Music In Chapter
Moaa - x marks
・ 。゚: *. .* :゚.
Luna Pov
・ 。゚: *. .* :゚.
WHENEVER JILIAN KARMA LABONAIR CRIES, YOU KNOW SOMETHING WENT DOWN.
It wasn't that my sister was emotionally sensitive (my empathetic abilities made me vulnerable in that way), but not her. She was full of enough upbeat energy to fly all the way to Neverland and back without worry or care.
Jilly was always pleased to hear a dirty joke or say one herself. She was never quiet in a room, with or without a crowd.
But all of her usual fooling around didn't fit in this picture.
The door to my room loudly banged open, and she stood under the frame, trembling, wavy hair drenched and hanging around her oval-shaped face, and tears spilling out of her dark eyes... I knew something had gone wrong.
In an instant, I was up, the flower-embroidered comforter slid off me like butter. Waking up from staring into the cerulean eyes of the wolf was jarring, to say the least...but my sister needed me.
I could always dwell on the details later.
Shadow followed closely behind me. He reached her first, whining as he circled her.
Her sadness was so intense I began to tear up as I pulled her in for a tight hug.
A hug offered support when words failed. It was a connection that linked energies together for a short amount of time.
I didn't know what to say...or where to begin... I only knew that my sister felt this terrible sadness that made her cry, and she rarely did.
"What happened?" I managed to ask, and she led me to the bed, not meeting my eyes.
"D-Dimitri he - -"
She broke into a sob the very second our parents entered the room without knocking.
Their expressions ranged from anxious to dumbfounded. But the ripples of worry coming off them hit me the hardest, clouding my mind.
Jilian never acted like this. I couldn't blame them for looking or feeling the way that they did.
Their eyes widened, but before Jilly could be alerted of their presence. I shooed them away, closing the door with magic.
I uttered the simple spell, "Motus." It left a tingling in my fingertips.
She shook her head, closing her eyes tightly as more tears flowed, mouthing something I couldn't decipher.
My dog, Shadow, came and curled up by the bed as I waited for her to speak.
Instead, Jilly took my hands, and I gasped when I was shocked.
Before I had time to say ow, a vision materialized before my eyes.
A dark-haired man with hazel eyes, who I assumed to be Dimitri, was lying beside my sister shirtless. Jilly as always slept with the sheets up to her chin, I saw him slipping out the window once she began to stir.
Oh, no...
My eyes fluttered open when the vision faded, and Jilly released my hand, leaning forward laughing, without mirth. "You saw it...how he just left me. When I woke up, I didn't even remember where I was. "
She started laughing again, reading her emotions yet again. Jilly was low.
"I thought he was my friend, but Dimitri - - he turned out to be something else."
"You like him?"
My sister wiped her eyes with the edge of my sheets, shaking her head. "Not anymore... I just can't believe he would do something like that. I should've expected it... Don't ever let your guard down, Luna. It's the biggest mistake you'd ever make."
"Maybe it's not what you think..." I trailed off, trying to come up with excuses for the guy I didn't know... anything to make her hurt go away.
"Luna, you are young to piece together what happened, so I'll tell you."
She rested her face on her closed fists, puffy eyes staring back at me.
"He got what he wanted out of me."
She paused for effect, and I leaned in curiosity filling my mind.
"Sex."
I cringed at the word, and my face began heating up.
...Curiosity did kill the cat...
"Not all men are this way, but enough of them are out and about. Girls can do it too, ya know. I'm not trying to be sexist."
I nod, yearning for this conversation to be over as quickly as possible.
"They ruin friendships just to hit once before moving on to the next," she made a motion with her hand, and the expression on her face was disgust.
Jilly's emotions shifted constantly, like clouds in the sky.
Crying one minute, laughing, and disgusted the next.
"Dimitri is an ass," I added, and she chuckled. Though this time, I felt her attitude get a bit lighter. I was making progress.
