The Red Moon Pack

Season Two. Episode 9.

Trees were up, fairy lights where lit and people were rushing about getting last minute gifts. It was Christmas again and the Red Moon Pack was full of bustle and busy people. Young children were getting excited that they would go to bed tonight and then wake up with gifts under the tree from Santa. While they were werewolves and understood what was real and not, for the children they still celebrated Christmas and Santa in the pack.

It was strange, how things moved on, not that the pack had forgotten, just they could not freeze and wait. It would leave them vulnerable and that was not something any of them wanted, not even Sebastian. That was what being an Alpha was all about and he was very close to becoming an Alpha, only a few months away according to his father. It would seem with everything that happened in the past year, he would be taking over at aged nineteen, not earlier at eighteen like was meant to be. A part of him wanted to wait, to postpone it further, and a part of him wanted to do it right away so he had more strength and power to do what was need to be done.

His family and friends were gathering at the Pack House for the night, to spend it with each other. Sebastian was torn. He wanted to be there with them, but he also wanted to stay at the Hospital. It was like his second home recently, other then school and some Alpha duties, he did not spend much time doing anything else, but sitting at the hospital, always waiting.

He had not understood it at first, but the more time that past, the more he grasped an understanding of what had happened. While Adira was in human form, the mate bond seemed weak, but the moment he was near her wolf, her beautiful white wolf, he felt that bond like it was the only thing that mattered. He had made it a matter for the witch Juliet to come to their territory a few weeks after the attack, when the others were out of town so no questions were asked. He wanted Juliet to explain to him what she knew, and while she did not know a lot, she seemed to think he was on the right track. That Lord Vincent had used magic against Adira, and one of those blocks were so her mate would not find her and connect to her the way it should. They were not sure if it worked the same for Adira, but it was their going theory.

Sebastian had also been keen to find out why all of a sudden Adira had shifted. He recalled his meeting with her in the forest not long after she had visited Juliet and then of course that time when her body had transformed on it’s own when she had been near death. Juliet could only explain that it is likely that there was also a block and somehow that had been broken. It did not mean that Adira was aware she had shifted, but it was evident it was her when there were plenty of people to confirm.

The information from Juliet had not been a lot, but it was enough. Enough to know that maybe it was not Adira’s choice to hide things, that the magic against her was blocking so much of who she truly was. A strong, smart girl, mature and careful, honest and caring young girl. She was reserved and confused, secretive about her life, but it all did not matter. She was his mate and the moment when he had first met her wolf, she had become his world. Knowing how he had felt so strongly towards Adira when she first arrived at their pack, it made sense. He had not known who the white wolf had been, and yet, the moment he sensed her shift, and smelt her behind those doors with the doctors and nurses he knew.

He knew that was the reason why he had felt so strongly that something was wrong that night. While their mate bond was not like others because of the suspected magical block, he had thought it over many times. He had always had a felling towards Adira, but he had never looked deeper because it was not strong enough for him to even realise it was the mate bond. He thought the pull was just because she had the Alpha blood… or at least they suspected she did. He had never acted on his feelings for her, even though he had discussed it many times with his father, how he felt towards her, but when he met the white wolf and knew they were mates, he had not expected it had been Adira, due to the way he felt when around her any other time.

Now the truth was out, well to him anyway. He knew he could never look back, could not ignore the way he felt for her. He already loved Adira, parts from their bond and what it bought, but also for everything they had before that. His only worry… his biggest fear… was how would she feel? Would she accept their bond? Would she understand that no matter what, he would devote everything to her? He could only sit and wonder, to question, every day that passed.

Turning from the window that looked out to the garden, Sebastian sighed as he looked over at his family and friends. He had finally finished school in November, so had his friends. It had been a huge change for them, but they all knew soon they would have much more responsibility to deal with. Maximus and Stacey were very happy together, enjoying their freedom. Nathanial, he was not doing great. He felt guilty, because he had always been distant to Adira, not trusting her. He felt like he should have done more, as if he could have stopped what happened. He was also struggling because he had finally found his own mate Penny, and yet, due to being in different packs, he could not be with her straight away. She had wanted time, she had wanted to think about it. For her, it would be a huge change, to move from her pack to theirs. Nathanial was angry because of that as well, because he had a mate, but could not hold her and support her like he wanted to. He had been trying his best to give her time, but Sebastian could tell he had been struggling with it. Yet due to other things happening, it would seem Penny was now staying at their Pack House, away from that borther of hers.

