Raising the Luna

Morning After

Waking up the morning after being told my father was bringing in unmated Alpha's was a battle.  I wanted nothing more than to stay locked in my room.  I knew this plan was his way of attempting to force me into finding my mate.

No matter how many times I explained to them that I had no interest in finding a mate, my mother and father were intent on making sure I found one.  So far now that they are inventing new traditions at the school to bring them to me.  This was a power move on their part and I didn't enjoy power plays.  

I would find a way to our maneuver them.  I didn't need a mate, or their meddling.  At the age of 12, Alpha Grimd had made the proclamation that I was to attend Moon and to learn how to be an appropriate Luna.  I had been learning how to work behind the scenes and to look like I was a push over.  All the training did was teach me how to read people and how to hold myself so others couldn't read me.  Classes on proper etiquette, and how to dress for occasions... Now I could see that maybe the training would be useful in at least playing the part until I found my way out of this mess.

~But a mate would bring us happiness.  I want to find my mate~ E said as I started to formulate a plan for getting out of this mess.

~A mate would only put our status in the pack at risk.  It's better that we only depend on each other.  One day we will be leaders of this pack and we don't need anyone to be telling us what to do.~

E whimpered and simply stopped talking with me.  She wanted to find our mate.  I'm not so sure why.  From the time she woke up and became part of me on that Friday the 13th, that full moon, she had mentioned and often asked if we could travel over to the nearest town.  To explore and look at the men folk.  I had always refused.  If our mate was there, we certainly didn't want him.  Human mates made the wolf extremely protective and we didn't have time for that.

I slipped on a spaghetti tank top and a pair of running shorts with a pair of socks and tennis shoes.  At the very least I was going to take my anger out at training this morning.  Training happened 5 days a week, no matter what at 5a.  We were lucky to have an amazing head trainer.  Our Beta made sure that he learned new techniques and passed them onto us quite often.  As second in command, he made sure that our pack would not be weak.  Despite not having been attacked in the last 5 years, none of our pack had any fear of a battle.

I headed to the pack kitchen where I saw my parents sitting at our table already eating.  I stopped for a moment and tried to prepare myself to deal with them.  Standing there plastering a smile on my face I over heard them talking.

"Well, I think last night went well.  So many of the Luna's are excited and even looking forward to their classes today.  I overheard plans for them to start working on their dresses.  Only 17 days to go and I am so glad that they are happy.~ My mother Luna Sand said

"Not all are happy, but with the other academy's doing it, we need to follow suite.  We can't be said to be behind the times.  We have Lunas in training from all over and don't need this to be a draw to other academies. However, I am proud of our pup.  She handled herself extremely well.  Looks like her training is paying off."

Well at least they were proud of me.  Didn't think I would hear that from them. That fake smile I had put on spread into a real one as I went and joined my family at the head table and asked the Omega walking by if I could please have some orange juice and a Danish.  The cook here was amazing and always kept fresh ones in the back for me.  Especially after last night, I knew she would have a special one hidden away for me.  Although, the kitchen was run by mostly Omegas we never treated them with less respect.  Without them we wouldn't have a pack and they were by far the hardest working people I knew.

Nodding to my parents, I watched their facial expressions.  They had of course gone silent before I had even sat down.  They looked at me and smiled as well.  I could feel that they had also been worried about how this morning was going to go between us.

~Ahh, my dear one!  I'm excited to see that you are in a good mood today!  I was worried after I heard your door slam last night.~

~I'm fine mom.  Really, I know that this is an amazing opportunity for the school and all the girls there.  I'm sure that everyone is getting really excited.  Besides, I believe the Moon Goddess herself will make sure that I don't have to combat with an Alpha that isn't worthy of my particular attitude and pose.~

"Ladies, you know we don't mind link at the table.  Either fill me in or hurry and finish eating before we head to training.  I have a lot to do today and I don't intend to compete with a mother daughter conversation."

"Sorry dad.  We were just talking girl things..."

From there we finished quickly and all walked down to the training field.  Which also doubled as our winter pasture for the horses, cows, and goats.  Everyone paired up with their partner and started our warm ups.  We started with a 5 mile run in our human forms and end by sparring with our partner.  2 hours of hard core battles and we were relieved to shower and get ready for school or work.  Today I was sore.  My partner was a male wolf and I made sure I always won.  I would never submit to a male.

After a shower in which the water was hot enough to burn off skin, I found myself sitting on my bed thinking of what I should wear to the prom.  With us being up in hick ville, I'd never considered doing anything of the sort.  I had heard about proms and seen pictures online but never really wanted to go to one.  The glamour was to much.  (Yes, we have internet, running water, and *gasp* indoor plumbing)  Now, I was wondering if there was a way for me to look powerful, confident and still fit in the scene as to not embarrass my family or my school.

Once I arrived I could practically feel the change in the school.  So much excitement coming from the Luna's that would be going to prom.  Some were hoping to find their mate and get an idea as to where they would be heading after school.  In order to leave to join another pack you had to graduate.  No one ever finished schooling before the age of 18 even if they found their mate.  It was frowned upon for a wolf below the age of 18 to leave their parents and often thought of as disrespectful to the pack that raised you. Omegas often couldn't even feel the mate bond until 18.  

"I think a nice dark blue dress would look beautiful on you" a voice said.

I turned around to find one of the few girls I talked to looking me up and down.  

"Yeah, I dunno.  I might not even get a dress.  I mean, I'm not into poof and I don't really care to impress anyone." I replied to Gabs

"Indeed, however, Blue is a power color and a nice form fitting long dress, no poof, would look amazing on you.  I could do your hair and make up and you might actually look like the Princess that everyone thinks you are.  Who knows, maybe your mate might come!  First impressions are powerful.  Even if you don't find your mate, it's a great way for you to make friends with other packs.  You never know when you might need an ally."

She wasn't wrong.  If I could make a good impression on the Alphas and Alpha to be, I might just actually further my packs prestige.  This prom thing maybe wasn't just about me and my mate.  I might of taken things a tad to personally.  

"Have you heard of which packs were invited? Rumor has it, that it's an open invitation to all the other packs.... All of them.  I mean we know Florida packs won't come, but it could mean that the Alpha's out number us 10:1!  How exciting will it be to get to hear about places not here! " Gabs excitedly started asking me all sorts of things.

"Good question, I've no idea.  I won't lie I wasn't real excited to hear this.  I figured it was just another plot to help me find my mate so my parents could have peace of mind when they stepped down.  I mean they have got to be getting ready to retire.  They have been leading the pack for 25 years now.  I'll ask them tonight and see what the plan is.  If they let me in on anything, I promise you will be the first to know."

"OH GOSH!  You are the best!  Thanks so much for being my best friend!"

At that I turned and walked into my first class of the day.  A best friend?  I had never called someone a best friend before it caught me off guard.  I mean I guess I had friends, but my time had always been spent trying to figure out how to get away from everyone and how to live as a leader.  Who had time for friends?  I had a lot of introspection ahead of me.