Chapter 175: Future Luna
Zara
"You look like you need a couple of days’ sleep," I chuckled softly, giving him a quick hug before heading to the coffee shop.
"I think this whole pack needs a couple of days’ sleep," he replied. Despite the weariness in his eyes, he smiled, looking several years younger. "War takes its toll—on both soldiers and civilians."
"Isn’t that right?" I sighed. "I heard you volunteer at the community center."
"Someone has to feed all the soldiers." He shrugged. "They deserve quality food, not the gruel Kate cooked."
Kate was just another member of the pack, a few years younger than Dad, with four children of her own. The volunteers offered their homes, food, and time to help the pack.
"I’m sure they’re very grateful." I smiled softly.
I ordered an iced mocha latte and one of their enormous chocolate muffins. The last time I was here, I was with Sophia, and how things had changed. Dad and I were sitting at one of the small round tables in the coffee shop, and I saw something change in his eyes.
"How are you enjoying Luna’s life?" he asked, "When this mess is over, are you going to hold the ceremony?"
The ceremony, an event I’d completely forgotten. It wasn’t that I doubted my decision to become Alpha’s Moon, but I had more pressing matters on my mind.
The ceremony was a joyous day for the entire pack, as their Moon was about to take her place. It was simple: the Alpha and Moon would make a shallow cut on their palms and join their hands.
All those voices, everyone in the pack, connected with me. The ceremony was a bonding experience, allowing me to simultaneously connect the minds of all pack members, just as Alpha had done so many times.
Mates could naturally establish a mental connection with each other, just as any pack member could establish a mental connection with Alpha.
The ceremony was often held several months after the Alpha met their mate, giving the wolf time to decide whether she truly wanted to become Moon. I had no such doubts; I was more than ready to take the position.
"Of course I will." I nodded. "As much as I’d like to do it now, the last thing we need is an intrusion on our celebration."
"I agree," Dad nodded, giving me a long look. "Luna. It’s not that I’m surprised; I always knew you were destined for great things. You’re ready to give everything for this pack; you’ve long been its Luna."
Something was bothering him; I could easily sense it. I knew he had no idea about Sophia and Govinda’s disappearance, but he was quick to pick up on the moods and expressions of those around him. he sensed my tension and that I wasn’t telling him something.
The only people who knew about their disappearance were his Beta, Zeke, and Sophia’s parents. They took the news seriously, but they believed Alpha would bring their daughter back.
If only they knew they trusted me, not Alpha! The thought made me sick. The last thing I wanted was to break their trust and fail in my attempt to bring their daughter back.
Even if we managed to prevail and win this war, there were other pressing issues. How would the pack react to Govinda’s presence? He couldn’t remain in the dark forever.
Alpha Bran would undoubtedly refuse, which could lead to a whole new problem. Alpha Bran could easily decide to retaliate, which would lead to a whole new war.
These "what ifs" and potential problems made my head spin, but the caffeine and sugar did their best to calm my frazzled mind. Dad and I spent another half hour in the coffee shop before he had to return to the community center.
Dinnertime was approaching, and Dad and the other volunteers needed to prepare food for all the warriors who had come to this pack.
As we left the coffee shop, we almost ran into Chelsea. I hadn’t seen her since her birthday, and I wasn’t looking for her. Danial was with her—an odd pairing, considering they never truly loved each other.
Danial had seen better days; his eyes were circled with dark circles and glowed with a dull, haunted light.
Isaac was his close friend and died when Luna’s daughter escaped Alpha’s dungeon. Chelsea never liked Isaac, and being with Danial made her even stranger.
Chelsea’s face twisted into a smirk when our eyes met, while Danial remained indifferent. He was an asshole through and through, but he never pretended to like me.
When I was dating Marcus, Chelsea was my best friend. She was also the first to turn away from me when I found out Marcus wasn’t right for me.
"Looks like you finally made it, Zara," Chelsea smirked, and through the jealousy blazing in her eyes, I could clearly see her insecurity. "You’ve sunk your claws into another Alpha; maybe this one will actually stay with me."
This time, Chelsea’s words did not affect me. I had a long list of reasons to worry, and petty jealousy wasn’t one of them. Chelsea always knew how to provoke a reaction from me, but this time her words didn’t work. I was about to turn away when Dad opened his mouth and spoke.
"Child, you need to learn some manners and learn to talk to your future Luna." Dad was dozing.
A smart person would have heard the restrained anger in his words and backed off. Chelsea wasn’t one of those. He always had a way of instilling fear in Ryan and me. Even Ryan kept his distance when he was truly angry.
He exuded an aura of calm and wisdom, and he could easily make anyone seem childish and inexperienced. He looked down on Chelsea as if she were a spoiled toddler, his eyes blazing with undisguised disappointment.
"She’s not my Luna," Chelsea sneered, though this time the anger in her voice was less intense. She crossed her arms and glared at my dad, who seemed completely unconcerned.
Danial stood to the side, his gaze gliding over the facade of the coffee shop. I wasn’t even sure he’d heard Chelsea’s words. I’d never been close to Isaac and never pretended to be, but I felt sorry for him. Even though he was a complete idiot, he’d lost someone important.
