Chapter Eight: The Luna Returns

ZOVADA

The abandoned doors of the corridor swung open, and Luna Mother Claudia stood taller, then shifted her stance. “Let’s go remind them who we are. Pretend you are in the boardroom dissecting an arrogant Alpha prick who wanted to screw the pack out of millions. You’ll be fine”

My heart thundered in my chest, but I nodded and adopted her stature, my confidence returned as if I were at work. This is just another Tuesday, I got this. 

Her heels clicked as we proceeded and within moments we were surrounded by men in suits, I felt the energy of Gamma Corbin and Gamma Didi before they fell into step beside us, both dressed to impress in suits that modeled Gamma Margery’s. 

“My Luna. I got you.” Didi said with a smile. The smell of juniper and chamomile engulfed me and soothed my anxiety immediately.  

“Luna. You’ve finally returned.” He said gently. Then he smiled warmly at Margery. “My lovely mate. I have missed you.”

“Blessed Moon! Luna Claudia! Mother!” Didi said excitedly as she typed away on an Ipad.

“Later darlings. I am sure we have much to discuss.” Margery purred, a twinkle in her eye. 

“Thank you both for letting me borrow Margery for so long. I did not intend for it to be for such a period.” Luna Mother Claudia replied reverently to them both.

“Anything for you Luna.” They both replied.

“You do so much for us. It was the least we could do for you.” Didi added.

Luna Mother Claudia beamed. Her face returned to focus. “What’s the situation?”

“Didi you’re up.” Gamma Corbin replied as he fixed a cufflink, his kept cutting over to his Mate, as if he hadn’t seen her in years.

Without a beat missed, Didi walked us all through the reports she’d already pulled up on her Ipad. “Stocks are down 20% everywhere except Simon’s business. There is a 75% increase of profits there, but despite the increase in revenue, Board Members are displeased the mate for Simon has not been announced or found. They fear the lack of an heir and are questioning if the Horne Legacy is intact. The Elderant Council has requested a meeting with Alpha Richard because they have heard reports that Luna Claudia has not been seen in public for far too long. Uh…there are rumors.”

Luna Mother chuckled. “Rumors I am dead?”

I gasped.

“Y-yes Luna.”

She chuckled again. “Spread by Lisa and her daughter, I am sure. Oh the tangled web they weave.”

“What? Why? What has Alpha Richard done to mitigate these awful rumors?” I asked.

“Although normally that would be a good question for anyone else to ask, Luna Zovada. You know better. The obvious answer is usually the correct one in pack politics.”

“What do you mean? News of your death, spread by the mistress and her bastard daughter would be terrible optics for the stocks. It is clearly why they’re plummeting.”

“Think of it in terms of the pack, not the business. The pack doesn’t care about the business, only the shareholders do. The pack cares about Luna, and whether there is a replacement if she dies. Voila, Lisa sits in my chair more than I do as of late. Replacement is inevitable. Well, that’s what they think at least.”

“That’s horrible, you aren’t expendable. You are Luna!”

“Exactly why the rumors matter. I haven’t been in public for a long time, my bond with the Alpha and the pack has weakened. Lisa has been faithfully at Dick’s side. Likely, anything you’ve done in my stead? He gave credit to her, you’ve been using your Luna Seal. Not mine. They’ve likely assumed I’ve either been too ill, and she has been helping or I’ve died and he didn’t want to tell them.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Think about it, Luna Zovada. Our arrangement has always been public knowledge. I am Luna, she is the mistress. The three of us have always appeared in public, I serve the pack, and she serves the Alpha. They likely assume the three of us have some sort of functional friendship. When have you ever seen us fight in public before the pack? I have even accepted her daughter to our family crest and tree. Turn off your business brain, and turn on your Luna brain. What’s good for the Alpha, is good for the pack.”

Realization of her words dawned on me at last.

She then stopped and looked me dead in the eye. “That being said, what’s good for the Alpha is good for the pack. It is only good so long as it doesn’t interfere with the Luna’s work. The mission of the Luna is what?”

