Fated

The new Luna

I’d opted out of a grand Luna ceremony. Aunt Regina was planning it while Monday morning I began my Luna duties after meeting Jackson at the warrior training grounds.

First on my list was meeting with the daycare and meeting the pups.

Amber greeted me with a wide smile as I walked in, there were about 40 pups total but she informed me these are just the omegas pups. The gammas usually stay at home.

They ranged from 6 weeks to 5 years and every one of them were as sweet as they could be.

She let me know they were running low on snacks for after their nap so I sent Liam to the store.

Next was visiting a nursing home of elder gamma and betas where I learned masons grandmother was. Usually Mason was the one that visited, so it was my surprise when she greeted me with a smile after meeting with the others.

"You are as beautiful as a star." She gleamed as she held out her hands.

"Thank you Luna." I smiled hugging her back.

"Oh my darling child. I’m no longer Luna. That’s you. My grandson is lucky to have you. Tell me has Liam found his Mate?"

"Oh yes. My cousin Roxie." I smiled.

"Spunky. I like it." She grinned.

"I know you’re used to Mason checking in."

"Honestly I’m glad it’s you. Mason is so busy, he takes on too much." She began I nodded in agreement. Her hand never left mine as she looked over at the picture of his grandfather I noticed the mark on her neck.

"Luna Black can I ask you something?" I asked as she finished.

"Absolutely anything. I’m all ears." She nodded.

"This mark. Mason and I share it. We read in a book it’s special."

"It is. It’s the mark of the twin flames. Masons grandfather and I shared it. As well as his parents. And grandparents." She smiled.

"The book said every few hundred years. But it sounds like it’s a Black family trait."

"It is. The books only tell you what you need to know. But the history behind it is fascinating. The twin flames are warriors in a sense of power and leadership, and it’s only known to be the younger of the children to

Possess the gift. Do you know that the Dark moon pack was the first pack in North America?" "I didn’t." I smiled.

"It was. And the blacks have been alphas since the fall of the original family. He brought war and destruction almost bringing the pack to extinction until Gerald black masons 5 times great grandfather challenged him for alpha and won. He was only 17. The moon goddess blessed the family by giving the rightful alpha the other half of their soul. Known as the twin flames. Gerald black brought peace to the pack and it grew ten times its original size. So Gerald split it in to other packs to give other alpha blood lines a chance. Thus we have so many now. They just kept growing." She giggled.

"So then why wasn’t he the king?" I asked curious.

"Well, the treaties all agreed the strongest bloodline would be king. Unfortunately Gerald was not his fathers son by blood. Only raised by him. So they decided on your fathers pack. The winchesters. They were pure bred and strong like the mighty warriors we lost. They trained eagerly and led the packs to stand on their own, with out threat of the enemy. They were noble." She explained.

"Apparently that history got destroyed when my father became king." I rolled my eyes.

"History repeats itself dear. Eventually power becomes the Achilles heel of leadership. Which is what happened to your father. And I’m afraid you must prepare yourself for the fall of the kingdom. You brother is noble. He’s a wonderful leader. He will abandon his seat. And unfortunately it will be too late to turn back. War is coming. And the rightful king and queen will rise.." she trailed off yawning.

"Who is the rightful?" I asked.

"All in due time my sweet child. I’m sleepy, come back and we will chat some more Luna." She smiled squeezing my hand.

"While I’m here do you need anything? Whatever it is I’m happy to fulfill your wishes." I smiled standing up.

"Bring Roxie next time. And maybe my grandsons. If they’re not too busy." She smiled. I nodded and left the room. I met with four more elders who were as sweet as she was before leaving to the school board meeting.

I took a seat next to Mason who smiled after not seeing me all day.

‘How was your first day?’ He linked as the meeting began.

‘I met your grandmother. She is the sweetest lady I’ve ever met..’

‘She didn’t break out baby pictures did she?’

‘No but I’ll ask next time she wants to meet roxie.’

