The Luna Queen Awakens

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Landon

Three years after the great war.

Life is pretty much back to normal and areas that had been decimated by the war have finally been rebuilt. The city of Paisley, which is the New York City of the Midwest, is encircled by several packs and covens. It’s been this way since forever, its accessibility to all supernatural creatures is a huge draw. The best part is that humans think it’s just a city surrounded by lush forests. The demographic of Paisley is predominantly human, however those that live here are absolutely clueless what is going on around them when it comes to the supernatural world.

My pack, Full Moon, borders what has been my favorite hangout spot since I was a teen, Wolf It Coffee Co. They make some of my absolute favorite treats and I fully take advantage of my visit whenever I have to attend meetings in the city. Today happens to be one of those days!

The Annual Alpha Meeting. It’s held on the anniversary of the final day of battle. Alpha’s from around the country get together in honor and memory of those that fought for our world and as Alpha of Full Moon it’s my responsibility to represent our pack.

Walking into the renovated local coffee shop, I’m hit with a delicious aroma of baked goods, causing my stomach to growl. My Beta Sam claps me hard on the back. “Dude, by the sound of your gut, I’m guessing you forgot to feed your wolf this morning?'' he laughs as he shakes his head. Sam is a beast. He’s not as big as me but he’s still f*****g intimidating. Sam’s a tall guy at 6'4'' with brown eyes and blond hair that looks like he just rolled out of bed. The ladies freaking love it though. He is built like a damn tree trunk. The bastard's muscles have muscles.

“I wasn’t able to. Dexter had me up till two. I slept like s**t. I had to haul ass out of the house this morning so we could get to this meeting on time.”

“Today is a big day. If you would just keep your damn eyes open I might just be able to figure it out,” my wolf, Dexter, jests, and I can practically hear the smirk on his face.

“Dex, what’s up with you today? You’ve been in a mood.”

“The moon goddess said that something was going to happen today, but apparently you and I have to figure it out on our own,” he mumbles a little miffed.

“Wait, when did you talk to the moon goddess?” I ask in surprise

“If you must know, she came to me last night.”

Did he just say she came to him? Sam pulls me out of my conversation with Dexter with a jab of his elbow in my ribs. “Landon! The servers asked you three times what you want to eat.”

After all our orders are placed, we squeeze our way through the crowd to go sit at the end of the counter by the huge window that looks out to the busy city streets. Sam drums his fingers against the counter top as we watch people push past each other on the sidewalk. Big cities provide interesting characters.

"Alpha Greg seemed a little hasty on the phone last night. I know we were scheduled to meet with everyone today anyway, but I can't shake the feeling something is amiss." He states as he looks over to the kitchen door, willing our food to come out. Sam looks back at me with a look that says if he doesn't eat now he is going to lose it.

I nod, acknowledging his statement. It was an odd conversation with Alpha Greg. He called to request he run the meeting, which was just odd. The annual meeting doesn’t normally conduct itself formally, but I could tell by the tone in his voice that whatever he needs to share, must be very important. As we speculate what it could be about, my attention is drawn to the patrones around us. I can’t help but people watch. I scan the inside of the restaurant, looking for nothing in particular, but amused by their eclectic styles in front of me. Out of the corner of my eye I see a stunning woman sitting at a table close to the bakery case. She is sipping on a cup of tea. I’m mesmerized as she brings the steaming cup to her lips. Her emerald green eyes flutter closed as she savors the taste. My c**k twitches in my pants as she swipes her tongue along her bottom lip, the action so simple but yet so s****l.

“s****l? Really, Landon? She’s drinking tea for f***s sake. It’s been too long since you got any.”

Ignoring the mutt in my head, I take in more of her, her long reddish, blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail. Loose pieces haphazardly frame her beautiful face. My line of sight is cut off by our server pushing through the crowd with his arms weighed down by plates full of our breakfast. He balances the large tray on the edge of the counter, then hands us our food. I take a huge bite of my pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich. I can't help but moan as the flavor explodes in my mouth. on a hard roll, but I doubled the pork roll. My mom used to call it a heart attack sandwich. I dig into my food, but I can't help stealing glances of this woman. She looks like an angel.

“My angel.”

“Your angel?” I shake my head at Dex.

“I can’t get over how busy this place is!” I say as I wipe my mouth. “I’m so happy for Jake that business is booming again.” Sam nods his head in agreement as he takes a sip of his coffee. The cafe owner, Jake, comes out of the kitchen. He works his way around the room, mingling and greeting his customers.

"He’s definitely in his element,” Sam says with a chin lift in Jake's direction. He’s like a damn mayor. Slowly he makes his way over to my green eyed beauty. I’m almost jealous as a big smile graces her face. I want to be the cause of her smiling. What the hell is with me today? I observe as they interact. While he speaks to her he places his hand over his heart and bows to her. Odd.

