~Noelle~
"RISE AND SHINE, LUNA!"
I shrieked, almost flinging myself out of bed at the loud voice booming next to my ear. Instinctively, I reached for the shotgun I always keep by my bedside, and grasped at nothing but air. My brain rattled trying to figure out where the gun might be.
"Morning! I am Kiki, I will be your gamma!"
"Ah!" I screamed again, wiping my eyes furiously until the blur in my vision cleared and I could see the weirdo that broke through my fugue of sleep.
A chubby girl, with full blonde hair and a big flashy grin, leaned over my bed. I drew the covers higher until they reached my neck, who is this….huh? how is she so peppy?
Did she just say she'll be my gamma? What the heck is she talking about?
"Um, hi Kiki." I started, my voice soft and small from being abruptly woken up.
She stretched out a polite hand, and I warily clasped mine to hers. Her smell is all flowers, geezus. "Hello Noelle, get dressed please and let's head out. We'll have breakfast at Ginny's place, she makes the best cream puffs. And she's the omega the alpha has chosen to teach you how to be a proper Luna. Well not proper Luna per say, since there isn't a way to be a proper battery. I meant more of, how to be a better luna to this pack."
Out of everything she rambled about, I only got one thing, and it formed a question.
"What are-" I really couldn't stop myself from asking. "-cream puffs?"
She gasped like I had kicked her favorite pet.
Pet…
Pet?! Micah. I haven't seen her in two days! Well, almost two days. Oh my poor baby must be terrified. I hope she's okay. And alive. Please let Micah be alive.
"Can you leave? I'll be out in a minute."
Kiki brought her hand up and saluted me, before marching out of the room with a skip in her step. There's something too happy about this girl, aren't we in an apocalyptic world right now? Did I hit my head?
I shuffled out of bed, and hurtled over to the bathroom. I had intended on taking a quick shower, but the warm water soothed my aching body and massaged my bones. When I lived alone, the heater was used only for the winter, and that was when I found the bungalow. Before then, Micah and I got through the cold rainy nights, and blistering snow, by finding a place to hurdled and start a fire. When we couldn't find one…..
I guess it's nice now to have a good place to sleep, and not be on alert, though I will be.
I don't trust easily, and I definitely don't trust Dante. Firstly, he's rude. Secondly, my body has this weird reaction whenever I'm around him. Thirdly, his last name is Cerberus! That's enough reason for me to not trust him. Fourthly, his chest is just- it's- I wanna just- he has abs and….
I puff my cheeks, laughing at myself. I must be losing my mind. I twisted the knob connecting to the shower head, and reached for a towel. In the mirror, I brushed my teeth and I fiercely stare at my reflection. My eyes are glowing, it's weird. Even the bright lights from the bulb can't simmer down the neon purple flaring like the stars in the night. I spat out the toothpaste, and rinsed my mouth.
The strangest part of living here is the clothes, somehow they got my size in all besides some that are too big or too small. I haven't tried on everything, this is the first time I'm seeing more than ten options of what to wear. I threw on a pair of jeans shorts and a large shirt that rides up whenever I raise my hands, it's comfortable. God this is peculiar. I'm going to have to adjust to some many changes. I didn't bother with underwear, um…I never had this many so I don't-
This is embarrassing, even for me.
Kiki was chatting with Lynx when I finally exited my room, the little girl kept getting cuter with each day. Haven't I only been here for two days? Give or take? Her yellow polka dot sundress, and double piggy buns, are just the cutest set I've ever seen. And you better believe, I haven't seen enough.
"Good morning Noelle." She made a giggling noise, and stepped away to wrap her arms around my waist. Feeling awkward and not sure what to do, I patted her head with a single hand. This is how to handle children, right?
"Morning lynx." I greeted back, trying to form a smile but failing miserably at it. She released me with her cheeks parting into a grin, and jogged off. This kid is going to be their secret weapon, I just know it! They're gonna use her to pry at my soft and fragile heart. Well it'll only work 60 percent of the way. My walls are built strong.
They may not be prepared for kids but they will be soon.
Rule #1 to surviving, never trust children. Especially the really cute ones.
"Ready for the tour." Kiki asked from my side, I yelped. She came out of nowhere. My heart nearly launched itself out of my chest. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. But don't worry, we'll train your skills and heightened senses."
