The Little Luna

Human?

Luna’s POV:

First through 5th period flew by and me and Libby made our way to our lockers to put our books up for lunch. Libby was drowning on about my birthday party again.  I’m still not sure why she’s so excited, the fact that half the school would be there would be exciting if it was for me, but it isn’t, it’s for Orion and Celeste, I’d be just as ignored there as I am at school every day. 

Shutting our lockers, we linked arms and headed towards the cafeteria, the food was always awful but at least it was 20 minutes of uninterrupted time with my best friend.  As we walked down the hallways I smelled the same scent as earlier, sandalwood and beach oak, the scent filled my nostrils and made my mind fill with thoughts I had never really dwelled on, thoughts of the bedroom and silk sheets wrapped around two entwined bodies.  I could feel my body getting warm and my cheeks flush as I looked around trying to find where that scent came from, my eyes fell on a group of students moving towards the entrance to the cafeteria, Orion was at the center, but instead of his best friend Zander being beside him there was a tall, well built young man with shiny black hair, and what an amazing head of hair he had. 

As I silently eye stalked this stranger I noticed him lean in and sniff my brothers shoulder when he’d turned to talk to a buddy beside him, before Orion turned back around the stranger with the beautiful head of hair was straight again, laughing at something someone said, though I couldn’t see his face I could hear his deep rumbling laughter float down the hall way.  I’d never had a crush before, but I had the strangest feeling I was developing one now.

“Luna?  Luna!”  I felt my arm being shook as Libby hollered my name in my ear.

Blinking a couple times as if to clear the fog from my mind I plastered a smile on my face and looked at Libby, “You don’t have to bust my ear drum for me to hear you Libby, sorry I got distracted, what were you saying?”

“I was saying, who is that hunk with your brother?  I haven’t seen him before, but I’d love to see more of him… think he’ll come over to your house to hang out with Orion?”  The more she spoke the more uncomfortable I got, I had just been eye screwing this stranger from down the hall, imagining me and him wrapped in a lovers embrace, but the thought of my friend thinking the same thing made me feel jealous and angry.

“I don’t know.”  I knew my voice sounded curt, so I tried to force a smile to my lips and giggled softly, “You are so boy crazy Libby, besides, my brother barely talks to me. I have no idea who he is, but I have to agree, he is delicious.”

Vespians POV:

Once I got back to the Blood Moon, pack house I showered and dressed quickly but carefully, black jeans, a white button up long sleeve shirt and a dark blue vest that matched my eyes.  My mother had told me over and over as I packed that I needed to make sure I dressed appropriately, “Befitting a young man of your station” had been her exact words.  I had to remember to keep my cool, play the political game, make friends.  Though I had to be extra careful, apparently Blood Moon pack shared their school with humans, humans who did not know what we were, didn’t even know we existed. 

Grabbing my bag off the hook by the door I walked out of my temporary room and made my way down the stair case to the first floor, Alpha Darius’s daughter, Roselyn, was waiting by the front door and clearly she took her appearance seriously as well.  Her dark brown hair was pulled back into an expertly wrapped bun with soft wispy curls framing her face, her soft green eyes were lined with brown liner and her pouty lips stained with a soft petal rose lipstick.  A light green button up silk blouse was tucked into a tan pencil skirt and matching fawn heels completed her outfit, the green purse hang from her arm matched her blouse perfectly.  As she saw me come down the stairs, I saw her eyes light up and a smile spread across her lips, I knew what she was thinking.

Alpha Darius had been hopeful that I would be the mate to one of his daughters, but when I had met all three this morning when I had arrived, nothing happened, the world didn’t stop when I looked in their eyes and although their scents were pleasant they didn’t send me into a love drunk haze.  My wolf had started pacing in my mind the moment we had entered Blood Moon territory, I suspected it meant my mate was close but even after meeting over half the girls in the pack I had yet to meet my mate, and I was slowly losing hope that I would find her here.  Wolfs who haven’t met their mates by time they are of age to take over their packs are able to take a mate of their choosing, since an Alpha without a Luna is in danger of turning brutal and rough with his pack and surrounding territories.  Alphas are born with a darkness, a dangerous side that tells them to concur, to make their packs stronger and larger through any means necessary.  While Lunas are born full of light, softness, gentleness, she soothes the rough edges of her Alpha and is that little voice that keeps him calm and grounded and peaceful.  The Alpha protects the pack while the Luna nurtures it.

