Making A Luna

NEW BEGINNINGS

Esme

Blaire had been staring at me the whole way down to the dining hall, I could almost feel her eyes burning into me but chose to ignore it. I did not want to risk having to talk about what had happened today and just wanted to push it to the back of my head, just for now until I knew how to deal with it. I guided her towards the alphas table, where me and my family had sat since before I can remember. Awkwardly, she sat down opposite me, trying not to make eye contact with anyone in the room. She looked terrified, and I knew now that I was going to have my work cut out for me. “Relax” I whispered across the table, not wanting to gain the attention of anyone around us. “Don’t let them see you scared, a Luna needs to portray herself as fearless and brave” I instructed, as I stared at her in pity. It couldn’t be easy being mated to someone in another pack, let alone having the added pressure of being that packs soon to be Luna. As I looked up, I saw Mason approaching with the Luna and alpha closely followed by Theo. At least the little punk actually decided to show to dinner today. My mum was yet to get here, but that wasn’t unusual she had probably got caught up in the kitchen. Ever since my father died, she would help in the kitchen every mealtime wanting to keep herself preoccupied. We said our hellos, and all began to dish up the food in front of us onto our empty plates. Everyone sat in silence, happily consuming their dinner for a while until James cleared his throat and stood up to address the pack. “Right, so as we all know Mason is the packs soon to be alpha. I am pleased to announce that Mason has been blessed to find his mate, which I’m sure everyone can agree is brilliant news. So, that leads me to what I’m about to say next. After hours of discussions, days of debates we have decided that Mason will be taking over as your alpha in 1 months time. I hope that you will all accept my decision to step down earlier than originally planned” he announced. In just one month Mason would be our alpha, he was meant to have another year! It had always been agreed that Mason wouldn’t take over until he was 19 so that if he was lucky enough to find his mate, he would get one year to spend uninterrupted, unburdened with her. How was I going to help Blaire in a month! I would have to help her every single day until the ceremony! As I pulled myself out of my thoughts I realised everyone was clapping for Mason and James was sitting back down. “Esme” Calliope addressed me. “I heard that you’ve made the lovely offer to help Blaire learn some of the Luna duties.” Brilliant, yet another person who’s going to tell me I’m doing the wrong thing. “Yes I did, she’s my best friend and you know I know most of what needs to be learnt” I responded, hoping she wouldn’t challenge me. “Of course you do Esme. But you know you don’t have to do that, I’m more than happy to help! You should be focusing on living your life before you meet your mate” she insisted, but I could tell the reason she was saying this was because she knew how hard it would be on me. “Luna, I am really grateful for your offer. It’s just, you have your hands full with watching my mother most days, she needs you. You’re the only person who gets through to her anymore” I rejected. My mother relied heavily on Calliope, and though I knew Calliope wouldn’t have it any other way I also knew it exhausted her enough without having anything else piled on top of her. Luna Calliope nodded her head in agreement, and to my relief dropped the conversation. For a while, we all continued to eat our dinner in silence before I excused myself to my bedroom. Calliope had informed me before I left that my mum was in bed sleeping after a bad day, so I didn’t stop by her room to say goodnight. I had a quick shower once I got back to my room before changing into my shorts and cami top. It had been an emotional day today and I needed it to be over. Jumping into bed, I let my mind slip back to Logan and what had happened between us earlier. Why had Logan kissed me? I knew he was probably fed up about not meeting his mate yet, but it made no sense for him to project any feelings towards me. I would have to talk to him next time he visited - not that I was sure when that would be.

