The Luna’s Moment

Jaxon

The sudden escape of Carl and the arrival of the other wolves sent everyone into a state of panic. They were all rushing out the front door in a hurry.

I heard shouts that the Beta of Marsh Oak Pack had been killed. Alpha Anthony was clearly devastated. His cries of grief echoed through the room, showing just how deeply he cared for his people.

I made my way down the stairs as fast as my injured leg would allow. I was still bleeding. Alpha Anthony charged at me as soon as I reached the bottom, but his wolves held him back.

“You’re to blame!” he yelled. “My Beta is dead because of you!”

I wanted to argue, but I knew it wouldn’t do any good. He wasn’t entirely wrong, after all.

“Anthony, I’m truly sorry for what happened. I know there’s nothing I can say to bring him back.”

“You’re right, there isn’t!” he snapped.

“But we can’t let this divide us. This is why our packs need to stick together.”

“To hell with the alliance!” he spat, struggling to break free from his men. “I speak for the other packs when I say, the Shadow Moon Pack is on their own!”

Anthony finally broke free and got right in my face, but I didn’t back down.

“Coming here was a mistake! Deal with the rogue problems yourself.”

I called after him as he turned to leave, but he ignored me. By now, over half the party had left.

“Please, wait! Don’t leave!” I tried again, but it was no use. The packs had made up their minds.

Carl was right: I’d failed.

AR-ROOO-OOO!

A familiar howl echoed through the room.

Everyone stopped.

We all turned to see Quinn standing at the top of the stairs, still wrapped in her blanket. She had partially shifted. She looked weak but held onto the railing for support.

Once she had everyone’s attention, she shifted completely back to human form.

“Are you so easily scared by a few dogs? Aren’t you powerful wolves yourselves?”

Everyone looked around in disbelief.

“I lost a good man tonight!” Alpha Anthony roared.

“And you’ll lose more if you do nothing. This attack was just a small taste of what’s to come. If our union breaks apart, they will simply pick us off, one by one. The Shadow Moon Pack is the only thing that stands between your realms and the enemy. If we fall, there’ll be nothing to stop them from coming after you next.”

I was stunned. Was this really the same Quinn I knew before? This newfound strength was unlike anything I’d ever seen.

There was a murmur amongst the crowd. Their fears were beginning to subside.

“So, if you stand with us, we can take on this enemy together. If not…you’ll be the ones who will be on your own.”

The other Alphas and Lunas looked around, waiting for someone to make the first move. Alpha Anthony looked deeply troubled, but it was he who stepped forward. “Say we go along with what you’re saying... What did you have in mind?”

A satisfied smile spread across Quinn’s face, and I found myself smiling too.

She had them.

Quinn

Later that evening, the Alphas and Lunas gathered in the parlor to discuss the best steps moving forward. Jaxon encouraged me to rest in bed, but I wouldn’t have it. I wanted to be right by his side, so I changed clothes and accompanied him.

They explained that direct communication between the packs had been nonexistent for many years, so everyone agreed to send emissaries to each other’s territory.

If there was ever a problem, those individuals could easily relay a message to their respective packs.

We also agreed to set up a monthly training program that would send warriors from each realm to exchange combat techniques with other packs.

The issue of trade and the exchanging of goods was also discussed.

While no official deal was reached, we did agree to continue negotiations at a later date.

The meeting went far better than I ever imagined. Not even Jaxon’s father had been able to negotiate such terms when he was Alpha.

I worried about the fragility of this regional alliance but was confident that the union could be preserved. At least, I hoped it would. This was still all new to me.

Then, the topic of the rogues came up.

“I still say a rogue pack is preposterous,” Alpha Anthony carried on. He was beginning to sober up, but not very quickly.

“Then, what do you call what just happened?” Luna Sandra of the Mountaintop Pack replied. “You saw it with your own eyes.”

“Look, I’m not denying the attack,” Anthony continued, “it just doesn’t make any sense. If one did exist, it would have to be run by someone more powerful than any of us—more powerful than the King. Not to mention, how did they get inside?”

They went back and forth on this subject for quite some time, but then I remembered something I’d nearly forgotten.

