Daughter of the moon

End of chapter 3/ Chapter 4 Delusions

I laugh at how silly she can be for someone so smart. I've already had her bag packed with her road trip activities with her movies and games on the tablet. 

By 11, we had everything packed away and were ready to leave. After making one final walk through the house, and finally come to stand in what used to be my living room, I think about all the memories that were made here and how much I didn't really want to say goodbye. This was our home.  For the last 7 years Elric and I raised our family here and now I have lost both him and this place we built together. 

We split into our different vehicles, Zuri deciding to ride with me and the children in the loaded down SUV.  As soon as she climbs into the passenger seat Zuri starts looking for acceptable driving music, for a woman in her early 60's she was extremely young at heart. The children and I look back at our house one last time for one more goodbye before joining Zuri. We pull onto the road following Cedric who is in his vehicle with Staton and two of the movers, who in turn are following William in the moving truck. As we drive, we notice less people are outside then there should be, almost like the people in the pack had disappeared. We slowly make our way toward the road that leads to the border, when in the distance we see rows and rows of cars and trucks with members of the pack standing in front of them. Caleb and I stop our cars behind William and exit the vehicle. 

Zuri and I unbuckle our seatbelts, glancing over at Lena who has her headphones on while watching a movie. I reach behind me to take them off of her, before seeing Maya already napping, and then look over at Oliver. “Stay in the vehicle,” I say calmly. “If anything happens, you take Lena and you run. Don't let anyone stop you. You both know how to evade. Are we clear?” We’ve trained for something like this before in case of an attack on our pack, but this time I was having to tell him he would be leaving his youngest sister behind, Zuri, thank my mother for it, would be leaving with Maya if they need to split up. 

“Yes ma’am,” Lena finally responds. What about Maya?”

“Zuri will stay with her." I say with finality and turn to look at Lena.  “Lena, I need you to mind your brother. If he says you need to go, then you need to go. Stay with him and don't argue, it's really important that you listen to him, okay? You have to listen to him for me.”

Lena nods and finally responds. “Yes mamma.”

“Keep the headphones off and remember everything we taught you so far, okay?”  I look at all three of them one last time before I open the driver’s door, to find Cedric already there opening my door for me, Zuri now moving over in the driver's seat just in case she needs to try to escape with my babies. I make my way towards the head vehicle and see Amita standing in front of maybe 10 pack warriors, talking casually; as she catches me coming towards her, she breaks away from the other warriors. She walks towards me I notice she is smiling. Why is she so happy? With my hand I motion for Cedic to stay back and close the distance between Amitia and I.

She stops just a few feet before and I stop and stare at her. Waiting for her to speak or make the first move. 

“He ordered us to bring you to him,” she says finally. “He wanted us to stop you from leaving with Lena and Oliver. He says that you have no claim to them.” f*****g Caleb. Can’t even be bothered to see me off himself. She looks me over for a moment before continuing. “I was there when he was killed. Elric.” My eyes snap to hers and burrow into them, watching her carefully, still not sure of her intentions. She looked scared just for a moment before finishing. “We would never dishonor a man who died after saving our lives.” Her face turns sullen and at that she extended her arm to shake my hand. I thought for a moment before accepting her hand and deciding to trust her. 

“He can have you killed for treason,” I say while shaking her hand, and as she pulls her hand away, she starts rocking back and forth on her heels, seemingly pondering my words.

“I never told you this, but I saw you guys when you came back home, back then. The first time you met Oliver.” I look at her quizzically, wondering why she would bring up something from just under thirteen years ago, then she continued. “I saw how your eyes just lit up. I saw how you instantly fell in love with him. I saw you guys, smiling at each other, and I thought, they look like a real family. I was kind of jealous, you know. I wanted to be that instantly happy.”

She sighs and smiles at me. “I'm sorry for that. I'm also sorry that I didn't get to know you better.”

“Amita…” Her confession brought more questions than answers, but it let me know one thing, she wasn’t infected by his lies. At this moment, that was more than enough. “Where will you go?" I ask her. “Most of us have found different packs that will allow us in. With all the packs being affected by the war they need all the bodies they can get. I may have to take a cut to my rank, but that's better than being here with someone who tries to claim someone else's mate before their body has finished burning…” 

“How did—” 

“He talks about you a lot. Obsessively. If it wasn't for the fact his father died before he named a new successor, he would have never been Alpha,” she stated, plainly. “Besides, not very many of his forces or his people are left. Maybe a few warriors, and trackers. The other beta and… his Omega.” She gives a look of slight worry, then chuckles, attempting to laugh it off, then continues, “Look, I’ve seen the way you fight. If you had the strength to take down those 3 leeches on your own and back me down with just words, I don't think you’ll have much of anything to be afraid of.”

