The Red Moon Pack

Season Two. Chapter 2.

Feeling uncomfortable and with a heavy heart, Nathanial closed the door softly and walked from the room down the hall, hands shoved into his pockets as she watched the ground he walked along, many thoughts running through his mind. He knew things were not good, knew they all fetl guilty for being there and protecting Adira, but he did not understand why his friend was spending most of his time in the hospital room. They had asked Sebastian to join them on a trip, but he had declined, wanting to stay with the girl, in case something went wrong.

Nathanial was worried, his friend was meant to become Alpha. While there was a tradition in the pack that once the heir turned eighteen they would take over, it seemed that was not going to be the case for Sebastian. It would seem it had been so for Alpha Gabriel as well and so Nathanial thought it meant their current alpha was not pushing anything onto his son right away. It would seem they were sharing duties so the young alpha could learn and grow and be fully prepared for what was to come.

Yet, lately, the only thing Sebastian had been doing was the paper work, spending most of his time in the room with Adira, going through the pack finances, renovations, guard rosters and the likes. If he did leave the room it was for a very short period of time. Nathanial did not understand it and he was worried. Worried that if Sebastian kept staying in the room, he would miss out on chances to travel and thus, chances to find his Goddess given mate. Nathanial was no fool, he understood that Sebastian had grown to like Adira, had been struggling with liking her and looking for his mate. Yet he felt, since the attack, Sebastian had given up on the mate thing all together.

Thinking back to what things looked like in the room, Nathanial shook his head. He could not blame Sebastian to be scared and worried for the girl. She was laying in a bed, pale, broken and unconscious. There were feeding tubes up her nose, blood bags and fluids connected to intervention drips feeding her important fluids she needed to heal and keep any other problems at bay. There was a thick tub leading from some sort of pump machine all the way to her mouth and down her throat. Monitors connected to cables beeped and recorded all of her bodies vital signs. She was bruised, broken, damaged. Nathanial knew in time it would all heal, but it was horrible seeing anyone in such a state, let alone seeing a werewolf get so hurt to the point that they needed such help and support. It was scary and Nathanial found it hard to stay in the room for long.

If only he had been kinder to Adira, if only he spoke to her more, if only he had trusted her more. He had always thought she was strange and that she was up to no good. He did not trust her much and always kept things at a distance with her. He did not want to see his friends get hurt. Yet, they were hurting, storming into the pool house that night and seeing such a scene, it hurt them all. He could feel it and he too felt hurt. If only he had been a better person, then maybe he would have kept a better eye on her, would have noticed Julian hanging around at the party, would have been able to stop what happened and protect her.

Closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath, Nathanial had to stop his mind running wild like it was. There was a task to do and with Sebastian not joining them, Nathanial had to hope that all would go well. Walking out of the hospital, he could see the car waiting. Kinley, Bata Luke and Leonardo were all waiting. They would be making their way to another pack, to discuss treaties and the threat of the vampire Alexander.

He was sitting in the back and the drive was mostly quite with music on for some background noise. Beta Luke was driving, Leonardo was in the front passenger seat and he and Kinley were in the back seats. At first that spoke, Nathanial discussing how Sebastian was staying at the hospital. All of them were confused by his attachment to Adira, knowing she was not his mate, they could not understand it, but they could not push it. Instead, they changed the subject to other things, general things. The weather was still chilly, only being September and the start of Spring. What the rest of the school year was looking like for the boys, being it was their last year of study. What to expect when they do transition to start taking over.

Their travels would take them to the Darkmoon Pack, a pack that was a four hour drive away, a pack that were not always the easiest to get along with, but they did have agreements with. Alpha Gabriel wanted to strengthen his pack agreements with different packs, knowing a war was coming, not knowing when, he wanted to make sure all the pack had each others backs. They would be meeting with the Alpha of Darkmoon, stay for a meal and then they would return home. In and out, like they did most times they visited other packs these days, not staying in places too long, as they did not know whom could really be trusted. Alpha Gabriel did not want anything happening to his pack members. He himself was on a trip as well, meeting with two other packs, closer to their own for the day, that was why their group of four were going to this meeting, to help.

Beta Luke slowed the car down and came to a stop. They were parked in front of a large four story building with a couple of three story side buildings near by. They had passed through a small township before arriving at this point and Nathanial could see that a lot of the buildings were homes and small shops. It was not as big of Redmoon, but not too bad. Alpha Liam and his two mates were standing on the door step with him, waiting for them in greeting. Yes, this Alpha, who was in his mid fourties was blessed with twin sisters as his mates. Nathanial did not understand how that work, but he could tell, looking at the three of them, that there did not seem to be any hate over it. Both woman stood behind their mate proudly with smiles on their faces.

Approaching, Beta Luke reached out a hand in gesture and Alpha Liam took it, welcoming them to his lands and inviting them inside to his office. Nathanial said not a word, just followed. They walked into the pack house, a big open space the first place they walked into. It had everything, lounges, tv’s, pool table, games table, book shelves and more. It would seem that the pack spent a lot of time there, and as they passed he could see quiet a number of the pack members hanging about, doing their own thing.