Knowing I was the one who caused it, I couldn't help but smirk.
"A receiving one...but a lot of people are. You have to watch out for that, and I'm still learning. But sex doesn't always end this way - - "
I covered my ears, flinching at the word, and she laughed at me. "Don't hide! Sex is completely normal that beings like us appreciate. Especially witches... as we are more sensitive to energies than any plain old mortal. You'll find out soon enough."
She shot a wink at me, and I rolled my eyes, groaning. Without care, I leaned back, laying a pillow on my face.
This was so awkward.
I was so awkward...
Jilly popped up under my arm, removing the pillow from my face.
"What base did you reach?"
I shuddered, "Negative one."
Jilly frowned, "What? You didn't even kiss."
Pursing my lips together, I shook my head. "You are so boring."
Feeling offended, I hit her face with the decorative throw pillow.
"Did you just - -"
"Yep."
She grabbed the pillow that she cried on and hit me hard on the back.
I grinned, feeling her sudden rush of joy and my own. "Oh, bring it on."
·𖥸·
We crashed in my bed after making quite a mess. We were woken up by a very unhappy demon dog who was coughing up goose feathers.
"Oh, god, is it Monday?" Jillian mumbled, her face against a pillow.
The day that started the week. It was important to be optimistic for the rest of your week to be light rather than depressing and heavy.
A morning meeting with the local pack should be fun.
I giggled, "I think so. We should get dressed before Dad comes up. You know how impatient he gets with these outings and showing up late."
She nods, gasping, "But what about - -"
Jilian gestured to the feathers that floated aimlessly around my room.
"I'll just clean it up after - -"
"The carnival," my sister through in, brows raised skeptically.
"Shit."
I had no time...absolutely no time today.
Jilly just laughed, "I'll help you out, don't stress so much, baby moon!"
Cringing at the nickname, I still managed to smile a little.
"I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Well, for starters you'd be doing this by yourself," she sang, stuffing the feathers into a trash bag along with the torn open pillowcases.
·𖥸·
For the day, I chose a pastel yellow sweater as there was a chill in the air. I paired it with a jean skirt and white tennis shoes.
My hair was slightly damp from my quick shower and hung down in a heavy curtain. I applied eyeliner for tonight's carnival and daubed some strawberry lip balm on my lips to moisturize them as they had been feeling dry.
Jilly's getup was mostly black and showed some skin, her men's jean jacket slung across her shoulders, and she was sporting her trademark brick-red lipstick.
I could sense she was in a better mood. This Dimitri person seemed like a thing of the past and I wanted him to stay that way.
Making our way to Dad's truck we were surprised to see that Marcel was still here. He and my dad were in a deep conversation.
Feeling curious, I tilted my head to the side, listening to their conversation.
"Really, Calder?"
"Yeah," my dad heaved a big sigh. I wondered if he had slept all night. "Luna says they are the most likely suspects."
"I've gotta say, man, I agree. They did steal a bunch of stuff from me last year. Proof that the Calders certainly aren't pure of heart."
Marcel grinned, and he waved at me and Jilly.
"She's a good kid, smart as a whip. I'd hate to be on her bad side... I'll see you Thursday, Jace, for the signing of the treaty."
My dad nodded and Marcel was gone into the wind.
I only had three days to plan and prep for that party, plus go to a carnival with Davina and our new friend Josh. Get ingredients for the locator spell, find time to do it in the middle of the night, and write a two- thousand-word paper on the well-known enlightenment philosopher John Locke.
Who said, what worries you, masters you... I couldn't help but agree with that sentiment.
·𖥸·
The frequent Monday meet-up was always held in an older model church with a high cathedral ceiling, and many flights of stairs, though Bible studies were never carried out here.
Father Kieran's place was the most sought after, even after his nephew killed himself in front of everyone. No one could figure out why he did it, not even his twin sister.
