Music In Chapter
Stone Temple Pilots - Interstate Love Song
So Below - Visions
･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.
Luna Pov
･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.
THE 3-HOUR FLIGHT WAS SMELLY AND UNEVENTFUL.
Limbo, one of the eleven planes of existence, would be more fun (even with time not moving and the inability to use magic). At least there were sculpture gardens instead of glasses of champagne I wasn't even allowed to drink yet at 17 years old.
It was silent for the most part, I was used to the incessant gawking.
Good looks were both a blessing and a curse. I learned that lesson when I was young.
My mother got looks all the time, but once they received that piercing glare of hers, their eyes dropped. I admired her fierceness. Unfortunately, I happened to be on the softer side. Meaning I wouldn't glare at anyone unless they did something to me...or my family... like my dad.
Many of the passengers were ridiculously wealthy, much like myself, but unlike them, I was more of a wolf and less of a pig.
I could smell the egoism, sea holly. A herb that when crushed, smelled like dog shit.
Having witch powers was great until you got a weird one like mine...
Since birth, I've been able to smell people's essences (what people were made of, in a sense). Perfumes and colognes never concealed the smell, it was detached so they never hid the scent. I liked to think of it as cake layers, each of them was distinguishing. Good and bad had their distinct scents. A black peppery scent was standard and always made me sneeze (that was of course, bad). A hint of lavender was unadulterated and soothing, which was good. Nothing was neutral.
It was useful enough, just a rightful pain in the ass during times like these.
Shadow, my 120-pound hellhound rottweiler, put his large head over my knees as if reading my thoughts.
Dogs weren't usually allowed to ride like this, but I used my charm to keep him with me.
And as always, it worked.
I pet Shadow's head, admiring his sleek black fur.
Reaching for my bag, I pulled out a bone engraved with a blue script of a dead language that originated in the Underworld.
Shadow's favorite treat of all time, besides cool ranch Doritos...
His penny-brown eyes, sparkled when I held the treat up, smiling.
My sister (the middle one), Jillian, sat beside me, lost in a deep sleep, drolling.
Sighing, I got out a handkerchief to wipe it off the side of her face. She didn't even flinch.
I could never fall asleep on planes. I was terrified of heights. But Jilly wasn't.
She was the second fearless person I knew. My mom was the first.
Whenever I compared myself to my family, I felt I would never be enough.
Dad was more than an alpha...since he oversaw at least one nation, he was considered a King in today's wolf society which made me the princess. My father commanded three out of the Eight Great Wolf Nations which was comprised of some states in the US, portions of Europe, Asia, and Africa. There were only two Kings in today's world, and I didn't know much about him other than he commanded four of the eight Great Wolf Nations and that his name was Niklaus. Jason had built an empire (a successful one), using his words rather than his fists like his brother before him. That was the difference between my father and my uncle James.
Respect versus fear... Consideration won every damn time.
Most people couldn't believe that we were smart enough to have established such a domain.
We were not the savages they made us out to be.
My mother, Madeline, didn't rule by his side as she wasn't interested in the politics or duties of being Queen. If she did choose to be, it would be considered controversial because it had never been done before (she was half-werewolf, half-witch). Hybrids were rare, but not entirely impossible like most supernaturals thought them to be.
That whole 'Nature wouldn't allow such abominations to plague the world' was complete and utter bullshit from the witches in the French Quarter who started the rumor. They liked to think of themselves as big and bad but few were the real deal...We were rare but not an occurrence that only happened every three hundred years.
Even as a princess, the burden weighed on me. Royalty was not rainbows and ballgowns 24/7. Currently, my mother was studying to be a special agent, to be a part of the NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service). Before my and my sisters' time, my mother had been in the navy for a year, (she had to leave to help Dad). But my godfather, Jethro...was thrilled at her choice to finally join him, Mcgee, Abby, Jim, Jenny, and Ducky.
Jillian the middle sister, wasn't actively searching for a career. Mainly, she just lived her life without worry. In a way, she was free in ways that I never could be. She was never interested in leadership rules, or keeping peace with the Eight Great Wolf Nations and other supernatural statuses being the provocateur she was...like Mom in her earlier days, she continually looked for a fight.