“Vulpes,” I declared, startling everyone. It was the first time I’d spoken since my big speech. I still couldn’t believe I said what I did. “It’s something the rogue who attacked us said when we had him imprisoned. Does it mean anything to you?”

A grave look washed over many of their faces.

“It’s Latin,” Jaxon replied, “for fox. It’s rumored to be the name of a secret society, much like tales of the Illuminati running the world, but it’s just that—a rumor.”

I took a moment to think about it.

~Could ‘Vulpes’ be the name of the group Carl worked for?~

In my dream, he’d said that he was taking me to his leader, who he claimed was very powerful. And Anthony just said the group of rogues would have to be led by a powerful person.

“What if Carl was referring to the group he was a part of?” I continued. “He warned me to fear them. Could the Vulpes and rogues be one and the same?”

Everyone became deathly quiet. I’d struck a nerve.

“Can’t be certain,” Jaxon said. “But it’s a start. I’ll take this to the King myself, see if he can make sense of it. For now, let’s call it a night. It’s been a long day.”

The other pack leaders nodded in agreement.

And so, the wolf pack dispersed, each finding a spot to rest for the night.

I was amazed at how well the night had ended, considering the chaos that had unfolded.

I felt a pang of sympathy for Alpha Anthony.

He was visibly upset over the loss of his Beta. I watched as Luna Melanie comforted him, guiding him towards their quarters.

It was heartwarming to see their bond. It was endearing to see the strong, formidable Alpha leaning on his Luna.

I hoped that one day, my Alpha would feel the same comfort in leaning on me.

Jax and I started towards the stairs.

His leg wound had been cleaned and bandaged, but he was still limping.

My heart filled with gratitude, knowing he had defended me when I was at my most vulnerable. I felt a deeper connection to him now, but I could sense a hint of uncertainty in him—like he was unsure of how to behave.

I couldn’t blame him.

Harsh words had been exchanged, most of them from me. I felt guilty for the things I’d said.

As we approached the stairs, he paused, his head bowed. “If you don’t want to be with me, I get it,” he said. “I wouldn’t hold it against you. I’ve kept secrets, failed to protect you… Compared to the other Alphas, I’m not offering much.”

I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “You’re more than enough. You’re the strongest man I’ve ever known. Yes, we’ve had our issues, but everyone does. I wouldn’t change a thing about you… Well, maybe one or two things,” I teased.

He tried to resist, but a smile broke through.

“Like smiling,” I continued. “You don’t do it enough. You’re always so serious!”

He laughed. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. I’ll work on that.”

We stood there, lost in each other’s eyes. The way he looked at me made me feel like I was the only person in the world. I wanted to show him how much he meant to me—how much I wanted him.

“You know…I’ve fully shifted,” I said.

“Yes, you have,” he smiled back. “I’m so proud of you.”

“But are you happy with me?”

“Absolutely,” he said with affection, but I could tell something was still bothering him.

“About everything that happened,” he started, “I don’t want to keep bringing it up…and I know there’s nothing I can say or do to change—”

“It’s in the past,” I cut him off. “I’m just glad you’re my mate. I want you to feel as close to me as I feel to you. And like I said, I’ve shifted.”

I moved closer to him, placing my hand on his muscular chest, and whispered in his ear.

“That means, you can mark me,” I murmured.

Jax looked stunned. Clearly, he hadn’t expected me to say that. But he seemed more than happy with my suggestion.

“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice shaking slightly. “I didn’t want to pressure you. I wanted to make sure you were ready.”

I pressed my lips to his ear. “I’m ready,” I said with certainty.

And I was. There was no doubt in my mind.

Jaxon’s eyes lit up with desire. As he pulled me close and kissed me, I could feel something ~else~ stirring. A wave of passion washed over us.

Jaxon pulled back and glanced up the stairs.

“It’s a long way up,” he said, referring to his injured leg.

“Then let’s find somewhere else,” I suggested playfully.

“Where do you suggest?”

I thought for a moment. “Follow me.”

I took his hand and led him down the corridor. We stopped in front of a pair of double doors. I was shaking, but I tried to hide it.

“Here?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

I nodded.

“After you, then,” Jax said, opening the door to the library and locking it behind us.