My Teacher, My Mate

9. Moon Goddess

My alarm went off Monday morning like the bell ringing out before a public execution. I rolled and tried to hit snooze only to fall off of my bed and realize I wasn't in my room.

"What the flying saucer is this? Did Lily murder me? Am I dead?"

I heard a high-pitched giggle echo around me. The night sky was filled with stars. I sat in a beautiful meadow of wildflowers and soft green grass.

"Hello?" I hesitantly got up on my feet only wearing my PJs.

That's when I saw her. A lady in a shimmering silver gossamer dress, with a crown of crescent moons on her head. She had a white wolf beside her that had two different colored eyes: one blue, one green. She was ethereal and gorgeous.

She seemed to move without walking closer to me.

"Moon Goddess?"

She nodded and smiled. Her blue eyes glowed against her pale skin. Her body was curvy with dimpled skin. It reminded me of the first art piece found of a woman. The Goddess statue. There was nothing small about her. Even her long blond, almost white hair, was voluminous and long. I was awestruck by her eternal beauty.

"Wow. I'm honored to meet you Moon Goddess, but where exactly are we?"

"Your body is safe and sound in your bed while your soul astrotravels to be here with me."

"Astrotravel? Isn't that for witches and crazy dream interpretation or crystal lovers?" I paused as she stopped moving closer to me. "Am I dead?"

"No, young Luna, your time hasn't come. I needed to thank you." Her wolf barred his fangs at me as I tried to take a step closer.

"Umm ok. Thank me for what?" I haven't done anything noteworthy as of late. I've been too depressed to really put in an effort.

"You told Luke to go back to Lily. You respected the mate bond, even though you still hold a candle for him. I'm proud of you for letting go of someone you love. First loves are often the most painful to lose. You put the pack first. You trusted your wolf, Lana. You trusted me. This will make you a great Luna."

I did still love Luke; even though he'd been a jackass. How could the Moon Goddess not let us be together.

"You believe in multiple loves? Not just one for...forever?"

"I do give second chance mates you know." She giggled. "Just because you aren't mates doesn't mean your love wasn't real." Her eyebrows furrowed, "I sense your distress young wolf. Ask your questions. I'll answer what I can."

She stood before me, so close that if I reached my arm out I would touch her. The wolf stayed back a few feet but growled at my thought. Can that wolf read minds? It wouldn't surprise me if a goddess could read minds. Especially since we wolves are deeply devoted to the Moon Goddess and many of us, such as mates, pack warriors, close friends, higher ranking wolves, can mind-link one another.

"Thank you, Goddess. That is very kind of you. I have so many questions but I guess, I'm mostly scared. I've only heard a few stories about fated mates and none of them have a happily ever after. The few I've heard involve wars between packs, new laws being created for all werewolves; power but at what cost, ya know? Why me? I'm a nobody."

"You are correct about the fated mates bringing about change, but it's in the best interest of my children." She pulled a piece of hair out of my face. She was warm to the touch and soft, like I knew she would be. "And you are special. It won't be easy but that's why you and Lucian were chosen. You'll be stronger together. Trust me." The palm of her hand rested on my cheek. I leaned into it as it spread warmth and calm throughout my body.

"Sleep little Luna..." I snapped my head out of her nurturing hand.

"Why do you keep calling me Luna? My wolf's name is Lana." I saw her eyes grow with excitement.

"I know your wolf's name." She smiled coyly. "Sleep now. Your mate will be happy to see you in class."

"Me? Yeah right. We are going to reject another." Her wolf barked at me before howling like a Banshee of death. It had to be the saddest sound I've ever heard.

"I need you to put your faith in me and your mate." She looked so forlorn. A moment later I felt the warmth of her palms against my cheeks and I fell backwards onto my bed.

***

My alarm went off Monday morning making me wish I could just get my GED. I hit the snooze button twice before getting out of bed and showering. I decided on looking somewhat presentable today.

'Because we want to impress our mate.' Lana perked up.

'No, because I don't feel like getting made fun of again by Steph and Mark.'

'Sure. Keep telling yourself that.'

I blocked her out. We weren't on the best of terms anyways so it wasn't hard to do. But it did hurt to be alone in my head once again.

I wore my black converse with a short black faux leather. The white plain white v neck t-shirt made me look and feel a little less dressed-up. I added a long necklace with turquoise feather charms and a matching bracelet.

By the time I made it out the door I realized I was running late. Usually my mom would have knocked before I hit the second snooze. She also makes me breakfast but I can't find her, just a note she left on the counter.

Sweetheart,

Please be a good student today. If you don't want this apple, maybe a certain teacher might ;)

We will be back soon.

Lots of love,

Mom

I took a bite out of the apple and started running towards the bus. If I could have ran in my wolf form I would have made it. My human form was weaker and a black leather shirt, faux or not, didn't make for the best running wear,.

Call it destiny, divine timing, or fate but miraculously I saw my mate pull over his big truck and unlock the doors. Grant moved over closer to his bother.

"Thanks." This was awkward. "Didn't mean to miss the bus."

Lucian gave me a look up and down which sent a chill through me, even though it was 80 degrees and humid out. He drove while Grant played with his radio trying to find music. Grant wasn't a fan of the shock jocks that host morning radio shows. Has he not listened to Elvis Duran and the Morning Show?!

I kept my mouth shut. Grant is my pack's Beta, which makes him one of the most powerful wolf in the pack right now. It would be suicidal of me to talk back to him, so I just nodded. Finally landing on an alternative rock station. Like a Stone played and my heart hurt. I could feel Lucian's sadness and we haven't even mated yet. Wow. This mate bond seems to be growing stronger by the hour.

"Dinner tonight? On me? Pizza or whatever you both want." I had just hopped Dom out of Lucian's truck. I watched closely as Lucian settled his wolf.

"Yeah cool. Who else is going?" I don't have a friend or my family right now so this actually works out for me.

"Just the three of us."

My face must have looked like the 'I'm in shock' emoji because Grant laughed and told me not to worry. "Your parents called me before they left for a respite. So I know your free all week." He winked at me.

"GRANT!" Lucian was walking behind us but shoved Grant when his little brother winked at me.

I bet Grant did that on purpose just to get a ride out of Lucian. I don't have siblings so I can't relate but it seems like even when they are screwing with one another they still care for each other. I knew they'd never really hurt one another, especially about humans.

'Our mate is staking his claim' I rolled my eyes at Lana. If she were an emoji right now it would be the smiley face with hearts for eyes.

'He's our teacher.'

'You say that but you're enjoying it.'

Lana was right. I was smiling and enjoying their brotherly back and forth.

"Grant, we are at school and this is my livelihood. Come on bro." Lucian walked ahead of us quickly, trying to not make a scene.

"His livelihood is you, you know that don't you Tessa?" Grant gave me a pat on the back. "See you after school for pizza."

I saw my bus pull in from across the parking lot and decided to go straight to first period instead of catching up with Mark and Steph.

'So you didn't wear this outfit for the humans.'

'Yeah, yeah, you were right. Now let's try to stay sane today while I get my education.'

'Sane? SANE? I am sane! I'm a wolf in love with a hot teacher that could teach us so much about loving...'

'Bye Lana.'

I blocked her for the day but she probably will break back through around art class. I just got Lana back and I've shut her out twice. We can't live without one another, but if she is coming on this strong when Mr. Knight in-shining-armor isn't next to us, I worry that I won't be able to control her when I'm in his class.

I sit at my desk for first period with only a couple of other students who showed up before the first bell even rang.