in front of me. Merrick must have felt my hunger through the mate bond and knew I didn’t want to see him. I bend over and pick up the food, returning to the spare room, and shutting the door behind me. That man makes me so damn mad sometimes but the little things he does makes me want to just fall in his arms and forget the reason I’m mad in the first place. But I can’t, he has to know that what he said was wrong and that he needs to believe me and take this seriously. I’m just going to eat and go to bed. I have a busy day in the morning. I have to finish the last bit of things for Emma’s party and visit my aunt. If my mom was here I’d talk to her about this but she’s not so the next best thing is my aunt. She will listen to me without thinking I’ve gone crazy and maybe actually give me some insight. 

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“Fennick please pull the car around, we’re going to visit my aunt at The Grimhide Pack.” I say once he enters my office.

“Alpha never told me about-” Fennick starts to say. 

“The Alpha is busy, I’m telling you. We are visiting my aunt so please do as I ask.” I growl without meaning to, causing Fennick to flinch a bit. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.”

“No Luna, no need to apologize. I shouldn’t have overstepped. You’re a leader, my leader I shouldn’t have second guessed you. I’ll go pull the car around.” Fennick bows and leaves the room.

I take my phone out and call my Aunt Vivian to let her know I’m coming to see her. After a few rings I hear her voice on the other end.

“Hello sweet girl.”

“Hey Aunt Viv, are you home? I was planning to come see you.” I say through the phone.

“Of course sweety, I would love a visit from you.”

“Okay, well I’ll see you soon.”

I hang up the phone and leave my office to head to the kitchen. Merrick went into the city today so I don’t have to worry about running into him right now. When I enter the kitchen I see Valencia leaning against a counter looking out the window.

“Hey Val, you okay?” I ask as I grab a couple of bottles of water from the fridge.

“Hmm? Yeah I’m fine, just thinking.” She answers. 

I have a feeling that she needs space. “Okay, well I’m going to visit my aunt at The Grimhide Pack. I’ll see you when I get back.”

“The Grimhide Pack? Do you mind if I come with you? I’m from there and my parents still live there, I’d like to see them.” She turns around and asks.

“Yeah of course.” I reply, “I’m just grabbing some snacks for the ride and we can go.” 

I grab another bottle of water and a few snack items and we head to the front of the house. Fennick and another guard are waiting in a SUV when we make it outside. The first half of the drive is quiet, no one says anything as we just sit in the comfortable silence of the drive. 

“Luna, I’ve got to stop and fill up. Do you ladies need anything?” Fennick tells me. 

I look over at Valencia who shakes her head and I say, “No we’re fine, thank you.” 

“I’m gonna head to the restroom Fen I’ll be right back.” The other guard announces. 

“Okay so what’s on your mind?” I ask Val once the guys exit the vehicle.

“I-” Valencia takes a deep breath, “I miss my family. It’s been almost a year since I left home and I haven’t been back for a visit. With everything that’s been going on I just feel like I need to go see them before- if something happens to us when we… When Alec finally decides to attack.”

“Did you meet him? Alec?” 

“Yeah, I was here for a week or two before the incident.”

“What happened? Merrick told me the jist of it but not the entire thing.”

The guys get back in the car and we start driving. Valencia looks at me and starts telling me about the day of the coup.

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Everyone in the pack is getting ready for the Alpha ceremony. Alec and his father Raymond are waiting for the ceremony to start so they can start putting their plan in motion. Raymond has always believed that he was the rightful Alpha of The Evercrown Pack but because his wife refused the position he didn’t get a chance and he resented her for it. He made sure she knew it too, every chance he got he would tell her how useless she was. The only right thing she did was give him a son, Alec. Alec is just like his father, arrogant, narcissistic, and entitled. He’s slept with all the girls who have shown any interest in him and was okay with that. He doesn’t need a mate to make him weak, because mates make people vulnerable. 

So the plan is to kill Alpha Andrew and then Merrick so Alec can become the Alpha. Raymond and Alec are waiting until the ritual, when they least expect it. The ceremony is in an hour so Alec and Raymond are taking their positions, waiting for the right moment.

“Alright son, I want you waiting here. I’ll be on the other side of the porch.” Raymond says.

“When do we strike?” Alec asks.

“You’ll know, trust me.” He replies with a sick smile on his face.

“Alright father.” 

An hour later the ceremony begins and everyone is standing in front of the house, watching Alpha Andrew as he cuts his and Merricks palms. He’s already sworn him in and the last step is to hand the title over and announce him as Alpha. Raymond sees Andrew put the knife down and takes this as his opportunity to storm on stage with a clawed hand. Just when he was about to strike Alpha Andrew turns around and grabs Raymond by the neck. 

“You think I didn’t know? That I don’t have people watching you? I’ve been waiting years for you to try some s**t like this.” Andrew snarls. 

