The Rejected Wolf Turn Mighty Luna

When we got home, I realised that Samantha had actually gone home, not just to do the laundry and have a change of clothes but to clean up my room, so that it would smell fresh and look welcoming when I got home. There were flowers everywhere, most of them, Sundrops, lilies and roses.

'Samantha, thanks so much for this', I smiled at her.

'Alpha Sylvester made this possible. We got these flowers from his garden', Samantha whispered to me.

'Really?' I whispered, shocked. Was this not the same garden he didn't want anyone entering? My close shove with death must have made him feel very guilty especially since it was his love that brought it on and he just wanted to relieve his conscience.

'Yes', Samantha was saying. 'Alpha Christopher asked that we go to the florist and get the best flowers to decorate your room and the entire palace for the special occasion of your homecoming but Alpha Sylvester forestalled and asked us to take them from his garden and make sure we make the whole place look more beautiful than it had ever been'.

'I must say, I'm surprised because Sylvester normally doesn't allow people into his garden!' I said, shaking my head incredulously at what I had heard.

'Are you telling me?' Samantha asked. 'I know about the reserved area. Are you forgetting I was formally living here in this pack?' she asked. 'And what a garden it is. I've never seen such a garden before. All the wonderful flowers are there!' she gushed. If I didn't know better, I'd think she was talking about the man and not the garden.

'Please take good care of her, Samantha', Christopher said, touching me slightly on the shoulder and when I looked at him, he smiled at me and I smiled back at him.

Sylvester had gone into his room as soon as we got into the mansion, asking Samantha to help me dress for the party. I was to come down when I had rested enough. The party was going to go ahead, the Alphas were celebrating my recovery from a death threatening ordeal.The maids left as soon as Alpha Christopher took his leave.

'You are so lucky to have such a male as your mate', she said, no longer whispering. 'In fact, see how the two most handsome and powerful men in this pack and indeed all around the packs, are falling over each other to win your heart. Your fortune has indeed changed!'

'You don't know the half of it!' I said, remembering the first and only time I had been in the garden. I hadn't seen it's glory as Samantha was describing it, because I was not concentrating on it then but had been shocked at what I had overheard and was anxious to get away before being made a scape goat.

'That is because you have decided not to confide in me!' Samantha said, looking at me oddly.

'Samantha', I said, sitting on the bed and being propped up, with my head on the pillow. 'I am sorry. I never meant to keep anything from you. But you see, the situation at that time required me to say as less as I could possibly say about my past'.

'You allowed all to threat you like a maid when you were actually a princess. I don't think I could endure that. But I had thought we were really close', she said, and I could hear the hurt in her voice. 'I confided everything in you. You could not reciprocate?'

'I have said that I am sorry. I didn't want the word to go round but I also didn't want you to find out this way', I said 'but since you have found out, I shall tell you the rest!'

'Maybe we should leave it till after the party?' Samantha asked, looking at the clock on the wall.

'I'd rather tell it now than later. The party can hold or go on without me. You are more important'.

Samantha smiled and we hugged. I then went ahead to tell her about the Crescent Pack, where I was born and from where Alpha Sylvester got me. I told her how my pack was destroyed and my parents murdered. 'The rest you know. You were a witness to how he has maltreated me. That night of his engagement to Cathania, he nearly raped me and made me watch as he mated with her, them kicked me away, literally, after rejecting me as his mate!'

Samantha was shocked after hearing all this. 'You had to endure all this alone, when you could have unburdened yourself by sharing your pains with me', she said.

'Thank you, my dear Samantha but apart from not wanting the word to go out,about my pack, I wanted to spare you all this. You were sharing too much of my burdens and I knew you had yours too'.

'But Alpha Sylvester is changed now. I can see the way he treats you. And from the way he looks at you, he is really smitten with you'.

'I doubt it, Samantha', I said.

'Why?' she asked. 'You came back to the pack, you must have felt something for him as well. That night you left without telling anyone, he kept calling out for you and sent out his men to search for you but no one knew where you had gone'.

'I came back for my vengeance. He has to pay for what he did to me', I said.

'Could you not forgive him? He is really a changed person'.

'Changed you say?', I laughed, bitterly. 'Your Alpha Sylvester came for me because he had been told that he needed me by his side if he wanted to retain his position and to avert the misfortune befalling the pack!'

'That can't be true', Samantha said frowning in disbelief. 'The way he looks at you, shows her s feelings for you are deep and sincere'.

'He is a great actor. I overheard him talking to the Cathania he told me he had severed all ties with and sent away, in his precious garden and he was asking her to be patient because he was sure he had made me fall in love with him and that after what I'd help them with, then, he would separate from me and make her his one and only Luna', I told her smiling bitterly. 'To think I had started forcing myself to trust him before hearing that!'

