Her Own Luna

Chapter 6

Vera moved in with her father. Anna felt more at ease with her being a couple miles away instead of right under her nose. She trusted Christian wouldn't do anything wrong, but she knew Vera would certainly try to tempt him. While he wouldn't succumb to it, she was still uncomfortable with Vera being around to try.

Christian threw himself into training the new warriors. Spring had arrived which meant the newest group of recruits were fighting for a spot in the warrior ranks. While he was busy with that, Anna made sure the packhouse got its spring cleaning and the grounds work was planned and executed.

They managed to have dinner together every couple days, but Christian needed to go to sleep early, which meant they had very little time together beyond the dinners they shared. Anna told herself it was for the good of the pack, especially with the werebear threat. Even so, she couldn't wait for it to be over.

He seemed to be spending way more time training than ever before. The werebears must way heavily on his mind, she thought to herself.

Anna came inside from a long run to find Vera waiting in their living room. "How did you get in here?" she demanded.

"I was let in," she answered with an eye roll.

"Who let you in?" Anna wanted to slap the smug look off Vera's face.

"I talked one of your staff members into letting me in. I'm here to see Christian, not you." She waved her hand, trying to dismiss Anna.

"There is a room downstairs for you to wait to speak to the Alpha. In the common area. You do not have free access to my home."

"Your home? This is Christian's home. If he wants me to leave, he can tell me himself."

Anna sucked in her breath,about to give Vera a piece of her mind, but Christian opened the door. "He can tell you what?"

Vera jumped up and ran to him, she tried to hug him, but he kept her at arms length. "Oh Christian!"

"There's a place to meet with me downstairs. Let's go down and talk there. Anna?" He beckoned his wife to follow.

"I don't need to talk to her, I need you," Vera said in a pout voice.

"She's the Luna, she attends meetings with me."Christian's tone did not leave room for argument.

Vera followed him and Anna was right behind her. They sat in Christian's office. "What can I help you with?" he asked.

"Your pack isn't being nice to me," she whined.

"What are they doing to you?"

"They tease me because I'm half fox. I can't help that! They tell me how nasty foxes are, that all they do is try to manipulate and twists people's minds."

"They're just playing off the reputation foxes have as manipulative tricksters," Anna said.

"What do you know about foxes?" Vera snapped.

"You'll address the Luna with respect or you will not remain in this pack," Christian said.

Vera immediately looked down eyed. "Do you remember how close we were in school? How I was bullied then too? You always stood up for me."

Christian's features softened. "I do. We were best friends."

"It's happening again. Except this time, it's adults. We should be past that."

"Give me the names of those involved and I'll handle it," Christian said.

Vera's lip quivered. "I don't know their names."

"Alright, I'll just make it known that you are welcome here. You are my guest in this pack and thus, deserve respect. Okay?"

Instantly, her face brightened and she stopped sniffling. "Thank you! I knew you would help me!" She threw herself at him. This time, he hugged her briefly.

Vera left, looking reluctant to do so. Anna and Christian went to have dinner.

"How long until you are done with training?" Anna asked.

Christian sighed. "Another couple weeks at least, but then I have another round."

"What do you mean?"

"Usually we only have one group selected from the graduating class. This time, we're doing two . Because of the current threat, I need as many warriors as I can get. We're not lowering standards, we're just letting more in. The applicants are definitely happy."

Anna was disappointed, but she understood.

"Perhaps I should train as well. I'm strong and have trained before, but I should be ready for an attack."

"It wouldn't be a bad idea," he agreed. "I don't want you fighting if we can avoid it, but I need you to be able to handle yourself."

"Do you really think the bears will be a problem?"

He nodded. "Even the foxes are concerned."

"How do you know that?"

"Vera told me."

"When did you meet with her?"

"I just saw her in passing the other day. I was out running and she was out... I don't know what she was doing. We talked for a few minutes."

Anna could just imagine how Vera tracked him down and told him her fears. Wide eyed and innocent looking. Anna wanted to puke at the thought.

"Anyway, she said the foxes were training extra hard and doing extra patrols. The foxes are never worried about anything. If they're taking precautions, it must be serious."

"Alright," she said softly. She couldn't trust Vera, but she trusted her husband's leadership. She would train as well, and she'd keep her eye on Vera. That girl was up to something, Anna just knew it.