The Hesitant Luna

ELISSE'S POV Announcements rattle off in the background as I grew more and more impatient. I have been here waiting for 3 hours. My arrogant older brother, Wade, was supposed to pick me up but of course, he's off doing Goddess knows what. I finally broke down and ordered a car from Zippy. Minutes later, I'm in a car heading to my pack. I lost myself in my memories of my trip. Swimming off the coast of Zakynthos, meals I've had in the countryside of Italy, the Parisian night clubs. But my most favorite memory was Ivan. The gorgeous Russian man that spent two days with me in Madrid. It was innocent but intense. It was the closest I had ever come to kissing a man. But I punked out. I never thought of being with a man who wasn't my mate until I met Ivan.I wanted so badly to kiss him but my wolf kept laying a guilt trip on me. So we smiled and parted ways after dinner instead of jumping each other's bones in my room my last night there. Priscilla and Deira decided to stay in Europe up until classes started. We all graduated from St. Augustine's boarding school for girls. The Head Mistress is the wife of a fallen Beta. She started a scholarship scholarship program for she-wolves who wanted to go to college and have a life outside of their pack. (Her brother did the same at his boarding school for boys.) Pri and Dee had no idea that I'm a wolf. We're forbidden to reveal ourselves in front of humans that aren't mates. All they knew is I was poor and hard-working. I worked the entire time I was in boarding school. I saved every single penny for college. Thankfully, I earned a scholarship for graduating summa cumlaude so I had a little wiggle-room financially. The girls treated me to this trip. Being heiress' to their parents fortunes, they had "people" to shop and set up their apartments. I, on the other hand, had to leave three weeks early to set up my dorm and make sure all my paperwork was in order so that I could start my classes without complications. I was so lost in my daydreams I hadn't noticed we approached the border of my packlands. The hard knock on the window snapped me out of it. "State your business!", said the guard. I rolled down my window. "He's just dropping me off.", I said. The guard peered into my window. "Oh. It's Elisse. Hold on.", he said with a disgusted tone. 'Goddess! I can't stand this place.', I said to myself. He finally gave the go ahead after a few minutes. "Follow the path. Take the second right. My house is at the end.", I said to the driver. He nodded and proceeded. After about 7 minutes we made it to my family's house. It was small but well built. We moved there after Dad's removal as Alpha. "I got the bags. Thanks for everything. Listen, my parents raised us in a militant encampment. Drive straight back the way we came. Don't stop. No matter what you see. Text me once you're out. I'llsend you a tip. ", I said. His eyes widened as he nodded. I hopped out and grabbed my bags from the trunk then headed inside. We used to live in the pack house. Dad was the previous Alpha. His Beta, Marcus, uncovered a scandal about Dad. Mom is his chosen mate. They were mates for 15 years before Dad found his fated mate. He stayed with Mom but would go on "business trips" often. Turned out he had been seeing her in secret. Dad swears he was loyal but it didn't matter. The Beta ousted Dad to Mom and encouraged her to confront Dad. Dad regretfully admitted to visiting with his fated mate. He begged Mom to forgive him. He claimed he never cheated but he wanted to spend time with her. Mom was devastated. Mom, being the heartbroken chosen mate, went to the elders to break her matage. She was willing to let Dad's mate take over as Luna. After all she was his fated mate and rightful Luna. The elders granted her request. They gave her and Dad a rejection ceremony the next day. Immediately after, Beta Marcus brought forth books claiming Dad stole from the pack to pay for a house his fated mate. Dad denied fervently it but it fell on deaf ears. Dad was banished and we were disgraced. The pack hated us and Beta did little to protect or defend us. But he did give us this house instead of kicking us out of the pack. Sometimes I wonder if we would have been better off leaving. "I'm home!", I called out. I'm the middle child of 5 pups and the oldest female. Wade was the oldest. When everything happened with Dad, Wade became distant. He stopped going to pack functions and started spending more and more time in the human world. He got a job at Best Electronics and was recently promoted to manager. He also hated my guts. Darren (the second oldest) became a warrior for the pack. He loved me. So did my younger siblings, the twins, Ada and Aidan. But I loved them more. Even Wade. I heard the twins feet thumping on the floor upstairs running towards the stairs. Their little round faces were taken over by their huge smiles. "ELISSE!", they screamed charging down the steps as I dropped my bags and braced for impact. They tackled me and planted kisses all over my face. I lavished in it. They were 9 so soon this playful innocence will be over. "I missed you two!", I said giving them a squeeze. "Where's Mom?", I asked looking around. "She in the garden." said Ada standing up. Aidan stood and they helped me up. "Go