'Oh, so sad and heartless of them!' she said. 'But you love him, don't you?'

'I don't!' I said.

'You don't?' she asked. 'What female did not have a crush on Alpha Sylvester?'

'I never did, maybe because I saw my parents and how they died, anytime I looked at him', I said, matter - of - factly. 'I might have liked him a little when I came back but it all died when I discovered his reason for wanting me back'.

'What about Alpha Christopher?' she asked and I blushed.

'What about him?' I asked, avoiding her eyes.

'I already have my answer', she said. She was being really perceptive. 'You do love him, don't you?'

'Samantha, it's a long story. I love him but they are both mated to me and I cannot have them both, do not want to, but...'

'But what?'

'I still have to avenge the death of my parents. His good behaviour right now cannot make up for the lost he cost me'.

'How will you still have the intention to carried out your vengeance on him when you are in love with his twin?' she asked.

'That's the complication I am facing. I tried to fight the attraction but I could not', I said. 'I've been told of mate bonds and all that but I did not feel that with Sylvester'.

'How could you when you already hated him? Samantha asked. 'Your hated and quest for vengeance, of course suppressed the feelings you would have had for him', I said, 'And I must say, he did not help matters with the may he treated you when you served as a maid here. But you will have to reconsider if you really love Alpha Christopher. But do you know what happened to your pack afterwards?'

'I don't. But I assume that since all was wiped out by the ruthless Alpha Sylvester, it is no longer existent'.

'You never can tell. Why don't you try and find out, now that you have the resources as the future Luna?' she asked.

I nodded thoughtfully , wondering why I had never thought of it. 'You have a point there', I said. 'It is worth a try'.

The party was in full swing when we descended the stairs. I had a simple but elegant dress on and even if I say so myself, it flattered me, emphasizing my shape and highlighting my bust line and colour.

Christopher kept looking at me with his mouth agape and Sylvester was no better as I could see the admiration in his eyes. To my chagrin, both of them rose to their feet and didn't stop there but came forward to walk me to my seat.

'Oh, my God!' Samantha whispered. 'This is so flattering, being fawned over by two hunks. And very tempting too, why settle for one when you can have two of the best? I am already very wet and wanting.'

'You have totally lost it, Samantha', I said as I felt my face heat up at her words. I pasted a smile on my face for the benefit of anyone staring.

Samantha chuckled and left my side as both Alphas took each of my arms in theirs.

The jubilation was ceased till we were seated. Then the noise started again.

'Hope you had enough rest?' Alpha Sylvester asked. 'You are feeling stronger, I hope?'

'Yes, I am. Thank you', I smiled at him.

'You look beautiful tonight', Alpha Christopher said.

'Thanks', I whispered. Then coyly, 'You mean I am an ugly duckling but looks better tonight all decked up?'

'I didn't mean that and you know it', Christopher said, smiling at me and poking my nose playfully and I smiled back. When I looked at Sylvester, he had an angry scowl on his face. My smile froze. This was not going to be easy.

'What is it?' Christopher asked. He must have noticed my discomfort.

'Nothing. Let's enjoy the party', I said.

'I was going to ask you to do that. It's your party after all', Christopher said, 'Let's dance, if you are up to it, of course'.

I thought that if smiling with Christopher was making Sylvester unhappy, then dancing with his brother would not be a good idea. Then I reconsidered. The party was for me after all and I was miraculously feeling better and I wanted Christopher's arms about me. What right did Sylvester have to be angry about my happiness?

'You don't have to, if you don't feel like it's, Christopher said.

I had already made up my mind. I stole a look at Sylvester and saw that his attention was diverted by one Gamma who was saying something to him.

'I'd love that', I replied, placing my hands into the hand he stretched towards me and he helped me up and as we walked to the dance floor, I saw Sylvester from the corner of my eye, start to rise but sat again, he must have changed his mind, thankfully. I did not want any ugly scenes like the one before my accident with wolfsbane.

'Is Sylvester making you feel uncomfortable?' he asked as we swirled to the dance. I was enjoying myself. I caught Samantha's eyes and she winked at me and gave me a thumbs up. I smiled. I felt light headed in Christopher's arms. I moved closer and he drew me closer into his arms. I shut my eyes, enjoying the feel of our bodies together. I was having some unholy thoughts and was flushed.

'Are you thinking, what I am thinking?' Christopher's voice was husky in my ears.

I looked up into his face and saw his need in his eyes. 'It depends on what you are thinking', I said.