Hayley, the oldest sister, was now attending her studies abroad; she desired to be an architect. She was shy, unlike Jilly and me. Hayley had worked hard to be where she was now. I've never really had to work for something like that. Everything is handed to me on a silver platter.
And then there was me. The baby of the family, the youngest sister, the princess of the Eight Great Wolf Nations. When my father steps down I will be next in line for the throne. Though, like in the old days, I would have to defend my title against other names who wanted what I had been born with. But right now I was just a princess, all I had to worry about was organizing meetings/social events and solving local issues. It was tiresome and most of the time boring but I was happy to help at all. When it came to the other part of me, Halliwell's sacred duty, keeping the world safe not just from demons but other things as well, I figured I was a nine out of ten.
Of course, I could never do it without my sisters. As we were, the power of three, or as many called us... The Charmed Ones.
The strongest trio of witches was predicted to be pure-hearted...blah-blah-blah
Whoever wrote out the lines of the prophecy was dramatic.
But that didn't change the fact that that was my destiny, or as House says, one of them.
Getting a headache, I closed my eyes and leaned onto Jilly's shoulder who mumbled something incomprehensive in her deep sleep.
I smiled sadly, scratching behind Shadow's ear, wishing to be home again.
·𖥸·
"Luna!"
Jilian shouted my name as I stood several feet away from here in the vast field of wildflowers my grandmother, Bess, planted years ago.
It hadn't changed in four months. And here I was, running home in the middle of September when the weather started to become cooler.
"How did you get so fast? Shit...I really need to work on my cardio," I heard her mumbling, but I paid no mind.
The goal of making it to the log cabin, my father had built my mother years ago was just beyond my reach.
Shadow ran beside me, his slobbery tongue flapping, my backpack bounced between my shoulder blades, and my curls streamed behind me.
The red, orange and yellow pigmented flowers parted like the seas to let me pass...just as they always did upon my arrival.
Narrowing my eyes, I focused my sights on the front door to the large log cabin that was opening.
My mother stood in the wide frame, her brown eyes shined, though they remained alert as always.
Madeline Halia Halliwell was not a patient woman. She had my grandfather's (Keanu) zero tolerance for bs, and my grandmother's (Jasmine), reliable stubbornness.
So, she ran to meet me, and her bell-like laughter echoed in my ears when she finally reached me, wrapping her arms around me... It had been so long since I had hugged her.
As always, she embraced me tightly and smelled of peppermint. There was a touch of pine in her hair. Dad liked to hide his face in her velvety ringlets from time to time for no reason at all.
I wished some boy would do that with me, then again the odds of them going for my hair instead of my ass were very low.
My mother pulled away, full lips upturned in a smirk, eyeing me carefully.
"You've grown."
Her hand came to the top of my head, and she raked the loose petals and strands of grass out of my hair.
After my summer stay at Halliwell Manor I not only chopped my hair off (into a bob), but I had grown four inches putting me at 5'7.
"We're the same height now," I replied, and she pulled me in for another bear hug, sighing.
She had missed me.
"I've overlooked how much you do around here. Things never get done without you here. I'm drowning in papers from Calloway."
"Your University, right?"
She nods, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.
"Jason is so focused on being king right now. The treaty with the vampires and the witches is up for renewal. I'm terrified his head will break open like an egg, from the stain of it all one day." My hair raised on the back of my neck, at the very thought of something being wrong.
...Uh oh...
My pack, my eventual empire, could be in jeopardy.
"No."
My mother smoothly answered in her honey-like voice before I could ask.
"Nothing is wrong...as far as I can tell. And you know he doesn't like to share any info unless it's pretty relevant. You basically are his right-hand man though, boo."
"Mom!"
"Hey, baby," Mom angled herself towards Jilly, who was now openly running, leaving me to take my bags to the foyer where I had set them down.
·𖥸·
Four hours later, I was making Spicy Tuna Avocado Fish Tacos for supper.
Piper was a close relative and she happened to be one of the people I spent most of my time with. She was a chef who owned a restaurant called Quake in Oregon, only a few miles away from California. When I wasn't cutting Chaosbrute's heads off or saving an innocent, Piper was teaching me how to cook.
