Light of The Moon

Chapter 5

When I woke up again, I was still in Alpha Darius's room at the inn.  Sunlight poured through the open window, and there was a cool breeze flowing through the room.  I turned my head and saw Mother sitting in the chair next to the bed, and Robert was in the chair by the window.  I smiled and reached out to touch her hand. She woke with a start before smiling at me.

"Hanna," she whispered as she rested a hand on mine.  "You're okay." I smiled as Robert stood and crossed the room.

"I'll alert Alpha Darius," he said, and I turned to him.

"Wait," I said, and he froze.  "What happened last night?" Mother and Robert exchanged looks, and Mother nodded.

"I'll tell her," she said.  "You get back to Alpha Darius."  He nodded and left the room. A new wolf, possibly from Alpha Darius's pack, stepped in after he left.  I looked at Mother, who smiled at me. "I don't know how you did it, but that Alpha has chosen you for his new mate."  My eyes widened in shock as I stared at her.

"He what?" I asked in surprise.  She smiled even more.

"After you passed out, he came to get me and told me that he planned on taking you back with him when he left for the Capital," she explained.  "He said he wanted me and your father to come with you so we all could have better lives." I shook my head.

"But why?" I asked.  "Why choose me?" She shrugged.

"What does it matter?" she asked.  "We'll finally be able to leave this place and get away from Alpha Gabriel.  We'll be safe." I swallowed hard as my stomach churned.

"Yeah, we will," I said, and she frowned at me.

"So, is it true?" she asked.  I frowned.

"Is what true?" I asked, and she looked at me.

"Is it true that the humans broke into this room and tried to force you to help them escape?" she asked.  "Robert said they had you at knife point. He said that they were going to take you with them, but you bolted first chance you got and started yelling for help.  Another second, and that human could have killed you." I swallowed hard and lowered my gaze.

"I'm doing better, though, Mother," I said.  She sighed and shook her head.

"So it is true…" she said, lowering her gaze.  "Well, I'm just glad you acted on behalf of the pack rather than helping the humans.  From what I understand, they're going to be put down tonight." My eyes widened, and I started to my feet.  She stopped me, and the male rose to his feet.

"What are you doing?" he asked.  "Alpha gave orders that you are to stay here until he comes back."  I looked at him.

"One of the humans saved me," I said urgently.  Both of them stared at me in shock. "They were going to take me with them to their village, and the youngest one let me go.  He said they would have come back and killed us all, starting with me…" Mother looked at the male, who stared at me. Finally, he spoke.

"I'll tell Alpha Darius about your request," he said.  "He'll deal with it as he sees fit." With that, he was gone.  Mother looked at me.

"The humans are still responsible for the death of that make, though," she said.  "His fate won't change." I shrugged.

"He deserves a swifter death than the rest," I said, and she stared at me.  "Anyways, how's Father?" She looked down at her hands.

"Doc says he won't last any longer," she said shakily.  "Not unless we can get Moon's weed." My eyes widened.

"Moon's weed?" I gasped.  "Where and how are we supposed to find that?  I thought it was just a myth." She shook her head.

"According to Doc, some wolves reported that there was some out by the human village," she said before giving a sarcastic chuckle.  "Supposedly, they feed it to the pigs. Such a waste." My mind raced.

"We have to tell Alpha Darius," I said as I sat up in the bed.  She placed a warning hand on my shoulder.

"No, Hanna," she said.  "Alpha Darius said you are to stay here and rest.  He doesn't want you exerting yourself." I looked at her.

"Please, Mother," I pleaded.  "I have an idea that could save Father, and they're about to kill the one person who could make this plan a success."  She stared at me in confusion.

"Who, Hanna?" she asked.

"The youngest human," I said, my frustration starting to show.  "The one who saved my life last night and let me go." Her eyes widened.

"Out of the question," she snapped.  "That monster is still responsible for the death of that male, even if he saved you."  I stared her down.

"And he could save Father," I argued.  "Imagine how the pack would react then.  They would think not all humans are bad, and any possible war with the humans, as well as any bloodshed that would come with it, would be averted.  Possibly for good." She didn't respond, so I sighed. "Look, I don't condone what he did, and I am perfectly aware that I could have been killed too that night, but, if we go to war with the humans, then more wolves will die than just that male.  We should be seeking to make peace with the humans, Mother, not exacting revenge. It's what Father would do." She stared at me for what seemed like hours before she finally smiled.

