The Rising Moon Pack

Chapter 37

Maria POV

I was serving a lovely young family their lunch when I saw Noah enter the room alone. He grinned at me, and waved as he headed over to me.

“Nice apron, Squeak.” He teased, cheerfully.

“You’re in a good mood.” I remarked. “Any reason?”

“Correction, I’m in a very good mood, and yes, there’s a reason.” He answered.

I raised my eyebrow at him. “Any reason I’m allowed to know?” I asked him,smiling.

“Mae’s coming!” He burst out, and I chuckled in amusement.

“She’s coming where? Here?” I asked, laughing.

“Yes! Jake confirmed it this morning. Charlie and Lottie are coming too.” He rubbed his hands together gleefully.

“Something big must be happening then.” I commented, carefully.

“Yes. Maybe. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say.” Noah admitted.

“Don’t tell me then.” I told him, firmly. “Your loyalty lies with your Alpha.”

“But you’re my Luna!” He protested, pouting. “I’m loyal to you too!”

“I know,” I reasoned with him. “But Jake hasn’t told me yet. If I’m meant to know, it should come from him.” I smiled gently at Noah as he nodded slowly.

“Anyway, go and eat. Your lunch will be in in a second, I’ll bring it over.” I told him.

“Thanks, Squeak!” He told me, bounding over to the main table.

My eyes followed him, and I noticed that for the first time in a very long time, Uncle Harry was in his seat, watching over everyone with a small smile. He made eye contact with me, and raised his glass. I waved back, linking him.

“Stay where you are, I’ll bring your lunch over.”

“Thank you, Maria.” He answered, his voice warm. Bella purred at the sound, and I knew she was missing him.

“Do you wanna sit with him?” I asked her.

“Is that ok?” She asked me.

“Of course it is. But I don’t think you should tell him anything about what we know.” I reasoned.

“Maria, none of that matters to me. In my mind, he’s my dad and your dad is my uncle. Nothing has changed for me.” She reassured me, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I wandered back to the kitchen, taking my apron off and grabbing two plates.

“Almost everyone is fed, besides those who haven’t come in to the dining hall just yet.” I told Mrs Davies, smiling. “Can you manage from here? I’d like to go and sit with Uncle Harry for a bit, if that’s alright.”

“Yes, of course, go!” She beamed up at me, and I stared at her, fascinated. How had I not realised for all this time who she was?

“We’re naturals for blending in.” She linked me, winking.

“How did you know what I was thinking?”I gasped in awe.

“Maria, I am the first emerald wolf, I am as old as the hills and posses even talents that you have never heard of. One of those being the ability to read thoughts.” She told me over the link.

“That’s incredible. I’m switching off now though, cos Bella wants to talk to her dad.” I replied.

“No problem. Remember, she needs to wait before telling him what she knows. We need Kate in one piece.” Emeera responded.

“Yeah, I’ve warned her already. She won’t.” I promised, leaving the kitchen.

I weaved around a group of children who were going out to the gardens to play as I made my way back to the dining hall. I looked around, and noticed both my dad and Jake had made their way in, sitting at the head table chatting happily to their best friends. I smiled to myself as I watched Jake and Noah laughing, and Harry and my Dad cracking jokes. I felt contented, happy and warm. I approached the head table, Noah’s plate and Harry’s plate in each of my hands. My dad and Jake had been served by an Omega, and were eating happily as they talked. I watched Noah eyeing up Jake’s plate jealously, obviously starving.

“Here, before you dribble.” I laughed, placing the plate down in front of him. It was piled high with beef, mashed potatoes and veg, glistening with gravy. He took one look at the plate and moaned loudly.

“I think I’m in heaven.” He said breathlessly, eyeing up the mound of food.

I laughed, and walked over to Harry who had an almost identical reaction to Noah’s. I decided it was time to switch over, so I called Bella forward. I could feel her excitement as she switched places with me, and took her seat next to Harry.

Bella POV

“Hey, dad.” I whispered, quietly. He jumped a little in his seat, surprised that I was there.

“Hey, Jelly-Belly.” He smiled warmly at me, and I felt the tears flood to my eyes. I pulled him into a tight bear hug, and began sobbing on his shoulder.

“Hey, hey! What’s the meaning of this?” He comforted me, stroking my hair like he used to when I was a kid and had had a nightmare.

“I’ve just missed you.” I answered quietly. “I hadn’t realised how much.”

His face softened as he listened, and his eyes also began to brim with tears.

“I’ve missed you too. More than you’ll ever know.” He said, kissing me on the forehead. “Have you eaten?” He asked, noticing the empty table setting before me.

“Yes, I went to eat with Jase.” I told him, watching him cut his beef and carrots up. “It was quite nice, you know. Lovely and quiet, almost peaceful.”