‘I’m glad she likes you. Nana doesn’t like anyone.’

‘Nana huh? She told me the history behind our mark. Did you know it’s a family mark? To the true alpha and Luna.’

‘Did she also tell you war is coming?’

His tone was flat so I closed the link and shook my head. Was her old age making her senile or was she right? I wondered.

I was at home making lists on Friday of mondays meetings and things that needed to be brought up, making the weekly grocery list for the pack house, day care, and nursing home. Making sure the hospital had enough supplies and things and printed them out when the door opened. Damon and Emma walked through both looking a little suspicious.

"You know knocking would have been wonderful." I joked facing them.

"Happy Luna day!" They yelled with a smile. I’d almost forgot tonight was my Luna celebration. And I was supposed to be getting ready an hour ago. I raced upstairs to take a shower while Damon and Emma picked out my clothes. I’d learned my brother liked men and while I didn’t understand I loved him anyway. He was like my own personal stylist. Cole and Callie would be here for the weekend and I couldn’t wait for the four of us to be together again. Emma and Cole were especially excited. Emma did my hair while I worked on my makeup, leather took over my senses and I clapped.

"Mase!" I called as I heard his footsteps.

"Lose track of time?" He smiled.

"Always." I laughed as I finished my lips.

"I don’t think anyone would care that their Luna was in a robe with a beautiful smile like that." He pecked my lips.

"I’m not wearing this silly. If I wanted to embarrass myself I’d go naked." I joked and he rolled his eyes.

"Your brother just came in the gates. Better hurry if you want to see him before we have to leave." He grinned knowing how excited I was.

I got dressed in a black sequin gown with ruby jewelry and red heels, Emma had pinned my hair back on one side with a red jeweled hair comb that was Masons mothers.

I was strapping my heels when Mason walked out in a jet black suit, Ruby red tie and black dress shoes. His hair a mess he shrugged and walked over to me.

"I need to look as good as you baby." He said in a husky voice.

"Come here, sit." I smiled, grabbing the blow dryer and round brush. He’d shaped his stubble on his face which made me smile while he put on Ruby cuff links.

I sprayed his hair and placed my hands on his shoulders. "Almost perfect. Stay here." I smiled. Walking in to my closet I grabbed the box nana had given me. Taking out the Ruby studded wolf and crescent moon brooch. Every pack had colors and themes to their ceremonies. The dark moon was black and red.

"Your grandmother gave this to me to give to you. It was a set like the one in my hair. It was for parents for your mothers Luna ceremony." I smiled placing the brooch on his jacket. He looked in the mirror for a moment, a tear rolled down his cheek.

"They would have been so proud of the alpha you are baby. And I know they’ll be here in spirit watching you today." I said softly. As he wrapped me in a hug.

"I uh. I have something for you. It’s not traditional. But we’ve never really followed the rules. Have we?" He smiled.

"Never. Rules are boring." I joked. He pulled a box from his pocket and opened it.

"Oh goddess Mason! Its beautiful!" I gleamed. He smiled taking the set of rings out.

"These are diamond bands. But this one is a pear shaped rutilated quartz. When the light hits it it has a design in it. I know wolves don’t get married and all the fancy things humans do. But this is basically the same." He said in a shy tone.

"And the band. You’ll wear that one?" I smiled.

"Until it falls off my skeleton." He chuckled.

"Is it made of the same?"

"This is actually black obsidian encased in black tungsten. You can guess who picked it out." He laughed

"A classy wolf. I like it." I smiled as he placed the set of rings on my left hand as I his. He kissed me softly before the door opened.

"Your lives just got better your king has arrived." I heard cole. A smile spread across my face as I trotted over to him wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Let me look at the newest Luna." He smiled spinning me in a circle. "Blacks always been your color hasn’t it star?"

"The color was made especially for me Cole." Responded the way I always did. His eyes landed on Damon and Emma as tears formed.

I stepped back to Mason as tears filled his eyes.

