The Greedy Luna and her Thirst for Power

Let Kids be Kids

There was a lot of tension at home when we returned to the pack. Papa was so angry with the way Jax behaved and what his father had said. Mother tried to downplay everything and focus on the positives the arranged marriage would provide for the pack. Papa and her were arguing in his study often. One day I got extra curious and decided to listen from the other side of the door.

"Sarai, I'm beginning to wonder if you love our pup at all!" Papa roared. "It's not a secret how badly you wanted a son! Everyone in this packhouse has observed the way you treat our daughter!"

I swallowed hard. Mother had wanted a son? So that's why she hated me so much?

"Samuel that's not fair!" mother snipped at him. "Do you know how hard it is to teach her in the ways that I was taught? Just to know that her welfare and happiness will depend on the mercy of who is chosen for her to marry?! It is not an easy life! That's why I'm hard on her! She has to be strong! Or she won't make it!"

I was shocked to hear mother's voice crack at the end.

Papa was very quiet for a few moments before he said softly, "Sarai..... I'm sorry. I....I loved you the moment I laid eyes on you. I never thought about how you may have felt differently."

Mother was sniffling, "It wouldn't have mattered anyways. No one ever asks the future Luna her permission, her opinion. We lose that right the moment we are born female."

My heart was racing as the depth of what my mother was saying hit my ears. My mother would never tell me these things to my face. She would preach the same lies that had been drilled into her. My mother had wanted a son so that he could pick his future.

"I know how hard it was when you came here and found Briar was your fated mate," Papa said softly. "I'm so sorry that I--"

"No." mother said firmly. "No, we are not going there. We aren't reopening that wound."

"But Sarai you already did. The moment you decided to take his son in you reopened that wound. What did you think it was going to do for you?" Papa said desperately. He was talking to mother so sweetly.

I waited for mother's answer but she was silent.

"Sarai, talk to me, please," papa begged. "There is nothing you can say that would hurt me."

"That is not true," mother told him, her coldness creeping back into her voice. "There are things that are best locked away in my heart. For they would cause us both pain."

"What are you doing?!" Silas hissed beside me and I yelped, immediately covering my mouth with my hands. I panicked and grabbed his hand, dragging him away with me as I ran. I opened the space that was under the stairs and shoved him in first before I crawled in after him and shut the door. I put my finger to my lips. There was a small amount of light that was in the space from the light in the hallways.

I listened as I heard mother's heels click past us followed by papa's loud steps. He was chasing after mother. Silas started to say something again so I put my hand over his mouth. He narrowed his eyes at me and licked my hand.

"Gross," I hissed at him, letting my hand down.

"Why are we hiding? You were eavesdropping on your parents weren't you," he said with a sly grin.

"Of course I was," I sighed in irritation. "It's the only way I ever understand what's really going on around here."

Even in the dim light I could see Silas' grin.

"So..... what's going on around here then?" he pried.

"It's complicated," I answered with a humph.

Silas pouted and rolled his eyes, "Wow, I'm outta here." He went for the door and I pulled him back, keeping my arms around his waist.

"Ok, ok fine," I said in his ear. Then I told him what my mother had admitted. He hung on every word when I got to the part about his father and my mother.

"They were fated mates?" he asked in shock. "What does that mean about my parents then?"

I shrugged, "I've heard of second chance mates but I'm not too sure what it means yet or they just fell in love naturally."

Silas looked deep in thought, like he was questioning everything he knew to be true about his mom and dad.

"I wish they were here so I could ask them. There's so much I wish I knew but now I have no way of finding out," he said sadly.

I immediately felt sorry for making him so sad. I liked Silas very much and it hurt my own heart when he was upset. I hugged him from behind, resting my head on his back. I didn't say anything. There wasn't anything I could say that would help.

After a few minutes he turned his head to look over his shoulder at me, "Can we go out now? It's hot in here. You're sucking up all the oxygen!" I instantly let him go and playfully slapped his shoulder as he chuckled. Silas opened the door and helped me out after him. He continued to hold my hand even after I was standing and he didn't even seem to notice. I smiled, feeling butterflies in my tummy.

"Come on princess, let's go play outside. I feel like mopping the floor with you in a race," he challenged dragging me along as he rushed down the hall.

