From Beta to Luna

Chapter 16 — The Shift In Command

    “You’re extremely lucky, Beta Raina. It looks like his claws missed your heart and any major arteries.”

    The doctor that had saved my life finished up bandaging my torso back up before adding, “The silver coupled with your slower healing abilities had us worried for a moment there, so we had to stitch you up the old fashioned way. But it looks like your healing is working nicely now, and you should be good as new within the next day or two.”

    I smiled at the news, glad that the prognosis sounded pretty good. 

    “And the scarring?” I asked hesitantly. 

    I had just accepted my mate, and I’ll be damned if Lucas would forever scar me before Damien got the chance to see me naked. 

    The doctor chuckled at this before giving me a reassuring smile. “Should be kept to a minimum. I imagine after a few weeks even the scars will begin to fade.”

    I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank the Goddess. 

    “Can I come in now?” a muffled voice whined from behind the door, and I rolled my eyes. 

    “Yes, you can come in,” the doctor answered, snapping the gloves off his hands before discarding them in the trash. 

    The door opened, and in a flash, Damien was by my side, my hand in his. I smiled at him. 

    Ever since I had woken up, Damien has refused to leave my side and has been extra attentive and sweet to me. I wanted to kick myself for not accepting his love sooner. How could I have been so stupid to think he wasn’t what I wanted?

    “I’m your mate, so I don’t understand why I can’t be in here when you’re getting your bandages changed,” Damien whined again, pouting at me slightly. 

    I laughed at him, floored at how adorable he suddenly looked. 

    “Damien, I’m not gonna have the first time you see me naked be when I’m still looking like a sliced piece of lunch meat,” I responded with a laugh, using my free hand to run it through his hair. 

    After the doctor gave his final instructions of when the next bandage change would be, he bid us goodbye and left the room. 

    I took this time to lean closer towards Damien, my lips brushing against his ear, as my voice dropped to a husky whisper and murmured, “I promise when you finally get to, though, I’ll make it worth the wait.”

    He pulled his head back to look at me, his eyes suddenly darkened with lust, as he leaned forward and crashed his lips against mine, his lips dominating mine in a needy and demanding kiss. 

    “Keep it in your pants, you two, I can hear your hearts from all the way down the hall.”

    We broke from the kiss at the sudden voice intruding on our moment to see Nathan, Xander, and Owen filing into the room. I beamed when I noticed that Olivia was also there, clinging to Xander’s hand. 

    “Luna Olivia,” I greeted, bowing my head slightly in greeting. 

    “Please, no!” Olivia immediately responded, breaking away from Xander and rushing towards me. 

    She shoved Damien away from me, ignoring his cries of protest, as she took his seat and grabbed my hands in her own, staring directly into my eyes. 

    “We’re both Lunas now, please, just call me Olivia, or Liv,” she demanded with a bright smile on her face. 

    My smile faltered for a moment.

    That was the first time anybody had referred to me as Luna, and it suddenly made me realize that that’s what I was now. 

    Beta Raina was no more. 

    I was suddenly Luna Raina.

    “Liv, I think maybe we should cool it with the titles for now,” Xander gently urged, pulling her away from me. “At least until Raina feels a little more comfortable about it.”

    I flashed him a small smile, grateful that he always knew what I was feeling, sometimes even before I knew what I was feeling. 

    “It’s okay, Xander,” I replied with a slight smile, “it just caught me off guard was all. I think it just now hit me that I’m a Luna now.”

    I laughed suddenly at the thought. “Me, a Luna. Who would’ve ever thought?”

    Damien was back beside me now, grabbing hold of my hand again and giving it a reassuring squeeze. I squeezed back with a small smile, comforted by his presence. 

    “I’m sorry, Raina, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Olivia apologized sincerely, giving me a look of regret. “I just got excited that you found your mate and we both get to be Lunas together.”

    I chuckled and quickly responded, “It’s okay, you didn’t upset me. I’m just still getting used to it is all.”

