A Summer Under Our Moon

Faith’s POV The sky was darkening as the sun was making it’s grand exit from the sky. I sighed and rested my head on my arms that were on my drawn up knees. I was sitting on the roof of my pack’s mansion while a party raged on below me. I should get back in there, before they notice I’ve snuck away. I stood and breathed in deeply and let the sweet, summery, western air hit my soul. Spring was coming to a close and summer was looming. I made my way back to the window that I came out of, climbed inside, and locked the window behind me. I made haste for the staircase that went directly to the kitchen area, and was almost there, when I heard the distinct sound of footsteps behind me. Sh*t, I thought to myself, I’ve been found out. I turned to glance and see who was there; when I realized it was no one. I shook my head and continued on. Once I got back down to the party I quickly grabbed a tray, hors d’oeuvres, smoothed my apron, and pushed the heavy doors open to the party area. I surveyed the dance floor and was greeted with my peers, all dancing and laughing and smiling. All were decked out in their finest formal wear. And here I am, in black dress pants, black t-shirt, and black short heels. My hair was pinned up in a tasteful bun and my makeup was a light, natural look. I wondered what it was like to be a part of that crowd. I shook off that silly notion and started making my rounds. Most of my classmates thought I was weird or they thought that I was annoying. Or they didn’t think of me at all. I was invisible after all. Imagine that - you’re a werewolf who’s invisible! I was just about to make my way around another table when I was approached by none other than Kate. I could’ve rolled my eyes and gagged. Kate Garcia was the popular senior this year. She was tall, 5’9, with beautiful tanned skin, a muscular and yet curvy figure, with long, flowing, dark hair, and bright blue eyes that could cut you. She was wearing a gorgeous long sleeved wrap dress that was pale orange colored and shimmered in the light. She was rumored to be the Beta-to-be Jameson’s hook up, Goddess knows that she would never be his girlfriend though, he doesn’t do commitment, he was unattached and thought he was bad or something. “Faithy, fancy seeing you here!”, she smirked stopping in front of me. “Well I work here so, here I am”, I said feigning kindness. Maybe if I got through pleasantly she would go away. “I mean, why would they let a little thing like you in here? It’s obvious you’d just steal things”, she said narrowing her eyes. Oh, hell no, I know she didn’t, I thought to myself. “I’ve never been a thief, everyone knows that”, I said as my smile was replaced by a dry stare. “Your parents were thieves, so I mean, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree does it?” Goddess I wanted to dump the food and smack her with the tray. But if I did that, the Alpha and Luna of our pack would have my hide. I couldn’t afford to burn bridges here. “My parents problems are not my burden, and you should move along”, I shifted my tray to the other side. “I mean honestly, why do you do this sh*t? It’s so boring”. “Because you’re a filthy low life and deserve to be reminded. You’re so lucky Luna Eden allows you to stay here. You belong in the gutter where your parents left you”, she sneered at me. “In fact maybe I can help you ..” she trailed off and shoved the tray into my side hard. I doubled over from the impact. She was much stronger than me - she’s already had her first wolf shift and I, being 17, had not yet had it. F*ck, I had better get up and stand my ground. I stood up just as I watched her eyes grow dark with hate. Another werewolf trait. If she was looking for a fight I guess I was ready. I took my tray and blocked her first kick with it and banged her shin on it. I know it didn’t hurt her but damn was it satisfying. “Nobody’s here to save you, Faithy. I hope you have some strength in you, otherwise this will be too easy”, she said as she raised her arm again to me. She struck me so hard in the face I spun a bit and fell. I popped up, turning as I rose, and kicked her square in the jaw. It was on. A few more hits back and forth and then I took one to the face that hurt so bad I fell down again. Sh*t, I couldn’t wait the two weeks until I shifted and then I wouldn’t be so weak. “It’s over, little b***h,” she said as she raised her arm again to strike me when suddenly her arm was caught by a swift, strong arm. Kate spun incredulously, because I mean, who would dare to stop her, ya know? And she came face to face with someone who would dare- Ryder. The color drained from Kate’s face and my own, I bet. I stood up quickly and brushed myself off. I could only imagine how bad I look right now. I looked at the floor in shame. “What .. in the f*ck .. is going on here”, he seethed. Ryder typically wasn’t so harsh, but not right now. Kate was a tough chick but even her tough persona was faltering. “It’s all her fault, she was saying insanely rude things to me and everything. She even threw her tray at me!” She shrieked as she gestured wildly around us. “Ry-Ryder, I didn’t do this, she came up to me and started all this, I am so sorry”, I stammered as I tried to clean things up. Ugh I am so in for it, he is not going to have mercy. I tried fervently to hold back tears that were threatening to spill over. I was so not a crier but in these circumstances I was going to be if I didn’t play my cards right. Suddenly other important pack