'I am thinking of getting you naked and completing what go interrupted the other day', he hissed huskily.

'Hmmmm, I'd like that too, but I don't think this is the right time', I said.

'Will you come to my room later tonight or should I visit you?' he asked, looking me deep in the eye. It would have been so easy to say yes and I must say that I was tempted. I was strong enough for mating and I could understand his impatience. I found it difficult controlling myself when I am with him. He made me feel so strong. 'We'll have to wait a few days, so I can recover completely.

'Oh, I'm sorry, love', he said, all at once concerned. 'I'm really a cad. I totally forgot that you were just discharged from the hospital. It is just that - I don't know how to explain it - but what you do to me, how you make me feel, I lose control. I think of no one else but you when you are close to me and I just want to give myself completely to you and take you completely.

'Ohhh, you're so... I'm really fortunate to have you as a mate!'

'As I am and don't you ever doubt that!'

The music changed into a very slow one and we were virtually glued, even a tiny piece of paper would not have been put between us.

'My dance', a voice said, bringing me out of my daydream. I looked up and found Sylvester looking at Christopher menacingly.

'It is still my dance', Alpha Christopher insisted.

'And I say it is my dance!' Alpha Sylvester growled quietly.

I knew that if I didn't step in, there was going to be a scene.

'You know how I feel about you. Let it go. It's just a dance!' I whispered to Alpha Christopher. And to Alpha Sylvester, I said, 'Of course, Alpha Sylvester', and I took his offered hand as he drew me into his arms.

I saw that his look became less menacing but Christopher was not happy at all as he stormed back to his seat.

I stole a look around to see if anyone had noticed what had almost happened but found everyone enjoying themselves. If anyone had noticed anything, they gave no indication. Even Samantha was dancing merrily at a corner, alone and I felt like a heel for not having asked her about her husband. Had I become so selfish that I was concerned only about myself that I forget about others, including my best friend?

'You look sad', Alpha Sylvester said looking at me.

'No, I'm not. I am actually, very happy. Thank you for throwing this party for me', I said.

'That is not the reason you looked so sad a while ago', he insisted.

'I feel bad that I have been so consumed with my problems that I hadn't asked someone who had come to wait on me these past weeks about her life, her husband', I said, smiling unhappily.

'There's still time for that', Sylvester said. You can still ask her, she isn't running away this night!' he added and we both looked at each other and burst out laughing, because we recalled the night I went away after being exiled without informing anyone. A party had been going on that night too.

'I'm sorry for all I put you through', Alpha Sylvester said. I looked into his eyes and saw that his apology was genuine.

'It's all in the past', I smiled, feeling funny. I felt like I was betraying my parents by being so nice and forgiving to him but it was only for this night, I consoled myself. This was just a feeling of gratitude for all his care while I was in the hospital, whether it was feigned or not and for this party which surprisingly, I was enjoying immensely, my weakness forgotten.

I looked away from his eyes because I saw a funny look in them that I didn't care to decipher and my eyes fell on Christopher and he did not look too happy. Infact, that was an understatement, because he was looking at me like I had betrayed him!

Samantha led me back into my room afterwards.

Both Sylvester and Christopher had volunteered but I didn't want them starting a war over me. Not this night anyway. So I told them I'd rather Samantha led me back since I had a lot to discuss with her.

I had wanted to talk to Samantha about her husband but immediately I got in and she helped me take off my dress, giving me my pills and a glass of water with which I swallowed them, I fell flat on my bed and slept.

I woke in the early hours of the morning, and found that Samantha was lying on the couch. I sprang to my feet but had to lye back again, holding my head. I had a headache and the sudden movement had made me feel it keenly for a moment.

'What is it?' Samantha asked, coming to the bed to hold me and feel my temperature. I did not know she had woken. My sudden movement must have alerted her to my wakefulness. She had always been a light sleeper.

'Nothing. Just a slight pain in the head brought on by my sudden movement!' I explained.

'You should take it easy. You were not supposed to have stayed at the party that late but I saw that you were enjoying yourself very much and did not want to interrupt you, especially when you had the attention of the two most powerful men in the whole of MoonVille and its environs of course', she smiled.

I sighed and lay back down. 'I must have been very exhausted', I stated. 'I was surprised just now when I woke and saw that it's already morning. I should not disturb you. You should go back to sleep'.

'I am used to keeping awake, you go ahead back to sleep, you need your rest', she advised.

I do not know if it was the tone of her voice or my intuition but I read something in her words that made me ask. 'Samantha, is everything okay?'

'Why wouldn't it be?' she asked smiling but there a slight tremor in her voice.

'Come lie with me on the bed', I said.