Alec growls at the sight in front of him and starts running towards the house. He jumps and shifts in midair, trying to get the upper hand but Merrick is prepared. Merrick turned quickly and kicked Alec in the stomach sending him flying. 

“I’ve had it with your treachery and blatant disrespect for me, my son, and this pack.” Andrew yells, “I’m done with your s**t!”

Raymond starts to struggle as Andrews grip tightens around his neck. Alec stands up and charges at the Alpha but before he can make it Merrick shifts into his huge black wolf and slams Alec into the ground. The two young men fight for dominance, snapping at one another, and letting out ear piercing growls. Merrick brings one dangerous paw up and brings it down on Alecs chest causing him to whimper. Andrew squeezes his hand until he hears the satisfying crack of bones coming from Raymond's neck. He lets the lifeless body drop to the ground and walks over to his son and nephew. 

“Enough!” Andrew roars in his Alpha voice. 

Alec squirms under the command and Merrick takes a step back, never taking his eyes off of Alec. 

“I, Alpha Andrew Rivers of The Evercrown Pack banish you, Alec Foley, from this pack and land. Leave now and never return.” 

“This is my pack, I am the rightful heir. I will do whatever it takes to take it back!” Alec screams through the mindlink. 

Everyone watches as he limps his way to the forest with his tail between his legs. Before entering the woods he looks back at Merrick and growls lowley. 

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“What about Raymond’s mate? Merrick’s Aunt Seline?” I ask.

“She went through a lot of crap through the years from my understanding. Of course it’s terrible for anyone to lose their mates, but she doesn’t bare any ill will against her brother, Alpha Andrew, or Merrick. She knows that the only way to have stopped Raymond is killing him. Alpha Andrew didn’t kill Alec for the sake of his sister.” Valencia answers.

“Why haven’t I ever seen Seline?”

“She stays in her cabin and doesn’t come out much. I don’t think she talks to anyone but her brother.” 

“So Seline is older then?”

“Yeah, well Seline and Andrew have different moms. Their father Ace had two mates. The first was Selines’ mom who died when she was one from a rogue attack. The second was a chosen mate who was Andrews’ mom. I don’t mean to pry but the Alpha hasn’t told you any of this?” Valencia says.

“No he hasn’t,” I shift uncomfortably in the seat. “I’m sure he would but there’s been a lot going on.”

“Luna we are entering the Grimhide territory.” Fennick announces. 

When we reach the gate I see a few guards waiting to let us in. Fennick stops and rolls down the windows to show that we are no threat. We drive through and once we make it to the front of the pack house my aunt comes out with a warm smile on her face. Fennick puts the car in park and I get out and run into my aunts’ arms. 

“I’ve missed you so much sweet girl.” Aunt Viv says.

“I’ve missed you too Aunt Viv.” I reply, taking in her scent.

“Valencia?” I hear my aunt say. 

“Luna. Wait Luna Vivian is your aunt?” Val asks, surprised. “Small world.”

“It’s good to see you.” Vivian moves away from and hugs Val. I watch as Valencia tenses up before hugging my aunt back. “Alright let’s head in, I’m sure your parents would love to see you Valencia.”

“Yes ma’am, it was great to see you.” Val bows her head. “Luna let me know when you’re ready to leave and I’ll meet you back here.” 

I nod my head and watch her leave into the pack house. My aunt takes my hand and leads me in the house to the living room. We sit on a couch with drinks and snacks in front of us.

“So how is everything going?” Aunt Viv asks.

“It’s going okay. We found out about a month ago that I’m pregnant and we found out yesterday that it’s twins.” I answer her.

“Oh my Goddess, congratulations! That is amazing! Twins? You are going to have your hands full!” Viv says and hugs me.

“The thing is, I had a dream about a month ago about Alec trying to take my babies. When I told Merrick that I wanted to find a witch so I could contact The Moon Goddess. But he freaked out and we got into an argument and when I went on a run The Moon Goddess showed up. She told me that my babies are special and I need to protect them. She said there’d be obstacles and with mine and Merrick’s guidance they will be great leaders.” My words just flow out and I can’t stop it. “When I told Merrick he didn’t believe me. He just said why would our kids be important to The Moon Goddess and thinks that because of my ‘hormones’ that I was hallucinating. Which I’ve never heard of before. Do you know why she picked us, picked out children for something special? Why did she appear out of nowhere to me?” 

“Okay one thing at a time.” Aunt Viv says. “So your mother and I were always told that we are descendants of the original wolves. The first ones ever made by The Moon Goddess. She loves all her children but for some reason our blood line she has always held above the rest.”

“Why didn’t my mom ever tell me?” I ask, shocked.

“We never thought it was true but now I am thinking it may be. I’ve heard legends of her giving people gifts of strengths and powers depending on how their future will be.” Aunt Viv makes herself a cup of tea and takes a sip. “What was she like?”

“She was beautiful and kind. Her voice was like hearing angels sing.”