The Alpha Who Fell In Love With A Star.

Chapter 8: Moon run

I was dreaming again, but it was my nightmare this time and I was running fast in the darkness. I never can remember what I was running towards or where I was running from.

The woods always seem to be shifting in an endless circle. There are pins and needles pricking my skin as the undergrowth reaches up to grab me. I look around whimpering and I see the yellow eyes glittering in the darkness like wicked fireflies.

Panicked I kick out when I feel claws dig into my back and start to lift me up into the pitch black sky. I knew whatever beast had me would drop me when it got above the tree tops.

I tried not to think about the splattering fall on to the sharp rocks. Or the warm blood trickling down my arms and legs. I heard the loud crack from the earth as it opened up to swallow me whole .

Im startled to see two green burning lights lunging at me in a snarl and I screamed as I reached out to shield my face.

Opening my eyes I found myself in my soft foam bed in my bedroom. The moonlight illuminates the crystals in glittering rainbows making it look like tiny portals have opened up on the bed covers. I look over and am face to face with Marcy who is snoring loudly drooling on my shoulder. She somehow swears she doesn't snore.

Laughing to myself I wiggle out of bed trying not to wake her, the clock glowed at 1:15 am.

As I kick my legs over the side of the bed and feel the cold floor. I suddenly have the urge to feel the moonlight on my skin, and feel the earth beneath my feet. I glanced out the window at the trees swaying in the wind beckoning me to come out and play for a while. I knew it was a full moon tonight, but with how the day ended it felt like it was a whole different moon outside my window. the aura about it made the night seem like it was dusted with a grey blue mist and the moon run had been over for an hour.

I remember my first run and the absolute freedom I felt laughing with Marcy and her brother running as fast as we could to the top of the mountain. Caleb was excited because he was old enough to keep up. We had a bet over who ever won didn't have to wash the dishes, what we didn't expect was Marcy to beat both of us. So he and I ended up getting stuck cleaning the bakery.

Alpha Jackson encourages us to run on all the cycles so we get a better feel of the ebb and flows.

Not only of the moon but the moods of the packs to help build stronger relationships. I love the tradition and think more packs should take an interest.

I pad over to the doorway and stretched my legs over the squeaky floor board so the snoring drool machine in my bed didn't hear me leave and want to come along. Tonight I wanted to be alone, so I can sort some stuff out. I grabbed my running shoes along with my jacket near the basket by the end of the bed without so much as a squeak.

I tucked Marcy in with an extra blanket and just drank in the innocent view of the young girl in orange polka a dot pj's snoring like a full grown man in the glowing orbs of moonlight. I wished her all the good wishes blew her a kiss and silently creeped out of my house.

It was a chilly night, not freezing but you could feel the breeze start to crisp up with the changing seasons.

Fall was starting to show her colors and I was thrilled because this is my favorite time of year where the moon looked bigger and shown brighter. I zip my jacket up, and pull the light green hat that Luna Emily made me 3 Christmas ago out of my pocket and tugged it on.

I loved this hat and she always said with the long brown curls it made my golden brown eyes stand out like amber colored pools. I stretch my legs and arms a bit and run in place, it's been awhile since I've done a solo run.

I started making my way up the mountain to clear my head and alternated between shifting and running. Celeste needed to let some frustration out too, she and I both had gone through a lot in the last Twelve hours and it still feels a bit like I'm floating in space about to crash land at any moment now.

I couldn't decide if I was mad at me for throwing myself at someone I didn't even know. my heart skipped a beat at the memory of him flying out of these doors.

was I mad at him? well in retrospect im mostly mad at his grandfather and brother because I felt vulnerable in my own home.

I took deep long breaths and tried to think about something else for a bit.

Leaping over rocks and running through trees In flashes of green and silver. I came to a sudden stop when I was more than half way up the mountain, I saw the moonlight shining a spotlight through the blue tinged leaves.

Then with a soft yip I unexpectedly heard Celeste happily say in a dreamy tone.

"There's our mate."