“To care for the pack.”

“Once that line is crossed. When you are placed in a position to choose between the Alpha and the pack, which one do you choose?”

“The Pack.”

She grinned proudly. “Every. Single. Time. That’s my girl. Whether that Alpha is your mate or not, the Pack is the priority. One life fated mate or not, does not outweigh the value of the entire pack. That is why we as Lunas have rights and power equal to the Alpha. Sometimes even more depending on the situation. Despite what any Alpha or male tries to tell you.”

I nodded and she looked at our entourage, then sighed happily. “Damn, is it good to be back. Let’s get this over with, shall we?”

The entourage grinned and opened the doors to the front courtyard. The entire pack was assembled, just as directed. Across the courtyard, a giant stage had been set up, a podium, and some thrones. The Alpha bickered with his family at the front, the pack milled about, chattering excitedly. Tables and chairs scattered about the lawn. The stone pathway that led to the stage stretched across, and there he was. Simon. My Simon. Huddled a little too closely to Regina on the stage, the closeness innocuous to anyone else.

Unfortunately for them, I wasn’t anyone else. After what I had overheard in that office, the closeness didn’t sit right with me anymore. I watched them, my heart in my throat as he tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. 

His mother saw it, and her gaze narrowed. Then she saw Lisa in her chair. Immediately, her Luna aura stretched out across the lawn. “You were told to vacate my seat.” Luna Claudia’s voice boomed across the expanse.

Everyone gasped.

“Mother?” Simon all but jumped away from Regina. The action so abrupt and fierce, she almost toppled over.

“Claudia…?” Alpha Richard stammered. “My love? Are you…well?”

Lisa glared at him, but recovered quickly before she slid out of the chair and stood to the side obediently. The pack whispered excitedly about seeing their Luna, tears streamed down many of their faces. Some were shocked, many relieved.

“She’s fully recovered?”

“Thank the Moon Goddess.”

“Our prayers have been answered!!!”

“Better than my son will be if he doesn’t come to escort Zovada and I.”

Simon immediately rushed to our side, joy in his eyes to see his mother out of the hospital.

“Zov…” he said gently and took my hand. He kissed his mother’s cheek. “Mom.”

Just as he was directed, Simon walked us to the stage. He helped his mother lower into her seat and then looked around to where he should put me.

“You know where she goes.” His mother hissed with a narrowed gaze. 

He swallowed hard, motioned for Regina to move, and sat me to Claudia’s right, the seat reserved for the next Luna. The crowd response was visceral, but no one spoke. 

Alpha Richard awkwardly approached Luna Claudia and knelt before her, he took her hand in his. “Is it really true? Are you truly well?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Lisa’s eyes burn with open hostility. The Alpha knelt for no one, but despite their issues, the pack had always known there was a deep connection between their Alpha and Luna.

“Richard what are you doing?” Luna Claudia whispered. “This production isn’t necessary, everyone already knows—”

“Claudia, hush. Just let me gaze upon my beautiful mate for a moment. It’s been far too long.”

Simon watched the scene between his parents with a furrowed brow, confusion etched in his features. My heart bled for him, it had been so long since anyone had seen the two of them like this, least of all Simon himself. It must be difficult.

“Such tenderness. Goddess. You are such a dick…” Claudia whispered, her eyes swam with emotion.

“I really thought…I was really afraid you might…” he whispered and shook his head. “Please don’t ever scare me like that again.”

It was clear that Luna Claudia didn’t know what to say as Alpha Richard started to press his lips to her fingers and then her hand. Yet, she offered a sad smile. “Don’t make this more complicated than it already is.”

He smiled sadly in return as he caressed her cheek, down to thread a finger through her grey hair. “Such a radiant beauty, My Luna.”

As I watched the two of them, my heart broke for their situation. How did they get to this point? How could two people, who clearly still loved each other, fated mates, blessed by the moon goddess herself no less, find themselves so lost? So far apart from one another.