__________________

Things got a little more care free for a bit after our visit to Red Wood. Papa made sure I had more playtime and less focus on my Luna lessons. Even mother spent more time with me, letting me wear my hair down more often. It was magical. I didn't hear any more talk about marriage or Jax and I was so relieved. Everything in the pack calmed down, we were able to rebuild and thrive again. I had grown taller, but I was still shorter than Silas and he never let me forget it.

Papa had even let me start learning how to defend myself but would only let Theo train me. I had gotten pretty good, leaving my wimpy arms behind for toned arms and legs. Not to mention my core. I had just turned 15 and Silas had turned 15 a few weeks before me.

We had grown inseparable after being together all day everyday for the past 6 years.

I was training with Theo privately in my sports bra and shorts, my sleek dark hair tied up in ponytail. Even pulled up high it reached my low back.

"Grace, you are doing very well," Theo complimented me. "I'd like to challenge your skills in a real match."

My eyes widened, "Against you?" I cried.

He laughed, "No, your father would never allow that as it wouldn't be fair. I have someone else in mind." Theo turned to the door and Silas walked in. He had a sly grin on his handsome face. His dark hair was short but mused. His aqua violet eyes were alight with excitement. He had on black shorts and a white T-shirt. I caught myself staring and adjusted my gaze back to Theo. He had been eyeing me curiously.

"Is he allowed to give me a real fight?" I questioned.

Silas looked at Theo, waiting for permission.

Theo nodded, "Yes, the alpha has approved it." He had a very amused look on his face.

"Oh yeah," Silas said with a fist pump, "I'm gonna kick your a** princess. I've been waiting a long time for this opportunity."

Theo chuckled loudly shaking his head, "Just don't leave facial marks."

"I'll try," Silas replied.

Theo glanced at Silas with an ornery smile, "I was talking to Grace."

I took advantage of Silas' shocked face to pounce on him, kicking him in the gut. He grunted and stepped back a few paces. Then he cracked his neck, "That's the only cheap shot you're gonna get Grace, " he growled.

"Bring it on Si," I purred.

The sparring was intense and Silas did not hold back. I was able to block most of his shots but he was able to get my leg and eventually he slipped my feet out from under me. My back hit the mat hard and it knocked the wind out of me.

Silas immediately pinned me down, putting his weight on me, but holding himself up with his arms. I glared at him as he hovered above me.

"Gotcha," he hissed with a wide grin.

I shifted my weight and pushed against him trying to knock him off but he was solid. I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face so badly but I was spent.

"Do you yield?" he taunted.

I glared at him.

"Yield," he spat.

"Fine! I yield! Now get off of me!" I snapped.

He laughed and rolled to the side. I jumped to my feet and kicked him in the side as payback.

Theo was clapping, a proud grin on his face.

"I've trained you both well! That was a good match I---"

We both turned to him as he stopped abruptly. Someone was mind linking him. His face grew dark suddenly.

"Theo, what's wrong?" I asked him concerned.

"Red Wood is at our border, wanting entry. The alpha, Luna, and his heir along with a surprising amount of his guards," he answered curtly.

"Why would they be here?" Silas asked with hatred in his voice. He still hated Jax even after not having to see him since we were 11.

Theo didn't answer right away. Instead he instructed, "Silas escort Grace back to the pack house. Don't leave her side. We need to figure out what the purpose of their visit is."

Silas nodded and gently wrapped his arm around my shoulders as he guided me out of the training area. Theo didn't have to command Silas to not leave my side. He never had since he'd met me. He was my protector and my best friend. He rushed me into the packhouse and up to my room. He even locked the door.

I glanced out my window nervously. No one dared to come to our territory unannounced.

I tried to calm my racing heart.

"I'm going to shower," I told Silas, pulling my hair out of my pony tail. I realized my hands were shaking.

He laid on my bed, his feet still on the floor, "That's a good idea, you smell," he teased me. He glanced at me with his ornery smile. I knew he was trying to keep things light for me. He was always in tune with my emotions. I threw a shirt at him and he laughed as he caught it.

I reached for my bathroom door knob when he called my name, "Grace..." I turned my head to the side, "It's going to be alright. That pr*ck isn't going to take you away. I won't let him."

I tried to smile as tears threatened my eyes, "I know," I whispered then fled to my bathroom before Silas could see my tears.