The recipe was not mine, but I always made sure to put my twist on it.
I'll juice a lemon instead of a lime and use crushed chili pepper instead of plain old black. And use a tsp avocado oil instead of olive.
"Hey, Mom, can you please get the pickled red onions? I have to go change!"
"Sure, boo, go ahead and change! I can smell the pepper from here..."
She laughed a little, and soon Jilly joined in. I couldn't blame either of them.
Miraculously, I had managed to get pepper spilled all over me. I stupidly - - forgot my apron back in San Franciso.
Maybe Paige could mail it to me... I thought as I raced up the stairs.
Entering my room, I could tell it hadn't changed.
The dark hardwood had been polished. My mint area rug that lay under my bed had been vacuumed a few times. The garnished oval mirror still lay on my ivory-painted wall, surrounded by filtered polaroids of my family and even a few friends. My queen-size bed still held my princess pink comforter set (that I slept with since I was seven years old). Tiny bulb lights shrouded the ceiling and even hung down the walls.
Feeling nostalgic, I flicked them on.
I stood basking in the soft egg-nog-colored light, smiling like there was no tomorrow.
Smartly, I unpacked my backpack beforehand.
Out of my old chipped pine dresser, I pulled out some cut-offs and one of Hayley's old striped shirts she had given me before going to travel for her home innovator program.
After dressing, I stood in the mirror, frowning.
I was slightly unhappy with my breast size.
In the shirt, my chest remained flat as ever. I was seventeen for God's sake! I had saved the world a few times, I deserve boobs!
House said I was still developing but the words didn't matter when I wasn't going up from ab cup.
I worked hard to keep flat abs, toned legs, and butt. So far, those areas were fine. The full hourglass figure that I had inherited from my mother easily bewitched boys on Bonam avenue...but I wanted more than a brief brush against the lips and a slap on the ass.
I desired to be intellectually stimulated.
He didn't have to be a genius but was it too much to ask for proper phrasing?
Someone with a personality who wasn't faking it? Manners? Let's not forget about good hygiene habits.
Most guys liked to play off emotions, the whole, boys don't cry thing killed me deep down.
As an empath, emotions are significant to me. When individuals try to bury their feelings in a hole they believe to be unreachable, the ache only builds until it blows up. IT IS VITAL in mental health, to REGULATE and COMMUNICATE your feelings in a HEALTHY way.
But in today's world...if it wasn't trending, then it didn't matter, and that was sad... It was one of the many reasons I stayed off of social apps unlike my best friend, Davina... who was hooked.
There were times when I blamed my looks for not being able to get a real boyfriend... They were too distracting.
My skin like my mother's was a soft honeyed brown. Jilian's was more like a warm beige, and Hayley's was closer to ivory. While my mother and I shared thick silky curls, shaded a dark brown so dark it looked black. Hayley and Jilly's hair was thinner but not by much, wavy at best, and medium brown. The shape of my face was not oval like my mother's or Jilly's but diamond-like my father's and Hayley's. My brows were naturally straight. My parents and siblings all had arched. Along with Hayley, I had my father's kaleidoscope green and gray eyes, set with my mother's thick/long lashes to show them off. Jillian's eyes were coffee brown like mom's. Not surprisingly, the cheekbones I inherited were high and visible. Nearly everyone in my family had that feature.My nose was upturned, like my sisters. As if that wasn't enough, my lips had to be heart-shaped and plump (Hayley and Jilian had been given the classic pouty lip look *heavier bottom lip).
Of course, when it came to Hayley, things got a little slippery. Before my conception and Jilly's...Hayley's mother, Laura Hadley, had asked Madeline to be the gestational surrogate. But something with the process screwed up because Hayley looked like Madeline more than she looked like Laura. The marriage between Laura and my father, Jason did not last long. After she ran for the hills to be with James, my absent traitor of an uncle...my dad married my mother two years later and they had Jilian and then me three years later.
So, the five of us had distinctive but similar looks. But the important part was that we didn't put down, we held eachother up.
The built foundation of trust and love was impenetrable.
We all had unique bearings and pathways, out of everyone, I had yet to come across mine.
My family, the Labonair's and the Halliwells had their share of struggles.
