An English Rogue

Full moon rising.

POV: Anna

The schedule was going well, I was feeling great having a bit more time to myself and had even stared taking a pottery class one evening a week. It was nice to meet new people and I was really enjoying the chance to be creative with more than just felt pens!

I had even made some ‘gems for the house’, Lena swore she loved the mug I’d made her and all of the children had their own little bowl to eat their breakfast out of it. “This letting our hair down malarkey is suiting us” Rose agreed happily. Peace and tranquillity had descended over the flat and everyone seemed to be loving having Lena at home more, especially one little pup who was also loving his new room! And yes we guessed right, it was yellow! Anna smiled to herself as she sipped her coffee. There really was only one thing missing… where the hell was Kerri?!

“Any news from Kerri?” Lena asked as she headed into the kitchen after returning from the school pickup, could she read my mind? But really I knew she was just eager to here any news of Kerri’s latest adventure. Kerri was after all, our roving rogue finder, she did most of the travelling, and she was a logistical queen, but most of all she was an avid story teller, she could make the most average event sound like a brush with death!

“She’ll check in when she can, you know what she’s like” I replied calmly. “She’s a pro at this, she’s probably out wrestling crocodiles or jump starting a Sultan’s car” I said amusing myself.

“You’re right, I bet she’s missing us really though” Lena said reassuringly, stroking the back of my head and leaning in to kiss my cheek gently.

“Anyway onto a super duper important topic… have you finally decided what you’re wearing tonight?” she said trying to change the subject.

“Probably just some nice jeans and a shirt. I don’t want to feel uncomfortable” I replied rolling my eyes and knowing full well she had a plan up her sleeve.

“Right come on! Finish your coffee, check the pups to make sure I brought home the right ones, and then meet me upstairs” she said with a wicked gleam in her eye.

I sighed but nodded resigned to the fact that years of experience had taught me she wouldn’t give up and it was more effort to fight her and loose, than to give in and go along with it.

Lena headed upstairs and I went back to my silent thoughts. I knew Lena was just trying to distract me, but I’d just had too much time to think today.

“Kerri, where are you!?” I whispered quietly, looking upwards as I spoke. Kerri had be away for just under a month and was potentially going to be away sometime longer, but something was making me feel uneasy, I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

“Oh mother moon

Let your heavenly light,

Guide my family

Home this night”

It was an old poem mothers taught their children, but saying it out loud even as a whisper helped to calm my racing heart. I had to believe it would all work out and Kerri would be home soon with stories of wild adventures and daring scrapes.

Instead of over-thinking I did what I was told, I drained my coffee cup and dumped it in the sink. I headed through to the living room to see the pups and hear about their days. I noticed that Jack seemed to have come home in someone else’s school shoes. But other than that everyone was in a good mood, I sent them all to their rooms to get changed and planned to stick a load of washing on before we headed out tonight.

“Goddess we’re fun aren’t we” I laughed to Rose as I headed up stairs to see what awful torturous thing Lena was going to do to me.

Lena had laid out several different slinky dresses for me, each one more skimpy than the next, and I really didn’t know what to say!

“Which one are you wearing?” I asked inquisitively instead. They were all lovely, I could tell they were designer and probably very expensive. They just weren’t my style at all.

“Oh no silly, these are for you to try on” Lena insisted. “Which one is your favourite?

“Well they’re all lovely...” I started diplomatically before Lena cut me off.

“Oh you like them? In that case you won’t want to see this…” she said teasingly pulling a lovely black, polka dot dress out of the wardrobe. “I saw this a couple of weeks ago and knew it would be perfect for you” she said grinning.

It was perfect too, when I tried it on even I could tell it suited me. It was in the mini tea dress style, with a wide neck so that it came off my shoulders. I loved everything about it.

“I’m sorry for teasing you, Lena laughed, it was Tala’s idea, we just had to see you squirm. Your face was a picture bless you” she grind.