I laugh at her words, like two old warriors trading war stories. “You’re right. I don’t fear Caleb,” then look at her and her warriors, “or his forces.” I grin at her, wickedly. She looks back at me with a smile that said she was willing to put that to the test, but ultimately relaxes. Then she looks away and back towards me with a much softer expression. It almost looked like regret. “I really do wish I would have taken a chance to get to know you better…” She makes her move to turn away. 

“You know he’s not gonna stop chasing you,” I call to her, my concern for her safety growing by the moment. She was headstrong back then, and I see the years haven’t changed that. She turns and as she starts walking backwards, she replies, “I’m going towards Falling Star. If you ever find yourself in the area, give me a call. We'll meet up.” She motions to the people at her side, then continues. “The other warriors and I will follow and make sure the border patrol let you through without conflict. From there, your on your own. Be safe…” With her final words, she and the other warriors all got back into their vehicles and escorted us until we were 30 minutes out of the pack lands. All of us pulled back over right at the edge of the territory. I turn to face all my children, ready to sever all of our ties to this once distinguished pack that has now fallen from grace. Zuri turns the radio down so that we can all hear.

“Will it hurt,” Lena asks. 

“No sweetie,” I tell her. “You'll lose your connection to the pack and feel really out of place after, but you will feel better after I join us at Red River. Okay?” I smiled at her reassuringly. 

For the first time in 15 years, I spoke my real name. The first name my birth mother gave me when she left me in the woods. “I, Serene Reed, hereby reject Alpha Caleb and his pack in the name of my children Oliver Caleb Reed, Lena Dawn Reed, and Maya Violet Reed.” I say a prayer for myself, even though I am not a wolf I was accepted as one long before finding out the truth. 

Suddenly there’s a knock at my window. It’s Amita. “So, we will stay with you guys until the split takes us to different directions on the highway. The others will start splitting off on their own. I think Alpha Cedric said he would take in a few too.” She starts smiling at us and the children. I don't think I have ever seen her smile this much, trying to look back and remember all the times I've seen her smile.  “Give me all your jackets and we will leave a trail for the trackers to follow when we split.” 

Where was this thought process five years ago, I wonder? We definitely could have used this Amita back when Lena was first born. It had to have been the stress of being the new beta.  Oliver hands me all of their jackets. Lena, visibly upset that her favorite red jacket was being given away, pouts and looks at the floor in disappointment. Zuri hands me her jacket, after I shrug off mine, then pass the bundle out the window. Amita slips on my coat and proceeds to roll up the children and holds them close. With one final wave she walks towards the other two vehicles, collecting their coats and handing them over to the warriors and their families who decided to leave as well. Without even looking in the rear-view mirror I pull away from this place. If I never see this toxic cesspit again it’ll still be too soon… After a moment’s pause, I step on the gas pedal and drive. Away from this prison that tried to hold me. Away from those that sought to control me. Away from the man I once loved and the home we built. Away from… everything I’ve ever known.

*******************************************************************************************

Caleb

“Those mother-f*****g traitors! How dare they defy my orders?! Betray their pack! BETRAY ME!” I throw a bottle of liquor against the wall, and it explodes, leaving a mess. “f**k it,” I say to myself. “One of the sigma f***s will clean it...”

‘If there are any left,’ my wolf says to me.

“Oh, you shut the f**k up,” I say out loud. Ever since I’ve restrained him, he has done nothing but complain and fight against me. He’s as much a traitor as the rest of them.

‘She was never yours, Caleb,’ he says, trying to appeal to me. ‘You know this… Master, our mate is still out there. Who knows? Maybe she doesn’t know what a monster you’ve become…’ His tone suddenly becomes sinister and mocking. I snap.

“SHE IS OUR MATE, YOU f*****g MONGREL! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?! SHE IS MINE! I DIDN'T GO THROUGH ALL THIS s**t FOR HER TO JUST WALK AWAY FROM ME! THAT! b***h! IS! MINE!!!”