I knew that Roselyn was hoping to make a good impression so that if I didn’t find my Luna before my time to become Alpha, I would consider choosing her.  Eli rebelled at the very idea of spending the rest of his life with someone who was not his destined mate.

“Good morning Vespian, how was your run this morning?”  Roselyn’s sweet voice rang cheerfully as I opened the front door and held it while she walked out into the bright Florida sun.  I mean seriously, I have never been somewhere so sunny all the damn time.

“It went well, the springs around here are beautiful and perfect for a dip after a run, I honestly can’t wait to get back out there again.”  As we neared the garage Roselyn walked towards a small forest green sports car, I was starting to see a pattern here, she either loved green or she made sure everything matched her ensemble for the day, including the vehicle she drove. 

As she pressed a button on her key I heard the doors locks click open and we both opened our doors and slid into the car, “Maybe I can join you on your next run, Lia loves running and I’m sure her and Eli would get along wonderfully.”  I could hear the hopefulness in her voice, and although Eli enjoyed the companionship of other wolfs, he would in no way appreciate Roselyn pushing Lia on him.

,

“Yeah, maybe.  Me and Eli use our runs as a way to stay connected and keep our bond strong, but maybe he’d enjoy some pack time, we could invite your sisters and maybe a few of the guys from the pack.”  I didn’t want to turn her down completely, but there was no way I was spending one on one time with her, she seemed sweet but I wasn’t willing to risk any kind of entrapment.

“Sounds like fun, I’ll see who else would like to come.”  Her smile never faltered but I could see by the slight lilt in her voice she was a little put off by me inviting others. Oh!  By the way, this weekend is mine and Zanders best friends birthday party, you’ve been invited as well, I figured we could go together, as friends of course, Zander and I were going to ride together but seeing as things have changed and all. Anybody who is anybody at the school will be there.”

Parties weren’t really my thing, but this whole trip was about diplomacy so I  knew I’d have to play nice and act the part.  “Of course, I’d love to go.  So you and your brother have the same best friend?”  This part seemed a little odd to me, but who was I to judge?

“Oh, no, not the same” these words were spoken in the midst of her giggling “They are siblings, Orion and Celeste.  Orion and Zander are very close, basically like brothers, while me and Celeste are close.”

“So, they’re twins?  Like you and Zander?”

“Kind of?  I mean, technically they’re triplets, they have another sister, but she keeps to herself, doesn’t really have many friends.  I think Orion mentioned once she’s the oldest of the three of them by a few minutes, but you’d never guess it looking at her, she’s a good foot shorter then Orion, he calls her the runt, thought he means it affectionately.”  Shrugging her shoulders Roselyn acted like this was normal.  Affectionately or not, to werewolves being called the ‘runt’ was an insult.  It meant you were little, weak, often cowardly. Things no wolf would ever want to be referred to as.

“Why would you talk about his sister like that?  Especially one he shared a womb with?”  This baffled me, I didn’t understand the concept of using such a word to describe someone you said you loved.

“Well, I mean, to them it isn’t an insult, it’s just a word that means small and cute, you know how humans are.”  I could hear my brain ‘click’.  Human, there it was.

“So Zanders best friend is a human?  He seems to full of him self and to proud of his genes to be one to get so close to a mere human?”  Realizing how those words sounded I quickly added in “No insult intended, Zander just didn’t seem the type is all.”

“I know what you mean, Zander is very prideful of our history and for the most part you are right.  Zander prizes strength and agility and intelligence especially in combat and battle strategy, things humans are almost always weak in, but Orion was a surprise, he kicked Zanders ass once in a fight when he moved here in 4th grade and found out Zander had been picking on other kids, human kids.  Orion cannot stand a bully and put my brother in his place, which shocked Zander.  I mean, my brother has been raised in hand to hand combat since he could walk and being a future Alpha he is naturally strong and fast, even before he got his wolf, Orion was just a bit stronger and a bit faster.”  When she glanced over at my face I knew she could see the disbelief in my eyes. 

“Are you sure he’s human?” No way a human child had bested a werewolf pup.  Orion had to have werewolf in him, or some other kind of shifter blood in his veins. 

“Trust me” She chuckled “When you smell him or his sister all you smell is human.”

