Torn between mates

58. Luna Lea

Lea

I agreed with Richard that my first task as a Luna would be taking care of the Omegas, talk to them. I had them in my mind since the first time I’ve been to this Realm months ago and heard about the Omegas’ situation. 

Sarah was also helping me a lot to get familiar with the Royal Pack and the wolves. She was the best! I was very glad she was my Beta now. I asked her to call some Omegas to talk to me, I really wanted to listen to them and find a way to improve their situation together. 

So, Sarah and I were at the outdoors, just behind my garden in this Realm, waiting for the Omegas to come. Richard asked some wolves to prepare a special (huge and wonderful) garden for me here. 

“Sarah, I’m nervous, what if they don’t come? It should be so weird for them…” I started to mumble. 

“Sweetheart, don’t. Of course, they are coming, they wouldn’t disregard or disrespect a call, an order, from their new Beta.” She said. 

I turned to look at her, I was a bit alarmed. That wasn’t the idea, I didn’t want them to come here because they had to, but because they wanted to. However, if they came, it was at least a start, a first step towards changing things. 

I understood that wolves have a rigid hierarchy, it’s their nature, I respect that. But it didn’t mean that part of their population should have their voices ignored or been discriminated against. That was something totally different. As I said before, I want to be a Luna for all wolves. I hope I could do it right. May the Goddess help me! 

Some Omegas started coming and lining up in front of me, they were all on time and walked almost in a synchronized way, like wolves in a pack, I guess it made sense. But they all seemed quite tense and uncomfortable. I guess that to avoid ‘uncomfortable’, I have first to navigate through some level of discomfort. There was no other way than through it.

“Did you call us, Luna Queen?” the first person in the line, who appeared to be the oldest one among them, asked me. 

She looked at me for a moment before casting her eyes down again. Imogene, the Omega girl I have met the first time came here this year, was behind her. 

“Yes, what’s your name? And please don’t call me Luna Queen, it’s too formal.” 

“I’m sorry Luna Lea. I’m Leslie, the Head of the omegas of the castle.” She said with a tight smile. 

“Does the Luna want to hear from us?” I heard the whisper of a young girl. She should be around eight years old. I looked at her and she took some steps back, hiding herself behind Imogene.

“Yes, sweetie. I want to hear all of you, get to know what you need and want.” I said with a smile. She gasped loudly and gaped at me. 

“Is the first time anyone wants to listen to us… most of the times we are only invisible.” She muttered. 

“Clair!” Leslie scolded her, staring at her with a pointed look.

“It’s okay Leslie. That’s what I’m here for today, to listen to you. Get to know how you feel, your problems and concerns, and hopefully solve them. I’m new to this pack and I…” I stopped in my trail and breathed deeply. 

I was quite insecure about that, still feeling a bit like an intruder in this Realm. Richard was doing all he could to reassure me and make me feel at home, he was being amazing! Sarah was also helping me a lot. But I was still not sure if the werewolves could accept me heartily, truly. I was not a werewolf-like them and I couldn’t fully understand their ways and how was to share one’s soul with a wolf. 

“I’m happy you are here, Luna Lea.” The girl, Clair, said, looking truly at me, seeing me. 

I guess people start seeing you when you are also willing and open to see them. 

“I’m also really happy to be here, Clair.” I smiled at her. “I’m new in this pack, but I hope we can develop a good relationship and you guys can start trusting me gradually. I’ll be always available to listen to all of you and help you with whatever you need from now on.” 

“Thank you so much, Luna Lea! Thank you for caring!” Imogene said looking shyly at me. 

I might not be a natural leader like my sister, but Imogene was right, I do care about these people, my new people, a lot. 

I saw little Clair walking towards Sarah. Her light brown eyes filled with curiosity. I knew this look! 

“Are you the pack doctor?” She asked

“Girl, stop pestering the Luna’s Beta!” Leslie complained. 

“She isn’t pestering me at all!” Sarah replied with a smile. 

“She is a very sweet and smart pup!” I said as I smiled at her. Leslie frowned slightly but didn’t say anything. 

“Yes, baby girl, do you want to see the medical wing? I can show you everything.” Sarah said excitedly, as she crouched down to be in the little girl’s eye’s level.  

“That would be super awesome!” Clair was beaming from ear to ear. 

“Tomorrow morning, let’s meet there at 8 am,” Sarah said with a big smile of her own, as she ruffled Clair’s hair.

I wanted that kids, pups, like Clair could grow up in a better pack, one that offered them improved and fairer conditions. Today we were taking the first step towards this better future. 