Looking at them all in thought, Sebastian watched Kinley for a moment. He had pretty much been best buddies with Adira and he had blamed himself the most for what happened. He had swan off sleeping around, picking up girls and having a bit of fun. He refused any girl that tried to get close to him, because he did not want anyone any more. What happened shocked him, because he had been busy enjoying himself when his friend needed help. He had been a mess for a long time after that night and it had only been a result of a beating from Sebastian himself, that Kinley started to pick himself up again and be the young man he normally was… without the whole play boy side. Yet, he still always felt he was to blame. Sebastian did not blame him, blamed nobody. In the end, the fault was on Julian and him alone.

That traitor wolf had been kept in their cells for over a month, not fed and not given any water to sustain himself. He grew weak and feral. He was beaten every day, while they tried to get information out of him. Julian however, would not give them anything. After the month and he pretty much was wasting away, they actioned the execution they had promised him. Members of the Half Moon Pack had attended as well, as they pulled him to the middle of the training ground, a show for all to see. Knowing that what he had done would not be taken lightly. He was not even given an honourable death or mention. He had failed many people and he was not liked among anyone. The only people present who did care and were sad for the outcome were his own parents, people he showed no respect to, but had still loved him. Sebastian could not hold back, when her heard that disgiasting comment come from Julian's mouth, she stormed onto the training gorund and tore at him, not caring what others thought, making sure Julian knew he had mess with the wrong type of people.

After that night, of Kinely's party, to protect Adira, anyone who knew the truth of what had happened did not speak of it, not around others anyway. Alpha Gabriel made sure of that by giving them all an Alpha order. The packs knew that Julian had come to the party and attacked Adira, but they were never told the whole truth, never made it clear what he had actually done. Nor did anyone know who she truly was. Sebastian and his father told only his mother, Luna Iras. They told her everything they knew, about Adira’s time with Lord Vincent, about the magic, about her being the White Wolf and about her being Sebastian’s mate but the complications in that. She spoke not a word to anyone else, but Sebastian knew she adored the girl, was at the hospital as much as he was when she was not going about doing her Luna work. She was very attached to Adira, had been since she first arrived to their pack and he knew she would do anything she could to make things easier for them.

“Seb, come sit down.” Leonardo called out to him.

He saw they were all looking his way, waiting for him to join them on the lounges. He wanted to, but he also wanted to leave, to go back to the hospital. He did not want Adira to be on her own tonight, not on Christmas eve, but if he spoke this to the others, he knew they would not see his need. He had not confined in his friends about the mate bond, so they would not realise why he needed to be there, why it pained him so much to be away from her like this. His parents would be the only ones, but then he did not want to put them on the spot to try and make up some reason.

It was Christmas, half a year since Kinley’s party, since Julian had attacked Adira and she was still in the hospital, still in a coma. Doctor Shelt had done everything he could, to save her life… but from there… they had to wait, for her to wake and she had not yet. That was why he knew people would not understand, because they would not understand his need to be with an unconscious person at such a time of year… at any time really.

Adira’s condition got better day by day, but it was still not great. Doctor Shelt had tried to drain her blood to get the toxins out of her system but it was a losing battle. Too much of it had embedded into her body, into her muscles and bones so no matter how much blood they drained and replaced, the toxins continued to spread and come back. It was a day by day situation now for her, but it was slow. She was healing, but there had been many set backs over the last few months. She relapsed twice, almost dying on them and because of that Doctor Shelt had to keep her on a human style ventilator, to breath for her.

The toxins in her system had caused a lot of organs to shut down, because the gag that had been in her mouth had been soaked in the wolf bane and silver, it had burnt away at her throat, oesophagus and lungs. Doctor Shelt had promised in time it would heal, but they were not sure how long it was all going to take and since that day the machines had been breathing for her. She was weak and pale and it pained Sebastian every day to see her in that state, hoping things would change. The horrible thing, and one of the topics they did not like to talk about, but had to be known… was due to what Julian had done to her, the same affect took place on her body lower down.

It had been hard to hear Doctor Shelt report the information, only to him and his father, because Doctor Shelt knew she was Sebastian’s mate, but swore not to say anything to anyone else, as the nurses had too. He had to tell them though, the truth. That the toxins were damaging her insides, in the female reproduction area and her stomach and intestines. It was difficult because with such a delicate area… there was no telling how bad the damage would be… if it would mean… she would never be able to carry a child.

Not that it made Sebastian love her any less, but he was sad, because he knew every girl, every woman had a right to be a mother and hers may have been cruelly taken away from her. He knew too that it worried his father, because it did mean that Sebastian may not be able to produce a heir with his Luna, and it would mean either one of his siblings would need to… or the Alpha line of their family would come to the end.

It was hard hearing it, difficult knowing it, but Sebastian had to keep faith, that because Adia was strong and different to most, she will recover, she will get through it, he believed that more then anything. He just needed her to wake up for him.