    An awkward moment of silence filled the air before Owen cleared his throat and announced, “My dad’s called an emergency meeting for later this afternoon, to discuss everything that’s happened. He wants you there, but I told him that you’re still healing and—”

    “Owen, I’m okay,” I cut him off with a reassuring smile. “I wanna be there.”

    “Raina, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Damien quickly protested, giving me a worried look. 

    “Yeah, you’re still healing, Raina, it’s probably best you stay in the hospital until it’s time to leave,” Nathan agreed from his place on the small couch. 

    “No,” I firmly responded, a slight frown accompanying my words. “I have information about Lucas that the council needs to hear, and I’m tired of being here. Plus I don’t wanna miss the celebration tonight, it’ll be the last time we can all be together before the conference is over.”

    “What information?” Xander immediately asked, completely ignoring everything else I had said. 

    All eyes were on me now, waiting for me to share the information that only I knew. I pulled my hand from Damien’s grasp and stubbornly crossed my arms against my chest, refusing to tell. 

    “Raina, this isn’t a game,” Xander growled, his eyes darkening slightly in anger. 

    “Don’t you think I know that?” I snapped back, my eyes also darkening a few shades. “Imagine how I feel, that fucker almost killed me. If you wanna know what information I have, then you’ll let me go to the meeting. Otherwise, I’ll take that information with me to the grave.”

    Xander glared at me angrily, and I defiantly glared back. I never wavered under his stare, even though I knew that if he really wanted to know that badly, he could use his Alpha tone on me, and I’d have no choice but to submit to him. 

    “Xander, honey, I think we should let her go,” Olivia’s soft voice suddenly cut through the silent staring contest between Xander and me. “And plus, I think it would put the other packs' worries at ease when they see that she’s alive and well.”

    I watched as he visibly softened when she placed her hand on his arm before sighing. 

    “Fine,” he reluctantly agreed, and Olivia secretly flashed me a grin from over Xander’s shoulder. 

    I stifled a laugh as Xander scowled at me, causing me to bite my lip as a cover. 

    “I’m gonna talk to the doctor to see if you’re well enough to leave for a few hours. If he says no, then you’re staying your ass right here, got it?” he snapped at me, and I simply nodded in agreement. 

    Xander left the room then, taking Olivia in tow behind him. I heard Owen blow out a sudden breath and look at me with his brow raised. 

    “I dunno how you do it,” Owen commented, crossing his arms against his chest as he leaned back against the sink. “We’re both Alphas, but Xander even scares me sometimes.”

    I laughed in response. “It’s because I know Xander would never hurt me. You’d be surprised by what all I can get away with if I’m just stubborn about it for long enough.”

    “Yeah, no kidding,” Nathan chimed in, rolling his eyes at me. “Good luck with her, Damien, you’re gonna have your hands full for sure.”

    I looked at Damien to see him smiling at me, nothing but pure love in his eyes. 

    “I know, but I’m ready,” he answered, ending his words with a gentle kiss on the back of my hand. 

————

    “Ugh, do I really have to use this thing? It’s humiliating!” I groaned. 

    “Yes, you heard the doctor. He cleared you to be discharged tonight, but only if you avoid walking or any strenuous activities until your wounds have completely healed,” Damien answered firmly. 

    I scowled, crossing my arms against my chest. I had been feeling victorious earlier when the doctor had announced that I was in good enough health to finally be discharged from the hospital, but the feeling was short lived when he also announced that I’d have to be in a wheelchair until my wounds have all completely healed. I didn’t want to face the looks of pity that I’m sure would be directed my way. I hated being pitied. 

    Damien paused at the conference door, waiting for Ethan to open the door, before wheeling me in. I smiled up at Ethan in thanks as we passed by him, and he smiled back at me in return. 

    The conference hall that had been buzzing with chatter suddenly hushed as I felt every pair of eyes snap towards us. I felt the warm blush creep up my cheeks, slightly embarrassed by all the sudden and unwanted attention. 

    Then, everyone started clapping. 

    I blinked in confusion. 

    What the hell?

    “Beta Raina, I’m so glad you’re okay!” 