Lena went out to fetch everyone some pizza for a special tea whilst I fed little Juno and got her ready for bed. I had a shower and almost couldn’t believe how excited I was to put on my new dress! I paired it with some black tights and my favourite smart black ankle boots with a small heel. I know at 5ft5 I’m small for the average wolf and could do with a bit of extra height, but I hate wearing high heals. The one thing that Lena had insisted on was red lipstick. I added a bit of product to jooz my hair up and then I felt ready to hit the town.

We headed to the club and I stayed out of the way whilst Lena finished organising everyone. She looked fabulous as usual, that girl would look good in a paper bag and her athletic figure and tall stature turned heads wherever she went. I loved seeing her work though, she had such a charismatic confident air about her, she seemed able to put others at ease even without using her gift!

As the guests started to arrive and mingle I felt silly following her around so grabbed another glass of champagne and found a corner to hide in. Even so, I was enjoying myself in my own way. People watching can be so much fun! As a waitress past by I gave her my glass and retrieved a full one instead. “The bubbles are definitely going to our head” I giggled to Rose. She had been in a state of quiet excitement all night and I guessed she was enjoying taking in the new event as much a I was, although her nervous energy was starting to tire me out.

Just then I noticed Lena climb the few steps to the raised platform and start addressing the crowd. Everyone gasped as the lights dimmed and the retractable ceiling slowly opened to reveal the beautiful full moon. I felt suddenly overwhelmed as a strong scent hit my nose and brain at the same time almost knocking me off my feet. It reminded me of fresh rain, turf and of summer days playing outside as a child. I felt tears spring to me eyes as Rose danced laps in my mind howling over and over! “MATE” she howled “MATE!” A dark figure stepped in front of me, my arm exploding with sensation like little electric shocks as he gentle took my hand in his.

“MINE” came a deep voice. And I was, I always had been. I was his.

POV: Mates

I think this is the last New Moon event I’ll attend. I don’t know, I told myself I was coming tonight to see Lena again, but both I and Afon my wolf knew that was a lie. We wanted what everyone else had. We wanted the our other half of our souls. At the age of 35 most other wolves were parents by now and here was us still alone. “Maybe Moon goddess has a bigger plan for us” Afon kept saying but that didn’t stop him getting hungry for intimacy. It never quite scratched the itch.

As Lena stepped up onto the platform she caught my eye and smiled. Goddess she was beautiful, but she wasn’t ours. I turned to leave unable to face the disappointment of seeing other newly fated couples around me. I glanced over my shoulder as the ceiling started to reveal the moon, and that’s when it hit me, like a bolt of lightening to my core.

“MATE” howled Afon fighting to push forward and shove everyone out of our way until we found her. I had to struggle with him to keep control, following my nose I breathed in the most heavenly scent of sweet wildflowers. It was a scent that went straight to my heart, like I’d smelled it a thousand times in my dreams, it was the scent my soul had yearned for! I worked my way through the throng of celebrations oblivious to everyone around me. Then I saw her, and couldn’t stop myself from stepping in front of her protectively. “MINE” I said and Afon’s voice joined mine as our hearts sang. I took her hand and kissed it before interlocking our fingers, the bond explosions making my skin tingle.

“MINE” she replied, her soft voice was all I could hear, I was lost and now I was found.

“Anna? Geraint!” A voice saying my name broke the spell and we both turned slightly to see Lena stood next to us looking less than impressed!

“A low growl erupted from my throat” as I felt the unhappiness aimed at my mate. The need to protect her was too strong, and Afon pushed forward ready to defend her.

“We aren’t fighting today! Stand down dog!” Lena said in a breathy voice that made my head feel muddled. The red mist parted and I could take back control from Afon.

“Lena I love you, but can you give us a moment please?” My mate said, and I realised I didn’t even know her name.

She turned to me, and quickly explained that she needed to talk to her sister and would be right back. As soon as she stepped away we had to fight the urge to follow, there was an invisible sting tying us together as I was unwilling to let her out of my sight.

I watched as the two had a quick and unhappy looking conversation and then Mate came back looking flustered.

“Shall we go somewhere to talk” she asked nervously glancing up at me.

I was starting to feel nervous too but as she took my hand the bond soothed me and we headed out of the club into the street and walked down the pavement together holding hands.