Did she just passive aggressively apologize?
"Can we just go before I swallow my heart?"
"Sure."
~~~~
"The Moonraiders pack is number one in the world, because of its safety and security. There's no actual ranking to back this up, y'know cause the world is fucked up. And we're one of the very few with an alpha who isn't an asshole." Now now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. I wouldn't say he's not an asshole, I'd say he just hides it well or everyone here is blind to it.
"He didn't need to take any of us in, but he did." I see, he capitalized on people's need for direction and safety. "He protects and defends us. We never run out of fruits, veggies or animals to eat. And thanks to his rules, and jobs set for all of us, we have been able to live in simple harmony and most importantly, not die. An example of harmony, would be them." She pointed to the left side of the road. A grassy terrain where a group of women- omegas from the marks I can see on a few of them- were farming away. They chatted and laughed, divided into two groups.
Five were picking up the plants that had fully developed, while the others planted more seeds.
"They'll end up delivering this new batch to one of the farmer's shop. Then an announcement will be made to inform people that there's more veggies available. We do this by sending mails to each doorstep. Can't use blow horns or we might be visited by a pack of brainless." This woman, talks too much. Did she just say a pack of brainless? They can form packs too? We're doomed!
Kiki went on talking without out pausing for air. "The same thing applies to fruits, and eggs, and others. We have to inform people that they can no get ingredients." She explained, waving at one of the ladies working. I avoided eye contact as we continued to walk down the street.
Lamps filled with sleeping fireflies, how they did this is a mystery to me? My nose caught every smell that came my way. Even the ones miles away, it twitched in annoyance. Note to self: people stink. Streets stink. I've worked my way through a mud pit, half naked with all sorts of critters swimming around it, and yet the smell of this pack is strong enough to make my nose fall off.
Ah, the infection ramped up my sense of smell. I knew that….of course I did.
I was right when I said the Moonraiders pack is different. Not entirely what I expected. It's like Dante turned a small town into a place for his people to live in. Rebuilt certain broken structures and created a mini society, with order and food. The important thing is food, no more starving. Or having to hunt for myself.
I'll have to give him credit for that. He did something good here. So what are his real motives? Does he plan on eating us?
Kiki explained every building we walked by, telling me it's purpose and the owner. I'll probably forget their names but she said she'll always be on standby when I need her.
How is she so peppy? I swear, if she doesn't dial it back down I'm gonna-
"This is where we get our clothes, that's Louis the tailor, one of seven. There are nine hundred people in the pack."
"That is a lot of people."
"I know right. There's also no money allowed, you get food and water for free, but for anything else like hand carved ornaments- we work with trade. Odd jobs as well. This is Ginny's bakery, and the last stop on our tour."
My legs were dead at this point, tired and exhausted. The tour had been kinda of nice, especially in the early day of the morning. She showed the 'important' spots. Not sure it was worth anything, I'm hungry and I still don't understand why I needed to see the tailoring place. Why would I need more clothes?
I guess it might have some use later in the future. But more clothes…. Ridiculous! What would I do with them?
"Hi Ginny!" the blonde hollered, pushing the doors to the bakery till the parted ways.
"Kiki!" A middle aged woman hollered back, leaping over her counter to knock down kiki. Hugging the blonde, to the point where she almost turned purple.
I stood still, staring at the restaurant/café. It was empty, save for a few people cleaning and one man sitting at the end. Face buried in his elbows, possibly fast asleep. I picked up on the beating sounds of his heart, they're soft and leveled. He's definitely asleep.
Wow, I'll never get used to enhanced hearing. I want my old life back, minis the struggling for food and clean water. And shelter. I don't want to be infected. For all we know, this thing might still be mutating.
"Oh my, you are beautiful." I heard the woman say, I flipped back to her where she was on the floor. She pushed to her feet. She walked a circle around me with wide eyes. "Holy shit, the alpha is so fucking lucky. He gets to tap that!"
"What?" I fumbled, cheeks burning with heat. What does she mean by tap that? Is that a reference to a fight or?
"Come eat something and let's talk."
