His Hidden Luna

Nine

Rose's Point of View

Making my way back to the packhouse, I felt like I was floating on air. A real peace had settled over me whilst I was at the lake and I actually felt positive about things. I wasn't sure why that was but, honestly, I was greatful for the positive outlook I seemed to have found.

I was back home before any one else from the school. This was an everyday occurance as I always ran from school as soon as the bell rang. Otherwise I was a sitting duck to the other pack members. I'd learnt that lesson a few years back when I'd had a milkshake thrown in my face. Lisa was nothing if not predictable.

Walking in through the front door the place was pandomonium. I groaned inwardly as I rememberd what Alice had said this morning. We had guests arriving today, and whilst they weren't due for another few hours I hadn't factored in the time it would take to get everything ready. The atmosphere was tense and the staff were running round like headless chickens as Alpha Cain barked orders from the top of the stairs. I spotted one omiga, who couldn't have been more than 15 years old, huddled in a corner crying. She'd obviously been given a serve by the Alpha.

"Our guest will be arriving from their packs in the next hour or so and this place is a s**t HOLE!! If you value your jobs, not to mention your lives, you'll sort this out NOW!"

Alpha Cain was breathing hard and his eyes were constantly flickering between his own and his wolf's Zagan. Up until recently I thought the name of his wolf was cool and really unique - Until someone told me that, according to spirit law, Zagan was a fallen angel and regarded as the king and president of hell.

I looked around me. The place had never been cleaner. My friends from the Kitchen were all in prestine black and white uniforms. There hair and make-up was immaculate. They had done everything possible to make the leaders welcome. But it went completely unnoticed by our Alpha.

After my 12th birthday I had always done my best to avoid Alpha Cain, I kept my head down and my mouth shut and I stayed as far away from Jackson as I could. All I wanted to do was go to my room, lock the door and stay there all night. But there was no way I could do that with Alpha Cain at the top of the stairs screaming his head off. It wouldn't be long before he spotted me either.

Thinking on my feet I diverted myself into the private sitting room just off of the entrance hall. The room was out of bounds to everyone without rank and If I got caught in there I'd get the rollocking of my life, but facing the Alpha would be so much worse. Taking the risk I quitly opened the door slipped into the room and closed it behind me. My shoulders slumped and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Turning away from the door I came face to face with the Luna. s**t!

"What the hell are you doing in here?" She screetched at me. Although her voice was raised I realised it wasn't in fury, it was in fear. Her eyes were red from crying and her hands were shaking. And those were the least of her problems. The livid red marks that tore through one side of her face looked awful. She'd been attacked!

"Oh my Goddess Luna, what happened?" I asked aghast, before throwing my hand accross my mouth. We weren't allowed to ask questions like that.

"I h-had a little accident." She managed to get out in between sobs. "I can't seem to cover it up,"

I looked down to see a cosmetic bag in her hands, she was shaking so much she couldn't even get the zipper open.

"I can help if you like Luna?" I asked her quietly. I loved our Luna very much. She was the light to the Alpha's dark. She cared massively about our pack and had suffered physical abuse from her mate because of it. I had know idea how she coped. Suffering at the hands of someone you love must be unbearable.

"Thank you Rose." She nodded, before bursting into tears again. "I really don't deserve your kindness."

I was shocked that she remembered my name, and what did she mean about not deseving kindness? She had always been kind to everyone, me included. She was the Luna that others should aspire to.

"Of course you do, Luna. Let's get you fixed up."

There was a bathroom at the end of the room. I took the Luna's hand and guided her in. I ran a wash cloth under the cold water and pressed it against her face. She'd been crying so much her cheeks were almost red raw. Her wolf would heal that in no time, but cold water would help bring down some of the swelling.

"I must confess I'm not very good at the whole make-up thing. I don't actually wear it myself." I confessed nervously

"Nor should you," she replied "your skin is beautiful as it is."

My face turned tomato red. I didn't get many compliments so I wasn't sure how to accept them. I just cleared my throat and grabbed a hand towel. "Just pat your face dry Luna, I'm sure we'll figure it out together."

Half an hour later and the Luna looked stunning You could barely see the s***h marks accross her face and the more time went by the more they would fade. With any luck, but the time the guests arrived you wouldn't be able to see anything at all. She'd told me exactly what I needed to do to cover them up and I had followed her instruction to the letter. I hadn't known a thing about 'building up" or "contouring" but by the end of my time with the Luna I was pretty confident I'd be able to have a go at it on myself. Not that I'd ever need to, of course. I didn't exactly go out on the town.

The Luna took in her reflection and sighed.

"Thank you Rose, I'm so glad you decided to come in here today. You have helped me more than you could possibly imagine."

"Me too Luna" I said with feeling. "and thank you for letting me help."

"After what you've done for me this afternoon you may call me Martha." Her voice was thick with emotion. Whatever horrors she thought she was going to face later were still clear in her mind.

I looked down at the floor. "I don't think Alpha Cain would be very happy with that Luna. And if I upset him, it's not good for me."

"Don't worry Rose it will be our little secret. I'll never forget what you've done for me today."

I wasn't sure what to say to that, it was just a bit of makeup after all.

"Right, time to face the enemy" I watched as the sadness in her eyes was replaced by happiness. Here eyes were tight at the corners which showed you that it was fake. She plastered a smile on her face and headed towards the door. When I didn't follow she turned back to me.

"What's wrong?"

"Um, I like to keep to myself and I think there are quite a few pack members out side. I just need to get to my room as quickly as I can"

She nodded in understanding and threw the door wide open.

"This room is for important guests and you should not be in here!" She yelled whilst giving me a wink. "Get to your room and stay there! I don't want to see you at dinner!"

I lowered my head and and slowly walked past her "Yes Luna" I said in my most remorsfull voice, before darting up the stairs and in to the safety of my room.

"Rose?" Henry called making me jump out of my skin "Where have you been? I've been worrying about you non-stop"

Something in the tone of his voice was off. He didn't sound like he usually did, I couldn't put my finger on it. When I looked at him, his eyes were blazing. Whatever this was, I wasn't in to it. I chose to ignore it.

"I've literally just got through the front door. There were so many people in the hallway that I tried to hide in the front room. But the Luna caught me. Luckily she just yells, Alpha Cain does much worse."

He kept staring at me but didn't say anything else.

'Danger' whispered a tiny voice in the back of my head.