The Rising Moon Pack

Chapter 9

Maria POV

I weaved through the crowd, every now and then stopping to respond as someone wished me happy birthday. As I finally made my way to the house, Michelle stepped in my way, blocking my path.

“Spill!” She said to me firmly, crossing her arms. “ I saw you with that mountain of a man!” She said excitedly.

“Mitch,I’m more than happy to talk about Jake, but I really need to be somewhere right now. You’re welcome to rescue him from my parents though, I left them chatting over by the buffet.” I answered her.

“Fine! But don’t blame me if I interrogate him a little.” She said, smiling. “Only the best for my girl!”

I laughed at her and carried on walking. My feet knew where to take me, and as I skipped through the house, I decided to speak to Isabella.

“ Can I tell him yet?” I asked.

“ Are you ready to deal with those consequences?” She asked me seriously.

I paused as I thought about it. Uncle Harry deserved to know that Bella wasn’t completely gone. He deserved to be happy, and to have the choice to come with us if we left for Sapphire Moon. I’d rather he heard it now, and had time to think things through rather than leave it till last minute.

“I’m ready.” I stated firmly. “He won’t hurt me.”

I stood outside Harry’s office door and steadied myself. Before I could knock, Harry called out to me.

“Come in, Maria.”

I shook my hands briskly to rid some of the tension from my body and opened the door.

“Uncle Harry?” I peeked into the room. It was dark, just a single lamp switched on in the corner of the room. Harry was laying on his couch, looking up at the ceiling.

“ Happy birthday. Did you find your mate?” He asked me softly.

“Thank you. Yes, I did. His name is Jake, he is the Alpha of Sapphire Moon.” I answered honestly.

“So you’re going to be leaving us?” He asked, quietly.

“Yes, I suppose I will be.” I answered. “ I actually needed to speak to you about something, if you don’t mind.”

“I have a head ache at the moment, Maria.” He told me, “Is there any chance this could wait?” He turned away from me, eyes shut. A single tear rolled down his cheek, and every part of my being wanted to comfort him.

“Tell him.” Bella urged.

“Actually, if I don’t tell you now, I may shift right here in the office.” I laughed weakly.

“Don’t tempt me.” Bella laughed to herself.

He turned to look at me, hurt evident on his face.

“Maria, this isn’t a good time. Please go.”

“What do I do, Bells? He won’t let me talk” I begged for her help.

Bella pushed forward, and Harry gasped.

“Dad, let her speak.”

Harry POV

“This can’t be possible” I stammered. “Bella is dead, why do you sound like her? Why are your eyes silver? Why do you smell like her?”

My head was reeling. Why did she sound like Bella? How? Why would the Goddess torment me?

“Harry?” Just then, Ben appeared at the door.

“ What is happening Ben? Why does she sound like Bella?” I asked frantically.

“Harry, calm down. Give us a chance to explain what is going on.” He came and sat next to me, putting his arm around Maria protectively.

“I’m sorry, Uncle.” She looked sad for a moment, “ I didn’t know how else to get you to listen.”

I sat up on the couch, feeling calmer now I had seen how sad she looked. I patted the seat next to me, and she came and sat down. Ben grabbed the visitors chair and sat opposite us both, leaning forward slightly with his hands between his knees. I breathed in slightly and took in the scent of blueberry muffins and felt myself relax. I turned to Maria and noticed her eyes looked sad. She was fighting an internal battle I knew nothing about, but I was hoping after this bombshell she was about to drop, I could understand a bit more and she could finally feel free.

“ So, this morning when I was in your office, my wolf spoke to me.” She started, looking at the floor. “ I won’t lie,” she said, “ I s**t myself when I heard her voice. I thought I was losing my mind.” She paused, and took a deep breath. “Uncle Harry, my wolf’s name is Isabella.”

I turned to her in shock.

“Isabella; as in, my Bella?” I asked her incredulously.