“Sam did you see that?” I question as I lean over to try and get a better look at her, but all I can see is her silky long hair.

“See what?”

“Jake just bowed to that woman. Do you know who she is?”

Sam tilts back and follows my stare. “Hmmm, she looks familiar, but to be honest I can't place her.”

The gregarious, gray haired bakery owner makes his way to us. “Alpha, Beta.” He whispers. Trying not to draw too much attention from the humans that surround us. “It’s an honor that you both still come to eat here. It keeps me young.” He says with a laugh.

“Ask him about the girl,” Dex insists in my head.

“Jake, who is that woman you just bowed to?”

“Honestly,” he pushes his hands into his pockets. “I’ve never asked her name.”

“You, Mr. Social. You never asked her name?” Sam barks.

“I know, I know. But she’s very sweet, but very closed off. When you’re near her you feel warmth. She just has this aura about her. I’m always compelled to bow. It’s almost like I can’t control it.”

“Does she come often?” I question.

“Actually, like clockwork!”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the last month or so. I really should ask her what her name is. She’s a great customer!” He laughs and awkwardly rubs the back of his head.

We collectively glance over at her as she bites her bottom lip, while peeling off the wrapper to her muffin. I inwardly groan, as she puts a piece in her mouth. My eyes trail down to her throat and watch as she swallows it. Visions of my c**k in her mouth fill my mind. A dish crashing to the floor pulls me from my dirty thoughts. Jesus this is what happens when you don’t get enough sleep. You start fantasizing about random women.

“Alpha, we need to head out to our meeting. We cannot be late today.” Sam states as he gets up, grabbing his garbage and heading toward the door.

I shove my remaining food into my mouth then we head outside. I can’t help but steal a glance into the window as we pass. I need to see her one last time. As I spot her through the crowd, her eyes flutter up meeting my gaze and a small smile appears on her beautiful face. I feel a warmth spread throughout my body, and I’m confused by the sensation.

“I think I’m in love, Landon. If second chance mates were a thing, I would swear she’s it.”

“Dexter thinks he’s in love.” I chuckle trying to laugh off the pull I’m feeling.

“What, where, who… What do you mean, you think?” Sam stops and looks around.

“It’s definitely a different feeling from how I felt when I met Tara."

Tara was my mate. We met the day of the final battle of the war. Tara was beautiful and she was mine. Sadly, she was killed that night. I don't know if it was because we didn’t mate but her death was not as painful as some of my other were-friends who lost their mates during the war. I felt the pain of loss, but I did not feel like I was going to die without her.

"I only made eye contact with that woman from the bakery and I don’t know how to explain it. I almost feel whole again. I mean it could honestly be that I am attracted to her.”

“She could be your second chance mate, dude.”

“Second chance mates are not a thing anymore. It’s more like, Dex is just pissed at our non existent s*x life.”

“I heard they’re making a comeback.”

“What is?”

“Second chance mates. We should ask at the meeting.”

“When we get there I’ll ask the elders that are present if they know anything.”

“What the hell are you talking about? 'you'll ask?’ Man, go get her number or at least talk to her, you dipshit.” He laughs at me as realization hits.

I stop myself mid step. What the f**k am I doing? Sam’s right-there’s no way I’m going to tell him this though. No matter how important this meeting is, my possible mate is a thousand times more important. I jog back and look through the window, but she is gone. I quickly search around, but I don’t see anyone that looks like her! “Damn it.” I groan, as I walk back toward Sam. “She wasn’t there.”

“At least you know she comes here like clockwork.” He says with a wink.

Malinda

It’s been three years, but feels like a lifetime. I moved to the amazing city of Paisley a year after the war. I stayed on as Luna to help my best friend and our beta’s mate, Stacy, through the transition to her role of luna. It was an emotional day because the title was not being passed on, because of years of hard work, but due to tragedy. The pack buried their alpha, and I stepped down because I was too injured to do the job fully without my alpha. My mate. Then one night I left the pack I have known my whole life and became a rogue.

The morning after I left I got a phone call from Stacy, she was pissed. She refused to accept me as a rogue and I refused to go back and be considered the weak link. I hung up the phone and never looked back. Over time I got more accustomed to life on my own and have blended in well. Stacy has finally accepted me for my decisions.

I found this adorable coffee/bakery shop when I started seeing a new physical therapist on this side of town. No, I don’t mean I’m dating a physical therapist. I mean I’m going to a new PT to see if he can help get me to the next level in my healing journey. My injury from the war caused spinal cord damage and because of the tainted wolfsbane, I’ve not been able to heal. It’s been a little over six months with this new therapy and training and I swear I’m slowly getting sensation in my legs. Could it be wishful thinking? Sure, but a girl can dream, can't she?