Mary Dumas was an elderly woman with white hair and bright blue eyes. She had quite the mouth on her and adored Hayley, Jilly, and me.
Though, currently, she was giving a speech about how far we'd come over the past decade with the help of my father.
"Before Marcellus Gerard stepped in, Midas threatened to destroy us with the witches' aid. But fate had other plans. We have Jason and his beautiful family to thank for all that we have. The clothes on our backs, the food in our stomachs, and he gave us something that can't be bought."
She paused for effect, looked at me, and beamed, "Respect."
There was loud cheering as Mary stepped down from the podium, head held high.
Jackson, her grandson, stepped up. His dark hair, like dad's, hung at his shoulders. His tawny eyes were gleaming. He was handsome, and I might be tempted to flirt if it weren't for Hayley having the hugest crush on him.
"Alright, folks, let's give Jason a hand. Give him the courage to come up here after that speech."
My ears began ringing from all the hollering. I was surprised when dad pulled me up from my seat.
"I thought it would be nice of you to share your plans for Thursday's party."
Blinking, I slowly smiled, this could not get any worse.
I was wrong of course.
A boy with blonde hair, Oliver whistled at me loud enough to make my dad turn around. I had to practically push him to the podium.
Never in all my life had I been nervous in front of all these people. I was scrambling my brain, trying to figure out what I could say as dad was letting me go first.
Ahhh that's it!
"Good morning, everyone!" I spoke loudly over their chatter, capturing their attention.
When I saw that every eye in the room was on me, I smirked a little and put my hands on my hips.
A habit I had inherited from my father.
"Now, for this year's treaty renewal, we will be meeting...here. I thought since we always do it in their territory, it's time we started doing it in ours. We can tidy up, make a few banners... Make it a community project, and get the kids and everyone involved. Maybe set out some of Randy's barbeque, and get a nice bonfire going...if all goes as planned, it's going to make a lovely evening."
Multiple brows shot up, and hands raised to speak, but I waited for my words to sink in.
"Yes, Oliver."
"Excuse me, princess," he said the word with distaste. I glared lightly at him at his open disrespect for my title. "That's 'bout the stupidest idea I've ever heard come out of your mouth."
Mary, who was sitting near him, slapped his arm. "That was tactless. If you are going to give criticism, be constructive."
She continued, "Nothing to say? So, her plans must not be as stupid as you make them seem. If you wish to gain the princess' attention, perhaps calling her ideas idiotic is not the best way."
I looked down, trying to hide my smile. I caught Jackson's eyes, noticing he was doing the same.
There was a moment when one of us nearly lost it but luckily we held it in. The last thing I needed was to not be taken seriously.
"I think it's an excellent idea," my mom said from the back, and I shot her a thankful look.
Jackson raised his hand, "As do I."
My father stepped closer, his voice booming in the room, "All those in favor say I."
I'd be damned if everyone in that room said it. I looked every one of them in the eye before smiling.
"Well, the I's have it."
Jilly escorted me back to my seat near the front, giggling. "Oh my god, you're a freakin' genius."
Mom's head turned, "She knows, now, pay attention to your father, the both of you."
I stared at the wood beams that ran across the ceiling, waiting for the voices to quiet down.
Luckily my dad knew what to do.
"Settle down."
Me being up there had been a bit much because the applause had not ended.
But two words from my father and everyone was calm.
"There's been some issues down in Tennesse. The Timber and Lockwood alphas: Kate, Mason, and his nephew, Tyler, have gone missing."
Murmuring broke out, and my dad raised his hand, and silence dispersed over the room. "Jackson and I have agreed to open an investigation on the Calder pack. We believe them to be suspects since they have sidestepped us for weeks. And they have proven themselves of kidnapping before."
The voices grew louder, putting us right back at square one.
·𖥸·
The meeting had ended, but I didn't feel as satisfied as usual when that happened.
So much to do in so little time.
I didn't know if I was going to make it to the carnival tonight.
