Alpha Joshua and Luna Rose were very considerate of me. They took me in and gave me a place to stay. As a teenage rogue, they could have killed me for trespassing on their territory. Instead, they welcomed me into the pack, initiated me, and gave me a home. Without them, I would not have lived long.
After I recovered, I started working in the Half Moon packhouse where the Alpha, his Beta, Gamma, and their spouses stayed. I’ve been here ever since. Gabe turns on the light as we enter the kitchen. There’s a long wooden table with black leather chairs. The kitchen sink and marble counter tops are on the right. Instead of pantries, there are long wooden shelves on the wall that hold the plates, bowls, and cups.
I put on music while Gabe before we started prepping for breakfast. I helped with breakfast, Gabe covered lunch while I went to school, and we both helped with dinner. I enjoy my early routine with Gabe. As we’re setting the table, Mavy comes running in and wraps her arms around my waist.
“Good morning Adea! Thanks for breakfast!” She kisses me on the cheek and takes a seat.
“No problem Mave. I made your favorite!” I sing. She giggles as I grab her a plate.
“How’d you sleep?”
“When I got home last night, I was so tired I slept like the dead!”
Alpha Joshua and Luna Rose had twins, which are rare for werewolves. Mavy and Shane are polar opposites. Mavy is sweet and bubbly, while Shane is moody and sometimes, a dick. The top of Mavy’s head lines up with my chest while Shane towers over me. Yes, I know almost everyone is taller than me but he stands a foot over them too. They both have black wavy hair. Mavy has gray eyes while Shane has black like Luna Rose.
Think of the devil and he shall appear. Shane walks in and smirks at me before he takes a seat. Gabe elbows me, reminding me to get their trifecta breakfast onto their plates. We went for a simple breakfast. I fill their plates with scrambled eggs, buttered toast, and bacon and excuse myself as Alpha and Luna walk through the door.
Alpha Joshua looks exactly the same and Luna Rose hasn’t aged a day in the last four years. Alpha is tall like Shane and has black wavy hair and gray eyes, while Luna Rose has pencil straight brown hair and black eyes.
“You don’t need to leave, Adea. You’re more than welcome to sit with us for breakfast.” Alpha smiles at me. I can’t leave now so I grab a plate and Gabe fills my plate with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and buttered toast, and smiles. I swat his arm and take a seat in between the twins. Shane eats his food quietly while Mavy turns to me.
“Trent is coming over before school if you wanna hitch a ride with us Adea.” My mouth is full and before I can chew my toast, I swallow it making my eyes water.
“It’s okay Mavy. I’ve got to get some stuff done before school but you can go ahead.”
Trent and Mavy aren’t dating but his feelings were obvious. I did not want to be the third wheel and have Trent give me the stink eye the whole way to school.
“Oh okay, Adea,” she smiles looking a little sad. She’s an open book and I’ve always been able to read her thoughts. Turning back to her plate, she picks at her food.
“What’ve you got to do Ady? Scrub the toilets?” Shane scoffs. Alpha Joshua glares at Shane.
“Son”, he warns. Shane tilts his head and stares at his dad.
“Yes, Alpha?” he asks.
His smirk is gone, his eyes are challenging, and his eyes have started glowing. Instead of getting angry, Alpha Joshua lifts his chin and looks approvingly at his son. Mavy reaches over me and slaps Shane’s shoulder.
“Shane don’t be such an ass. She’s not a slave!” She sits down and looks at me. “I’m sorry, Adea. Excuse my idiot brother.”
She rolls her eyes and checks her phone. I’m about to tell her I wasn’t bothered when a large hand touches my lower back. Small tingles erupt from his hand and I sit up straight as chills crawl up my back. My gaze darts to Shane but he’s looking down at his plate.
“You know I’m just joking around, don’t you Ady?” he lifts his head and turns to look at me. Gabe stops and stares at us.
“Yeah, I knew you were joking…” I laugh nervously. His hand slides over my backside.
“You’re so funny, Shane… NOT. Daddy, has the Table decided where the Crescent Ball is going to be this year?” Mavy asks.
The Table is a group of Alphas in the nearby packs. They have meetings at least once a month to discuss changes, laws, and issues. It’s basically a board of old men that like to tell us what we can and can’t do.
“We have a meeting this afternoon to vote on where the ball is going to be. " Alpha said. “Out of everyone in attendance, it comes down to the Silver pack and the Desert Moon pack. Where will our vote go, Josh?” Luna asks Alpha Joshua.
“We know that the Silver pack isn’t well off so it might be a burden financially for them if we vote to have them host the Crescent Ball. If we don’t have the ball at the Desert Moon pack then we only have one other choice…” he trails off, lost in thought.
“Wouldn’t the best choice be the Desert Moon pack then?” Mavy asks.
“Is the Desert Moon a safe place to visit?” Luna asks.
“It’s safe we just don’t have an alliance with their new Alpha.” Alpha Joshua says. “Desert Moon would be the better of the two because they can afford to throw the ball and it could be a good opportunity for our packs to get to know each other. We’d have a chance to talk about an alliance.”
Mavy squeals, “Adea, maybe we can find our mates at the Crescent Ball if it’s held at the Desert Moon pack!” I internally groan as I look at my best friend.
“Yeah… Visiting other packs raises the chances of finding your Goddess chosen mate…” I mumble.
“Me? You mean WE can find our mates at Crescent Moon this year.” She elbows me and gives me the side-eye. The look of determination in her eye tells me I will not be escaping this year.
“Daddy, can Adea and I go shopping this weekend for dresses? Please?” she asks with doe eyes. Alpha looks at us with a thoughtful expression and before I can tell them there’s no need, he nods.
“That sounds like a good idea. Nothing inappropriate, Mavy, you hear me?”
“YES! Thank you, Daddy”.
Ding! Ding-Ding!
“Trent’s here! Gotta go.” She stands up and gives her dad a kiss and her mom a hug. “Adea, we have plans tomorrow night! I’ll see you at school.” She glares at Shane as she runs out of the kitchen. I stand up and grab all of the dishes and put them into the sink. Gabe cleans up after breakfast so I can get ready for school.
“See you later, Alpha Joshua and Luna. I’ll see you guys after school,” I say with a bow. They nod and I head for the door.
“See you Ady” Shane calls after me.
I can still feel the uncomfortable tingles from his touch. I don’t know what is going on with him. Over the last month he has been getting more aggressive towards me. Thankfully pack slaves were banned here at Half Moon. I grab my bag and run out the back door. My favorite time of the day is my morning run before school. I haven’t heard my wolf yet but I think she’s going to show up soon.
My sense of smell is heightened and I love the smell of the woods in the back of the packhouse. I pull my hair out of my bun as I run and don’t stop until I make it to the pool only I know about. It’s my safe haven.
I take off my backpack and lay down on the grass. The sounds of the branches swaying in the wind, the sunlight peeking through the woods a mix of orange, blue, and yellow. The birds sing their song, and the cheerfulness in their voices brightens my day.
The light pounding of rabbits hopping along the ground brings a smile to my face. I could lay here all day if I could. My alarm goes off, signaling the bell has rung. Sighing, I sit up and grab my bag. Time for school.