“Yes.” She whispered, her eyes glued on the floor. A tear fell, and before I knew what I was doing, I had pulled her close into a fierce bear hug. Ben shifted in his seat slightly, ready to defend Maria if necessary. Maria squeaked in surprise, but I felt her relax against my body as she broke out into relieved sobs.

“Don’t cry,” I told her. “ I don’t want you to cry. Don’t feel bad, you didn’t ask for this.” I said. “ If anyone deserves to receive Bella as their wolf, it’s you.” I smiled weakly at her.

“Do you want to talk to her?” She smiled at me.

I paused. “I can do that?” I asked, in disbelief.

“Yep, you can. In fact, we can all chat together.” She said to me confidently.

I turned to Ben. “ Is she serious? No wolf has ever done this before.” I asked, shocked.

“She’s a special wolf,” Ben chuckled. “Just look out for her eyes, man. They’re kinda freaky the first time.”

I nodded, and turned back to Maria. “I’d love to speak to Bella.” I said, softly.

She nodded, and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, one shone a brilliant emerald, whilst the other was a stunning pure silver.

“Dad?”

Her voice was just how I remembered. My eyes filled with tears, and I choked as I answered. “Bella?”

“ I’m here,” she soothed. “ The moon goddess chose me for Maria. I know you’re scared of losing me again now we’ve found our mate, but I need you to listen to Maria, ok?”

Her voice was so sweet, like warm honey. It wrapped around my battered heart and made me feel whole again. I nodded, and looked expectantly at Maria.

Maria POV

I took a deep breath.

“ So tonight, we found our mate. He is the alpha of Sapphire Moon, which means I will be leaving to become Luna to Sapphire Moon at the end if the week.”

Harry flinched at the words, but my dad smiled and nodded encouragingly.

“ At the end of this week, after all of the meetings are finished, Dad is planning to hand over the Alpha title to Jase, which means the Beta title will be going to Matt, and Gamma to Alex.” I continued. “ Once this is done, you will be retired from the ranks.” I said to Henry.

He nodded slowly, his brow furrowed in thought.

“ Dad,” I turned to my father, “ Could you ask Mom to bring Jake up here, please?”

“Of course, pumpkin.” He answered.

“ I would like to ask you to come with me.” I looked Harry square in the eye. “I haven’t raised this with Jake, yet, but I’m hopeful that he will agree to this.”

Just then, there was a knock at the door and my mother and Jake entered. Jake looked a little lost and confused, and I smiled at him. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach as he made eye contact with me and smiled back.

“There you are, angel.” He smiled at me.

“Jake, this is Beta Harry.” I introduced him to Harry, who was eyeing him up curiously. “He’s the father of my wolf, Bella.”

Jake POV

I swallowed nervously.

“The what?” I asked, not sure I’d heard her properly.

“The father to my wolf.” She repeated calmly.

Luna Kate closed the office door quietly and pulled up a visitor’s chair from the desk.

“Sit.” She said, gently.

I sat down, and took Maria’s hands softly in my own. The sparks danced between us,and as I looked into her eyes, I realised that one was dazzling emerald, and the other was now startlingly silver.

“Your eyes!” I gasped.

She reached a hand up and brushed against her cheek, as if she had forgotten.

“ I can explain,” she said softly, “ Just give me a chance.”

I stared at her, completely mesmerised. I knew that it didn’t matter what this woman was about to tell me, my heart was hers. I loved her no matter what, and nothing she could say was going to change that fact. I listened intently as she launched into the story of how her best friend was murdered in cold blood a year ago, and as she talked, I noticed every now and then, her wolf would interject gently. Flynn was pacing furiously in my mind, his heart soaring every time she spoke. He was a love sick little puppy,and I knew his heart belonged to Bella, just as I belonged to Maria. As her story came to a close, her eyes dropped to the floor.

“… and that’s why I understand if you wish to reject me.” She said, softly.

I couldn’t help myself, I jumped up, knocking my chair flying in the process. Flynn fronted himself and spoke directly to Bella.

“MINE.”