Dad was busy driving mom to school, who was already five minutes late. Jilly had gone with them to pick up Daisy and Shadow from the house. I would be writing my essay on John Locke while arranging the event for Thursday, and meeting with the party committee.
As I exited the church, I gasped, bumping into - -
"Princess, I apologize."
I had run into Jackson unintentionally, of course. I ended up on my bottom landing rather unceremoniously.
Oliver would have laughed at my predicament. Jackson stood over me with his hand out for me to grab.
Within his emotions, I couldn't sense any crooked sentiments.
I took his hand, groaning as he pulled me up. I would have a sore butt for an hour or so. Thanks to my werewolf healing, I think I would survive.
"Thank you, and please," I looked into his brown eyes, "Call me, Luna."
"That's improper."
I chuckled at his earnestness, "You can call me by my name and still respect me, Jackson. I have other duties than to be the three Great wolf Nations princess."
Jackson smiled as we walked closer to the dock.
It was a picturesque view; the wood beams of the dock seemed almost ancient, but they did not creak under our weight. Trees overlooked the rippling greenish water. Fish stuck their mouths to the surface of the water. Apparently, the dissolved oxygen in the water was low today.
"Right...sometimes I forget you are also a witch."
"Oh," I playfully moved my brows, and he laughed. "I can make it hard for you to forget if you wish."
He leaned on his heels and muttered something I didn't quite catch.
"I can't believe you are only seventeen."
"Well, I find it hard to believe that you are only twenty-three."
He laughed, sticking a hand on his chest. "Why did you say it like that? I'm not that old."
I smiled, nudging his shoulder with mine, which was nearly impossible because he was the same height as my father.
"My sister's the same age as you."
"Hayley," Jackson said my sister's name slowly, leaning back onto the railing. "She's still in college?"
"Yes."
"When is she coming to visit?"
I sighed, looking over at Jackson Kenner.
"Soon... Wait, why so interested?"
He had the goofiest smile plastered on his face as he looked down. Oh...
I felt waves of admiration coming from him.
"Jackson," I said his name in hopes that he would look up at me, but he didn't.
"You like my sister."
Hayley would die to hear those words from him. And when he looked up at me, eyes shining I knew that he felt the same way.
"Is it really that obvious?"
Being honest with him, I nod. "Especially with my powers."
He raised a brow, and I sighed, explaining how I could sense people's feelings.
"You can do that?"
I giggled at his shock, "Yes, but not all witches can."
"Being a Charmed One sounds like a blast. Is there any way you could adopt me? Maybe I could get a useful gift..."
Hearing my dog barking, I smiled, beginning to step back.
"For starters, you could marry my sister."
Jackson kicked a rock on the dock, reddening. "Luna!"
"What?! You asked!"
I then began running to the sound of my father's truck, his laughter present in my ears.
·𖥸·
My father and I sat in his truck, listening to an instrumental track by a group of amateur artists known as The Howling. They were good enough to get themselves a record deal but from what I'd read online they weren't interested in any of that.
Dad thought it was humble of them and I agreed.
Last year we attended a concert together it was nice. Hayley and Jilly never really did things with him like that.
It wasn't a question of love because I could feel that. Jilian and Hayley loved him just as much as I did, the way Davina explained it was that every parent had their favorites.
From an early age, she was sent into foster care after her mother attempted to kill her. She bounced from home to home until Marced took her in...so she knew a lot about things like this. She was convinced that my dad favored me.
Luna, sometimes parents are closer with one child than the other. It's no one's fault, but that's how it is. If Tommy is an easier kid than Dan then Tommy is your choice pick. But you can still love Dan at the same time.
Dad always asked me for advice about wolf stuff, how to keep the peace, and how to improve the system that's been in place since I've been born.
He never asked my sisters but they had clarified their opinions of being 'princesses' alongside me.
We were watching Jilly and Shadow play the game of fetch.
