The Truth About His Luna (Part I)

The Truth About His Luna (Part I)
The Next Morning

Kano gave Essence a serious look as they stood outside the castle doors. “Are you ready?” he asked, and she nodded. “Then you know what you have to say.”

Bending down, she smiled at Kanon. “Bugaboo, repeat after mommy, and Uncle Gregory, okay?” She looked at Brenda and Ericka. “You guys, too.” Essence and Gregory allowed their wolves to take over. Seeing them, Kanon and the others allowed theirs to do the same.

“I tie myself to the Blood Moon pack from this day forward,” they all said one by one. As the words exited their lips, their wolves lurched forward, and let out piercing howls.

Kano’s eyes tinged. “I accept these ties to Blood Moon from here on out.” Their links connected; Kano’s wolf raged against his chest.

“I want our mate!” it growled ferociously, sensing the returned strength of Essence’s pheromones.

Kano closed his eyes and shook his head, trying his best to ward it off. Upon opening them, his throat dried seeing Essence’s blue eyes staring at him intensely. Her desire just as clear, she quickly closed her eyes, and repeated his action.

Ericka placed her hand on her shoulder. “It makes sense now. You two are linked something vicious.” She turned to Kano. “How long have you and your wolf been out of sync?” Eyes wide, he avoided the question, and pulled at the castle doors, going inside. She whispered to Essence, “If I had to give a guess, I’d say as long as you and yours.”

“It doesn’t matter. What was there can't be fixed. We’re two different people now,” she replied quietly.

“I disagree. A lot of wolves do just fine without their mates, but you two are something different entirely. Your wolves are so entwined, one can’t survive without the other. It also explains why your body shut down as fast, and as extremely as it did.”

Essence could hear her wolf let out a whimper.

“I want our mate…”

Placing her hand over her heart, she looked at Ericka. “Please, don’t say anything to Kano. I don’t want to relive that pain again.”

She nodded. “It’s not my secret to tell, Luna.”

“Thank you.”

Entering the castle, Essence immediately grew uncomfortable. The walls were lined with people who were waiting for their arrival. As their eyes traveled towards her, many smiled, while others stared at her unsure of what to do. It didn’t matter; for all the glances and stares she received, being back felt like a type of peace she hadn’t had in years. Spotting the first of her sources of pain, she fidgeted as Rafael approached.

“Luna,” he said with clear disdain.

She shook her head. “You don’t have to pretend with me, Rafael. I don’t want it. I’ve always loved that you were such an honest person.”

He twisted his lips. “Fine, then you respect that I have nothing to say to you. I respect you as my luna, but as a friend, I don’t know where that stands.”

She bit the side of her lip. “I understand. It probably means nothing, but I really want you to know I’ve missed you a lot.”

He stared at her before looking at the ceiling, and then muttered, “All my hard work undone in five years. We had your hair healthy, them brows arched to the sky, and I got you on the perfect regimen for your combination type skin.” He fluffed her. “Ugh, it’s going to take me at least four hours to turn you back into the luna I know. You come to the shop tomorrow—6 A.M.—and I don’t want to hear a word of complaint.” He rolled his eyes in mock irritation before pulling her close. “You hurt me, and one day we’re going to talk about why, but today I’m so happy to see you, I can’t even continue to be mad.”

Essence sniffled. “Thank you for your kindness, Raf. It means more to me than you know.” Pulling away, she wiped her eyes. “For my hair, I’m thinking about orange, and down my back,” she said.

“Sweep the booty?”

“Yep.”

“I hate that you can get away with any color, lucky bitch.” They shared a laugh, and then his face paled when he saw Gregory approach.

“H-hi…” Gregory said, nervously.

“I don’t believe it.” Rafael said, covering his mouth as he stared at his mate wildly. He looked nothing like the man he knew all those years ago. His clothes were clean and perfectly coordinated. He’d shaved his head, and now even wore glasses. He looked incredible, but outside of that, he looked healthy and happy. Rafael stammered, “H-how? Y-you—”

“He was with me. He helped to take care of Kanon and I over the years. He’s a different person, Rafael,” Essence said as she watched the two mates eye one another. “Hate me, but please give Gregory another chance. He’s done so much for me, and he’s worked so hard to come back and make you proud.”

“I haven’t touched a drink since I left,” Gregory interjected. “I even became a certified midwife to help Luna give birth!”

Rafael continued to stare at him, and then slowly his face broke into a smile. Grabbing onto Gregory, he kissed his cheek. “I can’t wait to hear all about it,” he said.

Essence smiled at the two, it falling when she heard a murmur ear shot from her.

“I don’t see why he’s still with her. A beta needs an heir,” a woman said, cackling. “I suppose he pities her. She’s no contest to the luna. Hell, even she didn’t want to be her friend after a while.”

“Who the hell are they talking about?” Essence asked, her eyes bluing.

Seeing her anger, Rafael bowed his head slightly. “Well…um… there has been talk.”

“Talk?”

He sighed. “Someone from the castle staff leaked news of Anastasia’s multiple miscarriages. Afterwards, some of the women of Blood Moon started to be a little more open about their affections towards Cayden, and their disrespect towards her.” He avoided her eyes. “With the work they did to prevent the sully of your name, the rumor mill went wild about why you two stopped being so close. Anastasia never really was close to a lot of the women here, so it took little for them to avoid her. It’s gotten worse over the last seventy-two hours though, since the announcement.”