My face warmed and I tore my gaze from them to find Simon staring intently at me. I stared back, something powerful, carnal and different passed between the two of us. What does that look mean? Tell me Simon. Lay your thoughts and emotions bare, just tell me. Whatever you need I am there…

Simon reached his hand up as we watched one another, he stared at my lips, and I thought for sure he would kiss me there. Or run his fingers through my hair, caress my cheek, or something. I was lost in him for a moment as my heart hammered in my chest.

Luna Claudia’s voice cut through the tension. “Don’t you have an announcement, My Alpha.”

Whatever had happened with Simon in that moment ended as quickly as it began, like it was a strange dream. Alpha Richard cleared his throat and rose to his feet. “Yes. Better get to it, I am sure we will have much to discuss.”

He straightened his tie and asked his mate, “How do I look?”

Luna Claudia smirked. “As handsome as I remember.”

He beamed. I cut my gaze to Lisa, whose fists were clenched so tightly they were white. She’d barely become wallpaper at this point, her daughter stood quietly beside her, a hand over her mother’s. Both perfectly pliable and obedient, despite their normal powerful standing at pack functions. They were smart enough to realize that with Luna Claudia’s first appearance in years, they needed to play it safe and blend into the background—despite the gaudy black and gold designer labels.

Alpha Richard moved to the podium and nodded at the two of them as he passed, gratitude in his eyes for their adherence to the pack rules of the dynamic despite his mate’s unexpected appearance. He approached the podium and stared out to the pack with pride, his Alpha energy exuded from his frame.

“Today is monumental for the Horne pack in more ways than one it seems. My announcement can wait a moment. Let us be grateful for the return of our Luna, for her good health, her influence and impact on our pack knows no bounds. Luna Claudia, the epitome of what a Luna should be in our society. Riddled with sickness, she fought to protect us all. Love us all, suffered greatly for it. For many years. Despite our…shortcomings. Our…transgressions.”

Alpha Richard stared at his mate with admiration before he continued. “Not only has she fulfilled every level of responsibility as a Luna. A warrior, a healer, a lover, a friend, a caregiver, a wife, but she has also given us our heir. Our son, Simon. Our prince. She single-handedly secured our legacy; built our pack into the loving home it has become. She delivered us our future.” 

He swallowed hard as he continued, “I am so grateful to see you back before our pack, My Luna.”

The pack howled in response. Some ladies swooned and applauded how he looked at the Luna and treated her with such reverence. Despite the open secret of his affair partner--who stood on the stage beside him–with their love child. Luna Claudia smirked and shook her head before she blew kisses at the crowd surrounding them. My gaze caught Simon’s once more, he stared at me intently, then caressed my hand briefly.

His father’s voice pulled our attention from one another again. “Over the years, our pack has seen many ups and downs. Yet, we have always overcome. We will always overcome.  I could stand up here and say that it was due to my leadership, or our Luna’s love. But none of that would be true. We are nothing without you. You, the pack, is the heart and life force of this entire operation. There always comes a time, when we have done too much, learned and taught all we could. With that, comes my announcement.”

He stopped and looked over the crowd, his eyes heavy with emotion. “Phew, I thought this would be easier. It is with my deepest pride and sincerest encouragement, unwavering faith that I announce. Though it may be long overdue at this point, it is time for me to step down and for my son, Simon Parker Horne, to ascend as Alpha.”

Gasps and cheers rippled across the crowd. None more shocked than Simon himself. I grinned and urged him to rise to his feet. When he didn’t, I looked over and found him frozen in place. I placed a hand on his arm and then caressed his cheek, “Si. You got this.”

He turned to look at me, emotion and confusion swam in his eyes.

Alpha Richard grinned. “Told you it was a surprise. Come on up, Alpha Simon.”

I placed my other hand on his other cheek, our foreheads together. “My Alpha.”

The words My Alpha felt like a lie when I tried to say them, but I said them anyway. He finally nodded and pulled my hands from his face with a smile before he proudly stood, then met his father at the podium.