Turning to look out the window I figured I’d let the conversation rest, no need in arguing about something that apparently happened over a decade ago.  But my mind was running over the conversation in my mind, and one thing was annoying me, she’d said triplets but I only knew two of their names, “You only said the names of two of the triplets, Celeste and Orion, what’s the other sisters name?  The third one?”

“Luna.”

“Luna?  Wait, her name is actually Luna?”  My head snapped around to Roselyn, my eyes a little wide.

“Yep, funny coincidence huh?  We all thought the same thing the first time we met her.  A lot of the werewolves in the school refuse to call her by her name, they think its disrespectful, as if she’s been given a title she doesn’t deserve.”  Another shrug of her shoulders as she slowed the car down and flicked on the turning signal, I realized we were turning into the school and I unconsciously ran my fingers through my damp hair and made sure my shirt collar was appropriate.  “Celeste explained that all of their names came from the stories their dad told their mom before he disappeared.”

“Disappeared?  Their dad disappeared?  What happened?”  I knew I was prying, but honestly, I was invested now,  the story intrigued me for some reason.

“Not sure, that’s why It’s called a disappearance.  Basically, their mom and dad met and spent two weeks together before he left with the promise of coming back for her, only for her to end up pregnant and alone.”  As she whipped the little care into a parking spot at the front of the school I looked out the window, taking a deep breath I prepared my self for the staring, the questions, and the many flirtatious conversations I was bound to have to suffer through.  “Well, we’re here.  Don’t look so queasy Vespain, no one will bite.”  Then with a wolfish grin she opened her door and added “Unless you want them too.”

Rolling my eyes at her retreating form I slid out of the car and threw my back pack over my shoulder, no time like the present right?  Walking up the steps of the school I had opened the front door for Roselyn when I saw a red car pull in, I don’t know why my eyes went to it but I couldn’t tear them away.

Roselyn noticed and nodded her head towards the car, “That’s Orion and Celeste there, the office is straight down the hall and to the left, you can’t miss it, I’m going to go hang out with Celeste until classes starts.  I hope we have classes together, if not, I’ll see you at lunch okay?”  With that she walked back down the steps of the school and towards the parking lot where a tall, beautiful blonde was stepping out of the car.

Turning my back on the scene I made my way down the hall and to the office where I could get my class schedule and locker assignment.  Opening the office door the smell of vanilla met me, I assumed the lady behind the secretary desk liked vanilla bath products, maybe a little too much.  She was an older lady, maybe early 50’s with black rimmed glasses and lip stick that was just a little too red for her complexion, her thinning mousy brown hair was pulled back into a messy bun at the nape of her neck.  “What can I do for you young man?”  her voice reminded me of a monotone teacher, the kind you don’t want to give you a class lecture because you’d be asleep in seconds.

I flashed her my most charming smile, the one that made my eyes sparkle, as I leaned on the counter between her desk and me.  “Hello there, I’m new, Vespian Carter, transfer student.”

I could see her eyes widen a smidge as her lips curved up into a natural and happy smile, my wolf ears picked up a hitch in her breathing which told me my smile had worked.  A flustered hand came up to adjust her classes as she cleared her throat, “Yes, of course, Vespian, I have your class schedule and paperwork right here.  The only thing not filled in is your elective, we were not sure what you would want to take so we left it blank.  We offer weigh lifting, track, band, chorus, art-“

“Art sounds amazing!”  I cut in.  Normally I wouldn’t be so rude as to cut into an adult speaking, but if I let her continue her list much longer I would fall asleep standing at this counter. 

“Of course, I’ll just add it to your schedule here and input it in the computer.  Welcome to Liberty Mr. Carter.”  With that she handed me an orange envelope with papers to be filled out and returned and a white paper with my class schedule listed out, along with a locker number and combination.  Time for my day to really start.

I went to first period, sat in the back of the class room and tried to ignore staring and flirtatious looks I received, I guess in a school this small some surprise and interest in the new kid would be expected.  Looking around the room it was easy to tell who was a wolf and who wasn’t.  The werewolves kept their eyes down cast from mine, a show of respect to an Alpha, while the humans openly watched me and discussed me.  One student in particular stood out to me though, a boy who was as tall as I was with shaggy sandy colored hair, the other students in the room seemed to listen and follow his every word when he spoke, and his voice held this note of authority, something I had only really noticed in other Alphas.  But he seemed… human.  

When class was over he walked up to me and held his hand out to shake my own, giving me a boyishly handsome smile, “Hey there man, I’m Orion Slade, welcome to Liberty.  Zander told me he was doing a student swap.  You must be Vespian Carter.  How do you like our school so far?” 

