"WHAT? THEY MATED...OH, MY GODDESS!!"Both the Alphas jumped out of bed hearing the high pitched scream. They raced to the bathroom to dress so that they could go down to the living room where the shout originated from. They recognised the voice to be of their parents. The old Alpha and Luna were back!
Alisha blinked her sleep away quickly so she could get ready and welcome her returning mother and father in law.
"Good morning! You are back!! How was your trip and how was Aunt Anna?" Said Markian as both the young Alphas bounded across the room to give their mum and dad a hug.
"Forget our trip! You are mated? We are so happy for you. Congratulations!" said Melody and Xander in unison as they hugged their boys tightly. They were genuinely glad that the two Alpha's were now officially mated.
"So now we can start planning for the Luna celebration. I am sure that everyone in the pack will be excited to meet their Luna. We will need to inform the neighbouring packs as well and...and we must pre...mmph!" Xander stopped Melody's tirade by covering her lips with his finger. He smiled not wanting his wife to feel hurt by his actions."Yes, we are all on excitement mode...But I think your mother has gone into hyperactive mode! You need to calm down, Melody! You are going to scare Alisha, the way my mother scared you... Remember??!!" Xander warned Melody, reminding her about her own Luna Ceremony twenty years ago.
"Oh no! I am sorry Alisha! I didn't mean to scare you. I am so excited for you. I remember my ceremony! I was dreadfully sick with worry as I was just a regular wolf before being chosen by Xander to become the Alpha mate" gushed Melody apologizing profusely to Alisha who had just joined them after getting dressed in a hurry. Alisha looked at her future mother in law in confusion as her mates and her future father in law laughed out loud
"Do not worry Alisha. Melody will guide you about the do's and don'ts during the Ascension as well as the Luna ceremony after that." Xander said reassuring Alisha as she came forward to sit between the young Alpha.
As they ate their breakfast, they related the circumstances that forced them to mate Alisha without any preparation what's so ever. Alisha blushed furiously as the young alphas told their parents about what Dr Anderson had said would happen if they didn't mate with her.
Melody gasped as she remembered how she went into heat while Xander had gone to the neighbouring pack for some business. Xander stiffened as he recalled how he had rushed back on hearing the cries of his beloved mate through the mindlink. As he fought his way through the throngs of wolves trying to enter the packhouse, he realised that these werewolves from his pack and they were unaware of their actions"It was the blasted Alpha mate call, wasn't it?? I have never been so afraid for your mother as I was the night that I mated with her" Both the young Alphas nodded solemnly in agreement. Alisha shuddered as she realised how close she had come to being in her nightmare
Luna Melody got up and walked towards Alisha and hugged her tightly
"Do not think of the 'what ifs' Alisha. You need to be strong and look forward into the future. The Luna of Starfall is the heart of her pack. She rules wisely by the side of her Alphas to ensure truth and justice prevails. We can't allow these boys to rule alone, can we? The pack will collapse within a week"whispered Luna Melody as she lovingly stroked Alisha's hair.
Alisha felt the glow of love Luna Melody had for her sons envelope her as well. Alisha felt humbled and honoured to be accepted by the parents of her mates. She realised that she had a responsibility to not only her mates but their entire pack as well and vowed to be the best Luna that she could be.
Her eyes teared up thinking about how her parents would have been so proud of her and how they would have been the first ones to dance with joy at her Luna ceremony. A flutter in her heart reminded her that as the Luna of Starfall, she would surely to come in contact with her nemesis, the infamous Alpha Thomas. She took a deep shuddering breath and blinked away her tears vowing that she would not fail, she would avenge her parents if it was the last thing she did.
"We will be there to ensure your victory against that scum of the earth, Alisha"mindlinked Mitchell as he took hold of her right hand tightly.