"You certainly are your father's daughter," she finally said.  "Alright, I will go find Alpha Darius and make a case on your behalf.  With luck, he'll listen to you." She stood and went to the door. Before leaving, she looked back at me.  "I do hope you are right about this, Hanna." With that, she was gone.

I laid back and stared up at the ceiling.  It was rare to receive that compliment from Mother.  Ever since Father got sick, she and I have only ever spoke about business.  Father was only ever mentioned when we spoke about his condition. Of course, it had always been per Mother's request.  I loved Father, regardless of our differences before he grew ill. I still wondered what would have happened if Father had never gotten sick.  Would I still be an Omega?

"I'm glad you're still awake," came a voice, and I turned towards the door, where Alpha Darius was standing.  "I must say that, for an Omega, you have some rather radical ideas." I sat up and watched him as he crossed over and sat on the bed by my feet.  "Tell me exactly why you think your idea will work." I sighed.

"Regardless of the circumstances, I regret the death of that male," I said as I stared at the blankets.  I swallowed hard, cursing the meekness that grew inside me all these years. Taking a deep breath, I looked up at him.  "But bloodshed can't be the answer because bloodshed always leads to more bloodshed. We should be looking for peaceful solutions, and what better way to do so than saving an ailing pack member?"  He stared at me with a half amused half surprised look on his face, and I realized that I had made a bad mistake. I lowered my gaze, waiting for his reaction. Much to my surprise, he simply put a hand on my arm.

"You're right," he said, causing me to look up at him in surprise.  "We will use the human to get the Moon's weed to save your father under one condition."  I felt a chill run down my spine.

"What would that be?" I asked, and he grinned.

"If you agree to be my mate," he said, and I felt a wave of mixed thoughts crash over me.  The color drained from my face as I tried to sort through each thought individually. He simply smiled at me.  "While it's noble to save a sickly Omega, it's even more noble to save the dying father of a new Luna." I finally spoke.

"I can see where that would be tactful," I started, "but why me?  Out of all the wolves in all the packs, why me, a lowly Omega?" He smirked.

"I have my reasons," he grinned.  "I might tell you one day, but, for now, I don't see any relevance to telling them to you."  I lowered my gaze, my mind racing. I wanted to know his reasons, but I also had to think about Mother and Father.  If I became the new Luna for the Blood Moon pack, life for them would become so much better for them both. Nevermind what I could do as a Luna.  I swallowed hard and looked back up at him.

"Alright," I said.  "I will. But, I have a single favor first."  He leaned forward, smiling that same grin as before.  Like a cat who was playing with a mouse.

"And what would that be?" he asked.  I took a deep breath.

"My father must be top priority," I said.  "You help get the Moon's weed and get him to recover, and I'll become your mate.  You change your mind, and my father dies, I'll run away, and you'll never see me again."  His eyes darkened, and I knew I had guessed right. Whatever his reasons were, they made me irreplaceable in his eyes, which meant I had an upperhand in this matter.  "You can try and hunt me down all you want, but I will always be two steps ahead of you, forever out of your reach. I may be a lowly Omega, but I've acquired enough knowledge to outsmart most any pack member and stay hidden from the best of trackers."  I leaned forward. "I've done it before, and I will do it again." He stared at me for a moment with his dark gaze, as if determining if I was telling the truth. Finally, he sat back a little, his smile gone.

"Are you setting this condition for your own selfish reasons, or are you that sure your plan will work?" he asked.  I smiled softly and crossed my arms.

"I believe peace with the humans is possible," I said.  "I love my Father more than anyone would ever know, and it's because of me he's dying.  I believe it's possible to save him while saving the pack from the human threat." He sighed and shook his head.

"I feel like this is a reckless decision," he said.  "Alright, I agree with one moderation. If your Father dies because the weed doesn't work or by any forces outside our power, you must stay and be my mate.  Otherwise, I will hunt you down to the end of time." I nodded.

"Agreed," I said and stuck out my hand.  He smirked and shook my hand.

"Very well," he said.  With that, he stood. "Now you should rest.  I'm going to make the announcement tonight before the hunt.  And I want you to be at your best when I do it." He crossed the room and stopped at the door, taking one final look at me.  "You are one strange Omega." With that, he was gone, and I stared up at the ceiling.

A strange Omega?  Yes, I suppose I was.