The Lost Luna

Chapter 18 - Secrets

***Amber’s POV***

I’m lying in bed, trying not to allow my nerves to get the best of me, but that’s nearly impossible. My childhood best friend is coming over, and I’m about to drop a bombshell secret on her. Who in their right mind wouldn’t be nervous?!

“Amber, calm down. I can feel your nervousness from over here, and you’re letting your thoughts leak into the mindlink.” Instantly I felt my face warm-up due to my blushing.

“How long have-” Before I could finish my sentence, the bedroom door bursts open. My ears are flooded with that very familiar voice.

“B***H!! Where have you been?! I’ve missed you so much!” Hearing my best friend, Jessica’s voice nearly brought me to tears. I quickly climbed out of bed and tackled her in a hug. When I felt her shirt was wet, I realized that we were both crying. Had it really been that long?

“Jess, you don’t understand how much I’ve missed you too! So much sh*t has happened. My life has somehow managed to become even more complicated.” I pulled away from the hug, held her by the shoulders, and stared into her eyes. From the look in her eyes, I could tell that she understood. I was interrupted by a mind link from Ryder.

“I hate to interrupt your reunion, but it’s time we tell her everything and do the blood oath.” He sounded stressed in his voice. I don’t blame him, he’s about to become alpha, and he’s already dealing with at least one traitor. Taking a deep breath, I tightened my grip on her shoulders.

“Jess, I need to tell you something. Please do-” She didn’t give me a chance to finish my sentence before a smile broke out across her face.

“Don’t tell me; you’re pregnant, aren’t you?” I couldn’t stop myself from facepalming.

“No! But I can’t tell you here. Please follow me.” Her mood suddenly changed. I could tell it was because of my tone of voice. She simply nodded her head and followed me out of the room.

***Ryder’s POV***

I’m currently sitting in my father’s office discussing the situation. It’s hard for me to focus because I can sense Amber’s anxiety and hear her thoughts.

“Excuse me, dad, Amber is extremely nervous right now, and her thoughts and feelings are flooding out to me.” He nodded his head in understanding.

“Amber, calm down. I can feel your nervousness from over here, and you’re letting your thoughts leak into the mindlink.” Her mood changed, and I could tell that she was embarrassed and more than likely blushing.

“How long have-” Her mind link was cut off and was followed by the sound of a bedroom door slamming and excited screaming. My dad and I locked eyes before throwing our heads back, laughing. It warmed my heart knowing how happy seeing her best friend has made her. Once we’re finished laughing, we resume our previous discussion.

“Ryder, it’s time for her to bring Jessica down.” I knew that we were going to tell her today, but it didn’t help my nerves, especially since today was also the day of the mating ceremony. After informing Amber to bring her down, I start pacing back and forth while running my fingers through my hair.

“Ryder, calm down. Everything will be alright.” Suddenly I froze in my tracks. Did I hear him correctly? I would expect something like that from my mom, but my dad? No, not the big bad alpha that strikes fear into almost everyone. I’m brought back to reality when there’s a knock at the door.

“Come in!” My dad practically shouted. If she wasn’t scared, she was now. Amber is the first one to enter. Jessica follows her, and something isn’t right. Amber’s intoxicating smell practically draws me to her, but I can’t smell Jessica. It’s almost as if she’s masking her scent. Suddenly my dad mind links me.

“Ryder, are you able to smell Jessica?”

“No, I can’t. Something isn’t right.” I’m glad that I’m not the only one who senses something is off.

“Keep an eye on her. Watch how she reacts when she’s told everything.” I subtly nod my head before turning my attention toward Amber, but I'm watching Jessica out of the corner of my eye.

***Amber’s POV***

“So Jessica, I have a major secret to tell you, and please save any questions for the end. First and foremost, this is Ryder and Alpha Blake.” I said this while pointing at them. “If you’re wondering why I call him alpha Blake, he’s the alpha of this pack. When I say pack, I mean a pack of werewolves. Yes, I am a wolf also. I’ve known this my whole life, but it breaks werewolf law to tell humans about us, which is why I never told you. The moon goddess blesses us with our fated mates. They’re the other half of our souls. Ryder is my mate, so yes, our math teacher is my mate.” I paused to gauge how she’s handling all of this, and surprisingly, she’s taking it a lot better than I thought she would. Unknowingly I’m bouncing on my leg, and it’s not until Ryder places his hand over my knee that I realize it. I quickly flash him a smile thanking him for helping me with my anxiety.

“Ryder is alpha Blake’s son, which means he’ll be alpha someday soon, and because I’m his mate, I'll be the luna of this pack. I’ve asked you to come because we know that there’s at least one traitor in the pack, but we suspect that there may be another. Tonight we’re having our mating ceremony, which is the equivalent of a wedding. Our prime suspect will be attending the ceremony. I know you’re a master of sneaking in and out of places. I need you to break into his house and find evidence for us. You’re the only one that we can trust with this task.” I finished speaking and leaned back in my seat, waiting for her to say something.

“So what you’re saying is that you expect me to miss what’s basically your wedding?” I don’t even try to hide when I roll my eyes.

“Seriously, Jess!? That’s what you’re concerned about? Did everything I just said go over your head?” My anger and rage were evident in my voice.

“Amber, I already knew that you were a wolf. You don’t understand how difficult it was not to ask you if you’d found your mate yet.” She said this in a matter of factly tone. The room fell deathly silent. Everyone exchanged glances back and forth as if a quiet conversation was happening. I’m sure one is happening because Ryder and his father’s eyes are glazed over.

“Jessica, I don’t mean to sound rude, but what are you? You don’t smell like a human or any supernatural creature. Also, how did you know Amber is a wolf?” It was like he was reading my mind. I was still stuck on the fact that she knew I was a wolf. I turned my head to face her, and of course, she had her signature smirk on her face.

“Because I’m your sister.”