    Someone came up to me, shaking my hand and smiling at me. “That was quite a fight! You really held your own out there!”

    “Thanks,” I shyly mumbled in response. 

    “Beta Raina, you really are a remarkable fighter,” someone else said, also coming up to shake my hand and congratulate me. “Silver Moon is extremely lucky to have you!”

    My heart swelled with pride. 

    Even after the atrocious way that the fight between Lucas and me had ended, I almost forgot that I had officially won the challenge. In front of all of our strongest ally packs, I had held my own—and more importantly—I had won against an Alpha. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to gain the approval and respect of all the leaders of the other packs and prove my worth as a capable Beta. 

    “They love you,” Damien suddenly whispered in my ear, and I could feel him smiling. “Although I’m not surprised, since you are amazing after all.”

    I giggled slightly as he kissed me gently on the cheek and wheeled me over towards Xander. I noticed Nathan was also sitting there, and I was surprised for a moment to see him in a meeting meant for Alphas and Betas. Then realization dawned on me that after I left here this weekend with Damien, he would most likely be taking over my position as Beta. 

    I smiled sadly for a moment at the thought, but I quickly pushed the sadness away. If anybody were to take my position as Beta, I’m happy it would be him. At least I could rest easy knowing that Xander, and most importantly, the pack, would be left in the hands of an equally capable second-in-command. 

    After he secured the brakes on my wheelchair, Damien pulled the seat up next to me and kissed me on the top of the head before taking a seat. Ethan took the open seat next to him, and I suddenly felt so full and content with life. I was surrounded by the most important people in my life, and more importantly, I was alive. 

    Alpha John cleared his throat, signaling for everyone to quiet down. 

    Once he had everyone’s attention on him, Alpha John loudly declared, “First and foremost, I’d like to offer a heartfelt congratulations to Silver Moon’s Beta, Raina Sterling, on a job well done. That was a most impressive fight that we got to witness, and I’m sure any shred of doubt that anybody had left regarding her capabilities as a leader has officially been put to rest.”

    I smiled shyly, my cheeks slightly tinged pink in embarrassment, as everyone politely applauded. Most everyone looked at me with smiles on their faces, and some gave me small nods of approval. 

    “Secondly, I’d like to officially announce Silver Moon’s shift in command,” Alpha John continued, and I stiffened slightly in my seat. 

    I didn’t realize that there would be an official announcement. After this, there was no going back. After this, I’d publicly be cutting ties with Silver Moon, and once the Luna ceremony was complete, I’d officially be cutting all ties with my old pack—with my old life. 

    In the past, the mere thought of this happening would have left me with an overwhelming sense of dread, but right in this moment, as I looked over to Damien to see him flashing me a reassuring smile, his eyes filled with such an immense amount of love for me, I felt anything but. Sure, I was a little sad about leaving Silver Moon behind, but the sadness was nothing compared to the excitement I suddenly felt about being able to start my life with Damien, something I never thought I’d feel in this lifetime. 

    “Alpha Xander, if you’d please?” Alpha John’s voice suddenly snapped me from my thoughts as Xander stood up beside me. 

    “Thank you, Alpha John. This past week, you all have gotten to know Raina as my Beta,” Xander began, and I couldn’t help but to notice the slight hint of sadness in his voice. “I'm grateful to you all that you kept an open mind and fully accepted her from the beginning. A lot has happened this past week. Both myself and my Beta have found our mates, and we’re forever grateful to the Moon Goddess for allowing us the opportunity at true happiness.”

    I smiled as Damien reached over to grab my hand, giving it a small squeeze. 

    “Raina and Damien didn’t get off to the best start,” Xander continued, and I chuckled at this. 

    That was the understatement of the century. 

    “But after going through their own trials and tribulations, I’d like to announce that Raina has officially decided to claim Damien as her mate, and will therefore be stepping down as my Beta. I’m excited for her as she sets out on her new journey as Emerald Moon’s new Luna,” Xander announced, and I could only smile as the crowd applauded again. 