She maneuvered me towards an empty booth, forcing me to sit. Kiki took the spot next to me, blocking my path of escape. Goddamn it! I was still flushed with embarrassment, what the hell was that look for anyways? She stared like I was some lucky snack her alpha couldn't wait to sink his teeth into. That made my stomach tingle with a funny feeling, it twisted and turned in a pit. My heart swelled, the feeling continued to grow.
Well, she doesn't know what she's talking about anyways. Dante doesn't even look at me like I'm a person! Ugh, why does that piss me off so much? I can't get a rise out of him, and I want too. Why?
Fucking Luna urges! I shouldn't care about that brooding, giant of a man and his impassive behavior towards me. I don't even know him. We basically only know names.
A plate was placed before me, it's aroma so delicious I broadened my eyes. What is this delicious snack? She dropped a glass cup with brown liquid, and small white things swirling in it.
"It's a large cinnamon roll with a hot cocoa."
"Cinnamon- wow." My jaw slacked, I've never seen anything this delicious in person. I've only ever seen snacks and meals like this in magazines, or recipe books. But in the world we live in, a recipe book would be useless. Finding ingredients is a hard and futile thing to do.
"Okay, enjoy." Ginny whistled, settling in the seat parallel to me.
I picked up the fork, willing my hand to stop shaking. I didn't know whether to eat the cinnamon roll with the utensil or my hand.
"You are adorable, use your hand or fork sweetie, there is no wrong answer." I thanked her, digging the sharp ends of the fork into the pastry? It's a pastry right? Oh god, I don't even know. They must think I'm dumb. "The alpha gave me a list of things you should be responsible for. Not a list actually, but it's more fun to say it that way. So I'm going to run them by you, anything you don't understand- consider me a parent and feel free to visit at any time. I live above the bakery."
I nodded as she drones on, taking the first taste of the snack. My tongue felt like it was in nirvana, it's so- words cannot describe! Just last night I ate teriyaki chicken with the best potatoes I've ever tried, and now cinnamon roll and…..hot cocoa. I grip the cup, staring at it for a second. The smell…oh lord. I could die a happy gal right now.
The first sip was hot, but I didn't mind the way it made my taste buds ache. And those little white things, I chewed on one. Soft, and gooey and and…
I sighed delightfully.
Ginny chuckles. "You really haven't had anything like this?"
I shook my head, alternating between the hot cocoa and the cinnamon. They both taste so gooooodd. So great. I wonder what other meals I'll try in this pack.
"Can you teach me your recipe?"
Ginny nods immediately. "Of course I can."
"Thank you. What were you saying about my task?" I had stopped listening half way.
"Right. Your job is simple, you'll be in charge of settling conflicts and delivering important information to the alpha."
Simple she says? Simple?
"What? Conflicts? I don't know anything about that." This is absurd, I barely know how to socialize. What good would I be at settling dispute between two people? Fuck! I'm not trained for that.
Kiki tapped me on the shoulder. I brought my shocked stare to her. "You'll do great. You're unbiased because you're new here, so it'll be easier for you to come to a simple conclusion on who's right and who's wrong. And if you can't make a decision, you can ask the alpha directly or Ginny. Then as for the messages part, I'm sure that'll be easy once you start. Dispute, by the way, also include other packs and their members by the way."
Other packs? My blood turns cold. Every time kiki opens her mouth, and I've only known her for half a day, she says something bad in the happiest of voices. Like someone shouting about your parents death with a smile and what they hope will cheer you up.
"Get that look off your face." Ginny laughs, her body flows with it. Elegant, and friendly. "Those kind of disputes aren't going to be done alone. You'll have your lovely mate with you."
I grimaced. Mate? By force. I don't want this, and neither does he. "Sorry, but I can't say I'm used how things work in packs. And I won't lie that I look forward to any of this, because I don't. Also please don't call Dante my mate, or whatever." The dude is a fucking dickhead. Calling him my mate sounds sentimental. He is cocky, emotionless- like he couldn't be bothered to do express anything.
And the fact that he sticks in my head without my permission is so- ugh! Frustrating!
Ginny smiles with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Oh give it time. You'll love him." I don't like the way she said that.
Kiki makes a note of clearing her throat. "Also, stay within pack grounds. It's not safe out there."
"I lived alone for a long time, I can handle being outside."