members were right there with us. s**t. “Kate what are you thinking? You know she wouldn’t dare start anything, she knows what she has to lose”, he glanced down at me with pity and hatred in his eyes. “I’m not lying!” She shrieked, stamping her foot. It was too whiny to be believed, to be honest. I was scraping up the food off the floor with a towel when I saw two feet walk up and stop in front of me. I gulped, looking up into amber-colored eyes that were staring down at me with a hand out reached. Jameson Taylor was leaning down to help me of all people. I took his hand and stood, casting my eyes down. I clasped my hands in front of me. He stood next to me. I could feel the heat and anger radiating off of him. Wolves naturally stayed hot, especially ones who had begun shifting like the company surrounding me. “Are you okay?”, Jameson asked me with no emotion on his face or in his voice. “I am fine, sir”, I said meekly. I so hoped I wasn’t getting fired over this b*tch. “Are you guys really helping her out? I mean honestly, Jay, what the f*ck is this?” Kate said grabbing his arm. “Baby, can’t you see that she’s just pretending? That she started all of this?” Jay obviously didn’t get it because he didn’t look her in the eyes and shoved her hand away. Whoa, awkward. “It’s really not a big deal, I’ll see myself out and y’all just enjoy the rest of your evening”, I said turning to walk away when someone stepped in front of me. I was no short chick, topping out at 5’11 myself, but the person in front of me towered over me. I looked up into the piercing dark eyes of Ryder. I gulped again. This is it, this is when they fire you, Faith, you’ve done it this time. “Faith, we’re not done with you yet. And as for you, Kate”, he said over his shoulder to a bewildered shewolf, “get out. We’ll deal with you later.” The coldness in his eyes made my throat dry. Kate took one last long look at Jameson, probably expecting him to stand up for her or say something, but he wouldn’t meet her eyes. He stared straight ahead with no emotion to be found on his face, his arms tucked tightly across his chest. Ryder let out a low growl that sent chills through my body. She stormed away and out of the pack house. The other pack members dissipated into the party once more, paying no mind to the girl who got the sh*t kicked out her. I gulped again. That’s definitely not the last I’ll hear from her. If I know her, and I think I do, she’ll be back. And she’ll kill me for sure. F*ck. I looked back down at my feet as I waited for the inevitable “get out Faith”, or “you’re fired, you mongrel”. Some insult, some firing- who knows, for all I know he could just throw me out. I prayed to the Goddess herself that I wouldn’t be thrown out. I would have nowhere to go. “Let’s have a chat in my office, hmm?” Ryder gestured to a door not far away. I followed him into the room, Jameson closed the door behind us. Ryder was now sitting at his desk and gestured to a seat in front of him while Jameson stood behind by the door. He still looked so cold, but it was almost sad; he almost looked like something was missing from his eyes. I snapped back to Ryder when I heard him close a desk drawer. A file lay on his desk. s**t, that’s definitely my records. “So, I see here you are staying her with us in the pack house, correct?” He said without looking up. “Yes sir, this is true”, I said evenly. “Did Kate really come to you first? Or are you lying to protect your room here?” He looked at me hard, his eyes narrowing. He was trying to intimidate me, which was not hard considering he was terrifying. He was a huge man, thickly muscled, with dark blond hair and dark eyes that dared you to cross him. “Sir, I was serving the party guests when she came over to me and accused me of stealing with no proof. I know my parents history, but I would never, I could never. I’ve only cleaned rooms, served the house, I swear to you I-“, I began word vomiting before I knew, and then I was cut off when Ryder reached forward and touched my face. Ouch. That’s where she had hit me the hardest on my cheek. I hadn’t even thought about the wounds. Wolves heal quicker than mortals so it wouldn’t last too long, but damnit that hurt. “I .. I .. Don’t know what to say”. He withdrew his hand and stared at me for a moment. Jameson cleared his throat and nodded ever so slightly to the Alpha-to-be. “I believe you. This is the only place you have, you’re damn lucky to have it, why would you risk it? You’ll never leave this house”, he scoffed rubbing his chin. “Don’t you have a birthday coming up? What are your plans?” “Sir, I’m the help. I don’t get celebration or plans. I’ll be 18 and my plan is to leave and find a life of my own out there. I want to be a musician”, I said with a small smile. Ryder looked at me and chuckled a little. My smile faded as I realized none of this could possibly be sincere. “Sure, of course. I guess you’d better get back to your work, the floor won’t clean itself,” he said his eyes becoming cold again. Any charm he had was gone and was replaced by a seriousness that cut to the bone. I turned to walk out. “Oh, and Faith, don’t ever let this happen again or there will be consequences for your actions. I won’t be so nice next time.” He said putting the file back in his drawer. “Yes, sir”, I said. I walked out the door that Jameson had opened for me. We made brief eye contact. I hurried out of the door. I didn’t want to linger and give them a reason to give me any consequences for today. I cleaned up