    “If her time as my Beta is any sort of testament to how she will lead as a Luna, I know that Emerald Moon is in great hands, and I look forward to further strengthening our ties with our new sister pack.”

    Xander paused for a moment to look down at me with a smile filled with pride, and I almost cried from all the emotions threatening to overwhelm me. I never in my life thought I’d actually be happy at the announcement of my leaving Silver Moon—of giving up my Beta title. But at that moment, I couldn’t even remember why I had been fighting so hard to keep hold of the title at all, when the thought of being able to be with Damien was so much more important to me. 

    “Now, I know this is a little unconventional, to announce a shift in command like this during the conference,” Xander continued, “but we felt it was only right to be able to share this with you all, our strongest allies, after all we’ve been through together this week. That is why I’d like to take this time to announce to you my new Beta, Nathan Davis.”

    The crowd applauded again as Nathan stood up from his seat, clearly nervous from facing everyone as he was about to accept his new position. He gulped slightly before bowing completely as a sign of respect. 

    Straightening from his bow, he addressed the hall, “Thank you. I know Raina has left some big shoes to fill, but I vow to pledge myself fully to my new duties as Xander’s second. I also look forward to the opportunity to get to work with everyone and help further strengthen our alliance with all of you.”

    I smiled proudly. 

    My boys. My dear, sweet boys. 

    I was leaving Silver Moon in wonderful hands, and I’m so glad that all that time spent worrying about abandoning my pack was for nothing. I honestly felt a little silly now thinking back to how much I used to dread this moment. 

    Alpha John took the stage again and looked over at Nathan and Xander with a smile as they both took their seats. 

    “Thank you, gentlemen,” Alpha John thanked, “I’m sure I speak for everyone in the Northern Allyship when I say welcome, Beta Nathan, and we look forward to working with you in the future. Now then, onto the next order of business: Lucas Crawford.”

    The vibe of the room suddenly shifted from a calm, happy buzz, to one of anger and unrest. I gripped Damien’s hand hard, feeling the anger course through me at the mention of his name. 

    “First and foremost, I’d like to apologize to everyone in this room,” Alpha John began solemnly. “I made a mistake in my judge of character, and it almost cost Raina her life. We don’t know what Lucas’s intentions are or what he is planning to do now, but I believe Raina has some information to share with us that might be of help in figuring that out.”

    All eyes snapped to me, and I took this as my cue. Struggling for a moment to stand from my wheelchair, much to the protest of both Xander and Damien, I breathed through the dull pain and stood to my full height. 

    “Thank you,” I began, nodding towards Alpha John. “Firstly, I’d like to let everyone know that I’m fine. The doctor expects I’ll be healed up within the next day or two, so I really need everyone to stop looking at me like I might drop dead at any given moment. It’s going to take a lot more than Lucas Crawford to kill me.”

    This earned a slight chuckle from the room as I smiled before continuing, “Secondly, before I died—or I guess during my death—I’m still not really all too sure what happened—I had a vision of the Moon Goddess. She warned me to be wary of Lucas and informed me that he had killed his fated mate years ago because he felt she was too weak to be his Luna, and now he’s on a quest to find himself a new Luna to help him seize control of all werewolves.”

    I felt Damien stiffen beside me at my words as a hushed whisper broke through the crowd. 

    “She also warned me that he has the use of dark magic at his disposal,” I carried on, “but I’m sure you all knew that already. From her warnings, I have reason to believe that he’s planning to mount an attack against the Northern Allyship. Of the all Allyships in the country, we’re the strongest, so if he succeeds in taking us down first, the remaining Allyships will be easy targets for him.”

    I felt the room grow uneasy from the information I was sharing as I desperately tried to remember if there was anything I was forgetting. Of course I didn’t mention that I was the new Luna Lucas had his sights set on, but I’m sure I didn’t have to, right? That was self explanatory after the stunt he tried to pull, right?