I felt him near, I stopped in a clearing of oak and maple trees near the trail. There are a few old trails mixed with new and the older clearing had a lovely view of the valley below.

You can see miles and miles of trees and they are starting to get some yellow with orange in the leaves. The mountains in the background rimmed with white light coming from the moon.

It was one of my favorite views on the mountains it's prettiest in the spring with yellow sunflowers and purple wild lavender. This is where I bring my easel to paint more often than not. I was just here a few weeks ago before I got caught in the rain. It felt like ages since I was here

When the wind blew in the trees it tickling my nose with cedar and smoke.

I saw his huge shape sitting on a blanket looking out at the valley. He seemed lost in thought and hadn't heard me yet. I briefly think about whether I should leave and let him be alone.

I heard Celeste in my head cry like a love sick puppy. " Stop being stubborn and go to him."

He turned his gaze to me and it was like I heard a deep lonely howl the moment our eyes met and it was not Celeste who was howling.

He jumps up and starts coming towards me but stops running. His hands in his hair, he looked like he was in pain.

I decided I was going to give him a chance to explain what happened. I walked up and had to restrain myself from leaping into his arms and kissing that frown away.

We both stand a foot away from each other not speaking as the moonlight fell around us like light rain.

He outstretched his large hand and said in a voice like low thunder.

" hello, my name is Alexander Miller. I think I'm a pretty funny guy that likes long walks in the woods and naps. I'm 25 years old, I am 6'3 and my birthday is January 18th. I'm a bit of a numb skull. My wolf's name is Bear and he is a huge fan of yours.

I laughed in good spirits. Clearly he had been rehearsing that opening line in the lonely field for the goddess knows how long. I reach out my other hand and respond.

My name is Jade Starlet, I am 5'7 I'm a bit of a space case when it comes to time, I dabble in the art I'm 21 and my birthday is April 13th. I'm not from this town I came here 4 years ago and the town decided I was going to stay with open arms. My wolf's name is Celeste and it's nice to meet you too."

I can see he is restraining himself, pulling my hand away. not meeting his eyes I ask.

" So, Alex what brings you to these parts of the woods."

He shuffled his feet a bit awkwardly.

" Well Jackson told me you never miss a full moon run and I've been waiting all night. Hoping I would catch you long enough so we could chat about the situation my grandfather and brother put us in this afternoon."

I responded before I could think

"well if you're here to reject me please just rip the band-aid off."

He looked shocked and sank to his knees in front of me grabbing my hands. They are so warm I shiver in contrast with the brisk night air.

" There is nothing and mean nothing that would be able to make that choice for me, you brighten my night up like the night star, I would rather die than to reject you."

"but, your grandfather" I whisper.

he cuts me off firmly but with a softness to his voice.

" My grandfather isn't really the alpha and cannot make choices for me. My father was the alpha and died suddenly years ago. I was going to take over when I turned 20. but my grandfather found a ruling in our pack laws that say no alpha can take leadership unless he finds his Luna. so he has taken temporary leadership till I found my mate. and the goddess has granted me with you. please sit with me, we can talk about this or just about each other. you are my one and only Luna, nothing will stand in my way, please, he almost begs"

I hesitate and Celeste mews. I listen to her pain mixed with mine. looking into his sincere face I won't deny how I feel. I nod and he squeezes my hand as he leads me to the spot he was sitting at earlier.

I sink down on to the large soft blanket. I hadn't noticed a basket till now. I look at it and realize it's Luna Emily's picnic basket.

That sneaky lady I smirk. this whole thing smells like her idea. He sits next to me and I lean back to look at the stars and the large moon. He looks up where I'm staring and we are quiet for a while. I reach out and tug on his jacket he looks down, I pat the blanket and he lays down next to me. I snuggle into his open arms and let out a content sigh.

I made up my mind I don't care what his weasel like brother and grandfather think. this felt right. I'd fight for this if I had to. my friends helped him set this up. They love and care for both of us and I'll trust my wolf and that the moon goddess always knows what to give me.

And with that thought, I heard a mixture of Celeste and Bear howling with happiness.