Alone I had both internal, physical, and recently...emotionally. But looking at what my family has overcome, motivated me and pushed me to work on my stuff.
...The real problem was keeping it a 'me' thing and not a 'we' thing...
·𖥸·
"Oh, these are incredible, boo. I wish someone would serve food like this downtown. Calloway's food is overpriced; not even the flies will touch it."
Jilly smacked her lips, "Seriously, sis! Hayley's going to be pissed she missed these again," she cackled at the end.
She and Hayley had a rocky relationship. Neither of them tried to hide it.
I sighed, taking a bite of the healthy taco I had prepared.
A pang resounded in my chest, and shadow stuck his head on my foot... feeling it too.
My mother held out her hand. I took it as she sipped on her mineral water.
"Your father will be home soon."
After a brief moment of silence, she asked how the Aunts were doing.
"Piper is great. The twins just turned three. She expects them to start experimenting with their magic. Leo, as always, is still MIA."
I watched my mother briefly tense at the mention of the former whitelighter.
There was a time when Leo had been in love with my mother. Like Apollo, he was discontented in the least to find that she had chosen my father.
"Phoebe is living her best life as a journalist," Jilly cut in, waving her glass of green tea around.
"She got into an apartment; in one of those upper-class neighborhoods with Cole. Demon activity is all but none over there. Alice is about to start the second grade."
Jilly showed us a picture of Alice; that little girl was the perfect combination of her parents. She had their brown hair, Phoebe's rosy cheeks, and Cole's round blue eyes.
"She's adorable."
"That she is," I had spent some time with her because Phebbs had me babysit whenever there was something big going down.
I enjoyed it well enough.
"Pru's still in Alaska isn't she?"
Jilly and I both nod. "She has a new canine! Brutus, I believe, is a Bernese mountain dog."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Mmhm, the dog treat shop she's got is a total hit, and she's going out with a conservation agent named Oliva," I added before Jilly started asking if she could get a puppy, (she wasn't responsible enough yet despite being an adult).
"Paige is still in San Francisco and taking a break from dating. She's organized several protests that have made global news, and is a member of a group called the Peace Fliers."
Unlike her sisters, Paige was very BIG on women's rights. When the Supreme Court mentioned looking things over, she went wild.
Cut her hair chin length, dyed it auburn, went to a tattoo shop, and started a riot.
Well, a mostly peaceful one.
"I actually joined one of the protests in Washington."
"Really?" Jilly and I asked, in sync. "Yes," my mother chuckled, "it was an enlightening experience. Especially with you girls' father."
"Dad went?"
"Of course," I said, surprised by Jilly's doubtful tone. "Dad might not be a woman but he does support them."
In the background, I heard a set of footsteps, a winded yawn, and cracking bones.
These were familiar sounds.
The slightest hint of pine filled my nose, and when my head turned on instinct, my lips parted open in shock. Shadow happily barked, he had moved from his spot under the table, ears perked.
My dad stood at 6'0 in the living room. The blue checkered flannel that he had loosely around his lanky frame did not hide his solidity. His fair skin had slightly darkened from the heat of the summer sun, and waves of brown hair rested on his shoulders. And his eyes, greener than gray sparkled.
Before I could even think to leap out of my chair, he was already hugging me from behind.
Dad has always been fast. Some people didn't believe it but we werewolves were light on their feet and quick-minded.
The myth that a werewolf would automatically lose a fight against a vampire (which some people thought they would win because they are faster), was totally untrue. It all came down to fighting skills and whether or not hearts were in it.
"My littlest wolf...I've missed you."
I giggled at the nickname, "Missed you too, Daddy."
He kissed the top of my head multiple times, he was always this affectionate. He only stopped when my sister scoffed, clearly jealous.
"Why does she have to get all the love...all the freakin' time?"
Of course, he stepped away running over to Jilly who he started to tickle. Shadow was jumping and licking at his hands.
"Not at the dinner table you two!" Mom yelled but winked at me.
My father sat at the table after Jilly tearfully begged him to stop. But the twinkle in my father's eyes told me...there would be more to come later...
"So, what's for dinner?"
My mom dished out the tacos with a light hand, she nibbled on dad's ear and kissed his cheek. He in turn - - gently pulled her toward him and gave her a lingering kiss...