“How are you my dear?” Jake, the owner of the establishment asks as he bows to me. I haven’t been a luna in a long time, but I guess once you have the luna aura you always have it. I truly thought that the rogue smell of rotting flesh would have overpowered my old aura, but I guess not. It’s said that rogues can’t smell how badly they truly stink, but here I sit and no one seems too bothered by my stench.

“I’m well, thank you and yourself?” I smile at the warmth emanating from his sincerity.

“I’m busy! And being busy is good,” he shouts as he slips through the crowd of people. This place is always busy. I’ve been told that a lot of people got together to help get the business up and running again. It took years to rebuild. They had to literally start from the ground up. The building itself is ten stories high with apartments above and retail shops on the first floor. Looking at it now, you would never be able to tell that this place was in ruins after the war. Jack hung photos on the walls of the building and shop from its heyday, right after the war and during the process of the rebuild. The reminders of the past to keep everyone humble.

A strange sensation creeps its way down my spine as I feel someone’s eyes on me. I can’t help but discreetly look around. Then I catch a glimpse of a man as people shuffle around the shop. There are way too many people in here to grab a scent but I could tell he was a wolf. A wolf that's built like a damn Greek god. Oh he’s gotta be an alpha, a beta at the very least. One thing I’m absolutely certain of is that he’s definitely easy on the eyes.

The sight of him has my body tingling and my panties wet. I even have butterflies. He is definitely taller than his friend. With blue-gray eyes and brown hair that’s cut close to his head on the sides. The top is just long enough for me to run my fingers through. Oh god, I need to get laid. No one has made me feel this way— ever. I try not to pay too much attention, but seriously how can I not. He’s blatantly staring at me, plus he’s hot as hell and I'm pretty sure I’m drooling. The guy he is with is cute and has a similar build but damn he is not as yummy as Mr. Blue Eyes.

“Sweet goddess Mal, I think you've got something on the corner of your mouth. Now, pull yourself together and go talk to that parking ticket because we need that man’s number,” Sahara, my wolf, says in her most sexy voice.

“Parking ticket?”

“Yeah, that man is FINE.”

“Lord, thank god I’m the only one who had to witness that slam dunk. What has gotten into you?”

“Nothing, just thinking of all the dirty things he could do to us.”

“Down girl.”

“Listen Mal, all joking aside. You know I feel guilty as hell. I want to be able to heal us. I just can’t seem to figure out how. It really shouldn’t be this hard. But you can't ignore a good-looking man just because you think he will reject you. You’re beautiful inside and out, if I do say so myself!”

“Sahara, I get it and I don’t blame you for not healing us. s**t happens! I just miss you. I miss running, letting you out and being free.”

“The moon goddess keeps saying we must stick to our training, and wait a little bit longer. I never doubt the moon goddess Mal, and neither should you. I trust her plan—whatever it is.”

I glance up and notice Jake has made his way over to them. I’m trying so hard to keep my eyes trained on the blueberry muffin in front of me, but I can’t help stealing a few glances out of my peripheral vision. Jake tries to nonchalantly look over his shoulder at me and I quickly look down at my food as they all turn in my direction. Oh Lord, I can feel them staring at me, and now I can’t stop fidgeting with my muffin wrapper. Risking one look I plop a small bite into my mouth and chance a look in their direction. Jack and the friend look to be discussing something but the s*x on Legs keeps his intense gaze on me. God, what I wouldn’t give to have that man buried inside me.

Did I just think that? “Yeah, ya did,” Sahara laughs so loudly I almost believe the people next to me heard it. Embarrassed by my own thoughts I rub my hands over my face to try and hide my burning cheeks. Goddess why am I so horny all of a sudden? Honestly, it's not that I am shy, it's just that I’m awkward around men I find attractive. Plus it’s not like I have a ton of experience. Jared and I were only friends. Best friends but that’s it. We were never in love with each other, it was a familial love. As a sister would love her brother. He was the person I talked to about everything. Growing up we would talk to each other's favorites, our crushes and share our deepest darkest secrets. He was like my brother, and I miss him.

I want to steal another look but nerves have me examining my muffin like it’s the most interesting muffin ever created. s**t, what if they’re staring at me because they know I’m a rogue. I take in a deep breath, then exhale, blowing hair out of my face. I catch a glimpse of my watch… I’m late. s**t. Needing to head out, I quickly ask the waitress for a to-go cup of hot water for my tea. Unexpectedly, the two men get up and rush out. The extremely hot guy finds me through the window. Warmth spreads all over me and dare I say my panties are wet.

“Yes Malinda, your panties are definitely wet.”

“Oh, shoosh it Sahara!” I scold but can’t help but smile. This is a new feeling. I shake my head, and try desperately to push all of the thoughts to the back of my mind as I grab my refill and head out to training.