As they made a move towards some large stairs, Nathanial had this strange feeling in his stomach and he could feel his wolf counterpart become alert. He did not know what it was, but he felt like something was going to happen. His eyes and ears were alert, looking around carefully, looking for a threat. Yet, as he looked, a whift of lavender and rain hit his noise. Blinking a few times, stunned, Nathanial spun around, his eyes landing on two wolves, his foot steps stopping in their tracks. He did not know what to think at first, and he could not help the small snarl that left his lips, causing the group he was with the pause and look at him, and then look to what he was staring at.

“You should be home getting lunch ready.” a male hissed at a female.

“I was heading back soon. I just had study with Della.” the female spoke up shyly.

“Do not bullshit me. Get home now.” he snapped.

“I will. I’m sorry.” she replied, almost… fearfully.

Nathanial did not like it, was not happy with the way the male spoke to the female. He disapproved of the way the guys hand gripped the females upper arm, seemingly dragging her across the room in an angry walk, towards the main doors. Nathanial did not like it, he wanted to stop it and he was not sure if it was a result of what he had seen happen to Adira, or because of something else, but he wanted to punish that guy for holding the girl too tightly. It was clear she did not like it at all.

“That is one of our patrol guards. Connor.” Alpha Liam explained. “And his younger sister, Penny.”

“Seemed to be angry with her.” Kinley had also observed.

“It is like this for them. Penny… is kind of difficult for Connor.” Alpha Liam sighed. “He is her guardian and with his duties, he seems to always have to baby Penny as well. It is like she enjoys giving him problems.”

“I do not think she is the one causing problems.” Nathanial spoke under his breath, turning to Beta Luke and Alpha Liam before bowing slightly. “Please excuse me for a moment. Start the meeting without me.”

“Nate, you can not get involve in things that do not relate to why we are here.” Beta Luke stated.

“This is important.” Nathanial advised.

“She is your mate?” one of the Luna’s asked surprised.

“Possibly.” Nathanial said with a nod.

“Very well.” Alpha Liam said with a nod. “They live in a small house not far from here. You should be able to follow the scent. I will give them a warning to expect a visitor.”

“I will go with him. It would be less intrusive.” the second Luna offered.

“Thank you.” Nathanial said with a nod.

He watched as Alpha Liam and one of this mates lead the rest of the group up the stairs. He then turned and looked at the woman standing with him as well. She had a gentle smile on her face, her brown eyes shimmering in the light of the room. She introduced herself a Luna Jaimee, twin of Luna Emalee. She seemed kind and without too much fluff and duff of introductions from there, they walked back out f the pack house.

Nathanial followed Luna Jaimee along some paths, a ten minute walk before they came upon a small two story house. It had a single car garage, a garden that looks like it had not been maintained for a little while and all the blinds on the widnows at the front of the house were closed. It looked like nobody was welcome, and Nathanial had to think about what was said at the pack house. Connor was the guardian of Penny. Likely meaning that like him, their parents were no longer around.

Luna Jaimee knocked on the front door first and they stood waiting. They heard footsteps and then the door came open. Connor was standing there, a frown on his face and then it quickly changed to one of respect when he realised whom was standing at his door. Like any wolf would do, he bowed to his Luna and offered her to come inside. She thanked him and introduced Nathanial and what pack he was from. Connor reached out a hand and greeted Nathanial like they could become best friends and guided them to some seats.

While the outside of the house did not look like anything too great, the inside was very neat and spotless. They had a basic lounge room, a three seater and a two seater lounge, angled to face a flat screen television that was hung on the wall. There was a fireplace and photos placed across it, showing the life of the two growing up together, along with what Nathanial could assume were their parents. In the middle of the lounges was a coffee table, neat and he could see a couple of school books lined out. It would seem Connor was a guard and Penny was a student.

At the thought of the girl, Nathanial looked up, hearing the soft steps on somebody approaching, smelling that scent again, lavender and rain. It was beautiful, he loved it and he could feel the way his wolf part relaxed with the smell as well. It took two seconds after seeing Penny enter the room, before she froze, her body tensing up and then she glanced up, around the room, her eyes landing on his as he was looking at her.

She had shoulder length smooth brown hair, dark blue eyes and while she was tall, she was still a head shorter then him. She looked a little on the small size for weight, seeing as she was a wolf and normally wolves were build athletic like. Even so, to him she was simply perfect and she wss his mate. He had finally found the one person made right for him and he could not help but want to approach her.

The moment he took a step though, it was like she too woke from her surprise. Her eyes flickered away from him, towards her brother and then back to the tray she was carrying. There were four mugs on the tray and a jug. Nathanial wanted to shift forward and help her, but he was scared, feared her not looking at him meant she did not want him.

“Sorry for the delay.” she said softly, a small voice like a mouse.

“Why don’t we all sit and discuss the reasoning for this visit.” Connor spoke with a smile.

They followed his direction, took a seat and Penny handed out a mug to everyone, taking one herself. She sat herself away from Nathanial and he could pretend that it did not hurt. She seemed off, like she was afraid of him for some unknown reason. He was sure with the way she had suddenly stopped and looked at him that she knew, that she was aware they were mates, and yet, she was not even mentioning it.

