Chapter 38: The Luna
**Luna Loren**
Krig might think it was too early, but I'm sure it's time for us to stop. The best thing to do is hand over command and discreetly stay in the rear, in case they need support. We'll still be around to help. We're living in a period of peace, but you never know.
A dispute between packs, a tyrant alpha, human hunters, vampires... our world, from time to time, offers danger. A strong luna makes her alpha even stronger, but while they're out there fighting, we have elderly people, children and pregnant wolves to take care of.
The goddess knows the couples she brings together. It was time to learn more about Natsuke's gifts, in times of pressure and crisis. In addition to a little self-defense. Fighting in human and wolf form. She had to learn. I was afraid that if I spoke to Mateo, he would be against it. So I thought it best to talk to her, make her understand the importance of learning to fight and John could train her. Or even me… getting in shape would be good and a great example.
She had a way with children. In the hospital too, she was patient, she hid her emotions when she saw an open wound, those were good qualities. But, she never had a very present mother, she barely lived with her father who was a Russian werewolf. She was born and raised in Japan. I needed to teach her a few things. About the American way of being, about life in a pack. I just want to prepare her to be a great luna,
Mateo is overprotective of her. Nat needed to learn, he couldn't be with her 24 hours a day.
At 10 am sharp, she knocked on my office door.
“Good morning, luna”, she smiled.
“Good morning, Natsuke. You are allowed to call me Loren when we are with family or just the two of us, dear.”
“Yes, you already told me, that, I'll get used to it, sorry”.
“No, don’t apologize, it’s not that bad, you’re a future Luna, you’re my daughter-in-law, I appreciate your respect, but I want to train your boldness. I’ve been thinking, it would be interesting for you to learn how to fight, I don’t know if you know any self-defense techniques? It could be important, you know, in an emergency…”.
“I don’t know, but I understand, I can learn. I’m glad you want to teach me.”
“I think John and I can do this job with you. A Luna needs to be prepared for anything and knowing how to defend herself can give her mate the time she needs to get to you and save her.”
“Loren, I’d rather die than have Mat get into a fight for me, even if it’s just to save me.”
“No, my dear, that’s not how it works. If Luna dies, the Alpha will probably die too. The union of mates blessed by the goddess is very strong. That’s why knowing how to defend yourself is so important. The Alpha without Luna goes crazy and puts the whole pack at risk.”
“Then I’ll learn how to defend myself.”
“Yes. Just don't tell Mat, we're going to surprise him. I know he'll find out eventually, but I don't want him to object.
"Okay."
"Now we're going to my niece Kate's 18th birthday party. There's going to be a waltz, will you dance?"
“I… can dance, but I don’t know how to waltz.”
“Well, I can easily work that out with you. After that, I think we need to go to town and look for a formal dress…”
“Formal?”
“Long with stones or silk, satin would look good… your skin tone would suit red, but your green eyes, um… green would be ideal… We need a white one, also for the full moon ceremony. Girl, I’m glad I had a daughter. Let’s go shopping this afternoon and you can study this book tonight, how to be a good luna, it’s a little old, but the essence is the same.”
Natsuke smiled shyly. I actually scared her a little, I was anxious to get her ready. Mat wasn’t wrong, I needed to slow down.
“Natsuke, there will be a dinner and then a birthday ball, my brother is a little formal. So, I need to ask. Have you ever attended a French dinner, danced the waltz, do these things prepare you for the big party and future ones that you will have to go to as a luna?”
“No, I have never attended an event like that, I am sorry.”
“No, don’t be sad. If you want to learn, I can teach you.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Let’s do it like this, in the morning, at 9 am, you will train with me and John at the gym. Then, we will have time to go into the city to choose fabrics and go to the seamstress or buy a ready-made dress. We will have lunch at a fancy restaurant in Denver and you will practice. If you have any questions, ask. It will be a busy week. We start today!”
“Well, what about the waltz?”
“The waltz is easy, she opened a drawer, took out an old record player, chose a record and locked the door. Your left hand on your partner's right shoulder, your right hand holds his at shoulder height, allow your partner to lead, one step with your right foot back, now your left, to the side, and three when you join, again Very good, and 1,2,3, and how about a turn, and 1, 2, 3….”
She picked it up easily, she was a good dancer. My son had said something about her being a professional dancer. That would be an easy task for her. I want to see how she would do with etiquette and social skills. A Luna needs to be a good politician too. In addition to knowing how to listen with her heart. I knew what she had been through and I wanted to try to help her.