Secrets of the First Moon

Chapter 7: Planning

Arion POV

The morning after the marketplace is when Arion had devised the plan.

When discussing the events of the evening before, Reni had mentioned her excitement for next year's market. It hadn't occurred to Arion that it could possibly be a whole year until seeing Owen again.

She didn't want to wait that long to see him again. She couldn't.

So, she had snuck into town and found William wandering out of the tavern, closing it for the night. She had given him a note and then she was gone.

If they wanted to meet them, which she safely assumed they would, they would be meeting them today. She had made it so it was just outside the normal perimeter run. It allowed her and Reni time in case someone needed to find them.

Today she was going through with her plan. She was going to see Owen again.

She took a deep breath and prepared her speech for Reni.

This was going to be the hard part. Reni obeyed all laws of the pack, but unlike Arion, she was much stricter about it. Usually everything was black and white for Reni, no room for a lot of gray.

She felt confidence in seeing Reni all smiles this morning again, (obviously thinking about William).

Her courage was boosted even more when her raven-haired friend led her into the request perfectly.

“Maybe we can even go back to town sooner. If the pack needed more hands of course with deliveries."

“What if we accidentally ran into them while we were running patrol?"

Reni froze. “Excuse me?"

“What if we accidentall-"

“No, no I heard you. Arion, we cannot do that." Reni had turned to face her. She knew this wouldn't be easy. The one thing Reni usually put her paw down for was the pack. For Malaki.

“Listen, I am not asking you to go with me on this. I feel like I need to see Owen again. I am not saying it is anything romantic," Arion was lying to both here. She continued before Reni could object.

“I just enjoyed the company. Much more than the males here. They have actual thoughts!"

Reni flashed a smirk, but quickly wiped it away.

“Arion, I just don't want to hide anything from this pack that could harm us."

“Ah, but that's just it." Arion was hoping this would come up. “How are they harmful to us? We could destroy them in a second if they were to pose a threat. But, as of now, there is no threat to the pack."

Reni still looked skeptical.

“You would like to see William again, wouldn't you?"

Reni pursed her lips but remained silent. Of course she wanted to see William again.

“I haven't seen you enjoy yourself that much since we were pups."

Reni began to object, “That doesn't matter, what ma- “

“Look, if at any time you feel that I have put us in an unsafe situation, you just tell me and we will go to my father together."

At that, Reni slightly nodded in agreement. “We will try it once, Arion. Once. That's all I can promise you."

“That's all I ask."

Curiosity suddenly struck Reni. “How are you planning to have them meet us today?"

“Don't worry about that, I took care of it already."

“You what? Without knowing I would agree?"

“Oh Reni, you worry too much. Just trust me that they will be there." Which was true in a sense. Arion didn't get a confirmation that the boys would be there, but her hunch was strong enough. She also had known she needed a short window between asking Reni and the meet day so there'd be less time to back out.

Arion could see her pack-mate trying to not grow excited at the sudden change in their agenda.

“Alright, now let's get chores done so we are allowed to patrol," she said sliding pass Arion, who noted the growing smile on her reserved friend's face.

Triumph. And not as hard as she was expecting it to be. Reni must really enjoy William. That worked well for Arion.

Her excitement grew and…there was something else she felt.

She tried to brush it off. No, it couldn't be that.

***

Afternoon had come and it was about time for their patrol.

Arion was coming in from collecting more firewood when her skin prickled just too late as a hand snatched her arm from the shadows and pulled her against the shed.

Phinn had her pinned.

“Phinn? What the hell?!" Arion tried to shove him away, but his strong body was unphased my her smaller athletic one.

“Stop." He grabbed her arms and held them against her side. “You need to listen to me because this isn't only about you right now."

Confused, Arion stopped struggling and listened as Phinn leaned into her ear. She was very aware of his defined stomach and muscular arms as he leaned in. She didn't know why she suddenly had a cold sweat building on her neck.

He whispered, “That butcher's boy isn't who you think he is."

At that, her cold sweat turned to a growing rage. Was this seriously about Owen?

“Listen, I know you like him and I can't even pretend to know why. But rules are rules, even for you Princess. So, I hope for the sake of this pack and your life, that you have no intentions with him or to see him again."

Arion tried to pull away, succeeding this time. She just laughed in Phinn's face. “I thought you said this was about the pack? This is about you, Phinn. You're mad because I don't like you."

“He cut himself, Arion."

“What? What are you talking about?"

“That night when you thought he cut himself while cutting your dress free. He did. I saw it. And so did Dorin."

Arion was baffled. She thought back to the dancing. Yes, she remembered checking his hand but there was nothing?

“You lie. You're just sore at me." Arion went to walk away.

Phinn grabbed her wrist, yanking Arion back towards him. She couldn't move.

“It is fate that you and I be mates Arion. You will accept that eventually, but I cannot allow you to tarnish what could be and at the risk of the pack. You are being selfish in this and if you don't believe me about your human," Phinn paused, taking a deep breath before stepping away from Arion. “You can ask Dorin. Though it will cause suspicion as to why you are so curious."

Arion stood there conflicted. She knew Phinn wasn't blackmailing her…now anyway. But she also didn't know why he would make up the story about Owen. How could he have healed? Was he a warlock? A healer? No, Phinn did this on purpose to get into her head.

“Guess I could." Arion had regained composure. “Also, if you ever wanted to find a mate, then maybe you should learn about mutual respect, team effort, that sort of thing. It's definitely not male testosterone that drives a successful mate-ship."

Walking away, she didn't bother to turn around to yell her farewell to Phinn. “Also, if you ever shove me around again, I'll rip your throat out."

She could feel Phinn staring at her back as she smiled and shifted. She had a meeting to make.