"You haven't seen what's really outside, have you?" Ginny's question causes me to freeze.
The question stuns me for a minute, I've lived on my own for years. I have seen the worst of worst. At least, I think I have.
"Finish up honey, you're gonna want to see this."
I do as I'm told, curiosity gripping at my heart. Ginny and Kiki don't say anything as I finish eating my meal. They're still quiet while escorting me out of the bakery, and towards a different path than we came through.
"You know," Kiki starts, I'm more than happy to hear something. The silence was deafening, I was close to striking a conversation. And you must know, if you didn't already, I suck at these stuff. But then again, maybe I should have said something. Because kiki, whatever she says, I know I'm not going to like it. "Your mating ceremony is going to be interesting."
My what? Will be what?
"I'm sorry, my mating what?" first ritual, now ceremony? What's next? Mating deity?
"You ceremony, to introduce you to the whole pack. Yours is going to be different because now you're the alpha's mate, and his Luna. It's going to sweet, romantic, lovey dovey. It is also your wedding."
My brain bee-lined, grabbing information but not storing it. I'd just opened my mouth to ask more questions when Ginny points the steep of the mountain.
The Moonraiders pack is located on a forested area, with mountains, wildlife, and a beautiful ocean view. One of those mountains, is at a single hike away from the pack houses.
Still, did she say wedding? First an infection, then a kid, and now…. Marriage. I tucked my breathe, shaking my head in a dismayed huff.
"Look." Ginny drew my attention to the cliff of the mountain.
I took careful steps towards the rock ledge, squatting to my knees. I peered down to see what the fuss was about. At first I thought there was nothing, but my gaze squinted seeing a large set of teeth just floating in the water below. Something was swimming around it, something very big. Almost the size of a giant's dentals. Whoever that belonged to, ice seethed my veins, must have been one hell of a creature.
"Those belonged to a creature we never met. The alpha killed it. This area is not for swimming. There's something else down there, something almost as big as that thing was."
My breathing was loud, I rose slowly and stepped back. Being more careful than I'd even been. One small trip, and I would never see the light of day again.
"Is it an animal?" I don't know why I asked. The answer is probably not something I want to hear. I couldn't get a clear view of that thing, but…it was big. Bigger than a shark.
"We don't know. You see Noelle, everything we know today is what we heard from that broadcast. There could be something far worse that we're unaware of." Ginny spoke, planting a comforting grip to my shoulders.
"It's also said that the doctor who made that broadcast was true to his word. That was the only time he reached out to the world. If he's dead, he kept all the secrets to this virus to himself. So if anything has mutated or changed, we don't know. Packs are the safest options for anyone."
Are they…. trying to make me feel comfortable about being in a pack by scaring me? It won't work. I've known that packs were the safest options, for the none infected. They're going to need more than that to put my doubts and worries at ease. I just found out the virus could have mutated other creatures on the planet, and that I'm getting married.
I was done at this point. There's only one thing that could bring the sunshine back into my mood.
"Can we go to the vet lady? I'd love to see my dog."
They looked at each other, then back at me. "Sure."
I don't even want to think about what I just heard. There could be more mutations? I mean, it would make sense. Even the doctor had no clue in what the Cerberus genes really do. They can evolve, or devolve, and we wouldn't know. Can they be cured? The answer might be a whooping no, and it's too late anyways. The whole of planet earth has been contaminated, some places worse than others.
Ginny said goodbye to us, returning to her bakery while Kiki led me to where Micah was receiving treatments.
I don't know what I expected, an actual hospital from the TV shows maybe, but this is not bad either. A large apartment complex, now converted to a place to house sick or wounded people. Kiki led me to the top floor, there's enough power in the whole place for the elevator to work. It's my first time being in one. The experience was nice. I hummed the tune playing as each button shined with great heat showing each floor we crossed
I can't wait to see Micah, she's the only thing I have that's still normal. The only thing in my life that hasn't….
"What the fuck is that?"
"Noelle, meet doctor Payton."
"Not the doctor, that right there!" I directed my index finger in the direction of the large gold and silver, possibly seven foot wolf laying on the floor. The animal had Micah's eyes, and my heart thumped heavily against the ribs in my chest.
"That is your pet."
My knees hit the floor with a groan, this can't be happening.