Chapter 42

TARA POV

I hated leaving Lulu, it's so unfair that we can't be celebrated like a normal mated wolf would be. As I ascended through the warrior classes, I finally got to the class Lumos taught. The minute I saw her, I knew she was my mate. My wolf, Ruby, was howling in my head. I remember it like it was yesterday. Admittedly it only happen two months ago, but still. The moment our eyes met is burnt into my memory.

I had worked my way up to the first class warriors. It was proud of my ability, I had only joined souls with Ruby three months ago when I turned 19. I was already training with the first class, I have always been strong and could fight. I was a trouble maker when I was a cub, and joining the Warriors programme was exactly what I needed. It focused my rage and energy that would so often Be aimed at my fellow cub pack mates. I picked a fight with the wrong one and almost got killed. just before she delivered the killing blow she backed off, shifted back to her human and dragged me to the training grounds. I enlisted the same day. I was so grateful to her. She really did set me on the straight and narrow. Her name is Melody, her wolf is called Shadow.

Melody lived outside the pack lands because her mate was a mage or witch, as she liked to be known. Her name was Crystal, and she was awesome. They took me under their wing.

I knew I was gay from a very young age, so I grew up with a chip on my shoulder. My mother couldn't cope with me. She placed me in the youth centre when I was 10. It was only for a few weeks, but I never forgave her for it. She died before i could tell her I now understood why she had done it. My mom was only trying to help me deal with problems. I never knew my father, he died before i was born. He fought in the battles that the Lycans initiated. I was actually born a twin. But my brother died not long after we had been born. I was later told he was a very small cub, where I was a big healthy cub. People would describe my Mom before my Dad died. I had never known that person. My Mom grieved the loss of her mate and newborn son till the day she was killed. It affected her in such a profound way, she became robotic in the way she raised me. To look at us as a family unit you would never had said there was anything wrong. I was well cared for. Always had cupboards full of food. I was clean and always well presented. My school uniform was immaculate.

My only problem was that I never got any affection. Never had stories read before bedtime, never had a hug. Was never told I was loved. We never really spoke at all. Just pleasantries. Like you would refer to a colleague or neighbour. I think all the love in my mother died when my father did. She was never a cruel woman. She was just checked out.

I was 14 when I met Melody, a year before my Mom was killed. She had tried and failed to get me to join the youth group. Melody was one of the youth councillors and had noticed the chip on my shoulder. Even though I pushed her away every time she approached me, I didn't start a fight with her until I was 17. That was when I got dragged to the academy.

I was half way home now, I could feel my shoulders relax with every kilometre I drove away from the pack lands. My fear was Lumos and I would get caught. I didnt want to ruin her life. But, I also needed to be with her. If I wasn't around her, my heart ached and Ruby would sulk. If I was around her, it was painful to not be able to touch her and kiss her whenever I wanted.

That was why Lumos made a day out for us today. We spent the whole day together. It had been perfect. She was so beautiful, elegant, and a fierce warrior. I could watch her for hours when she taught her class. Which was a little awkward, seeing as I was supposed to be training.

I had started to daydream about today when I heard a grunt coming from my back seat. I looked around quickly to see where the noise had come from when I saw something move. The car swerved dangerously and spun on its axis. I slammed on the brakes and managed to bring the car to a stop. I jumped out and opened the back door. My eyes were shining with the presence of Ruby. This had to be a wolf. I had only been the pack lands today.

''Show yourself, NOW'' I yelled. I put myself in an attack position and waited for what or whoever it was to climb out from the back seat. As they got closer to exiting the car the more alert and ready i became. Whoever this was had picked the wrong car to 'hitch hike' in.

I was a little confused why I couldn't smell her scent. Even if she had been a human or other creature, I would be able to pick up a scent. But I got nothing.

''Hurry up, come out now or I will drag you out by your hair'' as i made my threat my passenger finally got out and straightened up. She put her hands up in front of her and lowered her neck. as a sign of submission. ''Please, don't hurt me. I can explain if you'll let me. My name is Sami''.

I stared at her incredulously. I'm sure my mouth was hanging open and i changed my stance to that of respect. This was one of the family. This was Lumos's brother and my Alpha's mate. I continued to stare, not able to say anything, as I was in shock.

I saw Sami lower her hands slowly, ''You're Tara, right? Lumos's mate?''. This got a reaction from me. My mind snapped back into place. 'How could she know that?' Was the only thought running through my panicked mind now. If Sami told her mate about Lumos and myself, I was screwed. Big time.

''I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about. Lumos Mathias is my commander in the first class warriors'' I said, somewhat defensive.

Sam's response was to smile softly at me and tell me she was already handing by my car and had heard our entire conversation. I was mortified. And I was scared.

''Please don't be worried, I won't tell anyone if it's supposed to be kept a secret. I'm thrilled Lumos has found her mate. She deserves to be happy, you both do''.

Seeing the soft smile play on her lips had me relaxing a little. I wanted to ask her how she found herself shoved into the back seat of my car but i knew I couldn't ask her here. We were exposed out here and fair game to anything that wanted a bit of werewolf hide.

''Get back in the car, it's not safe out here. Ill drive home. You will be welcomed there. You can even sit in the front passenger seat'' I said the last part to try and lift the mood, and it worked. I saw Sami's shoulders relax slightly, and she gave me a very relieved smile.

''Thank you, thank you so much'' and she raced around to the other side of the car and jumped in.

I climbed back into my car and drove straight home. There was no conversation. I mean, what would I talk about? Sami was not only my Alpha's mate, which technically made her my Luna but she was also a Lycan. I should be terrified but i didnt get that kind of energy from her. About ten minutes later, I pulled onto the drive. I could see a light on in the kitchen. That meant either one or both of my godmothers was awake. 'Fuck, I thought I'd have a little time to speak with Sami alone. Oh well'. Sighing deeply, I got out of the car, Sami did the same. I. Gave her a tentative smile and gestured to the house ''Follow me'' was all i said. I was about to open the door when it opened on its own. Standing in the door frame were both women. I frowned at them, I started to make introductions when Melody started to speak.

''Luna, you are most welcome in our home. Please, come inside. I will put some coffee on''. Melody stepped back to allow Sami to enter the house. I could also hear Crystal welcoming Sami, she, like Melody, referred to her as Luna. I followed Sami into my home and caught the women's eyes, and a silent question jumped between us.

WTF was a Lycan, a Luna no less, standing in our home at this late hour. What was going on.

It's safe to say the night that followed was one of the most interesting and desperately sad ones I had ever experienced. Sami was very candid with her words. We all listened closely as she described her past to us. The escape from the UK, the plane crash. And everything that had happened to her since.

Crystal, who had the biggest heart of anyone I knew, jumped out of her seat when Sami described the assault she suffered. and threw her arms around her. Melody and myself sat there glancing at each other at the blatant disregard of hierarch. I saw Melody hide a grin, and I did the same.

Sami got up about four hours after she arrived and said she must leave to continue on. Both women jumped up at this and protested. Sami reluctantly agreed to stay the night and went upstairs to bed around five in the morning.

Melody and myself would leave at 7am to go to work, so we decided to stay up and leave our normal time. Crystal, on the other hand, did not have our werewolf strength, she was more human than us. Even in this body. And therefore required more sleep than Melody and myself.

Crystal gave me a hug, told me I did the right thing by bringing the Luna here, and kissed Melody lightly on the lips. They placed their foreheads together and said 'Blessed be' to each other softly. I looked away at this intimate moment. I always tried to give them as much privacy as i could. It was only fair to the people who took me in and loved me. As I loved them.