"You can count on us, Alisha" mindlink Markian as he growled ferociously. Alisha bent her head so that her hair would cover her face.She knew that Xander and Melody would ask why she suddenly had tears trailing down her cheeks
Luna Melody heard the low growl and silently signalled her husband. The both of them smiled grimly waiting for Mitchell and Markian to clue them about what's going on. Mitchell's eyes flickered upwards to look at his mother and father. He knew that they will be wondering what was going on. It was not his story to tell but as he tried to waylay his mother's anxiety, he slowly whispered that Alisha had lost her parents in a vicious attack by a neighbouring pack. Luna Melody looked at Alisha with sympathy and understanding. Mitchell nodded imperceptibly at his parents as he hugged Alisha, comforting her as the three of them huddled in a long hug
Alisha slowly disengaged herself from the hug and stood up. Luna Melody smiled at her knowing that her sons would explain when the time was right. She knew that she had a lot of things to prepare for the upcoming Luna Ceremony so she decided that she might as well get a move on now."We should leave in about an hour Alisha. We have much to do before we can call it a day today" she said cheerfully
Alisha grew excited at the prospect of meeting people in her pack as well as getting ready for the celebration. She ran up to her room and started getting ready. Less than ten minutes later, Luna Melody softly knocked at her door and informed her that they would be leaving immediately.
Alisha took a deep breath and followed her mother-in-law down the stairs and into the waiting car which would take the both of them straight to the mall which was about fifteen minutes from their pack's borders.
Luna Melody sat in the passenger seat in front as Samuel took the wheel. He had drawn the short straw when the Alphas had asked the elite guards to accompany Alisha and their mother on a shopping trip. To sweeten the deal, he had coerced Debra, his mate, into coming with them. This way he could spend a day in her company while babysitting both the Lunas.
Debra sat in the second row with another female wolf named Alison. She was a newlywed wolf who was supposed to be the "voice of reason" while they shopped. Alisha listened to the conversation that was going on and seriously doubted Alison's purpose in their expedition. She realised that Luna Melody and Alison were really the "shopaholics" of the pack, and she shuddered to think how much this trip was going to cost her. Luna Melody has already told her not to worry as this trip was going to be sponsored by Alpha Xander and herself as a prewedding present to the three of them, but Alisha was still uneasy. She sat all by herself, in the third row, as she wanted to make a list of what she was going to buy.
On reaching the mall, Samuel asked the she-wolves to get down as he was going to go and find a suitable parking place. He smiled at Debra and said"Just mindlink me, to tell me where you will be babe. I will come find you soon. Take your time though, as I don't have anything to do until 7.00 pm. Please buy yourself something nice as I will be taking you somewhere special tonight." said Samuel who then bent down to kiss Debra on her cheek. Debra flushed prettily at her mate's very public display of his affection.
Luna Melody and Alison smiled looking at the mated couple who had yet to announce their wedding date. The Luna hastily murmured something to Alison and Alison nodded her head in agreement. Alisha and Debra looked at both the women in suspicion but couldn't get either one to explain what they were whispering about.
Luna Melody pulled Debra and Alisha into a store which sold dresses. Alisha was pushed into the fitting room, as dress upon dress was handed to her to be tried on. Alison was more of a "voice in cahoots" rather than a "voice of reason" as she too pulled many skirts and jeans from the hangers and shoved it into Alisha's waiting hands.
Alisha shook her head in wonder at the tons of clothes that were hung on her door waiting for her to try on. Luna Melody sat outside on a comfortable chair waiting for the fashion show to begin. Alisha heard Alison calling Debra and herself to come out of the fitting room as they were growing impatient to see the parade of clothes.
Alisha tried on a pretty dark blue dress with little white polka dots. She had never been partial to polka dots but this time she relented as the Luna had chosen it for her. She opened the door of the fitting room and stepped out into the foyer where the Luna and Alison were seated. Both ladies were laughing and whistling at someone else parading in front of them. Curiosity pushed Alisha out of the room and into the foyer. She realised that Debra too had been pushed into the role of model and it was her who had caused the whistles from Allison and Luna Melody. Alisha stared in astonishment while Debra strut across the foyer, modelling a beautiful short yellow skirt with a sleeveless white top. Luna Melody turned and saw Alisha standing next to her"Come on Alisha, Let's see what you have got"she called out with a pretty smile that drove Alisha's nervousness away. The sales girls brought Alisha lingerie to match the outfits that she was trying on. Alisha gasped at the sexiness of some of them. She thanked the Moon Goddess that she was not going to have to model the lingerie separately
After modelling nearly fifteen different outfits, Alisha fell onto a chair beside Debra who had also surrendered after going through a similar amount of outfits
"Enough! We need to get some food in us before we can continue" whined Debra while Alisha nodded emphatically beside her." Please Luna Melody! Give us food first" she moaned again
Luna Melody laughed at the antics of the two young ladies. She whispered something to the salesgirl who was helping them and got up from the sofa. Allison and Luna Melody linked arms and walked out of the store calling for Alisha and Debra to hurry up as they were going to get something to eat. As Alisha rushed out of the shop, she realised that she hadn't actually pick anything out from the plethora of clothes she had worn. She groaned at the wasted effort as she would need to go through the whole rigamarole of changing into outfits again since she needed to get something for the Luna Ceremony
She turned to gripe about it to Debra when she saw bags of clothes being lugged out of the shop by the salespeople who had been attending to them." What are those people up to? Whose clothes are those?" she whispered to Debra. Allison turned back and smiled."The bags are labelled Luna Alisha. One bag is for Debra and the other two are for you. You have dresses, skirts and suits for all the occasions that you are going to be invited to for the coming year. They are courtesy of Luna Melody. Now come along quickly...I thought both of you were hungry," she said before catching up with Luna Melody at a small kiosk.