say hi. We'll take your bags to your room.", said Aidan proudly grabbing the biggest bag. "Working out bro?", I asked. "You know it!", he smiled flexing his bicep. Ada rolled her eyes and grabbed the smaller bag then followed Aidan upstairs. Mom started a pack garden as Luna to help supplement the poorest pack members income. Over the years the garden grew to five times it's original size. It's basically a miniature farm at this point. Mom requested the house closest to the garden so she could continue to work the land. I walked out the house to the neighboring garden. There were rows of various berries, ailes of fruit bearing trees, and vine fruits. I found mom amongst the strawberries smiling softly and humming to herself. I always admired my mother's beauty and gentleness. She was the kindest person I knew. She had an angelic quality I wished had rubbed off on me. I stood there quietly watching her. After everything that happened she was still well liked and respected because of how she treated the pack as their Luna. I feel sorry for the next one. Mom is a tough act to follow. " I've told you several times before, it's rude to stare.", she said smiling widely but not looking up. " I'm not staring! I'm admiring.", I said walking up to her with my arms open. I didn't realize until this moment just how much I missed my mother. She wrapped me in her arms and nearly squeezed the life out of me. She smelled like wild flowers and freshly cut pumpkin. "How was your trip?", she asked releasing me from her grip. We walked and talked as she collected fruits and veggies for what I know is going to be an awesome meal. As we walked towards the house, we noticed a small group standing at the foot of the porch. It was Alpha Marcus, Beta Linux and Gamma Brian. "Good afternoon, Alpha, Beta and Gamma", said Mom with a pleasant smile. "Good afternoon Patricia. I heard Elisse came back. I thought it would be appropriate to welcome her home.", said Alpha Marcus. He looked at me strangely. Like I was his next meal. It made my skin crawl. "Thank you, Alpha.", I said bowing. "I didn't know you were coming back today.", he said with a hint of annoyance inhis voice. I looked at Mom who was cool as a cucumber. " I returned early to make sure everything was in order for college. I'm not staying long.", I said turning back to him. "That's a shame. I hope you'll be here for my birthday party.", he said allowing his eyes to roam over my body. "I should be. Moving day is the day after so I wouldn't be able to stay late.", I said with a small smile."You've grown into a beautiful young woman. Your mate is a lucky man.", he said visibly making everyone uncomfortable. "Thanks.", I said stepping closer to Mom. Mom's posture changed. Alpha Marcus looked her in the eyes. "You're all invited. I look forward to seeing you there.", he said sternly. Without a word we both bowed. He turned to leave. The Beta and Gamma gave us both apologetic looks before following him. What was that about? Is Alpha Marcus interested in me? Why did he seem like he was aroused? I panicked a little. Mom grasped my hand firmly. I looked at her. 'Calm yourself. Act as if you're unphased.', she told me in the mind link. I took a breath and mimicked her behavior. We walked in the house calmly. 'He cannot have you. Get started on what you need to do. We'll make an excuse for you to leave earlier.', she said in the mindlink. She went to the kitchen and started unloading all the food. 'Doesn't he have a mate?', I asked. 'No. And the elders are pushing him to find one. If he chooses you, you won't be able to leave. We have to get you ready to leave quickly.', said Mom. 'This is so unfair! I just got here! Now I have to leave early because of a horny Alpha?!', I complained. Mom looked at me sympathetically. 'I want you to live the life you want to live. If you stay, you'd sacrifice your freedom of choice. You have to leave, cherub.', she said softly. I took a breath to calm myself. "I'm going to get my laptop. I'll be back.", I said out loud. She nodded smiling proudly and started working on dinner. I ran upstairs to the second door on the left. I walked into my room and looked around. My first heart break happened in this room. It was when I found out that he had a set of twin boys with Nadine. He was happy with his fated mate and their children. I didn't want to cause anyone undue pain by pining for him. So I locked myself in and cried for one full day and one full night. I haven't shed a tear over him since. I helped Mom with the twins who were only 2 when he left. I was 12. The kids in school picked on us. Wade, of course, spent as much time as he could off pack grounds. Darren stayed close to home. He graduated, found his mate and became a pack warrior. He was one of the strongest warriors being of an Alpha bloodline but Marcus wouldn't promote him. Everyone knew it was because of Dad. Darren lived in a house not too far from us so he visited often.That was the only reason I agreed to go away to boarding school. I didn't want to hear anymore nasty rumors about Dad or get dirty looks from the other kids. Pack members blamed me because Dad and Nadine found each other at my party. I dug out my laptop and went back downstairs. I had just finished setting up at the island when