-

I woke up refreshed, last night had been the best sleep I’d had in days and it left me feeling like I could tackle the day ahead of me. That was until I realised exactly what I had ahead of me. I forced myself to get ready and go down to the training grounds to meet Blaire and Mason. As I got there, they were in an embrace completely absorbed into their own world and didn’t even hear me coming. I coughed just loud enough to gain their attention and shot them a fake smile. “Morning lovebirds” I said, hoping they didn’t hear the sadness in my voice. They both beamed back at me and I realised they hadn’t. “Okay so what’s the plan E?” Mason questioned, clearly eager to get this over with. “Mason I’m glad you asked” I chirped “we are going to be showing this amateur how to fight” I joked, winking at Blaire. I knew she wouldn’t be upset by it, she was an amateur. She had never been shown how to fight, nor had her father ever allowed her to learn. Asher Duke had always wrapped Blaire in bubble wrap ever since she was born, and that bubble wrap had tightened its grip on Blaire once her mother died. We had both lost parents to rogue attacks, the only difference was her mothers killer had been brought to justice - we still didn’t know who had killed my father. Me and Blaire were very different, I had already been a strong fighter for my age when my father died, and I’d become even stronger after. I had never wanted to be weak and vulnerable, being beta my father was one of the strongest in the pack but that still hadn’t stopped him from being killed. Blaire on the other hand had been defenceless due to her fathers protectiveness, and that was something which would hold her back as Luna. Mason grinned at my words before whispering something into Blaire’s ear. “Mason don’t go easy on her, she needs this” I ordered, hoping that if I spoke privately he might listen. “Aww, come on she’s my mate, you know I can’t hurt her!” he pleaded with me. “Fine, you leave her vulnerable. Meanwhile, as her best friend I will do what’s in her best interests, even if that means hurting her.” I was shocked to hear a growl come from Mason as he stared at me like I was an enemy. “Mason, she’s never been trained to fight in her life. She needs this” I spoke aloud this time, hoping he would get his head out of his arse and listen. I was not going to waste my time helping someone that couldn’t be helped, I needed full co-operation.”Guys, I can hear everything you’re saying, you may as well just speak aloud” Blaire interrupted, bringing both of us to stare at her in confusion. She had not spoken aloud, it had come through as a mind link. “Blaire how did you do that?” I gasped, not quite believing what had just happened. She looked down at the ground, retreating into herself as if she didn’t want us to know. “Well, I’ve never told anyone before because my father told me that people would think I’m a freak” she responded hesitantly. “Go on Blaire, you can tell us” I pushed, eager to know the truth. She sighed before continuing. “I know I can trust you guys so here it is. The truth is, well, I can listen to and join in other wolves mind links. Even if I’m not a part of their pack like you guys. I don’t know how or why, but basically none of your secrets are safe with me around” she confessed, her eyes flickering between Mason and I. Mason pulled her into a tight hug, running his hand up and down her back. “That is amazing baby. Looks like you’re going to be a kick-ass Luna” he reassured her, as she clung to him for dear life. “Really” she searched for our reassurance, pulling away to look at me. “Yes really Blaire, that’s so cool” i answered, feeling the jealousy rise within me. Not only did she have Mason, she is also some kind of super she wolf. I needed to stop this. I had to get over her being with Mason, it wasn’t going to change and I needed to accept it. Fake it until you make it I guess. “Right, Mason shall we show her how it’s done?” I changed the subject, wanting this to be over so I could hibernate in my room for the rest of the day, maybe even the rest of the month. I gestured for Blaire to stay back before lunging towards Mason in full attack. As I probably should of guessed, he dodged me and I crashed face first into the floor below me, feeling my skin break at contact. I’d barely got back up, wiping the blood off my face, when Mason tackled me back down to the ground, before I was able to gain control. I managed to get myself back up, and allowed Mason to do the same. He was playing dirty today, no doubt trying to show off in front of Blaire. I saw my chance to attack when Masons attention slipped as he looked at Blaire just for a split second and I lunged, pushing him down to the floor. I had caught him off guard, and he laid still for a moment before struggling to get back up again. “Time out” Mason panted, causing me to let him get up and stand up myself. I saw his expression freeze, and realised he was mind linking someone so walked over to where Blaire stood. “Roman and Delilah are coming to train with you guys. Unfortunately I have to go, my dad wants to talk to me about something” Mason told us, before walking over to Blaire and planting a kiss on her forehead. “I will see you later my mate” he promised, before walking away towards Roman and Delilah who were now approaching the training grounds. He did not stop to speak with them and instead him and Roman gave each other a slight nod before he broke into a jog. “Alright guys, I hear we’ve got a Luna to train!” Roman beamed as he linked his hand with Delilahs hand. Delilah had become a very close friend of mine in the short time she had been with our pack. She was a striking redhead, with long legs and a body to die for and I often joked that she should beg the moon goddess for a better looking mate. “Hi I’m Delilah” she introduced herself to Blaire in her soft voice. “I’m Blaire” she responded, her hand now trembling. Roman winked at me, dropping his duffel bag down to the floor at his feet. “Right so Blaire show me what you’ve got” Roman insisted. I watched Blaire meekly walk over towards where roman stood before turning my attention towards Delilah. Roman could deal with Blaire for ten minutes. “So how’s that going” Delilah probed, knowing exactly how I felt for Mason. “Because I know it can’t be easy” she continued, twiddling her fingers. As I looked up at her I realised that something didn’t seem right with her. Although Delilah was relatively pale normally, she looked as white as a ghost which concerned me. “It is what it is. On another note, you don’t look too good right now, are you feeling okay” I queried with concern for my friend. I didn’t need an answer to know that she was not okay, as any sign of colour faded from her face. She was starting to look unsteady and I couldn’t tell if she was about to be sick or pass out. “Okay sit down now” I ordered, supporting her as I helped her get to the ground. All of a sudden, my arm was being crushed with pressure and I lowered myself to realise Delilah was limp in my arms and unconscious. “Roman, get over here NOW!”