Jilly made gagging noises, but I just smiled. I saw the little interaction as sweet... I would give anything to have someone like my father be there to lift me up when I felt down.
Suddenly all eyes around the round table fell on me. "Spicy Tuna Avocado Fish Tacos," I answered.
When it came to eating, my father was a simple man. He didn't give out reviews like my sisters and mother.
He leaned back, closed his eyes, and hummed.
Without even having to use my powers...I knew he loved the meal I had prepared..along with everyone else...
·𖥸·
Mom INSISTED on taking care of the dishes. Jilly went upstairs to her room to crash. That left me and dad.
So, we climbed the stairs to get to our hang-out spot. The terrace.
LED paper lantern orb lights were strung along the railing and were dangled on the sides. There was a bold oriental print rug that rested beneath the set of white-painted rocking chairs.
As a child, I had been frightened of the balcony. To be fair, three stories was a long-ass fall.
But one day, after school, my father brought me up in the fall. It had been impossible to not be in love, with the spectacular view of the tops of the trees swathed for the autumn weather in dark reds, brilliant oranges, delicate yellows, and warm browns. In Winter, we spotted the flocks of birds, (he always made sure to take me out to see the moon, the very thing he had named me after). When Spring came, we observed the bright flowers blossoming wildly around our house and sat under the safe cover of the roof in the rainstorms. Of course, Summer was delightful as the other seasons, we counted the butterflies that flew past our house.
Over the years, this spot had become mine and dad's. We mostly discussed wolf things; social affairs, treaties, pack management, and potential growth.
"There have been issues with the Timber and Lockwood pack."
In distaste, I sighed at the thought of both cross alphas, Kate and Mason. The packs followed right after their leaders in terms of mindset.
"Are they fighting again?"
My dad shocked me by shaking his head, a concerned look on his face. His eyes had lightened and were now more gray than green.
"Nah. Kate, Mason, and his nephew Tyler have gone missing."
I froze, ice seeming to pierce my chest. "That can't be."
Things were silent for a few moments. Things had seemed so good at dinner. Outside of our home, it was apparent things weren't going so swell.
"I'm afraid so, little wolf."
My body was still, but my mind was moving a hundred miles a minute. Exploring all possibilities.
"They wouldn't be stupid enough to do it to eachother, risking to break the agreement they signed with us is basically a financial death sentence."
"Right, not worth all the hardships for a couple of laughs."
"It must be someone else," I trailed off.
"In the state of Tennessee, there are - - excuse me - - were six packs that belong to us not counting the Timber and Lockwood packs. Only three are relevant because of whatever happened with that Niklaus guy. Did you ever figure out what happened ?"
My dad clucked his tongue in disapproval at the mention of the name. My mind was curious to see whose face lay behind the beautiful Nordic name.
"He's practically a ghost...made sure he couldn't be found easily."
"Like us I stated, and dad nominated," running his fingers through his hair.
"Back to the subject - -"
"Blair, Calder, Linden," I cut in, watching as his hands fell limply in his lap.
My father sighed, I could hear the tiredness in his voice. I wondered when he had last slept. "Every one of them is jealous of the other."
"You know that small towns with sizable supernatural residents statistically breed more drama."
"They've gone a bit far kidnapping a pregnant woman."
"Kate's pregnant?"
My dad nods and began rocking back the same time I did.
"It must be serious. Have you tried to find out what the Timber pack has been up to recently? Maybe someone has a vendetta against them... It's more likely that their enemy would be within the same vicinity. I'd say you have a fair shot trying Calder. They didn't attend the last three meetings and they haven't been replying to my messages."
"That is suspicious."
I grinned, happy that he agreed with me. His hand came on my shoulder, "You are great at these things. Your input is very important and after I talk to Jackson the final decision will be made for the investigation."
Jackson, Hayley's long-time crush had the honor of being a Duke (in werewolf society it was someone who worked under the 'King' mainly enforcing laws, making sure treaties were signed, and things like that).
With compassion, I laid my hand on top of his. "Dad, you should go rest up. You'll be crazy busy tomorrow."