Mom asked "Where's Wade? Didn't he pick you up? " I forgot about that. "He never showed. I ended up ordering a Zippy car after waiting 3 hours.", I said matter-of-factly. I pulled out my phone and saw the text from the driver. I sent him his tip then opened my laptop. "That boy. I could wring his neck.", she spat. "It's fine Mom. I'm honestly good not being stuck in a car with him for more than 20 minutes.", I said checking my account balances. Wade was different towards me. I think he blamed me too. He joined in a few times when other pups picked on me. It hurt but I just ignored him from that point on.I barely spoke 100 words to him over the past 7 years. I started buying linens, supplies and organizational items. I bought a mattress and mini fridge along with a lamp, a plush bean bag and some pillows. All my paperwork was in order and all fees were paid. "Dinner is almost ready. Wash up everyone. Twins, come set the dining table when you're done washing up.", Mom said mindlinking all her children. "Cool. I finished just in time. I'm going to change.", I said closing my laptop and heading back to my room. I changed and unpacked the gifts I bought everyone. I gained a little weight while on vacation because Pri and Dee fed me constantly. They treated me like a princess during the entire trip. Rich food, shopping sprees (that I couldn'trefuse being that none of my old clothes fit anymore) , spa days and brunch by the pool every Sunday. I left with a back pack and came back with two duffel bags full of expensive clothes. I couldn't carry the shoes so Pri is having them shipped to me. I checked myself in the mirror. I put on a pale blue chiffon sundress that fit like it was made for me. My curves were more prominent because of the extra weight. My boobs were fuller and my ass definitely popped out more. I took a quick peek at myself in the mirror to fix my hair. My curls were 2B or 2C so doing a messy bun was the quickest hairstyle I could do. I scooped up all the gifts and headed down to the dining room. The twins were dressed in nice clothes. Mom always took family pictures before dinner when I came back to visit. I placed everyone's gift at their respective place on the dining table. I saw a little wrapped rectangle box set in front of my chair. No doubt it's from Mom. I smiled to myself as I went about helping to set the table. Darren and Mila walked in just as Mom was coming downstairs. "Hi, Mom. Is she here?", asked Darren excitedly. "Looking for me?", I asked walking towards the front door. He laughed and scooped me into a bear hug. Darren looked exactly like Dad with Mom's fair skin tone. His hair was a rich hue of brown with Mom's striking green eyes. He was tall and broad shouldered. A few warriors learned the hard way that just because he's big doesn't mean that he's slow. Darren was quick and graceful for a man his size. He never lost a sparring match. "Awwww, Pumpkin. It's so good to have you home.", he said setting me on my feet. "Mila!", I screeched setting my eyes on her. She was smiling from ear to ear rubbing a very round belly. My hands covered my gaping mouth. "Hi "Aunty Elisse!", she sang. "I'm going to be an aunt! Oh my Goddess! May I?", I asked excited. "Of course!", she said. First I hugged and congratulated her then I turned my attention to my incubating niece or nephew. "Hello little darling.", I whispered and felt a strong kick on my hand. "They like you!", she said. "Twins?!", I asked bouncing on my toes. "Yup. Girls.", said Darren smiling proudly. "Oh Mila! Congratulations you two! And thank you for adding to the female population Bro!" I said then gave him a little punch in the arm. Wade walked in just as we were ready to set up the camera. "What happened to picking up your sister?", said Mom with a stern look. "She made it home okay didn't she?", he said with an annoyed tone. Everyone looked at him stunned. "Wade Aaron Spencer, when I tell you to do something I expect you to follow through. I don't care what you think about it. Never dis obey me again.", said Mom while releasing her Luna Aura. Wade growled trying to resist but he eventually bowed his head and said "Yes, Luna." Since the new Alpha is unmated Mom is still the Luna of the Moonlight Forrest Pack. No one in the Pack can deny an order from her unless the Alpha gives one that goes against it. Wade stared daggers at me. We gathered for the picture then sat down to eat. Everyone loved their gifts. Even Wade but he'd never admit it. We talked and laughed and stuffed our faces. I missed them. I wish I could really enjoy my time with them rather than rushing away to college. LINUX'S POV Marcus has gone too far. How could he look at little Lissy like that? We watched her grow up. We're practically her uncles. She grew up with my kids. Sean would cut off his head for looking at his daughter with such lusty eyes. Marcus is one of the most promiscuous wolves I know. He never took a mate just so he could sleep with whatever she wolf he wanted. If he did have a mate, we never knew about it. I wouldn't put it past him to have rejected her. "I'm going to announce that I've chosen a mate at my party.", said Marcus. Brian and I looked at each other knowing exactly what he was thinking. "Oh yeah? Who are the lucky candidates? ", asked