Not to make his thoughts or feelings obvious and to not delay their request any further, Sebastian moved over to the lounge and sat down with his family and friends. They were all in a cherry mood and it did make him feel better, so he focused on that for a while, joining them in conversation about the coming year. In three months’ time, Sebastian would be turning nineteen and he will be given Alpha position, they would have a large celebration and other packs will attend to be there for the transition ceremony. Other then that, Maximus and Stacey were planning a wedding now, announced it that morning. They were both of age in the next year and now they had finished school they could start planning their future. So, they were talking marriage and children. It was an exciting topic, as the families surrounding the living room tonight were all but teens and adults, aside from Chica who was only six and young. The families, they wanted more little children running around, having fun, laughing and filling their hearts with joy, so they were relying on Maximus and Stacey to be the start to that.

Alpha, Sebastian… please meet me at the hospital.

They knew that voice, it was Doctor Shelt. Sebastian looked over at his father and even though he had only just sat down, he was on his feet again and heading for the door. A few people at the same time asked what was going on. Sebastian did not say anything, but his father took charge of the matter and explained to everyone they had a mind link and needed to check something. Beta Luke asked if he could help, but Alpha Gabriel told him to stay with the family. Nobody argued and so Sebastian and his father were out the door and not worrying about the car, they ran the whole fifteen minutes to the pack hospital, arriving as if they had only walked.

Doctor Shelt was waiting for them, and while they wanted to ask what was going on, he did not give them a chance as he turned and made his way down the hall. Sebastian was anxious, half hopeful that all was ok, half frightened that something had happened yet again… another relapse. He was no fool though, they were heading in the direction of her room.

When they walked in, Sebastian had to think for a moment as to what was going on. The nurse was fixing the sheets around Adira, clearly haven just disturbed her position, however, it seemed that they had just finished some assessments on her. He was confused, did not understand and he looked directly at Doctor Shelt, a questioning look in his eyes.

“We were doing some checks and it is possible that Adira is finally responding to things.” He stated.

“How so?” Alpha Gabriel asked.

“We noticed her hand twitching when it was touched when we took some bloods.” Doctor Shelt explained thoughtfully. “It is a good sign and I wanted you both here to explain the next steps.”

Sebastian had not said anything yet, his eyes had shifted back to Adira while Doctor Shelt explained what was going on. She had moved? It was the first movement from her since the attack. This was good news, and he was more then happy to hear it. Even if it was just a twitch, it was good enough for him. Calmly, Sebastian took in a deep breath and moved towards the bed. Behind him, his father and the doctor continued to discuss. They were talking about what happens from here, how they would have further monitors on Adira, to catch any further moments, that way they can know for sure how often it is, and how likely to how soon she would wake up.

Next to the bed, Sebastian reached out a hand, running it over a strand of Adira’s hair. The tube of the ventilator was still deep in her throat to breath for her, and some other tubes to allow her to be fed nutrients. Shifting just slightly, Sebastian sat on the edge of the bed, next to her still body, he looked down the bed a little and then he placed his own hand on top of Adria’s, holding it gently.

“There is much I hope to say, but I am waiting… waiting for you to wake up for me.” He said softly, trying not to sound too cheesy. “I do not know if you can sense me, sense our bond, but I promise you, we will work this out. Just wake for me please…”

Bowing his head, Sebastian did not know what else to do or say. He was happy to hear the news, that she had moved, but he was still very worried about everything else. There was one thing that was clear though, he would not be leaving her now, not tonight, not with this news. He looked around at his father, prepared to say this out loud, to send his father back home to the family. However, just as he was about to speak, he felt the most precious feeling ever. His hand, which had been holding that of Adira’s was filled with tingles, as the fingers in her hand seemed to move, like they were trying to squeeze his.

He gasped and turned, looking down at her hand and then back at his father and Doctor Shelt. His heart was racing and he felt a bust of energy in him, likely from his hope and excitement. He was not dreaming what happened, he never took things lightly and would not make things up, he had felt it, her hand moving.

“She moved again.” He told them, quickly looking back at Adira and putting on a soft tone. “I felt your movement. I am here ok. I will wait for you.”

The room was silent, as they all seemed to hold their breath, waiting after Sebastian’s words. He was focusing hard, to sense or feel anything. Would it be a once off? Was it just a natural reaction of her body to something touching it? He waited, what felt like hours, but was only seconds, before there was movement against his hand again.

YES!

This is was not just a normal reaction, he could tell, he could sense it. Adira was fighting, she was trying and he could not help but to feel pride with how strong she was. He could not help the excitement flowing through him, as he squeezed her hand back, to add to his previous words, that he was not going to leave, he was not going to give up on her.