Her Own Luna

Chapter 8

Anna looked at herself in the mirror. Dumbell in hand, sweat dripping down her back as she leaned into her slightly bent knee. She lifted the dumbbell and completed the last bent row. She dropped the weight and gasped for air. Her trainer had her doing heavy weights with quick transition time with very little rest between sets. She was exhausted.

"You can call it a day. Great work," her trainer said.

"Thank you. I'm going to shower, see you in a couple days."

He waved and left the room.

Anna picked up her things and put the weights back. When she turned, a young man stood behind her, appearing to be waiting for her.

"Do you need this spot?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I... I need to talk to you about something." He looked nervous.

"Are you injured?"

"No..." he glanced around.

"What is it?"

He avoided her eyes. "I'm the gopher for the warrior training. I fetch water, towels, medical supplies, you name it. You know that Fox woman?"

Anna's heart dropped. "Yes... I know her."

He glanced around again. "She's gotten herself quite close to the Alpha. Always throwing herself at him, flirting, but he shut it down. He always did. Or so I thought... I saw them kiss very briefly before he pushed her out of the training area."

Anna sqeezed her eyes shut. She felt sick to her stomach. "You're sure?"

He nodded. "Yes. If I had any doubt I wouldn't have said anything."

"Thank you for telling me," she got up shakily. "I won't tell him you told me."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you." He practically ran out of the main gym area.

Anna gathered her things and began the walk back to the packhouse. She was wholly unaware of her surroundings as she walked up the steps and through the front door. She almost made it to the stairs that would take her to her living space when she heard her name. Her skin began to crawl. That was the last voice she wanted to hear.

"Anna," Vera repeated.

Anna turned. "Address me as Luna or not at all." Her voice was cold as ice.

Vera looked surprised for a moment. "Why ever would I do that?" she said in a sweet voice her head tilted up.

Anna stepped closer and looked down at Vera. "Because I am your Luna while you remain in the pack. If you want to remain here you will show me respect. Do you understand?"

Vera flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Christian would never kick me out. Not even for you."

"Oh? I wouldn't want to test that theory. Once he finds out you have disrespected him and his Luna. Address us both by our titles or not at all."

Vera rolled her eyes and turned to walk away.

"That's right, get out of this packhouse and find something usefull to do."

Vera stomped her foot and hurried out the front door. A small crowd had gathered around to watch. They offered smiles and soft applause when Anna noticed them.

She smiled graciously before heading upstairs.

Once alone, she let her tears fall. What a mess. She knew she'd have to talk to Christian about this. Get his side. She showered and changed before mind linking him. Mind links were only used for emergencies, but to her, this was an emergency.

He let her know he would come as soon as he could.

She sat to wait, her nerves were a mess.

Finally, he walked into their living room. "What is so urgent you had to summon me/" he asked. He looked nervous, almost afraid.

"I was told something today..."

"Are you... pregnant?" he asked, interrupting her.

"What? No."

Christian looked disappointed for a moment, but the look of unease quickly replaced it.

Anna's stomach felt sick. "You were seen kissing Vera," she choked out.

His eyes widened. "Who?"

She shook her head, unwilling to tell.

"I didn't..."

"Please don't lie to me. You know I'll know."

He sighed. "I didn't kiss her. She kissed me, or tried to, I pushed her away."

"You said you'd stop allowing her into the training area."

"I know. She slipped in."

Anna glared at him. "You are the Alpha. Stop her from slipping in. She is refusing to call me Luna and calls you Christian like you're best friends, or more."

"I didn't think you'd be the jealous type," he said with a dismissive tone.

"I'm not jealous. There's nothing in her to be jealous of. I have been disrespected and I will not stand for it. Another woman kissed my husband and walked in here to gloat about it. I didn't take you for a whimp, allowing such things. Alphas have banished pack members for less." Her eyes showed the rage she was holding back.

Christian stood. "Whimp? How dare you!"

"You're controlled by a little woman and her charm! Would a man have been able to just keep slipping into training? Would you allow anyone else to disrespect me?"

Christian raked his hands through his hair. "You're right. I'm sorry. I'll fix this." He walked out of the room without another word.

Anna seethed, but she didn't go after him. She needed to calm down. She was ready to say things she didn't mean. She was ready to throw something. Instead, she paced and controlled her breathing.

Slowly, she calmed herself. She was no less upset, but she had cooled her head so she could handle it better.

A commotion downstairs caught her attention. She left her rooms to go down and see what was going on.

Christian stood in the foyer gripping Vera by the arm. He looked up at Anna as she came down the stairs. "Say it," he growled.

Vera flinched. "Luna," she croaked. "I apologize for my disrespect. I will address you..." she trailed off.

Christian gripped her harder and growled.

"I will address you as Luna and I will stay away from the packhouse."

Anna smiled thinly and nodded.

Vera yanked her arm free and stomped out the door.

Christian took Anna by the hand and led her upstairs. Once in their bedroom, he locked the door. "I am sorry any of that happened. I promise, I did not want to kiss her and did not initiate it."

Anna hugged him. "I forgive you."

"I think its long past time we had some quality time," he said in a low voice.

"I agree," Anna said as she pulled him toward the bed.