Dark Moon Rising

Chapter Nineteen: Bonding & Belonging

Jo's Point of View

"You know we haven't had a chance to spend time alone since our last shopping trip," Clara complained.

"I understand, but I thought having Rogue and Crypta join us would be nice. Especially since Crypta, like me, missed out on prom. Considering the Luna ceremony we're planning is to resemble one, it would be great if they could choose their dresses with us," I explained.

"Okay, but I need some alone time with my Luna bestie. Soon, please," Clara pleaded.

"I've missed you too. Remember, we're bonding in ways they are not," I chuckled, gently caressing my belly.

I was expecting twins. Clara and Jacob discovered they were expecting shortly after Felix and I did, but not twins. Our children would grow up together and hopefully be as close as their parents.

"Besides, no one can replace you as my best friend, Clara. You are the one who explained how to mind link, what mating and marking were, and helped me plan the epic night with Felix that resulted in these blessings," I smiled.

As I thought about Eryx and his questions, I wondered whether Silas was indeed the right person for him to confide in. Perhaps Clara would have been a better choice.

"What's on your mind? Your forehead is all wrinkled again. You'll get lines there before you even turn thirty!" Clara exclaimed teasingly.

"Is that a possibility?" I gasped, and Clara playfully rolled her eyes.

"Tell me. Your expression hints at something juicy," Clara urged eagerly.

"Aralia has a son whom she adopted as a toddler when he was abandoned in the forest. He's charming and kind but filled with curiosity and more awkwardness than me," I disclosed.

"Impossible," Clara dismissed.

"But it's true," I argued as my friend stared at me incredulously.

"You'll see. Felix suggested we spend time with him to help him feel at ease around others. So far, he's only interacted with Wesley, me, and somewhat with Crypta, although he kept himself hidden from her," I explained.

"What do you mean he hid from her?" Clara gave me a suspicious look.

"He must have been in the bushes, I think. Eyrx mentioned that she just heard his voice, and he didn't want her to see him," I clarified.

"Well, if he is truly as shy as you say, it would make sense for him to hide in the bushes. But Crypta has such a remarkable presence. She's stunning, and there's something truly captivating about her. You can't help but be attracted to her. How did he manage to resist?" Clara inquired.

I shrugged, unable to comprehend it, yet I grasped my friend's perspective. Crypta was a magnet for attention wherever she went. Her striking features were accentuated by long, flowing dark hair, and she moved with a captivating and slightly unsettling grace. Her eyes, as deep as the night sky, possessed a captivating intensity that could enthrall and overwhelm. She was a striking figure: beautiful and menacing, intelligent and instinctual.

Are you sure that you don't have a crush on her? Rica teased.

I only have eyes for Felix, I admonished my wolf.

"This stays between us, okay? Aralia asked Felix and me not to mention Eyrx to the other pack members yet. She wants him to get to know Wesley better first. We're planning a big meal at the packhouse in a few days and will invite Eyrx then. It will be an intimate gathering to avoid overwhelming him. Aralia requested that only Felix and I, Silas, you, Jacob, Damian, Rogue, Wesley, and she attend. We'll close off the dining area for the meal to keep it cozy and give Eyrx a chance to mingle with us and vice versa," I explained.

"So, Crypta and Adrian are not included?" Clara sought confirmation.

"It's not about exclusion; it's to help Eyrx adjust smoothly. I thought Silas could be the right person for him to talk to with all his queries, but maybe you could assist him like you did for me?" I suggested, widening my eyes and appealing for help.

"You aren't asking me to teach him how to put a condom on a banana or anything like that, are you?" Clara smirked.

"Why would you put a condom on a banana?" I asked, confused as my wolf and friend howled with laughter.

Rogues' Point of View

"It was kind of Luna Jo to invite us," I said with a smile to Crypta.

Despite my gentle inquiries, Crypta nodded, preoccupied with something she kept to herself. This behavior persisted for a few days. She had avoided Adrian and me, spending more time in the forest to find solace and connect with nature, or so Crypta claimed. I would think she was having booty calls out in the forest if I didn't know better. I couldn’t see how that would be comfortable, but maybe Damian would be open to having some outdoor s*x with me leaning against a tree. I could just imagine my legs wrapped around him as he thrust that massive c**k of his, pleasuring me as he reached all of those delicious spots. I could almost feel the bark of the tree scratching at my skin as I visualized Damian pounding into me relentlessly.

"Rogue," snarled my friend.

"I can smell your arousal already. You can f**k Damian all you want later. We need dresses. Focus," Crypta hissed through gritted teeth.

I blushed furiously and collected myself. Well, as much as I could. My lace panties were already soaked. Oh well, I could discard them later... and text Damian about it afterward. I grinned to myself, enjoying my naughty thoughts.

As we turned the corner, I spotted Clara, the Beta's mate, and Luna Jo waiting for us. I greeted them with a wave and a big smile. They smiled back and gestured for us to join them while Crypta muttered quietly to herself. I wished she could shake off her gloom. When Adrian was around, she seemed fine, but whenever we were alone, a sense of sadness and frustration emanated from her. My best friend assured me repeatedly that it wasn't me she was frustrated with, but I was starting to wonder.

We entered the luxurious boutique specializing in formal wear with anticipation and excitement. My prom was a wretched experience for me and a missed opportunity for Luna Jo and Crypta. Following the public revelation of my intimate encounter with Ansel, I faced scorn and repulsion. To shield me from perceived shame, my parents insisted on extreme modesty and seclusion. While my prom attire wasn't as drastic as a burlap sack, it came close. I went alone and spent the evening shunned and ridiculed by my peers. It was a night to remember, just not in the way anyone would ever want to experience. The upcoming Luna ceremony for Jo offered me a chance to make up for the past and feel excited once again about dressing up and attending a special event.

I observed Clara swiftly moving from rack to rack, selecting dresses for us based on our sizes after we shared that information with her. The sales clerks seemed anxious, but Luna Jo reassured them that we would carefully handle the dresses and return whatever we had not selected to the racks. We spent hours trying on dresses, laughing at some choices, and falling in love with others. We each had a unique style and personality but found a dress that suited us and symbolized our individuality.

As Luna Jo paid for our dresses and accessories, a gesture she strongly insisted on, I realized it was her way of embracing Crypta and me into her friendship with Clara. We bonded over laughter, selfies, and deep conversations while selecting our formal attire for the Luna Ceremony. Witnessing Crypta smile multiple times filled me with joy, affirming that we were genuinely welcomed as integral members of the Dark Moon pack. We were doing something “normal” for the first time and felt like we belonged.