I agreed with them that we would have a meeting once a week, to tackle their concerns and issues and find ways to solve them. Most of the Omegas really welcomed this initiative, but some of them especially the oldest ones were a bit wary, unsure. It was not so easy to cope with change, I knew that very well. 

After they all left, Sarah came closer to me a placed a hand on my shoulder. 

“I’m so proud of you Lea, of how much you are growing up lately!! Many people would close themselves up in a shell or get bitter in face of adversity and change, but you are growing, learning with it. Goddess, we are soooo lucky to have you as our Luna! We hit the jackpot!” She said with a bubbly smile. 

I felt my face getting warm, I was surely blushing a bit. 

“I couldn’t do it without having an amazing Beta like you,” I replied. 

Suddenly, his delicious forest scent entered my nostrils, and I felt his strong arms wrapping around me as he pulled me flushly against his firm chest. 

“How was your first day of work, my Luna?” he asked, his warm breath on my neck made goosebumps rise everywhere. 

This innocent touch only was enough to set awake my desire. A burning desire was building up in my lower abdomen as my well-known butterflies were flying in the bottom of my spine. Oh, Goddess! I wasn’t reacting to his touch like this in the last few days. What is happening to me? 

“She was amazing!” Sarah squealed, bringing me back from my heated haze. 

Richard also seemed as though he has zoned out completely, “Luna… you are?” his gruff voice inside my mind just added up to this intense sensation.

We opened our bond completely after my night with Alexus, and I could start listening to him and Valentin inside my mind. I could feel their souls. 

His soul felt callous, battered, hurt. But I knew that our mate bond could help him to heal, to feel good again. I know that my love could also do it, be like a balm for him. How much I wanted to help him heal, to feel at peace, without a heavy darkness clouding his days, poisoning his happiness. 

“I think I have to refresh myself a bit… a shower, that would be great!” I replied trying to get a hold of myself.

“Sure.” Richard’s voice had a hint of lust.  

“Hey, you two! I know that newly mated couples are very … attached to each other. But listen up! Lea and I have so many plans, she will do great for this Realm!” Sarah said a bit loudly than normally in an overexcited tone, attracting our attention and breaking through the spell of desire that was overtaking our senses.

“Yes, the Omegas and I came up with many ideas and Sarah gave me the best hints!” I replied. 

I could feel a low growl vibrating in Richard’s chest, I think Titan had other plans, but Richard only asked me to show him my ideas and plans. 

I got the little notebook, which I filled with my plans and ideas, and told him about some of them; like giving the Omegas more breaks during the day and one full day free every week, instead of only half-day like they currently have. We also talked about maternity and paternity leave and a day-care for young pups. Since there weren’t many pups in the Royal Realm there wasn’t any day-care, and the ones more affected by it were the Omegas since they were the ones with the longer workdays and also the most fertile wolves. 

Richard listened to everything attentively, “I’m very happy you came up with that many ideas, Luna.” 

“Oh…” I expected a bit more resistance from him, taking how hierarchic and attached to their traditions wolves could be. 

“You are my Luna, Lea. Your word is the law as much as mine is in what comes to the Pack function and administration. I trust you will do the best for our people.” He replied. 

I was so glad he trusted my judgement that much. He kissed my huge smile and scooped me up in his arms.

“I didn’t forget about that shower…” he husked in my mind. 

~ * ~

Later, I was about to go to sleep when I started to feel a sudden discomfort, first it was as if I was in Hell, a very hot, sweating sensation. In a few minutes, it increased tenfold and I was feeling as if my body was burning from the inside out in an all-consuming invisible flame. A boiling sensation started in my womb and radiated to my whole body in waves of agony. My sleep gown was soaked with my sweat and a few whimpers escaped my dry throat. 

Probably my cries and the fact that he could sense any strong feelings I had through our bond called Richard’s attention, he came rushing from the bathroom and sat down on our bed beside me.

“What is happening my Luna? What are you feeling?” he asked in an edgy way as he lifted me up and took me in his arms.

I swallowed hard; my throat was so parched. “I don’t know… I just feel like I’m burning.”

“That can’t be.” He muttered under his breath. In the next second, his eyes got foggy; he was mind linking someone. “Sarah is coming to examine you. You will feel better soon, my love.” He cooed me, caressing my burning skin gently. More gently than I thought he was capable of. His touch and the tingles made the pain lessen a bit.

 A/N: Hello lovelies, if you want to know more about Clair,  read "She is not my Luna." it's for free and daily updated.