She loves me. She knows she does! That's why I did what I did. It was all to save her! I was there… I was with her long before that i***t Elric came along. Before he showed up, I was the one who took care of her. Watched over her… Loved her! ME! Elric, that bastard… he stole her from me! Tricked her into being his—I just have to show her. But first… I need to find her... I know she went with Cedric, but the trackers I sent said they found her scent traveling far North from here, instead of East where his pack lands are.

I start pacing the room, thinking back to the funeral, the last time I saw Alex… How did this happen? How the f**k did she do that? How is she still this f*****g powerful? f*****g witch… She took me down like some common human! That wolfless cunt—I’M THE ALPHA! She shouldn't be able to stand up against me! She has no right! The b***h… She should be worshiping at my feet, pleading for my protection! Begging for my permission to please me. But no… She’s decided to w***e herself out to Elric. She let him claim her. Let him touch her. f**k her… And now they’re “mated before Selene…” Gods damn it… GODS-f*****g-DAMN IT!!!

Blinded by my own rage, I let out a roar that shook the house and start throwing furniture around, smashing it on the walls and floor. “She will be so f*****g sorry. By the time I am done with her she’ll be begging to mate and be bred by me. We will sire the greatest wolves any pack has ever f*****g seen!”

‘You’ll regret it. The woman is not yours to have. She won’t let you get close. Her pack is too protective…’

‘I’ll kill anyone who stands in my way. I’ll kill EVERYONE! She’s going to regret rejecting me.’

‘Caleb… she was never your mate. She never will be.’

‘SHE IS MY MATE! SHE WAS ALWAYS MINE! SHE WAS PROMISED TO ME AND I WILL HAVE HER!’

I storm out of my room and down the hallway. I find a warrior asleep on the game room couch. “YOU,” I shout to the mutt and kick the couch to get their attention. “Gather five trackers and the Omega. Find me my traitorous Beta, Amita Lewis. I want her alive… Not necessarily in one piece.” I wave them off and return to my thoughts… Amita… She helped her. I know she did. No one else could have helped Alex cross my borders without setting off alarms. I felt them cut ties with the pack the second it happened, but by the time we got to the borders, they were long gone.

I feel my anger boiling up inside me again. I shouldn’t be this upset with the woman I love, but she did this! IT’S ALL HER FAULT! Her and that f*****g brute, Elric! Stealing her from me… Taking what was rightfully mine! She was destined to be with an Alpha! That's what everyone said…! They’ve been saying it since we were children. “That girl is special. She’s going to make a fantastic Luna someday.” Like suddenly every matron and their grandmothers suddenly turned into oracles; they kept repeating it, like they were willing some prophesy into existence. I almost laughed when it was discovered she had no wolf. Those old women couldn’t believe it. But out of everyone, I was at least still willing to put up with her, as long as she did exactly as I told her. “No Wolf, No Voice.”

I make my way to my office. I start going through the filing cabinet looking for the files I have on Alex and her family. Nothing. Nothing about her parents… Nothing about her children… Not a single mention of Alex Reed in my files anywhere. Fury surges through me and I start pulling out every file I can get my hands around. I WILL NOT LOSE HER AGAIN! In my frustration, I throw the filing cabinet onto the ground and start stomping it, crushing it little by little. Amita. That b***h. She must have taken them. I run a search through my computer and am met with the same results. Momentarily, my mind goes completely silent.

I hated it when my father announced Amita as the Beta of the pack. Women being in charge only brought treachery and scheming. And in front of me, the evidence of that statement. No one else would have had the balls to even THINK about crossing me, let alone doing it! And here she is, making herself known, like the two-faced slut she is. I let out another yell and throw the monitor across the room, breaking it. She will pay… In front of the entire pack. I couldn’t make an example of Alex, so I’ll just have to make do with her for now. She will be dressed down. I’ll strip her myself. Of her rank. Of her clothes. Of the dignity she thinks she owns. I will destroy her will and break her in front of EVERYONE. I’ll make the pups watch. And when she’s a shaking, sobbing mess beneath me, I’ll strip her of the one thing she loves more than anything in this world… that silky silver mane of hair. I’ll toss it into the fire along with everything else. THIS is the fate that awaits those who choose the path of the traitor. I feel my mouth salivating at the thought…

I can’t wait.