Sometimes he threw it. Sometimes she did.
Those two were having so much fun I ached to join them.
My dad turned towards me, green and gray eyes alert. "Marcel told me about that wolf you guys ran into... Did you sense anything?"
Oh, gee, how would I ever explain my feelings of passion for the golden creature that haunted my dreams?
I had a theory...my dream guy and the wolf were the same.
It started with the eyes. His cerulean eyes were a pretty blend of blue and green. They were rare! Especially on a wolf...
Was it crazy of me to think that they could be the same?
"Nothing out of the ordinary. He was quite big though," I smirked, trying to hide my nervousness with confidence.
There was something in his unchanged facial expression that told me he didn't believe what I had said. But for some reason, he didn't press.
"Do you have any plans tonight?"
I thought being honest was the best way to go, lying to my dad was hard.
"Tonight, Vina, Josh, and I are going to go hang out at the carnival."
Surprisingly my dad seemed to love the idea. "Sounds fun! You should have them over sometime... just be careful, little wolf."
He said the last part sternly and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I was always careful.
Maybe too careful, I took very few risks.
But I told him I loved him and kissed his cheek.
·𖥸·
Hours later into the day, I knew I wasn't going to finish my paper on the English philosopher John Locke.
It wasn't that I didn't want to because I found his remarks to be particularly engaging.
Stress over the party and the carnival was taking me away from my studies.
But both had to be done!
I couldn't let Marcel or my dad down. That would be soul-crushing.
Just imagining the disappointment on their faces made me queasy.
The carnival would be a great outing for socializing. I knew I would have a fun time with Josh and Davina! So, I couldn't let my friends down either...
Oh, how could I forget? I still have a locator spell to do.
Though I think mom spilled grape juice on one of the good maps...I guess that means I have to go shopping too.
My days seemed never-ending.
I wish my dreams weren't so fleeting. There were times like now when I wished for dream guy's arms to wrap around me and make me forget everything.
Shadow and I narrowly avoided colliding with Aiden. He laughed and shot me a quick smile, humming to some new Luke Bryan song that was playing over a radio a few houses away. As wolves, our heightened hearing sense was invariably convenient for even the pettiest of things.
I was busy riling up the party committee to make welcoming banners, hand out pamphlets with a list of activities, get ahold of Randy, and order edible table arrangements. The problem was only twenty out of fifty members showed, if I had to repeat, "jewel tones go best with silver," one more time I was going to lose it.
"Oh, it's good to see you, dear."
My hand shot to my chest, Mary had scared the devil out of me. I was particularly vulnerable whenever I began pacing back and forth in an irregular fashion.
"Oh, Mary, hi! I loved what you said at the podium."
She shook her head, "No one cares about what an old bat like me has to say, dear."
My eyes widened, "I care," I muttered, but she continued as if she had not heard me.
"That was some idea you came up with, don't listen to Oliver and his goons they don't know left from right. You've grown so much. Every day you seem to be sounding more like a woman and less like a child. I see great things in your future."
I looked down as she beamed proudly. Mary helped me arrange gatherings, so in a way, she was like a coach/tutor. From time to time she helped me with chemistry.
But she motivated me into the late hours of the night whenever my parents went out. Sometimes I just needed that extra push to get through.
"Can you let me in on what you see? It's a little blurry to me."
I was always eager to hear her thoughts.
"One day you will see what everyone around you sees."
Hmm...right now I was a teenager who was occasionally rebellious yet reliable. I strived to carry myself with grace but lately, my head hung down from the heavy weight I was carrying.
Looking over at Marry I noticed her sights were set on a little blue bird fluttering around a group of tree branches. The muted coloring of its feathers matched her eyes.
Shadow licked my hand before sinking to the ground, scratching his back on the dry grass.
"Our future Queen."
I laughed nervously, sticking a loose curl behind my ear. "There's no guarantee I'll win the tournament."
