Song of the chapter:-Â Pashmina by Amit Trivedi
EMMA'S POV
"So you're saying that we'll have to give her a chance?", Alpha Warren asked for the hundredth time saying her as if it's a disgusting thing, or word to be said out loud.
"Well what else do you suggest Alpha?", Alpha Vera spoke raising one of her brow at him as if challenging her.
"I suggest, that we are not to trust a women who can't even control what she has, if this power was given to someone else maybe someone like Alpha Smith- "You mean a man?", Alpha Vera cut him off with a furious look on her face.
I knew Alpha Warren wasn't that good of an Alpha and even worse person with sexist thinking but this, this was even worse than I expected. He was ready to let his people, his pack, who totally depended on him die instead of getting help from me just because I was a women.
Hell I wasn't asking anyone to put their blind faith in me, but the least they could do was to give me a chance to prove myself because being a female I've learned that no matter how good you are at what you do, there will always be someone doubting you and by proving yourself you'll be proving them and their idea of you wrong.
"If you don't even want to give me a chance, Alpha Warren it seems like you don't need my help and in that case you can show yourself out", I said standing up and I can feel Ethan standing behind me proudly.
"I um didn't say that", he said looking around for other Alpha's confirmation but none of them spoke up because they knew he was wrong. I knew Alpha Smith also didn't think I was good enough for the same reason but atleast he respected me enough as a Luna to not voice his thoughts. Also Alpha Nick who seemed to hate me kept his mouth shut.
"Well then I guess it's fixed, we just have to decide when and where ", said Ivan breaking the tension in the room. He looked as cool as cucumber as if he has experienced these meetings and this thick tension alot of times and he probably had, which I was grateful for as he managed to make the situation better.
In the end of the meeting it was decided that the test will be held tomorrow at night, near the forest as it was an empty and open area reducing the chances of people getting hurt, only the Alphas were going to be there and nobody else was allowed. I don't know if the test being tomorrow was an advantage that I won't have enough time to over think about it, or was it a disadvantage that I won't even be able to practice well enough. Me and Alister have been practicing but it wasn't enough and I wasn't perfect at it.
Just as the meeting ended everyone went to their rooms where as Ivan, Jack and Ethan followed me to the main room where I found Alister waiting.
"We informed him this morning about he test, after you agreed to it ofcourse, so you guys can train", Jack said.
"Well I think we should get started, I mean I'm in no hurry, but Rose is a bit pissed that I'm spending more time with her bestfriend and not her you know", Alister said with a teasing smirk on his face.
I knew he was just teasing trying to get Ethan riled up but it was wierd how a few months ago it was my bestfriend spending time with my mate and now it's the other way around.
"Sure let's go now", I said moving toward the training ground with Ethan and Jack and Ivan following me. They all stopped when I turned around, "where are you guys going?", I asked.
"With you", he all replied in perfect sync.
"I don't need all of you there, and don't you have anything else to do your Alpha's go and do some pack work or something", I said conjuring the strictest voice possible with all of them looking at me with their best puppy dog eye.
"You are no fun", said Jack and then he and Ivan left but Ethan just stood there still looking at me, "and what about you?", I asked.
"What about me?", "You're just going to distract me, and we'll be done soon and you should also stop procastinating stuff you know", I said wrapping my arms around his neck as he held my waist pulling me closer.
And our lips were about to touch when we heard someone clearing their throat and we pulled away. Alister just stood there tapping at his non existent watch on his wrist making Ethan mumble something like cockblocker and then he kissed me one last time and left.
The training was usually slow and calm because you can't rush magic specially when you don't even have any idea how to control it. Untill now I had managed to summon a small ball of light in my hands but other than that I still had some trouble when Alister told me to control it or the end it.
Sometimes it'd just get bigger nd I'll end up throwing it in some huge rock that can take the blow, a few, very few time I somehow managed to end it, but it always drained me.
I managed to control it today too specially when Alister was a bit more strict than usual. After the training he went back to Rose's place, and I just went to the drawing room and sat on the couch, closing my eyes for a while, as I was too tried to even move. Then I felt someone sit beside me, I had to open my eyes because that person wasn't someone from our pack, and I was shocked to find Alpha Nick.
"How may I help you Alpha?", I asked trying to sound as formal and as not out of breath as possible and I still ended up sounding like someone who had been strangled or something.
"I don't need your help, or else I'll probably end up losing my pack too", he said with a dark tone.
"I'm sorry for your loss- "No you aren't luna, all you are just some whiny little princess who got lucky with all this power and now wants to act like a hero, when you don't even know how to handle yourself", and with that he stood up but before he can leave I put my hand on his shoulder and within seconds he turned it around pining me against the nearest wall, with my hand twisted around my back, his chest against my back.