As I calm down, I devise a plan on how to locate my misplaced lover. She will be returned to me. Or I will ensure everyone who let her get away from me suffers. Immensely. Every report I received said she was to leave with Alpha Cedric, but the scent that we picked up actually led away from his pack lands, not toward them. I wouldn't underestimate that Cedric called around to other packs asking for them to take in some strays even if they aren't his pack members.

I pulled up the photos I had taken of her when I watched her. Always stayed a good distance away. Never wanted to spook her, but I know she could sense me… even if she didn't acknowledge it. She enjoyed me watching her. I could tell…  She even let me watch as she’d walk to her window and begin to change clothes allowing me to get a full view of her, turning slowly as she’d take off her panties and slip on her night gowns that flowed so gracefully over that perfect round ass of hers… Sometimes, she’d even tease me… take a little longer than normal to take off her bra… not that she needed one, ever. Her breasts were so perfect. So round and full… It’s like the laws of physics didn’t apply to her. They just sat there. She’d loiter in the window, and sometimes I’d even have time to reach into my pants, pull out my c**k and stroke it to her as she’d change… I loved our little moments together… that is until Elric started shutting the curtains.

I stare at her picture some more. Getting lost in those crystal blue eyes. Eyes that should be looking at me with love and adoration. I trace my finger across her face. What I would give to have her wiggling beneath me, screaming my name… struggling to keep her in place with my hand wrapped tightly around her throat, f*****g her out of her mind… I feel my d**k beginning to stiffen at the thought, then I shake my head attempting to clear my mind. I can’t afford to get distracted. Not right now.

Coming out of my daydream, I focus on my task. I pulled up photos of the children along with a few extras of her and Amita and started making missing persons and wanted flyers to have them sent out to neighboring packs. If they’re anywhere nearby, it won’t be long until someone turns something up. She’ll be back in my grasp soon.

‘You’re wasting our time. You should be out looking for our real mate so we can strengthen the pack. Just accept it,’ my wolf pleads with me. ‘Let her go…’

‘You don’t get,’ I respond. ‘She IS our real mate. That’s why I’m looking for her. I will not have anyone else but her.’ I feel him attempt to speak once again, and I shove him deeper into my subconscious and attempt to lock him there. Should keep him quiet for a bit.

I find a chair and sit, silently, contemplating. Time and time again, my plans to get her in my grasp, sitting at my feet are all thwarted. I tried the patient route. Waiting for my opportunity while we were young didn’t work. Elric saw to that… Trying to outplay him as we became adults, didn’t work. I drove us farther apart… Such an i***t. I knew better. I knew better! But now, we’re older. And I’ve grown. You don’t always need to be the strongest wolf… Just the smartest. Unfortunately for Elric, that’s a lesson he never learned. At least not while he could still breathe…

1 year ago

‘She’s so beautiful,’ I think to myself as I stand in the woods just behind the tree line looking into Alex’s living room window. She’s holding that mutt’s pup but still looks perfect with her long curly hair pinned back cascading down her back, wearing that white sundress showing off every bit of her curves.  I know she knows I’m watching. I can feel it.

I stand there and watch as she dances with the pup. Smiling at it, like she should be smiling at me. I watch her front door open and the eldest runt comes running in. Hugging her, smiling at her… I wish I could kill him. He keeps smiling at her while talking to her. Anger starts to burn in me. She should be in my home. Raising MY children.

Time slowly passes as I watch. Imagining our lives together. I’m patient. The sun is getting low, turning the sky into a burnt orange. I watch as she plays with the little ones, dancing around with them. She’s doing it just to torture me. Rubbing it in. I see the middle one jump up and run to the door. Elric, the bastard, has made it back. He’s been traveling a lot lately, even with the battles going on. I know he’s trying to take her away from me. Ever since those two found each other, he’s been plotting to go back to his old pack. Like he is fit to be an alpha. I’ll challenge and kill him if he does. It would be my right.

Elric lifts the little girl up in his arms and makes his way straight to Alex. Kissing her. A growl escapes me. ‘How dare he—she’s MINE!’

‘She’s not yours. She’s his. If you weren't so blind to what's in front of you, you could see she wants him.’