    “I believe that if we wanna stand a fighting chance, we need to be ready,” I continued talking when Alpha John didn’t make a move to take the floor back. “Gather all the scholars you have in your packs, read up everything there is to know about dark magic that could potentially be used against us, focus on anything that could maybe explain how he could forcibly claim a mate he has no official claim over. If anybody suddenly wants to join your pack, deny the request. We don’t know how many wolves Lucas has working under him, so it’s better to be safe than sorry until we do know.”

    “Beta Ra— I mean, Luna Raina,” someone piped up suddenly, and I almost didn’t register that he was speaking to me. 

    I turned my attention to him and waited patiently for him to continue. 

    “Do you have any idea of when this attack might happen?”

    My lips pressed in a thin line, beginning to feel frustrated that I honestly didn’t know much more than them. 

    “I don’t,” I answered truthfully. “But knowing Lucas, I’m sure it will be during some sort of big event. He’s a flashy bastard, he’ll want to do it when the majority of us are all gathered next. However, I don’t think he’d do it tonight during the anniversary celebration, it’s too soon after he’s revealed himself. He’s most likely biding his time to try and strengthen his own forces first.”

    I chewed my lower lip thoughtfully for a moment before admitting, “I’m afraid I don’t know much more than you guys at this time. I’m simply making assumptions based on the very limited information that I do have. But there is one thing I know for certain: Lucas Crawford is a dangerous man, and we mustn't underestimate him. If he’s already been consumed by dark magic like the Moon Goddess warned… Then we’ll be in for the fights of our lives.”

    I sighed to myself for a second before closing my eyes. Should I let them know that it’s me Lucas is after? I should, right? What if I didn’t let them know, and I let all the other packs join this upcoming fight all for my sake?

    I took a deep breath, trying to draw the courage to just come out with it, before I opened my eyes and faced the hall head on. 

    “There is one last thing,” I finally said. “For whatever reason… I’m the one Lucas is after. He has his eyes set on me for his new Luna.”

    “What!” Damien exclaimed, shooting out of his chair beside me as everyone began murmuring to themselves. “Why didn’t you tell me that!”

    I glared at him for a moment, silently ordering him to back off so I could explain. 

    Turning away from him without answering his question, I addressed the hall again, “I feel it’s only fair to tell everyone this, so you don’t have to put yourselves or your packs in harm’s way on account of me. I— I don’t want you guys dying for my sake.”

    “Raina, you’re an i***t if you think this is only about you,” Xander interjected, looking up at me with a slightly annoyed expression. “You just said so yourself that this asshole is trying to gain control of all packs, what makes you think he’d stop that mission once he gets his hands on you?”

    “And you’re extra stupid if you think we’d let you face this creep by yourself,” Nathan chimed in with a scowl. “Even if you aren’t our Beta anymore… Silver Moon will always be your family. We’ll always have your back.”

    “That goes for all of us,” Owen agreed, looking at me with a hard expression on his face. “When Lucas did what he did to you, he might as well have done it to all of us. We’re all part of the same Allyship; when one of us gets hurt, when one of us is threatened, we all get hurt, and we all are threatened.”

    “Beta Ra— I mean Luna Raina,” Alpha John added a little more gently than everyone else. “The Northern Allyship is the strongest alliance for a reason— It is because we fight as one. Any threat to any one pack, means it’s a threat to all of us, and right now, that threat is Lucas Crawford and the Blood Moon Pack. We will handle this— Together.”

    I smiled at his words as everyone applauded in agreement, and I took that as my cue to sit down. Damien remained standing for a moment, an angry scowl on his face, before he finally followed suit and took a seat as well. He crossed his arms against his chest and kept his hard stare fixated straight ahead of him and away from me. I could tell he was pissed at me, but he had no right to be pissed! It wasn’t like I was intentionally keeping it from him, I was just waiting for the right moment to tell him. 

    Which, thinking about it now, I guess I probably should’ve told him before telling everyone else. I inwardly sighed. 

    I was going to have to get used to the idea that I now had someone in my life I would need to share everything with. I couldn’t keep any future information to myself anymore, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to me. Damien and I were a team now. What concerns me, now also concerns him, and the pack.

    I sighed in slight frustration at myself.

    This whole mates thing was really going to take some getting used to.