the rest of the mess, while Luna Eden watched on, commenting on the spectacle I had made by insulting and fighting Kate. I calmly walked to the kitchen and did all the dishes- punishment from the Luna herself- and made my way up to bed by midnight. I slept in the attic of course. It was drafty up there in the harsh winters, and burning hot during the hotter months of the year. But what else could an orphaned pup expect when she was left alone in the world at the ripe age of 7? Not much more than this. I brushed my hair and teeth, changed into sleeping clothes, and crawled under my covers. Just 12 days now, 12 days until my birthday and my first shift. I wonder what it would be like. I heard it would be painful. I had seen some people shift before, I wasn’t supposed to have though. I’ve seen Ryder shift before. I was just taking out the trash late one day when I heard a scuffle nearby around the shrubbery that covered the back porch area. I turned the corner and peered through the foliage to see him go behind a tree, naked. I heard a grunt and then a bone-chilling howl that could be heard for miles and miles. And then from behind that tree emerged a beautiful wolf, huge, with pure white fur. The fur on his ears and paws were edged in an amber color. He was almost shimmering. My breath hitched as I watched him trot around for a minute. It was his birthday, his 18th birthday, when I saw this so I could only assume I had intruded on a very private moment, his first shift. I quickly turned on my heels and ran inside. I ran up to my room and shut the door. Of course I had nothing to truly worry about but I didn’t want to get in any trouble for watching him. I shook my head and entered reality again. Ryder so did not think of me like that and there was no sense in wishing. Wishes did not come true, not matter how bad you wanted it. I would work hard on my music and then everything would be worth it. I wondered what color my wolf would be as I drifted off to sleep.. ~ Ryder’s POV ~ I watched on as Faith left my office. The servant orphan we’d had for 10 years. She was strong and yet so jumpy. Her poor face looked so painful, Kate was low for having hurt her. Kate must have been feeling poorly of herself if she thought it okay to pick on a servant of all people. I could understand why she would fear her though. Faith was a beautiful female, the kind money can’t buy. But, she was a servant, she was not for me. Could you imagine the stares? The scandal? I was to be the Alpha of our pack, this summer during the first full moon of June. It would be here in mere weeks. I couldn’t risk it. I hadn’t found my mate yet but I begged the moon Goddess every night, please, please bring me my Luna. I had figured Kate would be my mate but as fate would have it she is not. She has not yet found her mate either and I knew she was after Jameson. He wasn’t interested in relationships so I knew it was only for the hook-up. I realized then I had been staring off at the door for some time now. I broke my stare so as not to make Jameson suspicious of my behavior. I absolutely could not lose focus; now was my time to take my place in this pack. “Are you sure we shouldn’t send her to a pack doc? That cheek looked pretty f*cked up”, Jameson said uncrossing his arms and sitting down in the chair. “No. She’ll be fine, she’ll learn her lesson the hard way. She shouldn’t have been f*cking with a female like that”, I said as I rubbed my forehead. Sh*t, I should have, shouldn’t I? Goddess why was I so stupid. “Whatever you say, bro. I’m surprised though. I never would have believed it if I didn’t see it for myself. Kate is wicked evil and Faith stood her ground. When she wasn’t getting the sh*t kicked out of her that is”, Jameson said with a grin. Was he admiring her? A frown settled briefly on my brows before I corrected it immediately. Keep it together, man. She’s not worth the trouble that will follow. “Nothing special about getting your ass kicked, Jay. She needs to be reminded that she’s low, she needs to be reminded what her place is in this pack. She’s the f*cking maid, the servant, the housekeeper- she’s nothing. I need her to remain here doing her duties, not off chasing dreams that don’t exist”, I said, trying to sound stern and hard. “Would you please go make up a list of things to do? I need her to do extra special chores for tomorrow. And Jay? Talk to Kate. Make sure you’re waste of space, waste of time knows her place in my f*cking house. That will never, ever be tolerated again. If she is to be your mate she’ll need to learn some serious manners”. I had to keep my tone even on the last part. I needed Kate to know her place, but I was also still pissed about the scene she made, how the party ended early because of it. “She’s nothing to me. I’ll send a message to her. Should I trespass her?” Jameson asked. His face was all business- Kate really didn’t mean anything to him. “No, she’s hasn’t really done too much. She’s still a part of our pack. I just cant have her behaving that way ever again”. “Understood”. And with a curt nod, he was out the door and gone. I sighed, looking out the window at the beautiful moon that was in the sky now. I had everything I could ever want. I had a family, friends, my career and life was set to go, money beyond my wildest dreams. And yet, something was missing. There was a hole in my soul where loved belonged. Where a mate belonged. My arms were empty, my bed lonely. Where are you, my Luna? Who are you? I just want to find you..