Chapter 78: CHAPTER SEVENTY EIGHT - ROSALIE

I’m spending the day with Savannah. We spent the morning baking while Layla ate almost everything we made.

And now we’re walking through the Pack House, while she gives me a tour I really should have had ages ago. Some of the guards follow us but they keep their distance as if they don’t expect any trouble.

Aeron and Cain are in their office, planning with Hunter and some other Wolves. I don’t know what exactly they’re discussing but I know it’s about me. About keeping me safe.

“How long were you Luna?” I ask.

“Thirty six years.” She says smiling.

“What happened, to Aeron and Cain’s dad?”

She pauses. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked but there’s a part of me that’s afraid of the answer, that she’s going to tell me he was killed, and I guess I want to know what to expect from a life like this.

“He got sick. It was a degenerative disease. We tried everything but in the end, we couldn’t save him.”

I let out a breath of air. Is it wrong that I’m relieved at that? At the notion that their dad died in his own bed with his family around him.

She looks at my face and frowns. “Rosalie, not all Wolves are violent.”

I gulp feeling like I’m being judged, though I know Savannah well enough now to know she’s not doing it unfairly.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologise.” She says taking my hand. “We both know what you’ve been through but this Pack, most Packs are not like the Crimson Shadow Pack. We don’t abuse our mates. We don’t attack our neighbours or start unnecessary wars. We’re peaceful for the most part.”

“I started that war.” I mutter.

“Not intentionally. And you’re not responsible for what’s going on now. Alpha Knox is the kind of Wolf who should never have been able to rise to the position of Alpha. He is responsible for all of this. He is responsible for Silas too.”

I nod. She’s right I guess, but that doesn’t shut up the guilt in my head.

“Can you help me with being Luna? I don’t even know where to start, what I’m supposed to do.”

She smiles. “Of course, Rosalie. I’ll help you in whatever way you want.”

“Thank you.” I feel a rush of something that almost makes my eyes well. She’s been so accepting, so kind to me. I guess I had an image of what she would be like, how a past Luna would act to the new one. But Savannah has never once acted like I’ve taken something from her, if anything I get the vibe that she’s happy that I exist, that someone new is taking up the mantle.

“You’ve resolved your issues with Aeron, I take it?” She says smiling more.

“Yes.” I say blushing and she lets out a knowing laugh.

“It’s often the way. Alphas are headstrong. They expect everyone to bow to their whims and unfortunately, they don’t seem to realise that the Moon Goddess will never grant them a meek mate. That to be Luna means you need to be strong, determined, and assertive too. It often leads to clashes but because most Wolves mark their mates very soon after meeting, they usually resolve them early on.”

“I don’t think I helped. I think you were right I was misreading him. He wasn’t the megalomanic I’d let myself believe.”

She lets out a chuckle. “No. He’s many things but he’s certainly not that.”

We walk on in silence for a bit and it feels good, it feels comfortable. Savannah really feels like a parent to me.

“I’m scared of having pups.” I admit.

“What part scares you?” She asks gently. As if we’re not discussing her future grandpups right now.

“I don’t know how to be a parent. How to raise a child. Change nappies. How to do any of it.” I state.

“No one does to start with, but they learn. You’ll have the support of the whole Pack and, with Aeron and Cain, you’ll have two mates beside you the whole time.”

I balk at that. At the thought of Aeron and Cain changing nappies.

She laughs loudly clearly seeing where my head is at. “They might be big scary Alphas, Rosalie, but wait to they have pups. They’ll be complete teddy bears then. They’ll be helping with the feeds, the baths, everything. They’ll want to be with you the entire time.”

“How can they run the Pack if they do that?”

“That’s what I meant by the whole Pack will help. Hunter will take lead. Aeron and Cain will be able to focus on you and your pups. Everyone will play a part because your pups will be our future.”

“Is it the same for all Wolves then? That the whole Pack helps when they have pups?”

“Yes. We’re a Pack. We help one another. We support one another.”

“How come Layla hasn’t had pups?” I ask before my brain engages and I realise it’s not an okay question to ask.

Savannah sighs. “Layla and Dylan are complicated. Dylan was a Rogue. He joined the Pack after he mated with Layla and they’re still working out issues.”

“Oh.”

“Layla wants pups. Dylan is still reluctant because he feels shame at his origins. It’s a big thing to be mated to the Alphas’ sister.”

“But Aeron and Cain trust him.” I say. I know they must because they put him in charge of me. There’s no way they would have let him near me if they had any notion of doubt.

“Yes. They trust him. He’s proven himself time and time again. I think they both just needed time but you being here helps. Them seeing you, seeing you and your mates work out your issues have given them reassurance.”

“I hope so.” I say because I’m not sure what else to.