‘Let’s go and give them a minute.’ I linked him as he led me down the stairs. Regina and roxie were there in beautiful red gowns. A tradition in the dark moon pack. All attendees wear solid red while the alpha and Luna wear black with red accents.

I stood in the center of the stage Liam and uncle Robin had built since I refused to walk down stairs. There were pictures of Mason and I, along with my siblings, roxie, Liam, and grandparents that made up a mural of a wolf howling at the moon. Mason walked toward me with a smile, holding the dagger he would use. Standing next to me.

"Tonight the dark moon pack celebrates the first Luna ceremony since our mother and Luna aspen took her stand. While they’re big shoes to fill, I believe My brother, alpha mason has been blessed with a mate who can wear them and do more for our pack. For those of you from different packs. We welcome you, and thank you for joining us as tonight is the beginning new chapter for our pack." Liam spoke, proudly and confidently.

Mason took my hand with a soft sweet smile.

"Stella Winchester, do you relieve your duties as princess to become the Luna of the dark moon pack?" He asked.

"I do." I said softly. And quickly.

"Do you swear to protect, and nurture the pack, and everyone who enters."

"I do." I smiled.

"Do you swear to be noble, kind, and fair, in any and all altercations that May happen against or within our pack?"

"I do."

"Do you swear to stand by me, fight by my side, and take over if something were to ever happen to me and I could not do my job?"

"I do. I will always be by your side." I said tilting my head.

"Before the initiation your Luna has a few words she’d like to share." Mason called. I faced the large crowd with a smile.

"I promise, to be a leader, who not only enforces alpha masons laws, but to also, bring peace, and comfort to all of you, I will be fair, I will be honest, and I will treat all of you equally no matter your status. I promise to work with you, not command you, unless commanding is needed. And above all, I promise to cheer you on in every aspect of your lives. I will be a friend, a listening ear, and a safe place for those who have none. In my short time here, I’ve fallen in love with this pack, and all it stands for. alpha Mason has done a wonderful job balancing both Luna and alpha duties in his time alone. (I said turning to him.) but from today forward, I will take that extra workload off of you. I will stand in where I’m needed, and I will pick up where you fall. I will stand by you through the good and bad, to make our pack stronger, and I will love you until my dying breath." Mason stood like stone for a moment before his eyes softened.

"I will love you until my dying breath baby." He said in a whisper. He cut my hand as well as his ad our blood mixed there was a bright light that surrounded us as we heard gasps. As flames arose dancing at our feet Mason stared at me. "The twin flames." I smiled.

"They’re dancing."

"It’s because our souls have finally connected." I said softly. "They’re happy Mase." I smiled.

"I am too baby." He grinned.

"Ditto handsome." I smiled as he kissed me in front of the entire crowed. As every one clapped, I noticed masons mark glowing and I asked is mine was. He said nodded.

When our hands released and the initiation was over Mason looked at me and then my mark.

"It changed." He said softly.

I looked at his and noticed the new marking in our matching marks. Silver and gold outlined them, while our names Glowed.

"What does that mean?"

"I’m not sure baby, whatever is it. I have a feeling it’s good." He smiled. After the initiation, came the shaking hands and hugs of everyone. Cole was the final hug his eyes wide noticing the mark. Deciding to shake it off, I kept my hand in masons as envy and obsidian danced in our heads.

The party lasted well in to the middle of the night when Mason and I finally tiptoed in to our house knowing Callie and Cole were asleep. We went straight to our room and I cuddled up to him as close as I could.

The next morning was a shock when we woke up to Liam, roxie, cole, Callie, Emma, Damon, aunt Regina, uncle Robin, and masons grandmother, all sitting around the kitchen table. Tilting my head to the side.

‘Somethings happening.’ I heard envy.

‘No s**t. But what is it.’ I said softly to her.

‘Well I don’t know why don’t you move your legs and walk in there.’ She laughed.

‘You’re supposed to be my eavesdropper when I’m not listening e!’

