The Battle Is On

Luna Megan's POV again

"Meg!"

Cliara rushes towards me when she notices my presence. She gives me a tight hug and we circle around each other.

"What girl, you look amazing. Your mating with this amazing Alpha seems to be doing you good. How lucky you are to hook up with an Alpha. While your parents are semi-rankings". I frown for a moment, this comment is definitely rude. It sounds like she doesn't think I'm worthy of being an Alpha's mate.

"Well, the Moon Goddess chose him for me. But whatever his rank, I would be content with him. At least I wouldn't have to stay mateless." A shadow crossed her face for a brief moment; she clearly had not expected my counter.

She had never been mean at college, nor had she ever stooped to this kind of petty insult. I wonder if this is the effect of her disability, or if her true nature is being revealed. She takes my hand and leads me to a sofa.

"Actually, I am surprised that you still remember me. I was told that you had lost your memory. Or is that just selective? "A grimace creeps over her face and she nods.

"Partially. But I remember absolutely nothing of the incident. That's my frustration. Insignificant things I recall immediately, but not the most important ones," she replies. Bam, another slap in my face. Does she imply that I mean nothing to her?

I look at her sweetly. "Not the incident? Then you must have been very mischievous. Usually those are the things we like to forget. Maybe you bumped someone's head?" I suggest. Another wicked grin appears on her face, but it soon vanishes.

"Nope. You know me, Meg. All I want to do is have fun. I don't have time for anything that might get me into trouble. Whoever did this to me was definitely jealous of my looks".

"Maybe enemies in the pack? Or someone you hurt, consciously or unconsciously?" She shakes her head furiously. "No, the only ones I interfere with are the Beta and Gamma kids. And Zane, of course. But they wouldn't dare touch me. The person must have been as strong or stronger than me".

Just then, Zane enters. Handsome and all, the famous cassanova of the college.

When he saw me, he rushed toward me with open arms. "Meg! Or should I call you Luna? What a surprise to see you here". He also hugs me and sits next to me. Alpha and Luna have not arrived yet.

"We were just talking about mates, Zane. Any luck yet? In a few months you'll be the Alpha here and you'll need a Luna," I tease him. He rolls his eyes and nudges me.

"Why is everyone pressing me so much? It's not like I'm going gray and impotent any time soon. Let me enjoy a bit more before I have all the responsibility on my shoulders". We laughed heartily at his remark; the young man had already broken many hearts. On campus, many drooled over him, but he always kept his relationships a deep secret. Of course, some of his bedmates could not hold back and bragged about their escapades with the Alpha son.

"Zane, do you know that Lori and Romero are a couple now? They have a triplet together and are living their best life. I think you'll get an invitation when Romero turns twenty-one and officially inherits the Alpha title from his father, Alpha Thoseo".

"Wow, what a disappointment for my little sister here. She had her eye on Romero, even though I noticed he was in love with Lori. When they were here, she ignored him and he tried to make her jealous by flirting with Cliara," he chuckles. "And knowing Lori, she's a real keeper. Romero won't get the chance to look at other she-wolves anymore".

"Oh, nothing is certain. Neither of them is twenty-one, so they can still meet their fated. And then Lori will have to hand over the triplets to her rival and move on".

My eyes snap in her direction and I stare at her with open mouth. Zane also looks very surprised by her remark.

"So you do remember Romero and Lori? You didn't say anything about them earlier. You didn't talk at all about the day they were here, Cliara. And when we mentioned their names during the interrogation, you were silent. You amaze me," Zane replies reprovingly.

His sister shrugs indifferently. "They didn't seem important enough. But now that Megan is talking about them, it all comes back to me. And how handsome Romero is. I think I'll take a chance on his anniversary. Maybe he'll turn out to be my mate and I'll become Luna after all."

Well, isn't that an unexpected turn of events? Why do I get the feeling that Cliara remembers a lot from that night, but is deliberately playing dumb? In the latter case, she must have a plan and Lori in her sights.

If Cliara had hinted to the investigators that it was Lori who injured her, it would have been a good reason to invalidate the peace treaty between the packs. Crescent Moon could then go to war with Eclipse Howl to avenge the Alpha female. I doubt if any allies would stand by Eclipse Howl if they knew the reason for the war.

Going straight to a pack that's offering you hospitality and then attacking the Alpha's daughter won't win anyone's approval. But then there's Blue Blood, I'm the Luna there and Lori is the Alpha's extended family. Crescent Moon would be doomed.

I am becoming more and more convinced that Lori is the culprit and that Cliara is hot on her heels. And she will strike on Romero's birthday. I must be vigilant, whatever Lori has done, she is my friend. I will never allow anyone to harm her, Eclipse Howl will have to deal with her herself if she deserves punishment for her actions.

I raise my eyes to Cliara's face and see that she is looking at me sternly.

No, the war between Eclipse Howl and Crescent Moon is on.

Only it is not being fought on the battlefield...