Raising the Luna

School

The first class I had this morning was pretty simple. It was the Art of Proper Entertaining. Essentially, how to plan an appropriate party. This class covered which colors went with what type of party, how far apart candles should sit upon a feast table, how to determine seating arrangements, how to properly greet people, how to budget for a large scale event... On and on. Utterly boring and far below my level of intelligence. I should be with our pack warriors, learning how to fight, the lay of the land, the pack budget, how to balance all the parts of the pack.

Every day I go to school, I feel like my talent is highly wasted. I have so much more to offer than looking pretty and planning parties. I work harder than anyone else in training. I go above and beyond the duties that are currently assigned to me.

"Ella!" my teacher brought me out of my thought process with a sharp reprimand. "Daydreaming again. Would you like to join in the discussion for class today?"

"My apologies. I was thinking of the upcoming prom."

"Yes. Exactly what we are discussing. Although this party is being planned by your mother, there is so much that you can do to advocate for our school and our pack by being present. Now, ladies, let's continue."

My teacher continued to go on about what color dresses matched skin and hair color best, what types of make-up would be most complimentary to each individual, and, of course, what types of small conversation to have. The Alphas, to be, could very easily be offended by a misstep of an important Luna to be. It was up to us to make sure that we left a good impression of our home packs, as well as of the school.

By the time class was over, I simply wanted to escape off to the river and see how far I could go before someone noticed. Instead, I simply walked through the halls, half listening to people as they passed me. The hallway was still buzzing with people spreading rumors and trying to guess how things might go.

Gabs waved at me and I pretended not to see her as I ducked into my next class. This one was no better than the first, or the next or the last. Each term we had 3 classes, then we were sent to lunch and to work on our skills for a couple of hours. Essentially, that meant socializing with the other Lunas... Creating bonds between us could also make our packs stronger should we need any alliances or pack agreements. The Luna schools always prided themselves on creating bonds between the werewolves.

~Ella, move it. I'm getting hangry.~

No point in responding to Emilia. I grabbed my jacket and headed to the pack house. I always eat lunch with my mother and father. And I was curious as to see what packs were part of this shindig. I mean, I did promise Gabs that I would find out. I can't believe that they would just offer an open invitation, especially with just 36 of us girls. And not all of these girls will end up being a luna. They could be a Beta, a Gamma.

"Ella. I've already got your plate here. Come have a seat!" My mother called out.

"Thanks mom! I'm so happy to see you today. The school is just going crazy over the fact that they have 17 days to prepare for the first ever Prom at Moon. Do you know who Father wanted included in this venture of his?"

"Ella, he sent out invitations to Montana, Washington, Idaho, the Dakotas, Oregon and a province in Canada. So far, we have a total of 42 RSVP's for the evening. Most of the other schools are putting on similar things later in the year, so you may get to travel then. Although schools are invited, it does cost them to travel, the parents must agree to the location, and although only 42 have said they will be in attendance, that means about triple that will come to stay at the pack. We have to make sure we have accommodations ready for the alpha and alpha to-bes as well as a beta or warrior that may accompany them. It's a huge process. "

"That sounds intense, mother."

"It is. And we have to try to make sure that the packs that don't get along well keep separated. It's a process. Hello Alpha. How was your meeting?" My mother stopped and switched gears mid-conversation.

"Ladies. I'm well today. Ella, Before dusk, I need you to come to my office. I need to discuss some things. You turn 17 shortly after this event and will only have 1 year left of schooling."

"Ok daddy! I love you to the moon!"

After that, there was the typical silence. Sitting at the table watching everyone else happily talking. My father, "The Grand Alpha" always thought we should listen to our pack and pay attention. The best way to know what's going on is paying attention when no one thinks that you are. I think he's correct. I've learned so many things listening to our warriors and the Lunas at school.

I may go to Luna school, but I listen to the whispers. I listen to the gossip. True or not, our warriors leave the pack lands and I try to learn all about the outside world. When I am the Luna of the pack, I need to know what borders our lands and how to handle situations. The Lunas told me about rogues and pack attacks. About their hopes and dreams, as well as their pack sizes. Obviously, they don't tell you everything. Nothing that would give you an idea of their strength... Well, at least the smart ones don't.

I learned while socializing in the evening. If you word things correctly, you can learn more than people want you to know through their words and body language.

~And that is why you are in Moon. To recognize such traits.~

~Thanks E. I appreciate the encouragement, but I still don't think this is the best school for me. I want to fight, and roam and do so much more.~

~Have you ever thought that there are many, many ways of fighting? Physical fights are not the only way to defend the pack. Most omegas and a lot of the stronger wolves use their brains to avoid fighting. Yes you are strong, I am strong. But never jump to a fight. Mistakes happen. And death is always an option in war. A verbal war, that ends in peace, has more impact than a war fought by slashing throats. Think about that. There is a more than one way to kill a rogue!~

I've heard the same agreement from E more than once. And from my parents. And although I know... It's not what I want! I want to be able to live and fight and explore. Being trapped in the same 500 acres... Always watched. I mean I can't even sit under a tree without someone wondering why and staring at me. I slept in the most guarded floor of the pack house, everyone knew if I couldn't sleep...

Walking back to school, I found myself thinking if Gabs was right about a blue dress. I was actually excited about talking to her and telling her what I learned from my mother. And how nervous I was to see what my father had to say tonight. I've never really talked much to anyone except Gabs every now and again and I never wanted to talk to her as badly as I did right now.

As I entered the school, I felt how eerily silent it was. I didn't smell anything that caused me to pause. The school was silent and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Causing me to stand in the entry way in a fighting stance.

~E!~

~I'm here. I don't know what to expect. I'm ready to shift should the need arise. ~

The school was never silent. I slowly stepped in looking around quickly. Watching for signs of something wrong. Not a sound came from anywhere. As I debated calling out, for a teacher, a student, anyone... I felt a hand go over my mouth.