'No, Millicent. I couldn't. It would be disrespectful of me. You are the future Luna afterall', she said.

'I am your friend first of all and you mean alot to me', I said feelingly. 'How could you even have waited for me to offer before you slept in the bed with me?'

'I have my own room which Alpha Sylvester asked the maid to make up for me but I wanted to stay with you tonight to ensure you are okay', she said. 'Now that I am sure that you are, I shall go ahead and go back to my room. It is already morning, anyway. Call if you need anything', she concluded, rising from her sitting position at the edge of my bed.

I drew her back. 'Samantha, my position does not change the fact that we are friends. Are you angry with me because of it?' I asked, not comprehending her behaviour.

'No. I am not. I could never be. You deserve it, after all you've been through', she said, nipping my cheek fondly.

'Then stay with me because I need to speak to you', I said gravely.

'About what? Are you okay?' she was all concern.

I raised myself to a sitting position.

'Oh, no, you should lie down', she said, trying to push me back into the bed but I refused, pushing her hand away gently. 'I'm okay, Samantha, really '.

'Alright then, what do you want to talk about?' she asked.

'Since you came here, I have been so absorbed in myself that I have not asked about you!' I started.'I want to know about your life, your husband'.

A sudden clouding of her features, caused me alarm. 'What is it, Samantha?'

'My mate and husband is no more!' she said simply, looking down on her hands, but I could hear the pain and grief in her voice.

'Oh, I'm sorry. What happened?' I asked, shifting close to her and holding her hands.. Then, I modified the question. 'Was he ill or was it during an attack on your pack?'

'He suddenly fell ill', Samantha said with a far away look in her eyes. 'The medical practitioners said it was a genetic disease but if well managed, he was going to live as long as anyone else. That gave us hope and I was determined to do my best to ensure that he lived long and enjoyed his days as well', she said and sniffed.

I squeezed her hands. I knew how hard this was for her but she needed to let it out so that her heart could feel lighter. No one knew better than I the burden and heartache of keeping it all bottled up inside.

'But Fredrick felt he was no longer useful', her voice broke and she started sobbing quietly.

'No longer useful?' I prompted .

'I'm not sure but he felt that he was not as strong as other males and started drinking heavily to drown his pain and the complex he had adopted. I told him he was all the male I needed and that I was lucky to have him. He would smile and we would mate. During which I made sure, each experience was an unforgettable one but he still would not stop drinking and continued deteriorating till one day, he didn't wake from his sleep'.

'Oh, my God', I said, tears stinging my eyes. 'I know how devastating that can be'.

'You know, he probably knew he was going to die because he made sure he mated with me in a way he had never done before. He kept looking at me affectionately and touching my cheek, telling me he was the lucky one between us. We mated thrice and they were all fierce and I thought afterwards that it was as though he was trying to leave his imprint in me and at the same time wish me farewell!' she sobbed harder.

'I never knew you were passing through such trying times and I wondered why you didn't wish to come see me. So inconsiderate of me!'

'You could not have known but I just didn't want to leave him for any long period of time, though he insisted that I lived my life as normal. I knew if I visited, I might need t want to stay for a short period and I couldn't ask you to come visit me. He didn't want people seeing him in that state'.

'That's the reason then, because of you had asked me, I would definitely have come running to you. You did the same for me', I said, smiling at her and squeezing her hands comfortingly.

'He never liked to see me crying and I tried not to when his death was confirmed but couldn't. I felt heartbroken and so alone. I felt that there must be something I hadn't done right because if I had been the perfect wife to him, he probably would have lived'.

Since he hated to see me cry, I asked his corpse why he had ended up making me cry when he didn't like me doing it'.

'He didn't want to be a burden to you. You said it yourself that he wanted you to live your life!' I consoled her.

'He could never be a burden. I loved him for goodness sake', she exclaimed in pain. 'I consoled myself that I might be pregnant with his pup, hoping our last night together had at least produced that, a male or female to remind me of the wonderful mate and husband that he was, a symbol of our mate bond, a pup or pups that would compensate me for my loss but even that was denied me because when I checked, that tiny hope was dashed!'

'Have you thought of the fact that it might be a good thing that you are not pregnant with his pup?'

'How could it possibly be a good thing?' she asked hurt that I could even think that. 'How could having something that he and I produced, something from him, a souvenir from him, be bad?'

'You said yourself that the disease that killed him was genetic. What if it got passed on to his pup?', I asked reasonably. 'Would you be prepared to feel the same pain again, bear to experience that type of loss again?'

She kept quiet staring at me and I knew she had not thought about that. 'So maybe the goddess spared you that pain and will give you another chance at happiness, that I believe'.