Chapter 7----Becoming The Luna

Leila 

Dad has not spoken to me since the incident. He was ignoring my existence, he didn't reply to my greetings and it was annoying that I still had to greet him.

My family doesn't know that I'm filling the role of Luna this night. Alpha Xander didn't tell my dad either.

“Didn't we have bacon yesterday morning?” Amelia asked, walking into the kitchen.

“Good morning” I replied, ignoring her question. I placed the final plate on the table.

“Don't ignore me Leila.” She took a seat, “pour a glass of milk for me. I'm in the mood for that.”

I bit back a reply. Amelia has been acting like a bigger bitch recently. Maybe because her mother had promised retribution or because her heat was this night. 

Goddess knows it affected everyone differently.

My mood was very good and I won't let her disrupt it. I dropped the rag I was using to clean up my cooking table and went to pour the milk.

“I don't want to eat bacons today, we had it yesterday and I know that father is providing enough food for us.”

Brat.

Sonia walked in with father behind her.

“Good morning Beta, Sonia” I greeted. Goddess forbid I call her anything related to mother.

“Why aren't you giving your sister what she wants?” Sonia asked. 

I was tired of this already.

Father took his seat and Sonia began to pile food in his plate. That was the one job she didn't allow me to do.

“If you don't want bacon Amelia, you can eat any other thing on the table.”

Do I seriously have to spell it out?!

“Are you asking me to not eat meat this morning? The rest of us have functional wolves you know…” there was a malicious look in her eyes, “...we have to eat well to replenish all that energy we burn.”

For the unknown number of times, I asked myself what my offense was. What did I ever do to her that resulted to this?

Sonia sat after giving father his food, “prepare chicken for your sister or beef if she wants.”

She didn't even spare me a glance as she spoke. It was pitiable, the eldest daughter of the beta of a pack was nothing more than a servant girl, doing things that are supposed to be done by the mate of the beta and servicing her younger sister.

Dad dutifully ate his food. I learnt a long time that nothing will be gained from me looking at him for help. He will never speak up in my favor especially not now.

Amelia took a sip of her milk and frowned.

“While you're at it, reheat the milk. It's too warm for me.”

I will not let them ruin my mood. I quietly washed my hands, dried it, removed my apron and walked out.

I could hear Amelia gasp, I didn't turn.

“Are…are you leaving?!...” She asked.

“I'm late for work.”

I shut the door behind me.

****

Marenza's workshop was crowded with omegas. There was a queue outside and it had taken a lot of explanation that I worked here and wasn't cutting the line for me to enter.

I couldn't find the woman of the hour in the crowd.

“Marenza?”

Please, hear my voice over this loud murmuring.

“Leila?” She replied, “I'm at the stove.”

I made my way to the almost hidden corner of the large room to see her hunching over the fire, stirring a huge pot.

“Thank the goddess you came…I was just about to send for you.”

Yeah, my work hours started in the next two hours so I was really early.

“Where's Regan? What's going on here?”

“Regan is with the Alpha…making sure this night goes properly.” She started dishing the thick spicy scenting broth into tiny bowls.

“The heat will kick in soon, a few hours from now. These omegas are already showing the signs and it isn't pretty…take this tray out there…” she placed a huge tray containing up to fifteen bowls in my hands, “...give it to only the ones with a fever. They are to drink it in one gulp.”

I nodded, putting this morning episode behind me. It was time to work.

“How do I know who has a fever?”

“They are in the left part of the room…hurry, they need to drink it hot.”

“Drink this in one gulp. You need to finish everything for a faster result” I said as I distributed the broth.

I added the last part because we didn't need to waste ingredients.

“Even though it's this hot?” a woman asked. She was a little older than me.

“Yes, the heat helps the ingredients dissolve faster in your body.”

I heard a scuff. It came from a lady that was always around Amelia. Great.

“Funny how someone who has a defected wolf can give instructions to us” she said. Her name was of no use to me so I didn't remember it.

The room was silent as they watched us. I could see the doubt in the women I have given the broth. They stared at me then the broth and back again.

“That's exactly why you should listen to what I'm saying…” I gave the girl her broth, “... I've tried a lot of things and I know what works. If you don't want to drink it, don't. Your choice.”

The girl shut up. I had indirectly announced the fact that I'm not like them but at least, they gulped down the broth.

“Bring the stove from the house, this won't do” Marenza said as I returned the empty tray and dishes.

“Alright…” I smiled and she smiled back.

“Thank goddess it is over.” Marenza kicked off her shoes and placed her leg on the table.

The last set of omegas had left in the house afternoon after helping us clear the place.

“Aren't you going home to prepare sweetie?” 

“No…I'll like to stay here and prepare if you permit me to.”

“Of course you can stay…I didn't see you bring clothes and I don't think my clothes from my younger years are still fashionable.”

I smiled, “thank you but I'm fine. Alpha Xander would provide clothes for me.”

Marenza grinned, raising an eyebrow. I blushed.

“Don't look at me like that…he just asked me to be Luna for the night.”

Marenza looked shocked then happy, “goddess!! I'm so happy for you…I can take this as a sign that the Alpha is interested in you right?”

“Marenza!!”

She chuckled.