Brian. Marcus looked over his shoulder with a sickening smile on his face. "Our very own ex-princess. Elisse.", he said. I stopped in my tracks. "You can't be serious. Not only are you twice her age but you basically watched her grow up.", I said. Marcus growled and turned to face me. "Good thing I'm the Alpha and what I say goes.", said Marcus. "What about Sean and Patricia? Do you really think they'd be happy to hear that you're going to be their son-in-law? ", I asked. Marcus smirked. "Sean is banished and Patricia is a passive beat b***h. I could give two sh*ts what they think. Besides, this way they become the Alpha family again. I'm sure they'll be thrilled after the anger subsides.", said Marcus. "Are we talking about the same Sean that we've known for almost 30 years? You want to mate his oldest daughter after revealing his affair to his Luna and taking his spot as Alpha? Do you believe he'll just go along with it?", asked Brian. Marcus growled and tried to grab his throat. Brian used to hold the Admiral position in the pack's army. He trained all our warriors. Even without being of a high ranked bloodline, he was faster maybe even stronger than Marcus. Brian dodged Marcus' attempt to grab him with ease. This angered Marcus even more. He threw a right hook then a left. Brian dodged those too. "Are you angry because I tried to talk some sense into you or because you know I'm right?", asked Brian with a sly smile. Just as Marcus was about to charge him I interrupted. "Marcus, Brian asked legitimate questions. I don't think you've fully thought this through.", I said. Marcus turned and looked at me, seething with anger. He charged towards me but I didn't move. He landed a punch directly on my cheekbone but I didn't even flinch. Since Marcus is not from a ranked bloodline his punches are weak. Well, at least to me. I c****d my eyebrow and looked at him sternly. "Are you done?", I asked. Marcus had a shocked expression on his face. He took two steps back and straightened his posture. "She will be my mate. I don't care who doesn't like it. End of discussion. ", he said. Marcus turned and started walking towards the pack house again. I stood there watching him storm off. "Why would he want Lissy as a mate? He has plenty of options amongst the pack.", asked Brian. "I think he wants an Alpha pup. She's just unlucky to be picked.", I said. "I know he's a dog but Lissy is too young. She'll never accept.", he said. "I know. But if the elders back him she might not have much of a choice.", I said. We both stood there looking at each other pensively. "We gotta protect her.", we said at the same time. I clapped his shoulder. "I'll go talk to them tomorrow. Let them enjoy being together tonight.", I said. Brian nodded and we headed after Marcus. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐-‐‐‐ I walked into the kitchen and found my mate sitting at the island reading a book. Linda was my everything. My wolf found her during Wade's 8th birthday celebration. She is the daughter of Gammas Charles and Jane of the Wild Moon River Pack and my fated mate. I approached her from behind, slid my hands around her waist, buried my nose in the crook of her neck and inhaled deeply. Goddess! I never get tired of smelling her sweet scent. "Everthing okay baby?", she asked. I inhaled once more before answering, "No. We'll talk about it later. Let's go eat.", I said. She turned to me and cupped my face with her hands. "Marcus?", she asked seeing the swelling under my left eye. I nodded and she growled. "I'm ok, my love. It doesn't hurt. It'll be healed by morning. Come. Let's get the rest of tonight over with so we can go to bed.", I said grabbing her hand and leading her to the dining room. I could feel her anger bubbling over the closer we got. I stopped and kissed her deeply. I felt her anger dwindling and her libido rising. Once I knew she was good and wet I stopped. She was breathless and a little dizzy. Before she could steady herself I led her into the dining room. Brian, Wendy (Brian's mate) and Marcus were sitting at the table waiting for us. "Finally.", said Marcus. He mindlinked the Omegas to serve the food. "I should change this stupid rule that everyone must be seated before the food is served.", grumbled Marcus. The food was brought out and set on the table. We ate and discussed what's happening in the pack. We talked about training, patrols, and building a school. Marcus wants to keep pups on packlands rather than sending them to the human schools that we went to. Dinner went quickly. Marcus likes to talk business while eating so we didn't do evening reports separately. Once me and Kalah were alone in our room, I let her know what happened. " Is he out of his mind?!", she asked. "Our daughter is only a year younger than Lissy! Why would he think taking her as a mate would be okay with any of us?", she asked rhetorically. She paced furiously back and forth. "First he takes Sean's place now he wants to take his eldest daughter! It's like he has some sort of vendetta against him. Like everything that Sean's, he's entitled to.", Kalah fumed. I stood in her way forcing her to stop pacing. "I'll go talk to Patty in the morning even though I'm sure she is already working on a plan to keep this from happening. We'll protect Lissy. We won't let this happen.", I said. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her forhead. She inhaled deeply to calm herself. "I'll go with you tomorrow.", she said. "Actually, maybe you should go alone. I don't want him to be suspicious of the visit. If you go it'll just be an aunt going to visit her niece. If I go, he may think differently. ", I said. She nodded. "What about Sean?", she asked. I sighed deeply. "Hopefully it to go that far. Seeing him might be too painful for all of them.", I said. We stood there in silence for a moment. Our hearts broke for our friends. "Let's go to bed my love.", she said softly kissing me on the cheek. I smiled down at her and nodded. PATRICIA POV It felt nice to have all my children at the dinner table. Watching them interact with one another always gave me a sense of peace. Especially after Sean left. It broke my heart to know that he found his fated mate. I know he loved me but the love for your fated mate is as deep as the love for your children. Honestly, I was never angry with him. If anything I was jealous. I never found my fated mate and I wanted what he had. He wanted to move her to packlands so that their children and our children would know each other. He said that I would've remained Luna and lived in the pack house with him. She would have lived close but not in the house with us. I honestly would have allowed her to live on our floor. It's not her fault that she's his fated mate. Having her live elsewhere would have been a punishment that neither of them deserve. I wish I never went to the elders. I made a foolish decision based on a broken heart. Had I just set my hurt feelings aside and looked at it logically, maybe none of this would have happened. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my bedroom door. "Come in.", I said sitting at my vanity brushing my hair. Wade walked in and closed the door behind him. I put down my brush and turned tomface him. "I'm sorry I didn't listen, Mom.I just get so angry being around her.", he said. "Son, you're going to have to let go of that anger. What happened isn't her fault.", I said. "Yes it is! If she didn't have that stupid party we'd still be a family.", he said sitting on the chair next to my vanity. "The Moon Goddess gives us our fated mates for a reason. Even if we never had that party, your father would have met Nadine eventually. Maybe it would have been at an alpha function or maybe Nadine's pack would have invited us to an event. One way or another your father would have met his faded mate. It was more than likely delayed because he had chosen me. They were meant to meet. They were meant to be together. Make your peace with this son. None of this is Elisse's fault.", I said. Wade sat there brooding. "Okay. At the very least try to understand her position. Put yourself in her shoes. She already blames herself. That's why she delves into school the way she does. She works hard so that she can try to forget that it was her party that brought them together. She carries way more guilt then she lets on. You neglecting her just makes her feel worse. Why do you think she asked to go to that boarding school? Why do you think she skips the holidays? Girls love their fathers and her father not only broke her mother's heart but hers and her siblings as well. Everyone in the pack looks at her as a nuisance. Everyone blames her. Be her big brother and protect her. Don't add to her distress.", I said. I watched as Wade considered my words. I could see his anger fading. But it was replaced by grief. His features softened and his eyes became glassy. I took his huge hand in mine and patted it softly. "I'm sorry Mom. You're right.", he whispered. I gave him a soft reassuring smile. "Good. Now we have other pressing issues.", I said turning back to my vanity to apply my night cream. "What's up? Need some extra help harvesting?", he asked leaning forward. "I think Marcus might be thinking of taking Elisse as his chosen mate. Wade growled in his chest. "What? Did I hear you correctly? ", he asked. "Yes. The way he looked at her today I did everything in my power not to gouge his eyes out.", I said. Wade shook his head. "Just when I think he couldn't do anything worse than what he's already done, he proves me wrong. I won't let that happen.", he said. "According to pack law we might not have a choice. We have to act before he let's his intensions be known.", I said calmly. "What do you need me to do?", he asked. "We're going to help her get ready for college. Start looking for a truck. She'll need it to move all her stuff. She already ordered everything she'll need for her dorm room. Tomorrow I'll help her pack up her bedroom. The sooner we get her out of her the better.", I said. Wade nodded. "I could have a truck for her in two days. I'll keep it at the job and clear a spotin the warehouse to keep her stuff so Marcus won't know when she's leaving. Every time I go to work, I'll bring a few of her boxes with me. Where is the stuff she ordered being delivered to?", he asked. "I'm not sure.", I responded. He stood up. "Tell her to have it sent to the warehouse. I'll make up a story about surprising her with my GM.", he said heading out. Before I could say another word he was out the door. I smiled.'Progress.'