Essence felt her heart crack as she thought about Anastasia’s suffering. Her nostrils flared. “The Anastasia I know would smack the shit out of somebody for talking shit about her.”

“She’s not the same, E. She took you leaving really hard, and on top of the miscarriages and harassment she just kinda checked out.”

Her eyes darted around, and she soon spotted her best friend. Anastasia glanced at her before quickly turning away. “Does Cayden know?” Essence asked, still looking at her.

“Not about everything, but what can he really do? People talk; people gossip. He can’t punish everyone, no matter how much he wants to.”

“Who are those chicks talking about? I keep reading that one’s lips, and she’s really pissing me off,” Brenda asked as she and Ericka approached. Seeing Anastasia’s discomfort, she tapped Essence. “They’re talking about your friend, aren’t they?” She could see the rage on Essence’s face as she spoke through clenched teeth.

“Who the fuck makes fun of someone for having miscarriages?” Brenda glared at the woman and silently took off Essence’s coat. Essence folded her arms to her chest. “Greg, go tell Kanon that mommy needs her to play hide and don’t seek,” she said.
“Yep,” he said quickly, walking away, leaving Rafael confused.

She heard another murmur.

“… I’m just saying, as sexy as he is, he could do so much better. I always thought so—if I’m honest. Like how hard is it to carry a baby? I would have already had four for him by now… and she calls herself a woman.”

Essence cracked her neck and swung her arms back and forth. “Nope. Nah. Hell to the fuck no, that shit’s not about to fly,” she said as she took a step towards her target.


Across the room, Cayden’s mouth remained dropped at Kano’s news. “Why didn’t you mention on the phone that she is a red wolf?!” he shouted.

Kano exhaled sharply. “Because I’m still trying to process it myself. Out of all the mates I could have, I would end up with one that’s—”

“As rare as you,” Cayden said. He saw Kano’s jaw twitch as various emotions fell over his face. He sighed, knowing the argument that was to come. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Kano, you can’t force her to marry you,” he said.

Kano cut his eyes. “Blood Moon needs its luna.”

“Perhaps, but that’s not why you’re doing it.”

“What?”

“You heard me. You’re punishing her for leaving, and at the same time trying to make sure she can’t leave you again.” He sighed. “Look, what she did was fucked up and I have my own feelings and reservations about it, but I would never agree to you locking her away, especially when you out of everyone should know how that destroys a person inside.” His eyes softened. “It’s clear you’re still madly in love with her, Adam.”

Kano sighed. “It hasn’t wavered a bit. All the changes I’ve made, that—that just won’t go away, no matter how much I will it to. I can’t even deal with her touching me, and at the same time, I want to scream at how much I missed her doing so, and to know she’s just like me only seems to add to my feelings for her.” His face hardened slightly. “But I’d be a fool to allow her near my heart again, Cayden. Five years is a long time to love someone who doesn’t feel the same.”

“You two could always run Blood Moon and raise Kanon as partners. You don’t have to be married. There’s no law that says that you have to, and even if there were, you are the alpha, change it.”

“No,” Kano retorted deadly. “She’s going to marry me. End of discussion.”

“Daddy! Uncle Cayden!” Kanon shouted, running towards them, interrupting. Cayden looked at her in shock at the fact she’d addressed him with such familiarity. Picking her up, Kano stood confused when she covered his eyes.

“Cover your eyes! Mommy said to play hide, and don’t seek,” she said.

Pulling her small hands from his face, he scrunched his face at Gregory as he approached. “What’s hide and don’t seek?” he asked him.

“Wellll…”

A loud crash caught their attention, and they saw a woman slide across the floor. Angrily, Essence approached her. “Hi, I’m your new luna, and that was my fist. The three of us are about to become great friends!” she yelled.

“Shit!” Kano shouted as he handed Kanon to Cayden. He rushed and grabbed Essence’s hand as she cocked it back to hit the woman again. “Are you insane?! You can’t just punch Blood Moon members!” he screamed.

“I can if they’re making fun of my friend for having miscarriages!” She shook free from him and pointed to the woman. “You see how one punch broke your fucking nose? I’m trying my hardest to be calm, but I will meditate my foot up your ass if you say something else so vile about Ani or anybody! I don’t play that shit!”

Holding her bleeding nose, the woman cowered. “I’m sorry, Luna!” she cried.

Essence cut her eyes. “Don’t say sorry to me. Say sorry to Anastasia. Say sorry to any woman in this room who is suffering in silence. You have no fucking idea what it means to go through something like that. How fucking dare you?!” She looked around and let out an authoritative growl. “Hear me and hear me good. Knock it the fuck off right now! Blood Moon is a family, and we don’t tear down family. Is that clear?!” Without a second thought, every member in the room bowed their head in submission.

“I-I apologize Anastasia, and anyone else I offended,” the woman said through tears.

Avoiding Anastasia’s eyes, Essence nodded. “Ms. I think I’m above struggle; I suggest you figure out how to not piss me off anymore because this single event can turn to on sight real quick.” Reeling off scenarios, she felt her blood boil again. “Have you ever read Green Eggs and Ham? That’s how it will be. I will beat your ass on a boat, with a…” Kano picked her up, carrying her away as she scowled at the woman, and continued her monologue. “... I will whoop your ass here and there! Let me go, Kano!” she screamed, struggling against him, “It’s about six more lines, and I need her to fully grasp how poetically I’m going to demolish her if she pisses me off again!”