The Rising Moon Pack

Chapter 8

Harry POV

I stood to the side of the garden, drink in hand. People were all around me, wolves from neighbouring packs and our own were mingling, laughing and cracking jokes. The sound of music gently filled the air as we all waited for Maria to enter the party. As the back door opened, I held my breath. I wanted to be happy tonight, I didn’t want to let my grief ruin this for Maria. Even if I wasn’t entirely happy with the idea of her finding a mate and leaving us, I knew that one day this would happen, and I would just have to get over it.

The door opened, and the garden filled with the scent of fresh blueberry muffins. The scent knocked me by surprise. Maria had always smelled like freshly baked bread to me, but this blueberry muffin scent was new, but very familiar to me. She smelled just like Bella, but I shook the thought from my mind. I wasn’t going to let my grief consume me.

I watched as she stepped down from the back doorstep, her eyes glossy, and noted that her breathing had quickened. She was sniffing the air, her pointed chin tilted upward slightly. She followed the scent to the dance floor, and just as she stepped toward a group of people, they were knocked aside by an Alpha from a different pack. I watched as they both registered each other’s scents, and I knew in my heart that Maria had found her mate.

My heart broke slightly, but as I watched, he bowed to her gently and offered her his hand. She blushed and smiled coyly as she took it, and together they made their way to the dance floor. I watched as he leaned in and inhaled her scent, and I wondered if he also could smell the overwhelming blueberry muffin scent that lingered in the breeze. I watched them for a while as they talked and danced, swaying gently to the music. I couldn’t bare to watch anymore, so I made my way to my office.

Maria POV

As we danced, I revelled in the way Jake’s skin on mine created little sparks that danced all over my body. I breathed deeply, taking in the sandalwood and mint of his scent and let out a happy little sigh.

“Baby? Are you alright?” Jake asked me, concerned.

I looked up at him, and in that moment everything felt right. I reached up to him, and pulled him down into a kiss.

Sparks flew, and as our lips met his arms snaked around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest. It was truly a magical moment, and we held the kiss until our lungs were burning from lack of air.

“ Well, I wasn’t expecting that.” He giggled to me.

“Was it ok? “ I asked, “I’ve never kissed anyone before.” I admitted, looking down to my feet.

His hand cupped my chin gently as I raised my eyes to meet his.

“It was perfect.” He stated firmly. “ Everything you do is perfect.”

I smiled at him, and out of the corner of my eye I saw my mom and dad watching us, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. I laughed, and took Jake’s hand, leading him over to where they stood.

“Oh s**t, she saw us!” My dad semi-whispered to my mom.

“Benny! Language!” My mom scolded, “ There are children around!”

She turned to greet us, smiling warmly at Jake. I felt his hand relax slightly in mine, and I turned to introduce them.

“Mom, Dad, this is Jake. He’s my mate!” I smiled happily.

“Alpha, Luna,” he greeted them warmly. “Thank you for inviting me. If you hadn’t, I’d have had to live out the rest of my days never knowing Maria was here.”

My dad embraced him in a hug, slapping his back and grinning wildly.

“Welcome to the family Alpha Jake!” He exclaimed.

“As you can see, my husband is what we affectionately refer to as a complete goofball.” My mom stated affectionately.

Jake laughed, and I stared up at him in complete adoration. His laugh felt like bathing in sunlight, so warm and comfortable. Everything he did, I really felt like I was at home.

“… so after the meetings are all over, you and Maria would be returning to Sapphire Moon, I presume?” My mom asked Jake.

I snapped back into focus.

“Yes, provided Maria is ready to leave her childhood home.” He said, stroking my hand gently. “ I wouldn’t want to force her to leave before she’s ready.” He finished, gazing into my eyes.

“ Maria? What do you think, sweetheart?” My mom turned to me and asked.

I swallowed. Leave my home? And all of my family, and leave my memories with Bella?

Instinctively, I gripped Jake’s arm, and as I felt the soothing sparks reaching across my body, I felt Isabella speak up.

“ You know you’re not actually leaving me behind, right?” She soothed.

“I know. But I would be leaving Harry.” I said, sadly.

“ He could always come with you.” She stated. “ Your dad is planning to hold Jase’s Alpha ceremony at the end of this week after the Alpha meetings have been held. He thinks it’s the perfect time, since the elders will be here to oversee all the meetings.”

“Maria? Baby?” Jake interrupted my conversation with Bella.

“ Excuse me.” I answered, pulling my hand from his. “ I need to go and sort something out, quickly.”

I smiled at my mom, then slipped away back towards the house.

Jake POV

I stared after Maria, confused. Did she really just leave me here without an answer?

As if sensing my hurt, Luna Kate stepped towards me.

“She’ll be back. “ she said, “ She just has something she needs to take care of.”

“ Maria is a special girl,” Alpha Benjamin stated, kindly. “You’ll get used to how free-spirited she is soon enough. It’s part of what makes her so interesting.” Her dad laughed.

“I must admit, I wasn’t expecting that question to end with Maria running from me.” I responded, swallowing hard. “ But I guess at least she didn’t reject me outrightly.” I smiled weakly.

Luna Kate took my hand, and as she spoke, I swear her eyes were glowing gently.

“ She loves you, Jake. She values you and your mate bond, she would never reject you.”

I felt a wash of calm come over me and I nodded. I had faith in my mate, she hadn’t given me any reason to doubt her so far.

I decided I would trust Maria, and I knew that in my heart, she would come back to me.