‘I have to sleep too!’ She giggled. I rolled my eyes walking in to the dining room. Nanas eyes grew looking at me. Masons shirt swallowed me.

"I have shorts on I swear." I held my hands up before getting coffee. Mason laughed while I leaned over the island.

"So, nana. What brings you here?" Mason smiled leaning next to me.

"I can’t come see my grandson? I live in a nursing home I’m not dead." She chuckled.

"And still full of life. I don’t understand why you live there. You could beat any one of us in a fight."

"That may be true kiddo. But I’ve done my time. It’s your turn now. Now I just get to bug you and show up as I please." She smiled looking back at him.

I noticed everyone else looking everywhere but Mason and I. I rolled my eyes standing back straight and striding over to the table.

"Three packs in one house all of which know me pretty well. and not a single one of you think I don’t know somethings going on. Either spill or don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Including you cole." I asked standing behind him.

"Why are you so intimidating you’re so small!" My uncle laughed.

"Quit changing the subject." I locked eyes with him.

"Mason little help?" Cole asked.

"Sorry brother. My little star is on a mission. My loyalty is to her." Mason laughed.

No one fessed up so I acted as if I got mad, dragging Mason to the laundry room.

‘What are we doing?’ He linked.

‘Listening. They think we’re outside.’

"Why can’t we just tell her? They’ll want to help." I heard Callie.

"Because sweetheart. She just became Luna here. I don’t want to hit her with Matt’s problems." Cole assured her.

"Okay but Matt’s problem is about to turn in to an all of us problem. He’s lost it. She will be even more mad if we don’t tell her and let her find out on her own."

"Matt is like a brother to her. This will crush her."

"I may be old, and I may be only Mason and Liam’s grandmother. But when she finds out you have two ways she can react, she will hate all of you for lying to her face, or she will understand. And from what ive gotten to know about that young lady is she will walk away, and you will need her on your side."

"Nana not the war talk again." Liam grunted.

"What war talk?" Cole asked.

"History is repeating itself. Rogues began a war years ago, but now The twin flames have United. Your best friend is going crazy, serpents and witches are attacking others like them, soon all of the packs will be on defense against each other. Your only hope of winning is those two in there."

"Okay nana enough whiskey." Liam said Mason silently laughed infront of me.

"No hold on. Do you mean the war that broke the packs up to begin with. The one our grandfather won?"

The room was silent after coles question. And I heard a familiar laugh.

"Oh my sweet child. I needed that laugh. Your grandfather only won title of king by being of pure blood of the second strongest pack. Stella can tell you what really happened."

‘You can come out now. I think I made my point.’ His grandmother linked me. I took masons hand and we walked back to the dining room. In the last few weeks I’d learned a lot. She even said more than Mason ever asked. Coles eyes shot to me. In a manner I’d only seen once before when he learned our biggest alliance broke the treaty.

Worry.

"Stel?" He asked. As I grabbed a book from the shelf I’d been reading.

"A long time ago there was only one pack in North America, that were known as to what they were. They were led by the Jones family, parents, two brothers three sisters and there mates. Grandchildren were born and the parents passed. The two boys fought as they were both of alpha blood and wanted the power over the family, so much so they fought each other until they all died, except the oldest brother. Who took over and made the pack miserable, until one man stepped up and and challenged the surviving brother for his place and won." I began flipping through the pages trying to find the picture.

"Gerald Black, became the first alpha to create a named and recognized pack and successfully lead them, the pack grew 10 times the size it was before the Jones’ death. It became too Much for Gerald, and he split the packs in to other packs each with their own alpha. They met regularly and tried agreeing on laws but eventually the packs grew to a size unmanageable by all of them to agree all with different wants and needs, and rogues had invaded boarders. So they came together one last time in the midst of battle and decided a king would be their best decision. That way each pack could run the way their alpha wanted but if the alpha went against code the king would handle them, they decided the king would be the strongest pure bred of them All. Where black was the strongest he didn’t know his real family and, Winchester was the stronger of the pure Breds." I further explained showing everyone the picture of the two.