"Luna, The clothes! I cannot accept them! The trip was for Luna Alisha, not me!" protested Debra as she walked up towards Luna Melody and sat down beside her." Hush now Debra! I didn't manage to get Samuel and you a gift for your wedding either. So let me buy this for you! I am sure Samuel will love to see you in those clothes as well" said Luna Melody as she patted to Debra's hand.
Debra's eye teared up as she leaned over and kissed Luna Melody on the cheek."Thank you Luna! Thank you so much" her voice broke as tears of joy flowed down her face.
"I thank you so much for your gift, Luna Melody. I have never had so many beautiful new clothes in my life," said Alisha gulping down the tears that threatened to flow from her eyes. Luna Melody smiled as she blushed prettily hearing how much both the female wolves appreciated her gifts
"Come now! That enough of that! Let's eat. Shopping makes me very hungry and I heard this kiosk had the best-fried chicken in our territory. Is that true, Miss?" she said looking as the menu that was placed in front of her by a young girl.
"Oh yes, Madam. Can I suggest that since there are four of you, that you go for the 'birds of a feather platter'?It has four grilled chicken breasts, three chicken burgers, two buckets of chicken lollypops and 4 soft drinks" she said while reciting the menu by heart.
" Ooh! That sounds divine Miss. Thank you so much.Ladies...What do you think? Shall we get that platter?"Luna Melody said while rubbing her stomach which has started growling as she listened to the specials, the waitress was suggesting. The three other female wolves agreed quickly in anticipation of their order. Alisha blushed as her stomach growled loudly"I am so hungry. I didn't know that shopping was such a hunger creator. I am hungry enough to eat a horse....not to mention it's saddle and bridle!" she laughed. Debra and Allison laughed and agreed as they were very hungry too.
Soon the four ladies were gorging on the food that the waitress put in front of them. They ate till they could not eat anymore and mindlink Samuel to come over to finish the rest of the food.
Suddenly, Alisha noticed a commotion happening two tables down from theirs. Her wolf hearing picked up sniffling sounds coming from the waitress that stood by the table with four burly men. Her eyes narrowed as she realised the men werewolves, like her as well. The men were laughing wickedly at the crying waitress, insulting her as she stood in front of them. Alisha's hackles raised as she heard their taunts.
"What are the three of you doing? What did this girl do to you, that you feel the need to make her cry?" she hissed loudly as she stomped up to the table where the three wolves sat.
The waitress turned to Alisha with a look of gratitude and ran back to her kiosk. The three wolves growled with displeasure as their game had been disrupted."Why do you concern yourself with things that are hardly worth your notice?! Can't you see that she is just a measly human! Don't you know that they are just worthless creatures, put here to serve us. isn't that right, Sean?" said one of them while thumping the back of the other who he called Sean. They laughed as they turned away to ignore Alisha.
"What do you mean just a human? Are you planning on stirring up a war between the humans and the wolves?" she asked in agast as the wolf called Sean looked at her in disdain. He used the cutlery on the table to pick his teeth and sneering asked"Why are you bothering with this pathetic thing. You smell like a strong wolf. An alpha mate I presume...You know that you are better than them!!"
