The Vampire Luna

Facing the pack

The pack had settled eons of time ago on the Coast of the ocean. It was the Ocean kissed the land so beautifully ever single day. With their back protected by the water, the former warrior pack had been safe here and it did not plan to relocate anytime soon. Away from the beach, enough to be close to the water and to the nearby forest, the werewolves thrived and lived a happy life. The path to the beach was stepped on so may times that the road did not need pavement. 

Aeolian loved the forest that provided him with everything he needed.Provided shelter, natural border between them and the rest of the world.But today he wished he was not here. As he stepped further into the forest, the path seemed heavier to walk on, but as soon as he stepped into the open, he felt worry wash over him. He did not feel too much anger. It was there, but not harmful. He shook his head with a loud exhale as he made his way to the Alphas house. It was standing tall and above all the others, on the highest spot of the rocky coast. There he found Aaron ready to leave. 

For a moment, both of them seemed happy to see each other safe and sound, but this immediately turned into tension. Aaron bowed his head in respect as he entered the car, started the engine and drove away immediately. The Land Rover drove past Aeolian, leaving a trail of dust behind. 

The black haired man made his way inside. he took off his shoes and stepped in looking around. the house seemed empty and peaceful.

The house was more of a mansion with an eerie vibe to it. It dated back into the 1900's with a lot of marble and details, big windows that allowed the light to come in, long twirling marble stairs contrasting with wooden furniture stained into a deep maroon.Maybe it was intentional but maybe it was just the time that added this beautiful color to the wood.

His eyes scanned the open living room trying to find anyone that could break it to him, but there was no one, so he decided to walk into his office and get working. When his eyes moved to the top of the stairs, he found the most accusing eyes he had ever seen. He sighed deeply as he walked upstairs to meet the woman. She waited for him, with her arms crossed on her chest. 

"Good morning, Marina." Aeolian spoke."How did you rest?"

"Good morning, Alpha." her head bowed slowly in respect." Did not rest a lot. You know-"She paused narrowing her brows "-Worries fill my mind when you disappear like this for a whole night." she stated plainly .

"Well. I am back now and as you can see, very much alive." The man spoke as he walked past her, hoping this would be the end of the conversation.

But it only stirred her heart even more. The red headed woman walked behind him, green eyes stabbing his back. "Everyone was worried. You Blocked the link!"

Aeolian nodded. "I am aware of my actions. Thank you."

"And then Aaron went to find you, came back without you. And boiling with anger." She spat her words at him bitterly. "Where were you Aeolian?" 

To the sound of his name on her lips, he shivered in disgust, his stomach twisting with repulse. He stopped in front of the door from his office, pondering what to tell her, but decided against saying anything. He opened the door and stepped inside. But she followed right behind, slamming the door behind her.

The man walked into his chair and opened his laptop carelessly ignoring her. 

"Don't play like i don't exist!" the woman yelled in anger slamming her hands on his wooden desk. 

Aeolian lifted his gaze to look at her. His eyes scanned her silently, his mind immediately comparing her with the woman he spent his night with. Marina was taller, a lot taller, with broad shoulders and hips, with a barely noticeable waist. She was not fat, but she was bulky. She was one of the fiercest she-wolves around the pack. She was strong with an iron fist. No surprise she was the leader of the hunting team. That will be a problem at some point.-his wolf commented. And yes. Now he was aware of it. Her hair was ginger, not fiery. It was a soft shade of natural ginger, that contrasted with her forest green eyes. Her cheeks were showered with freckles, face shaped in a heart, with thin and fragile lips. In his eyes, she was far from the definition of the perfect female. He did not find her feminine or attractive. And yet, he was supposed to be engaged to her. NEVER!!! his wolf howled angrily.

"I can't play that. You are too loud." Aeolian spoke, moving his gaze to the laptop screen, checking for any update mail. 

Aeolian was the alpha, and also the owner of a huge oil company that was passed through generations. He Learned everything from his father, who learned from his own father and so on. It was something passed down through generations to every alpha.

Annoyed, exasperated even, Marina growled and slammed his laptop shut. 

"Where. have. you. been?" She spoke slowly.

This got him angry. She was disrespecting him. His eyes flashed black, a growl growing in his chest again. Marina seemed to take notice of his temper, but she did not step over her pride. She straightened her back and crossed her arms on her chest. She would fight him if needed to prove her position in his life. 

"We are soon to be Wedded and you go around hoeing like your bed is empty!"

Aeolian thumped his fist on the table.

"You are not my mate. You do not belong at my side!" the man spoke bitterly, in an almost inhumane voice, on the verge of shifting. 