"Gerald went on being alpha to dark moon and making it stronger, their warriors were better fighters and they won the war the other packs and kingdom falling short to their power. Winchester was a noble and fair king as were his descendants. That was until the last former king and we all know that one. The original treaty still stands that the strongest pure bred alpha is to be king."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Callie spat. The first time I’d seen a mean bone in her body.

"Well, after Gerald and the pack won the war. The moon goddess gave the black family a gift. Later in life when he was old and ready to retire, he’d learned he too was pure bread and even had an older brother but chose to keep Everthing the same. His sons much like Liam and Mason were polar opposites in a lot of ways. Gerald noticed as they got older his youngest son was more powerful, more of a leader, and more vicious when it came to his pack, the older brother wanted peace, and freedom. Much like Liam. Still powerful but just didn’t want to lead." I smiled looking at him.

"And I’m perfectly fine with the way fate worked out." He laughed.

"When the younger son found his mate their marks were different than the usual dark moon mate mark. Curious Gerald called on the moon goddess for answers and she informed him she’d given him a gift. His descendants youngest child would be blessed with their mate being the literal other half of their souls. Also known as the twin flames. And they would be unstoppable together. Each having their own strengths but also together had special powers. Now, between what nana his son and pawpaws grandfather? All of them only had one child and they didn’t receive the blessing?"

"That’s right." She smiled.

"Pawpaws grandfather father and pawpaw himself all were blessed with the gift. But pawpaw and nana wernt able to have a second born. So the gift went to his second son." I smiled looking up at Mason. With a smile he kissed the top of my head.

"What Stella didn’t learn was what their marks did yesterday. The flames flash of light, and their glowing names and outline. They’re even more special than us before them. Pawpaw had a dream before he died that war was coming. And Mason would be the one to defeat the enemy. He was at peace knowing that and passed the next night. Whatever is going on. Stella and Mason need to know and be prepared for whatever comes their way. Becsuse they will be the ones to end it all. Not any one of you." "I’m the king. And I have more power than any alpha. I don’t care who the hell he is." Cole growled. "Cole!" Emma Damon and I yelled.

Cole ignored the growl in masons chest. As he stood up and got closer.

"If there is war you need to understand one thing. I don’t care who you are or how strong you are. I will be the one on that battlefield." Cole barked. I could feel obsidian angry and trying to break free. Masons she’s flickered as he tried fighting him knowing everyone’s emotions were high. I grabbed masons Hand dragging him out back.

Wrapping my arms around him I felt him calm down.

‘Breathe, both of you. I’ll handle cole. That had to have been Callie. Cole would have never said something like that on his own.’ I linked him. Once he was back to normal he took a step back and nodded

‘I’m going to go upstairs, and handle this. I love you.’ He linked back looking at me. ‘I love you more.’ I smiled as he walked inside. I paced bsck and forth for s few minutes before I heard my name very calmly.

"What the hell we’re you thinking! Are you trying to get yourself killed? This is his territory, his pack, he could kill you in a second if he wanted to. You know that. You guys had questions I answered them. This is my home now cole! This is my pack! I don’t know what’s gotten in to you since I left but you’re completely off your rocker!" I yelled. He looked at his feet.

"Matt went rogue." He said in almost s whisper.

"What?" I asked unsure if I heard him right.

"Matt found out what dad did. He left the pack and is going to find him. I can’t track him, I don’t know where he is. All I know is he and Haley left a week ago and stupid me thought he would come to his senses." He said quickly.

"AND YOU DIDNT CALL ME HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE COLE!" I screamed.

"Pretty damn stupid." He admitted.

"Why didn’t you go after him?" I asked

"I had no one to lead."

"That’s why you have Callie Cole!" I said in a whisper yell.

All he did was shake his head no. I understood. The power had gotten to her.

‘Mase?’ I linked. Not expecting an answer.

‘Yes?’

‘We have two problems.’ I said as he walked outside.

"Matt’s rogue."