"You have no right to belittle her. What is weak about being a human?" Alisha asked unable to understand how ignorance could cloud a person judgment so badly
"Hahaha! Humans are weak. I could kill one without even losing my breath. They should all be made to serve us, as the superior beings!" said Sean haughtily.
"It is you who are weak! You are vile and disgusting just as you are clueless" Alisha turned towards her friends who had gotten up from their table and approached her to find out what was the matter. Luna Melody put her arm over Alisha so that she could pull her away."Come on Alisha. It is no use! These wolves don't respect anyone....let alone a different species. Leave them be" she said as pulled Alisha back to the table.
" No Luna! This is wrong! IT IS PERSONAL Luna! My mother was a human. My father was a beta. They were killed by wolves like the three over there who were under the command of their Alpha. He felt that it is a sin to have a mixture of wolf and human bloodlines.
Sean and the other wolves stiffened as they heard Alisha's admission."You're ALIVE! You're Beta Lawrence's kid, aren't you? I knew it! I knew they had a kid that we missed that day!!" he gnashed his teeth while advancing menacingly towards Alisha
"That was you, wasn't it? You killed my parents!"Alisha quaked in her shoes as she stepped back in terror. Allison held on tight to Alisha's clammy fingers as Luna Melody stepped forward to block him advancing towards Alisha. Suddenly, they heard a ferocious snarl as Samuel jumped over the table to place himself in front of Luna Melody thereby protecting her as well.
"Get the HELL away from my Lunas!!" he shouted as he unfurled the urumi which had been twirled around his waist. He stood his ground arrogantly preventing Sean and the other wolves opportunity to lay their hands on any of the women there. He looked at them, daring them to take another step forward. Sean took a step back, his eyes widening in panic as he saw the sharp blades glinting in the light. Samuel's wolf was barely holding it together as he growled under his breath."You are in neutral bounds. There is no cause for you to come anywhere near my Lunas! Get back before I make you!"
Sean sneered as he tapped his friends on the shoulder signalling for them to retreat."Your Luna is a half breed! A filthy little human half breed. She is an abomination! You should kill her before she contaminates your whole pack with her inferior genes" he spat out as he walked backwards holding on to the other two wolves who were growling at Samuel as well.
Luna Melody put her hand on Samuel's shoulder, calming him so that he wouldn't shift into his wolf form thereby exposing them to the general public who were watching what was transpiring with interest. She pulled Debra forward so that Samuel could feel his mate's presence and calm down even further. Debra hugged Samuel, transferring her scent onto him. This pulled Samuel out of his internal war with his wolf. He took a step to the side as his arm tucked the blades back into the secret pocket near his waist. Samuel followed the ladies back to their table making sure that Sean and his friends didn't accost them again.
Luna Melody and Allison gathered up their belongings and pulled Alisha, who had remained quiet and still since finding out that Sean and his group of hooligans were the wolves responsible for the death of her parents, towards the car." Come on everyone, let's go home! I don't like us standing out in the open like this" said Allison as she opened the door to their dark blue SUV.
Samuel climbed into the driver seat as Debra got into the front with him. She smiled and rested her hand on his thigh. Samuel's eyes turned dark as his wolf surfaced again. This time Debra turned toward him and gave him a quick kiss on the mouth."Thank you! I am so glad you managed to get to us before those crazy wolves could do anything. You looked so hot standing there protecting us. We need to get back home as soon as possible so that I can thank you properly" she said softly as her fingers trailed upwards towards his crotch.
Allison and Luna Melody chuckled as they realised what was happening in the front seat. Debra blushed as she noticed that she had an audience. Samuel growled as he clamped his hand onto her wrist, holding her hand on his thigh."Leave your hand where it is! We are leaving already! Ladies...I need all of you to get in as we are leaving now. Luna Melody...I put all the packages you sent earlier in the boot."Samuel growled hurriedly as he shepherded all of them into the car. Allison laughed at the young Beta's impatience to get his mate back to the packhouse. They peeled out of the parking lot headed home. Luna Melody mindlinked the husband, Alpha Xander, about what had happened and promised to tell him the whole story when she returned.
Alisha looked pale and kept silent as she realised that her existence wasn't a secret anymore. She had lost the element of surprise against Alpha Thomas. She still vowed to make him pay! He would regret killing her parents and making her an orphan! She wasn't sure how she was going to do it but she knew that somehow, someway she was going to get her revenge.....