When I placed my hand in his I was surprised to see that his grip was just as firm as mine, which should be impossible for a mere human.  “Um, it seems nice so far, haven’t met very many people yet but the teachers and students I have met seem nice.”

“Good, we aim to be inclusive here, if there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s a bully.”  As me and Orion held this conversation a few other teens made their way over to us, curious about the new kid and seemingly draw, to Orion.  This was on mystery I knew I wouldn’t be able to put down till I unraveled it. 

After I stood I grabbed my back off the back of my chair, I hadn’t bothered putting it in my locker yet, hell, I hadn’t even been to my locker yet, hadn’t seen the point with no books to put in it yet, I made to walk past Orion and his fan club but he put his hand on my shoulder and walked with me towards the door, that’s when it happened, the sweetest fragrance I had ever smelled wafted to me. 

“MATE!”  Eli shouted in my head.  He tried to take over, trying to take control of my body so he could claim his mate.

Leaning slightly towards Orion I realized that delicious smell was coming from him, but he couldn’t be my mate.  I mean, same s*x mates are a thing, it happens often enough that we know it isn’t a coincidence.  But I don’t feel attracted to Orion, just the scent that seems to cling to him.  Why does he smell of my mate?

“He has touched my mate!  He will die!  Now Vespian, kill him!  Demand do know her location!”  Eli was frantic in my mind, his possessiveness controlling him.

“Calm down Eli, remember what Roselyn said?  Orion has two sisters; our mate may just be his sister.”  I tried to reason with the demon in my mind and I knew before long I had won this battle as he calmed down and went back to silently observing the world through my eyes, but I could tell he was on high alert, he was watching and listening and sniffing everything, trying to find her.

My next four classes passed slowly, like the clock was ticking as slow as possible to keep me from finding my mate.  Orion was in everyone of my classes it seemed and by the end of 5th period class I could honestly say that he was a guy I could trust, a guy I could like.  He was open and friendly, charismatic and understanding.  If there was an argument in class he stepped in and played middleman, if there was a student struggling on anything, he made it his mission to help them understand.  As we headed towards the lunchroom with his group of friends I couldn’t help but lean in and sniff him again.  Her scent clung to him, roses and lavender sweet and earthy, I wanted to imagine her in my arms but without knowing what she looked like I couldn’t conjure the imagine.

“I heard you have two sisters Orion, what are they like?  Will they join us for lunch?”  I tried to make my words sound slightly interested, as if I was just trying to get to know a new friend, but I could tell by the way the two wolves beside me were looking at me they had noticed some of my strange behavior.

“Yeah, Celeste usually sits with us with her friends, she’s pretty cool to hang with most of the time.  Luna has lunch with us as well, but usually sits with her own friends. She’s not much of a social person, though she has a heart of gold.”  As we opened the cafeteria doors and walked in I had the earg to look back, but when I went to turn around the doors closed and Orion smacked me on the shoulder and pointed towards the buffet line.

 “Pizza burgers aren’t half bad, but don’t go near the meat loaf, trust me bud.”  With that he turned and walked away, going to get in line behind a tall bright blonde girl, looking closely I realized she was the same girl I’d seen this morning getting out of the car Roselyn had been headed to.  Beside her was Roselyn, smiling and motioning over towards me.  Looks like Roselyn was telling her friend about me, what surprised me the most that was while Celeste seemed to look me over as I walked towards them, only faint curiosity shown in her eyes before she looked away and went back to talk to Orion and Roselyn.  I was almost felt insulted that she hadn’t shown even an ounce of the same interest every other pair of female eyes I had seen today did, but honestly it was refreshing.

Just as I walked up to join them and was going to great them I smelt the most amazing scent.  The same amazing rose and lavender scent that clung to Orion, but stronger, so much stronger.  I stopped in my tracks just closing my eyes and breathing the intoxicating scent into my lungs.  Spinning around my eyes flashed across the cafeteria landing on the most beautiful girl I had ever laid eyes on.  She was petite, small and curvy, I doubted her head would even reach my shoulders, and what a head it was.  Beautiful deep brown hair with honey colored highlights, framing her perfect face, long dark eyelashes surrounded the most beautiful honey colored eyes with green specks I could see from across the cafeteria.  She was perfect.  And she was mine.