"Don't touch me", he said pushing me harder but before he can predict I swung my head back smashing it against his nose and I'm pretty sure I heard it crack. He let go of his hold on me immediately.
"Remember one thing Nick, maybe I am a whiny little princess who got lucky with powers but I am also the Luna, and you are to show me some respect; the next time you try something like this you won't have just a broken nose", and with that I stepped away from him directly going to our bedroom in desperate need of a relaxing shower.
When I went in Ethan was already in the bathroom so I decided to lay down on the bed for a while but I must have fallen asleep because I woke up to Ethan trying to remove my shoe, then he joined me and wrapped his arms around me making me forget about everyone and everything.
*Â Â *Â Â *
Ethan woke me up again and we got ready for and left for the forest. I didn't know how I felt about this whole thing, I was nervous and excited at the same time, I was nervous if I couldn't convince the others that I am worthy of this power afterall it was all I had from my biological mother and I wanted everyone to know I do deserve it. But other part of me was just excited to use the powers freely, not in the training ground where anyone could be hurt and I'll have to control myself this was different, I can unleash it without holding back.
When we finally reach the area all the Alphas were already there. Jack and Ivan both looked tired but gave me an encouraging smile, Alpha Smith was first time wearing just normal track and tshirt which was a first, Alpha Warren looked scared and was trying his best to cover it up with his little I-know-shes-not-good-enough act, where as Alpha Nick had a small bandage covering his nose making me smile despite the thick tension around me, the only one who looked unbotherd by this whole thing was Alpha Vera still in her usual leather jacket.
"Lets just get started without wasting our time, Luna we'd like you to show us your powers", Alpha Smith broke the akward silence but in the end Alpha Warren added, "without hurting any of us that is", and a threatening growl rumbled behind me as Ethan took a step towards Warren who instantly took a step back.
I put my hands on his chest pushing him back, towards where Jack and Ivan were standing he might not like them all too well but they were much better than Warren, he looked at me with those warm eyes and stepped back after I gave him a soft peck on his cheek assuring him I'll be okay.
This wasn't the first time I'll be performing magic in absence of Alister but I was used to having him around and his presence and silly jokes somehow managed to relax me, but I knew I had to learn how to do this on my own and this was like the perfect opportunity to do it.
At first I just stood there closing my eyes and feeling my surroundings, the air was cold as winter was almost there, there weren't much noises around because this area was almost empty, the wind was biting my skin, everything was so dark yet so alive, I felt comfortable in there, under the moonlight.
When I closed my eyes and started to conjure the powers, I started felt the light running through my veins, I can feel it in my whole body from the head to toe, it spread from my veins to my finger tips, waiting to be unleashed, and when I opened my eyes there was a globe of light in my hand, glowing brightly, just like he moon, I can feel everyone staring , either shocked or scared, but it didn't matter. And when I threw it on a rock it smashed with a loud noise breaking it into pieces.
When I looked up Ethan had a proud smile on this face where as Ivan and Jack had surprised looks on their faces, Alpha Smith and Nick also looked just as shocked where as Warren looked more scared if possible, "That was so amazing, I'm almost jealous of you Luna", Alpha Vera was the first one to complement me looking as excited as a kid on Christmas morning.
"Thank you", I said still nervous about everyone else's opinion.
"Is that all you can do Luna?", Alpha Warren asked.
"For now", I replied.
"Your power, it's kinetic magic, it is when one can control elements like fire or water in your case it is light. There are alot more things you can do with those powers, no wonder everyone wants them", Alpha Smith added the last part quitely.
"I think that was enough for us to make our decisions", Alpha Nick said and we all decided to go back to the meeting room.
I was positive everyone was in my favour cause I had done the best I could and it wasn't that bad. I can see Alpha Smith agreeing with us and even Alpha Nick considering it but then Alpha Warren spoke, "What happened to your face Alpha Nick?", And everyone was silent all of a sudden.
Alpha Nick looked at me with unsure look on his face, what happened between us was between us it was clear neither him nor I wanted to talk about it, hell I didn't even tell Ethan about it because it would've cause unwanted trouble.
"It was just an accident", Nick said surprising me.
"Oh so you're saying Luna hit you accidentally?", And everyone looked at me with shock.
"What is this about?", Ethan said looking at me not Warren, I knew he was not going to trust Warren's words and it just made me feel guiltier hiding it from him.
"Me and Alpha Nick had a.... disagreement", I said.
"And so you broke his nose?", Warren said.
"But he started it", I said standing up. And then I realised this is what he wanted, to make me look bad and disrespectful among everyone else, that I hit an Alpha, that I was the bad guy here.
I can see Alpha Smith's disapproval already, and he was one of the oldest and strongest Alpha, we needed his approval.
"Well we can't find any kind of harm inflicted on you Emma", Warren said with a smirk on his face.
"It's Luna for you, and if you saw me hitting him you must've seen him pining me against the wall as well", I said and Ethan stood up ready to launch himself at Nick but I held him back.