“Nathanial Everstrong is from the Redmoon Pack. A few of their leaders are here today to discuss pack agreements and help.” Luna Jaimee explained.

“So… are you a pack leader then?” Connor asked, a brow raised.

“I am a Delta in training.” Nathanial said with a nod.

“Hmm… so was I…” Connor said, his eyes flicking to his Luna and then away again. “Our parents were the Delta’s, but they passed away five years ago.”

“That must have been hard.” Nathanial spoke, knowing the paid of loosing family. “How… old were you? Must not have been easy.”

“I was eighteen, Penny was thirteen.” Connor said thoughtfully. “I was legally of age, she was not, so I took on her guardian ship. Will do so until she is of age.”

“Penny is a good girl.” Luna Jaimee said with a prideful smile. “She will be eighteen at the end of next year. She studies hard and is top of her classes. She also works, helping out in the pack childcare centre.”

“That is pretty impressive.” Nathanial said with a smile, looking towards Penny. “Do you… enjoy school?”

“Yes….” she mumbled, not looking up.

“That is good.” Nathanial said back. “And you are working too. That must bit a little draining.”

“It is fine.” Penny said, still not looking up.

“She is amazing with the children. A natural if you ask me.” Luna Jaimee claimed. “I think she will grow up with do amazing things, she will be a lovely mate to have and will be such a brilliant and supportive mother to her pups.”

“Wow, hold up.” Connor said with a nervous laugh. “She is only just seventeen last month, it’s a bit too early to be talking about some man getting her knocked up right!”

“Connor, please do not take it the wrong way. I was just simply stating that your sister does a really good job and in time, she will be fantastic.” Luna Jaimee told him. “I am sure Delta Everstrong will not pressure her into anything until she is ready.”

“What do you mean?” Connor asked, looking at each of them in turn.

“He… is…. My mate.” Penny spoke up, scared, looking at her brother.

“What!” he gasped standing up looking horrified. “Since when?”

“I noticed Penny at the pack house earlier. Luna Jaimee offered to escort me, so I could meet your sister. I think the connection was confirmed when Penny first looked up and saw me.” Nathanial said with a gentle smile, looking her way. “I have been looking and waiting for my mate for so long and now I am graced with such a beautiful woman, the wait was worth it.”

The room fell silent, Nathanial was not sure why Penny would not look up. She kept glancing at her hands in her lap, as if she was afraid. Connor looked shocked, and like he was going to explode in anger. Nathanial could sense it, but he also could see that guy was thinking, calming down and then put on a friendly expression. Maybe he did not think that Nathanial did not notice, but he had and it did not seem right.

“Penny is a student, if you were hoping to take her away, then I disagree.” Connor said firmly. “She needs to finish school.”

“I understand that.” Nathanial said with a nod. “I would not push or force anything. In fact, I have a good friend in the same situation right now. She found her mate in a different pack. She wants to finish her school year and then she will move to his pack. I so completely understand.”

“Is it even safe in Redmoon right now though?” Connor asked, a slight glare at Nathanial. “We have all been hearing what has been going on. Your pack has been a bit of a target lately. My sister is my last family, I do not know if I want her going to a place that is under threat.”

“Are you forgetting Connor,” Nathanial said leaning forward and looking right at the guy. “All packs are under threat. Here, my pack, somewhere else. An attack could happen.”

“Hmmm… true.” Connor said with a nod, knowing his reason had no grounds.

“I understand this is a surprise.” Nathanial spoke up, looking at Penny, who finally looked up at him with her curious eyes. “I will be honest, I understand what it is like loosing family. It is hard. I do not expect much, I do not want to force you Penny. I understand you want to finish school. Lets focus on that and then see what happens from there.”

He smiled gently, and then stood up, he pulled a wallet out of his back pocket and then a business card. It was something that he and his friends all agreed to make, knowing they would be doing more pack meetings, it was good to have a card or two handy to give out for their contact details. He leaned forward and placed the card down on the coffee table, near her books.

“I would still like to catch up and get to know you.” he said gently. “My contact details are on this card, you can message me.”

He could see the way the brother and sister were a bit stunned. He smiled again, and then nodded his head with a slight bow, before he glanced to the Luna and then headed to the front door. He could hear her standing, bidding farewell to the siblings and then followed Nathanial out of the house. They were silent for five minutes, as they walked along the path, making their way back to the pack house. It was at this point that Nathanial spoke up and handed a second business card to Luna Jaimee.

“Please keep this handy and pass it onto Penny when she is alone and not with her brother.” he said.

“Do you not expect her to contact you?” Luna Jaimee asked surprised.

“I have a feeling that Penny would like to. I suspect Connor will not let her.” Nathanial said with thought. “I just have this feeling he did not like the idea that his sister now has a mate.”

“You are very observant.” Luna Jaimee stated.

“Please keep an eye on her for me.” Nathanial asked respectfully.

“I will. I shall save your contact to mine as well and let you know if anything happens.” she replied.

“Thank you Luna.” he said in reply with a small smile.