He was territorial. He had never been like this before. She knew very well he did not accept her as his mate. She knew very well he only considered it because of the Elders. But he had never spoken to her like this. Something happened that triggered him. Was he protecting someone?

It hurt. To some extent his words hurt, but she did not flinch.

"I belong where I am told I do ! and we were both told be belong together! You don't get to say no to the Elders! You might scream and yell at me, even dare to abuse me. But you can't step over their will!" Marina growled back. 

Aeolian huffed amused and shook his head slowly, closing his eyes. "You are stupid to think this low of me." he muttered before he reopened his laptop. "Now leave me alone. I have work to do." 

Shocked by how easily he took her comment, Marina continued to stare at him in disbelief. What was going on inside his mind?What was going on with him? What did he plan to do?

She hissed lightly at him before turning on her heels and stomping out of the room, shutting the door behind her with anger and frustration, tears building in her eyes slowly. She felt cheated on and betrayed. Almost useless. Did he really think that of her?

Finally alone, Aeolian leaned on his back, his chair protesting lightly under his weight. She was not wrong at all. But... How could he do this all by himself? How could he change traditions that have been there for Gods knew how long?

A long sigh was let out before the door opened again. His first guess it was that Marina wanted to argue some more, but it was not her. His father walked in slowly, his hands in his pockets. the man seemed to be around his fifties. his hair was peppered with grey hairs, his beard was trimmed short and combed carefully. He was as tall as Aeolian with a similar figure, maybe a little skinnier and thinner. He took a seat in front of his son's desk and crossed his legs. Aeolian bowed his head slowly as a welcome.

The man returned the gesture calmly. Nathanael was the name. Nathanael was a very calm person. Aeolian was nowhere near his father when it came to calmness and a steady mind. Nathanael ruled the pack for a long time, so long he could not even tell the time really. His dark blue eyes scanned his son and a soft smile curled on his lips. What the two had in common was a free spirit and a way of thinking outside the box and he could see that clearly in the man in front of him.

"Have you come to tell me I am reckless or that I am being stupid?" Aeolian muttered, shifting his gaze to the laptop.

Nathanael did not reply. His eyes were fixed on the other male. Aeolian started to feel a little uneasy. This man had the power to pull put information he needed from anyone, and he was no exception from this. 

"Do you have anything to share?" Nathanael's voice was calm, a little softer than his own. it was a soothing tone.

Aeolian shook his head. He knew he could trust his father, but he did not feel safe to open up and be vulnerable. He knew that if there was anyone who would ever understand him, it might be his parents. But being vulnerable was not something he allowed himself to do. 

The older man nodded his head slowly. 

"How's business going?"

"Good. We are trying to grow and sell more to foreign companies, that are willing to pay more since they do not mine their own petrol. Pretty happy about how it has been going lately." Aeolian spoke proudly.

As an alpha, he provided for the whole pack. The money received were not entirely his.It was his duty to care for all those in the pack. 

"That's good. But also keep in mind that the more you sell the more you have to make sure you have what to sell." 

"I know. I know. I am not going to go over this now. If you want, we can schedule a meeting. Truth is I have other things important on my mind."Aeolian finally decided to speak.

"More important than the wellbeing of the pack?" Nathanael asked with curiousity.

"I think it would the benefit of the pack." 

A grin spread on Nathanael's lips his head turning to the side.

"Do you want to share your wisdom with an old man?"

"Maybe not now... " Aeolian muttered lowering his gaze"Or maybe not here." he whispered. There were ears everywhere. Even the walls had ears here.

"Well. As long as it is for the best of the pack, I think you're good. Let's get some fresh air. You seem like you had a rough night."

Aeolian nodded and got up.

The ocean was agitated, wary and unstable. the waves were high and loud. perfect for keeping secrets.The two men were walking slowly on the cold sand, watching the waves rise and bow again and again.

"What's weighting you down Aeolian?"

"Decisions. Emotions. Feelings." 

"You are starting to see what I used to see, aren't you?"

"In a way... I find it wrong and complicated. And yet, all these rules and traditions are what kept us safe." 

Nathanael nodded his head in agreement.

"They truly are. But they are also toxic. They bind everyone, oppress and constrict. They deprive of happiness and the feeling of fulfilment. And that is wrong at its core. That's what everyone should fight against from the very beginning. What are you fighting for right now?"

"I found my mate." Aeolian stated shortly, making his father turn his head surprised towards him. He blinked a few times, a little confused. He knew very well how Aeolian lived his life searching for a mate that was nowhere to be found and how he eventually tried to agree to be paired by the Elders with someone, only for him to find her now. It was a little unbelievable. Actually....

"Tell me more." pleaded Nathanael with a warm smile, as they restarted their walk.