The Lycan’s Reluctant Luna

Chapter 5: The Birthday Girl and The Lycans

Rylee’s POV:

I’m wasn’t sure how long I had slept, but I definitely felt much better than I had. Laying in bed next to Luke I nuzzled up to him, inhaling deeply. This man had been invading my thoughts lately, it was so strange.

Coming to my aid at the attack, sitting by my side in the hospital, all of it was extremely heartwarming. The man I had basically shunned to a separate bed for months, had been caring for me like I meant the world to him.

I wasn’t sure how to feel about any of it, and I was pretty sure he was in the same boat too. I knew we needed to talk and we needed to do it soon.

Especially with Anna having the feelings for him that she did, I couldn’t keep going back and forth with everything.

I knew if Luke and I decided that we wanted more from each other that it would crush Anna. I also knew that drawing things out and lying to her would crush her even more.

I laid beside him with my mind racing. When had it gotten so confusing, we knew going into this arrangement that it was just for the betterment of our packs. Why did feelings have to get involved?

I thought about when I had turned 18, I should have been ecstatic about meeting my wolf and venturing to find my mate. Instead I was bonding myself to Luke, sacrificing my happiness to help my people.

In the midst of my confusion my thoughts came to a halt. It was the day of AnnaLee’s party, and the Lycan’s were coming!

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AnnaLee’s POV:

I had been running around like crazy all last night and throughout the morning. There was so much to do for this party to be finalized. Since the Lycan King was coming, I knew it had to go off without a hitch.

I felt my phone go off and it was a message from Rylee.

“Happy 18th birthday! I’ll be down soon to help you with anything you have left to do”

My racing mind slowed as I started to think about Luke. When Rylee was in the hospital and he touched my hand, the spark it sent up my arm was unreal.

I had been pining after him for years, and I was never fully sure why. After all, he was kinda a d**k, but that sparkle in his eyes, and his amazing body just always screamed at me.

That spark had confirmed it though, since I was so close to 18, it was definitely the start of a mate pull. f**k.

I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, or what we could do. With him already being mated to my sister, I just, I didn’t know what to do. I needed to dive back into the party arrangements. Atleast I had control over that.

It felt like hours had passed before Rylee finally came down. I looked over her shoulder for Luke, but didn’t see him.

“Hey kid! How does it feel? Find your mate yet?” She winked at me.

“Thanks, and no, no mate yet. How are you feeling though? You went through a lot recently”

“Ehh. You know me, I’ll be alright. It absolutely wasn’t going to keep me from such an important day though! Luke is with some of the elders and pack members right now getting things ready for the Lycan’s arrival. He said he wouldn’t be late, but knowing him I’d expect he will show up about an hour into the party” Rylee laughed finishing up her statement.

Although she was laughing it just made me more nauseous. The thought of actually seeing Luke, I already knew what was going to happen. I really needed to try to stay as far away from him as possible, until I could get something figured out.

Rylee dove in helping me finish up decorations, making sure the food preparation was on schedule, and alerting any of the remaining pack members who were unaware.

Since our packs had combined all those months ago, the White River Pack now had a significant pack count. Our numbers were well into the 700’s making us the largest pack on the eastern side.

So it wasn’t surprising some still wouldn’t know. We did throw it together spur of the moment. She really was the best Luna.

Even if it was forced, I felt like she always had a calm and sweet composure. She was always worried about taking care of others, she was amazing with getting things into order around the pack house.

I could never be as good as her. The thought finally hit me that being Luke’s true mate, I would have to be the Luna. There was no way, I knew I could never live up to the high standard Rylee had set.

Great. Just one more thing for me to look forward to.

*****

After a few more hours everything finally seemed to be falling into place. We only had a couple things left to finalize and it was barely 1pm. Things were going ahead of schedule so that was a load off my chest.

Planning a party for myself and the Lycan king had taken a toll on me. They wouldn’t be here until after 5, and we had the party to start around 7.

This would give everyone plenty of time to get settled into their rooms and relax for a bit before the festivities began.

“Okay, so things should be good to go. I’m going to be down here about 6:45 so I can get everyone settled in. And there should be a spotlight the follows me to my seat”

I was cut off by Rylee snickering.

“And what’s funny?”

“Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. I just was so curious as to why you’d share your birthday and make it a combined party. You just telling me about the spotlight though confirmed I know you as well as I thought.” she really started laughing this time.

“I know you always like to be in the spotlight for stuff like this, but I didn’t think there would be a literal one.”

“Well hell yeah! First off, I planned the damn thing, not to mention the Lycan king isn’t the one possibly finding his mate tonight, I am.” We were both laughing by that point.

Man I had worn myself out and really needed a nap. I could atleast get an hour in and everything would be fine, so that’s what I intended to do.

I walked to my room, got into bed, and was just asleep when my head started pounding. I felt a tingle and then I heard her.

Hey baby girl. It’s nice to finally talk with you. You’ve been so busy I have had hell getting through. My name is Starla.

My wolf! It was my wolf! There had been so much going on that I didn’t even realize I hadn’t heard from her yet.

Starla, that’s a beautiful name. I bet you are too, I can’t wait to see you. We have a big party for us tonight and it’s going to be amazing!

I had way too much excitement to sleep at that point. Starla and I just talked for a while getting to know each other. Well, she had all my memories, so I guess it was more me getting to know her.

Around 6 I made my way downstairs. Luke had already got the Lycans taken care of and they were all unpacking in their rooms. Rylee told me he had gone back to his office with Sam and Gamma Tyler to go over patrols and safety for the party.

She told me she had met a few of the Lycans but not the Lycan king yet. She said they were huge compared to us.

I told her about my wolf as we got everyone into their places. Tonight was going to be unforgettable, I just knew it.

7:00 finally rolled around and everyone was pouring in to the dining hall. Luke had linked Rylee and let her know that King Kyle was with him and they’d be down shortly.

I could tell among the crowd which were our pack and which were Lycans. Rylee was definitely right, they were huge. Most of them were a good foot taller than me, and very broad.

Everyone started taking their seats and things began to calm down a bit. The omegas were finishing setting up the buffet and everyone started getting up to fix their plates.

I was about to join when I felt a cool air brush over me. A tingle went up my body and I smelled the most amazing scent of cedar and sea water. It smelled like a beautiful lake trip.

Starla was going crazy in my head. Bouncing around howling constantly. I knew what this was, but I hoped it wasn’t who I thought.

I looked around and at the same time my eyes met with Luke. He looked flawless, so handsome and muscular. His eyes had that same sparkle in them that I’d had come to love.

He looked at me and we both stood frozen. Everyone was bustling around, paying no attention. I could see him mouthing the same word that was forming at my mouth.

“Mate.”

We stood in place. We both knew this was bad, and this couldn’t happen, not here, not now. Starla was pissed at me. She knew the history but she didn’t care.

I’d had my wolf less than 10 hours and I was already being called every name in the book. I couldn’t really blame her though. I wanted to run over and jump in his arms just as bad as she wanted me to.

It was then that I noticed King Kyle looked like he was stunned as well. I turned to see Rylee from across the room in the same trance that Luke and I had been in moments before.

Me and Luke? Rylee and King Kyle? What the actual f**k was the moon goddess playing at here? I knew they were having the same thoughts I was because Rylee and Kyle both looked at Luke at the same time, hoping he hadn’t noticed.

If he hadn’t been going through the same thing, I’m sure he would have. Thankfully he had been blissfully unaware for the moment.

We all snapped out of the haze and had looks of horror on our faces. You could tell we all had 50 scenarios going through our heads as we made our way to our seats.

Luke looked like he wanted to throw up. Rylee looked like she wanted to run out of the room. King Kyle just looked pissed at the situation. Me, being the only one who knew what was going on with all of us, I wanted to scream!

I was sure all of our wolves were cursing us at that moment. It was too much though. Rylee and Luke were mated. King Kyle wasn’t going to just act at the possibility of starting a huge political problem, and Rylee knew this too.

As for me and Luke, I knew they had been growing closer lately. He knew it too, and that was my sister. I couldn’t betray her like that, true mate regardless.

Looks were exchanged back and forth between us. There was no question that it was going to be a long f*****g night.

I tried to think back to earlier. when things were still calm, and I had just met my wolf, who also wasn’t speaking to me for the time being.

I knew the party would be unforgettable, but damn had I wished I’d chosen any other words.