‘NO! SHE! DOESN’T!’ Another loud growl escapes me. I step further back into the tree line, positive that they had to have heard me. After a few minutes I step back to my original hiding spot. The curtains are now closed. ‘Fuck.’ I make my way around the house looking to see if they left any curtains open. As I make my way around, I see Elric, closing the curtains to the last window on the bottom floor. He stops for a moment and looks out at the tree line. For a moment I think he can see me out here, but he just shakes his head and finishes closing the curtain.

I feel my phone buzzing in my pocket. I take my eyes off her house for a moment to look at my phone to see I have a message from my father.

‘Where are you?’

‘Went out for a run.’

‘Come home. Now.’

I ignore the last message trying to see if any of the upstairs widows have been covered. I use my wolf’s eyes to see better in the darkness that has just consumed us. I want to see her one more time. Disappointment hits me when I realize they’re all closed. ‘The bastard did it on purpose.’

“You're obsessed with what is not yours.”

I turned around to see a hooded figure standing behind me. I let out a low growl in warning. The figure holds up their hands as a sign of surrender. “I come here in peace. Well. Kind of. I've come to make you an offer.”

“What kind of offer?” I say skeptically. “How did you make it so far onto my land without being detected?”

“An offer that will help you get what you want. As for getting onto your lands, it was quite easy for someone like me.” They disappear behind the tree line only to come back into my line of sight further away.

“What do you know about what I want?”

“You want her. The woman in that house. We can give her to you.”

“And how would you go about doing that? She’s already marked and mated to that bastard in there!” My anger begins to rise again as I look back at the house.

“We’ll help you get rid of him. As long as you help Abigor get what he wants.”

“What exactly is it that he wants?”

“To rule all as one pack; all wolves, fairy, witches, all of them, every shifter of all breeds will be ruled by him.”

“You think I would bow to Abigor?” I snort at them. “Why would I help you with that?”

“Because he is offering you power beyond anything you can imagine. Think of it. A world where that woman is your mate. One where she is devoted only to you. She’ll love only you.”

I ponder their words for a moment, letting it sink in. “My wolf would never allow me to betray my pack,” I say finally. “He’ll take over and kill us both before he allows that to happen. Even now he is fighting for control.”

“Then take this as a sign of good faith.” They take off a band around their arm and mutter some words over it. It glows briefly before they toss it over to me and I catch it in midair. “That will allow you to shift and remain in full control over your wolf. He won't be able to break out as long as you wear it. It will expand to fit your paw when you shift so there will be no fear of breaking it.”

I hurriedly tie it around my arm as I feel my wolf trying to come to the surface to rip off the head of this mysterious figure. As soon as it’s tied, I no longer feel the pressure of him trying to break out. Though I can still feel him and hear him, he’s ultimately held at bay. Like he’s been pinned down. He can’t get out.  

I look up and smile at the figure. “So, what is it you’d have me do?”

Present

I did everything they asked me. I gave them information about the borders, which direction our armies were moving in, EVERYTHING. And I still didn't have her. Sure, they helped me get rid of Elric and the hold he had on her. She’s finally free. But how does she thank me? She embarrassed me! Humiliated me!

‘Tossed you around like a rag doll,’ my wolf laughs.

Ignoring him I make a call to the head council. I know better than to leave this task to the trackers. Always need an ace up the sleeve. The phone continues to ring but it goes straight to their operating system. Frustrated, I hung up and tried calling again. This time someone answers. “Council of the Magical Realm, Secretary Janet speaking; how may I direct your call?”

“Council of werewolves.” I hear a click and more ringing before someone else answers. Council of werewolves, Secretary Cornilous speaking, how may I direct your call?”

“This is Alpha Caleb of Tiene. I have traitors who abducted three children from my pack, two of which are the children of Elric Reed.”

“Oh goodness. Please hold while I get high councilor, Phillip.” I hear a click and wait as patiently as I can, anger burning through me. ‘They sure are talking their sweet time,’ I think to myself. After about 10 minutes of being on hold, the other line finally picks up. “High councilor Phillip. What is it that I can help you with?

“High councilor, this is Alpha Caleb of Tiene, I have 3 children who have been abducted from my pack. I need reinforcements to hunt down the kidnappers and bring them to justice and to find the children.”

“Yes. My secretary was just telling me that the children of Elric Reed had been taken. It was my understanding though that your pack was hardly affected by the war. Do you not have many trackers under your command?”