He rose from the rocking chair, bent down, and kissed my forehead. "I love you, I hope to see you bright and early in the morning, my little wolf."
Smiling softly I watched him go.
Shortly after he left, Shadow appeared. I pet his ears, thinking of Kate and Mason. As much as I disliked the two I couldn't help by feeling empathetic.
Tomorrow when the moon was high, I would try a locator spell. Usually, it didn't make a difference, but it was easier to track down wolves this way.
·𖥸·
It was a quarter to five in the morning. I was lying in the field of flowers; that enveloped the house with their vibrance. It was impossible to go back to sleep after Shadow woke me up.
He pranced around, doing as he pleased.
While I relived what ensued in my dreams: their dewy petals brushed across my skin like his fingers.
Now that I thought about it, that dream and the others felt more like a premonition.
Usually, they were shorter, but anything was possible.
The future was guaranteed to shift. But the man I dreamed of always lies with me in a sunny meadow. Tall trees sprouted along the edges, concealing the overgrown field from the naked eye. From a bird's eye view, I could see myself beaming happily. I looked older, maybe twenty like Jilly or twenty-three like Hayley. My hair was much longer and mirrored my mother's, and I had gained weight in all the right places. He was this dashing, blonde hair, blue-eyed male wearing a dimpled smirk. Though, I had never met a boy with lips like his.
Red and kissable.
So soft and full. I know these details because I had felt them move across my throat.
It felt real...so unbearably real that I was surprised I didn't find him beside me, his cerulean blue eyes twinkling mischievously like I fantasized they would.
His lips had moved below my ear to my jaw and finally to their resting place...my neck... And then he said my name in that accented voice of his.
I wished this man would drop from the sky in front of my cabin. Not because of his god-like looks but to learn more about who he was.
Despite dreaming of him nearly every time I slept, I knew almost nothing about him. He was good. I could sense that. But that alone to go on wasn't enough to pick him out in a crowd.
In previous dreams, we'd had about a dozen exchanges, but I never retained the subject matter. I only ever remembered the quiet, savvy way he spoke. He really was a dream because he was everything I wanted: intelligent, respectful, considerate, and temperate. I felt a pressure in my chest, one that mirrored emptiness. As if I was this barren secret trunk, waiting for the only key that fit my lock.
Was that him?
Was he the key? My key?
God, I sounded so stupid right now.
House couldn't figure out what it was. The random tension I'd get in my chest from time to time. All the scans and tests came back clean.
I never told my parents or siblings about it. Davina Claire, my best friend, knew everything.
She had even started sketching the mysterious man of my dreams as she was an aspiring artist.
Later on in the day, I planned to visit her at the Abattoir for some dinner.
To be truthful, I was used to having all the information at my fingertips. Kate and Mason were the first topics I was handling on my own (without any outside aid).
Anything unknown was unexplored. Once you explored the issue, it was no longer unknown.
My grandpa taught me that.
I wanted to earn respect for the blood that ran through my veins, Labonair and Halliwell.
But how could I even start?! Those were two big names tied to both the supernatural world and the human one.
What if I couldn't?
Maybe I wasn't enough?
Ugh, all this negative energy is killing me.
The point was... Luna Talia Labonair was more than a pretty face, and it was about time the world realized that...
𖥸
Dictionary: Plan or Plane of Existence - is a realm or dimension that exists parallel to, within, or outside other planes. There are eleven planes in existence. Travel between planes is typically possible through orbing. However, not all planes are accessible by all beings and some planes are only known to a few beings. Underworld - one of the eleven planes of existence. The Power Of Three - is the collective power of the Charmed Ones, said to be the strongest kind of magic that has ever and will ever exist in this world. Chaosbrute - a chicken demon who has a penchant for turning vegetables rotten. Innocent - someone who is blameless. Bonum - Latin forgood. Whitelighter - a guardian angel who protects and guides good witches and future Whitelighters to protect and nurture them for their intended destiny. Premonition - is the ability to see and experience events from the past, present, and future.
A/N: This is going to be quite different from the shows so please don't expect everything to be the same. So excited to be writing about my original character Luna again!! The next chapter should be out soon though I'm not making any promises because I have a history final coming up... I enjoyed writing this, I hope you guys enjoyed reading it :)