Despite my words, her eyes twinkled, "You doubt yourself far too often. I believe it is your destiny."
Pressing my lips together, I fought back a sigh, "Well, I can't defy that."
"Not when it's written in the stars," she agreed, leaning back in her infamous lawn chair.
To be honest, I was worried I wasn't worthy of being Queen or even the princess of three Great Wolf Nations. It was a heavy weight on my back, and right now I was struggling to balance it. Being a witch, a Charmed One, things got less complex.
How challenging could saving innocents and vanquishing nasty demons and vengeful spirits be?
I loved the other half of me but sometimes I wished things were easier.
·𖥸·
Who knew demon dogs could throw a five-pound ball so far?
I revisited the question as I jogged through the woods near the bayou. Shadow was with Jilian, who offered to babysit him while I got his ball.
The brush grew wild and rampant, unmoved by man's hands.
Fierce thorns continually threatened to pierce the soles of my shoes. I muttered a spell to flatten them to the ground.
Thank goodness for magic!
Now that I was alone, I began to contemplate last night's dream.
No words were said but the things I felt made up for that.
There had been a tingling in my chest and a warmness that pooled.
His golden form had been against a landscape adorned with snowy mountain tops and a full moon.
My fingers were laced into thick fur... I swear, even now, I could still feel the silkiness of it.
I must have been a mile deep in the treeline before I felt a tingling on the back of my neck.
Someone or something was watching me.
Strangely enough, I didn't feel threatened by this presence.
I turned around in circles but saw nothing but the pale skin of the trees.
The wind roared in my ears. I couldn't detect any furtive footfalls or faint heartbeats.
The sky was beginning to darken. It was getting late.
Davina and Josh would be expecting me soon.
I huffed angrily. How could I, of all people, lose a twenty-five-dollar dog toy?
·𖥸·
Unlike the vampires and witches who dwelled in the middle of the city, the werewolves chose to remain secluded. Of course, this had benefits and a few drawbacks.
Jackson and I had been arguing about whether to put a road in place of the gravel.
I defended the rustic charm. It was satisfying to hear the tires crunch under the gravel as the verdant scenery flew by. Jackson pushed that road could pave a faster route to where we congregated.
We planned to bring it up with dad after the treaty renewal. As always, we left on a good note, his hug had warmed me.
From my powers, I could tell that he genuinely liked me...not for my looks or body... That was especially rare nowadays.
That Kenner boy was headstrong to the point it could be grating, but he was always looking out for the wellbeing of people like us...even people who weren't like us. When he wished, he could be as sweet as his grandmother Mary's apple pie.
"Who is this Josh guy anyway? He sounds cute..." Jilly added as she got off the gravel road and onto the highway.
"He is, and he has a crush on Aiden."
"Really?" Her bottom lip jutted out, and her eyes widened. "Did you know that Aiden was the only guy to turn me down?"
"I didn't, and it's not like he was an ass. You just aren't his type."
We laughed together, and Shadow barked loudly. The two sounds reverberated in Daisy, Jilly's jeep. My sister had put the top on when it started sprinkling.
"Oh my god, we have to get them together."
I smiled, tugging on the end of my yellow sweater. "The treaty renewal is set for next week. Surely we can think of something then."
Jilian agreed, "I can't believe you, baby moon. Planning all these events and parties, making speeches, holding babies, kissing toads."
"I do not kiss toads."
"Sorry, I watched Princess and the Frog last night," she chuckled. "Do you ever wish you weren't?"
I turned to her, aghast. "Of course not! I love who I am."
"Why do you stress over it so much?"
My eyes fell to the floor of the jeep, "I'm afraid of messing up."
She scoffed, "Oh please, Luna, I'm the only person in our family who screws up. Just ask Hayley."
I sighed, running my hands through my hair. "Are you two fighting again?"
Jilian rolled her eyes, "When did we ever stop?"
𖥸