“That does sound nice!” He chuckled. “Although, I’m quite enjoying the noise today.”

“Yes, well it’s been too long since you ate with us.” Uncle Ben interrupted. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever!”

“Ah, yes, well. I’ve been getting my affairs in order, and packing.” My dad answered.

“I’d forgotten about that.” Uncle Ben replied, looking mournful.

“I’ll visit all the time.” My dad promised, and Uncle Ben’s face brightened.

“Good!” He answered, happily rubbing his hands together.

I smiled to myself. Even though Harry wasn’t biologically my dad, he was the only dad I had ever known. If I had had to have a second dad, though, I was glad it was Ben. He had a kindness instilled deep down in his very soul, and it sung to me every time he talked. Ben’s only goal in life was to love, and be loved. My heart ached that he had never gotten to experience the true love of a mate bond with Lacey.

“Are you okay?” My dad asked me, suddenly. I had been deep in thought, quietly stewing.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I answered, quickly, smiling at him. “I have to go though, Maria wants to speak to Ben about their new guests arriving today.” Harry’s face fell briefly, before straightening out into a small smile.

“Ok.” He answered.

I pulled him into a hug, taking in his scent for one last time. He held me tightly, as I let Maria take over again, never once letting go.

Jake POV

“Uncle Harry, it’s me.” Maria said quietly, as he held onto her tightly. Maria had been sitting quietly next to Harry whilst Bella took over and had a chat with her dad. Had it not been for her silver eyes, I wouldn’t have been able to tell as she still looked the same, her long flowing curls hitting her waist, her freckles dancing across her nose.

“Sorry, Maria.” Harry apologised, finally letting her free. “It never gets easier to let her go.”

“I know.” She sympathised. “Have you tried to link her?” She asked him, suddenly.

“Why, no, I haven’t. We can’t link each other’s wolves unless we’re shifted.” He said, surprised.

“You’re forgetting we’re not like you.” Maria laughed, the melody bouncing around the room like an echo.

“Do you really think I can??” Harry asked, bouncing excitedly in his seat.

“I don’t see why we can’t try?” She answered.

Harry’s eyes were hopeful as Maria took hold of both of his hands. I watched, fascinated, as a green glow overtook their bodies. Maria closed her eyes and the glow changed, silver sparks crackling between them both. They began to fade, and Maria opened her eyes. She smiled at Harry gently, squeezing his hands.

When Harry opened his eyes, Maria gasped in shock. We all stood up to look, and Harry stared at us quizzically.

“What?” He asked, and we stared at home silently.

Where Harry’s brown eyes had been, there now was one brown eye, one silver. Maria clapped her hands together excitedly, and Harry looked at her, confused.

“What’s going on?” He asked, this time sounding worried.

“Your eyes, they’re different.” I offered, quietly.

“What? How?” He asked, shocked.

“I guess for Maria to be able to connect you with Bella, she had to give you a piece of her.” Ben said, chuckling.

Harry looked around at each of us, trying to gauge if we were being serious. Noah handed him a shiny metal tray, and Harry looked at it intently, before gasping in shock as he studied his eye.

“Everything ok, Chief?” I asked, gently.

“I can hear her.” He answered, his eyes filling with tears. “I can hear my baby talking to me!”

Maria sniffled, her voice cracking as she spoke.

“I’m so glad I’ve been able to do that for you, Harry.”

Harry kissed both of Maria’s cheeks gently.

“Thank you. I don’t know how you did that, but I’m so grateful!”

“You’re welcome.” She replied, smiling.

She left Harry’s side and came over to me. I leaned into her planting a deep kiss on her lips. She snuggled into my chest and I sniffed the top of her head appreciatively.

“You smell soooo good.”I whispered to her, smiling.

She smiled up at me. “You smell pretty darn good yourself!”

“You ready to eat?” I asked her, and she shook her head.

“No, I’m ok. I already ate lunch with my mom.”

“Oh really? How did that go?” I asked, raising my eyebrow at her.

“We should talk about this later.” She whispered, side eyeing Harry, who was clearly deep in thought linking Bella.

“Ah, ok. Gotcha. Well if it helps at all, we’re having a little schedule change. Some new developments have cropped up, and Charlie is on his way here with Lottie and Mae.” I told her, and she nodded her head slowly.

“Oh yes, Noah’s good mood.” She chuckled.

I laughed lightly and kissed her forehead.

“I swear, he's a badass in a fight but a lovesick puppy where she’s concerned.” I replied.

“This badass can still kick your ass in a fight Boss.” Noah interjected, biting down on his piece of carrot like he was snapping the head off of a victim.

“I’d love to see you try, daydreamer!” I shot back, laughing harder.

“Ooh just you wait!” He mocked.