"It's useless now", Ivan said from behind us and Ethan glared at him, he already didn't like him and Ivan telling Ethan what to do wasn't something he appreciated especially when it included me.
"He's right", Jack said and Ethan finally stopped but he was still tense.
"But there is no proof", said Alpha Smith and I knew no matter what I do or say nothing was going to change their mind. There were marks on my hand but because of my werewolf healing they were already healed in hours where as it'd taken longer for broken bones to heal, Warren had played his cards well.
"You see this is the problem with women, they're to be kept under control, to be disciplined because they're not really cut out for leadership", Warren said his eyes switching between me and Alpha Vera how also looked like was ready to kill Warren.
"Nobody needs your suggestions Warren you can leave if you're not on board with this whole thing, and the other Alpha might as well leave because you've made it clear you don't need our help", Ethan said and left the room and I followed after him.
When I reached our room Ethan was undressing his shirt was unbuttoned when I entered the room he didn't even look at me.
I knew he was mad, not because I didn't run to him when Nick tried to corner me, but because I hid the whole thing from him and the possessive and controlling part of him didn't like it and as much as that side of him annoys me this was something I should've told him about.
"Ethan", I said but when he still didn't look at me, I moved towards him wrapping my arms around his neck making him look at me.
"Don't be mad", I said running my hands through his hair.
"I'm not mad Emma, I'm fucking pissed", he said pulling away and continuing to undress, "He hit you Emma, and I didn't even know, how am I supposed to protect you like that", he said and as much as I tired to focus my eyes drifted down from his messy hair to his naked chest and to lower regions.
"Emma", his voice bought me out of my thoughts and there was a cocky smirk on his face. "You can check me out later, I'm saying something", he said.
"You know I can protect myself" I said crossing my arms.
"I know baby, I do, but the thing is you don't have to, you got me for that", he said and then pulled me towards him wrapping his arms around me.
Later that night when we we're laying in bed I couldn't sleep, I thought once this whole thing was over I'd be okay with whatever the outcome was. But now that everything is done I feel like I could've done better, things like this didn't effect me too much but now that I was a Luna, whatever I do reflects on my pack as well.
Noticing the fact that I still wasn't asleep Ethan said, "Wanna go somewhere?"
"Where?", I asked. We were already outside for half the night and it was almost morning but still dark outside and I didn't know anywhere we could go at this hour.
"Somewhere you'll feel better", he said and started getting dressed.
"How do you know that?", I asked as I too got dressed in one of his warm oversized, for me, hoddie.
"I just do, come on", we got out of the pack house quietly not wanting to wake up others.
We went to the clearing and he was right my mood instantly changed, this place was like a different world. Nothing from outside affected it, it was our little bubble where we could be just ourselves, not Alpha or Luna, just us. I felt safe here, this place was magical in its own way. I started walking to the cabin, our cabin, but Ethan pulled to me to stop. When I looked at him with questioning look he just said, "Not yet, I have to show you something".
I didn't understand what he meant this place was itself something else but I've been here so many times I have each and every stone in here memorised.
But then he made me look at the sky, the sun was rising, the moon was still in the sky and everything around us was foggy, but when the sun came up the fog cleared, the rays of the sun hit the water in lake and it started shining. It took me a moment to realise that it wasn't the water that was glittering but there were small stones in the lake that were reflecting the sun rays.
The whole place was shining, wherever the sun rays fell it started shining. I stood there speechless, I've been in here this spot for uncountable times, and I still didn't know about this, about what I was missing out.
"How did we not know this?", I asked turning to Ethan.
"It happens very few times, on full moon, when the sun and the moon are in the sky together, only then when the first rays of sun falls on these stones and they light up. It doesn't happen everyday, and nobody knows of this place except you and I; this happened last full moon I was just here for some paperwork I forgot in the cabin the last time we were here, I had an early meeting, and this happened. After than incident, I came here every morning for the next few days but it didn't happen that's when I realised that it might only happen on rare occasions, I wasn't sure it'd happen today but it did, and I'm glad it did because it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen after you", he said pulling me closer and kissing me.
And I knew one thing for sure, no matter what happens, we'd always have each other.
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Published on:- 21 March, 2021.
Heyy guys, I finally updated, and that too one of the biggest chapter I've ever written so I hope you enjoyed it.
I also wanted to thank each and every reader for getting this book 70k+ views. I remember the day when I got excited for a 100 views on the book and this makes me realise how far we've come on this journey of EMATHAN, and yes I'm calling them EMATHAN.
So yeah thank you for each and every view, and vote and comment. Hope you're all doing well. Take care.
Ps.  the song of the chapter is one of my most favourite one, and I wrote this chapter listening to it so I thought I might as well make it the song of the chapter.
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Love,
IceQueen.