The Rejected Full Moon

We Are Strong

We left a trail of clothes from the lift to our apartment.

Impatiently, we stripped each other, fell on the door while kissing and when we managed to open the door, we stumbled into the living room. Finally on the bed, we were too eager for extended foreplay. We owned one another like two drunken sailors, taking each other to unbelievable heights only to crash breathlessly back down to earth to slowly start climbing back up to the heavens again.

As only werewolves can, we ravished each other throughout the evening, hot lust raging through our senses. Nothing in the apartment was safe for our love, from the bed to the sofa, the wall, and even my dressing table. It was late in the morning when we finally fell asleep in each other’s arms, completely spent.

Fortunately, the day after the festival was a holiday, and the pack was at a total standstill.

So, I could keep Jasper to myself for a few more hours. We slept until noon when hunger drove us out of bed. "Luna, are you awake?" I heard Jasper whispering from behind me. I lay with my back against his warm body, his hands holding me close like a vice. I smiled. "I am now. But I don't want to move; it feels so good in your arms," I mumbled sleepily. Luckily, I wasn't the only one who felt that way. Jasper nestled deeper into my neck, breathing in my scent.

"I'd like to lay with you like this all my life, but my stomach is growling. Let's take a quick bath and see what the kitchen made for us," he suggested lazily. We took another quick bath and went downstairs to the kitchen. As we approached the dining room, delicious smells filled our nostrils. The cooks knew that a group of hungry wolves would be arriving after the feast. The whole mating process was an intense affair that used up a lot of energy that needed to be replenished as quickly as possible.

With Jasper's arm around my shoulders, we walked into the dining area and sat down at the head of the table. My mate filled my plate with the food I usually took and placed a glass of freshly squeezed juice next to it. Then he started scooping up food for himself. A displeased sneer crossed the room, causing Jasper to stop in his tracks and look up with steely eyes. But the culprits were now staring innocently at their plates. Jasper glanced around warningly before continuing his meal. In silence, we continued eating.

When it was time to leave, Jasper captured my hand.

"What are your plans for today? If you have time, come to the office with me. There are plenty of books for you to read while I finish some work," he suggested. I pecked him on the cheek. "I'm going to visit my parents today. It's been a long time since I've been there. They must think I have forgotten them," I told him. "Okay, if you're free when you get back, come by my office anyway," Jasper replied.

And we parted ways. I went to the garage and chose the Bugatti, my favorite car. Jasper had gifted it to me on my last birthday. The robust engine growled on, and I slowly drove out of the garage towards the main road of the pack. Two minutes later, I parked in front of my parents' house. Stepping inside, I found my mother in the kitchen.

"Mum," I called as I kissed her on both cheeks. She held me by the shoulders and pulled me closer to her. "My daughter, how are you? It's been a long time since we last saw you," she exclaimed delightedly. "Is everything going well with Jasper? Didn't he come with you?" We walked to the living room where I dropped into one of the soft pillows.

"No, Jasper is busy today. You know that the day after the festival always brings more work," I explained. Even before I could sit up straight on the pillow, I was crushed by a weight. "Sister! Are you here at last? How I've missed you!" Lying on top of me now was my youngest sister, Ruth. She had always been so impulsive, acting first before thinking. Ruth had me trapped in the cushions now, making it hard for me to breathe.

"Hey girl. Are you trying to kill me? I still need to breathe; I'm choking," I coughed playfully. Quickly, she jumped back on her feet. "Sorry, but I haven't seen you for a while. And you don't host those fun parties anymore either, so I don't have much time to spend with you," she accused me.

Of course, I couldn't tell my family that the pack no longer needed my get-together parties.

In the first few years, I organized them to boost the bond in the pack and especially to let the young pups get acquainted with the older ones. It was always enjoyable, and everyone had a good time. But when it became clear that I wasn't going to have any pups myself, the members lost interest, and it was even difficult to find people to help organize the party.

"Yes, it has indeed been a long time since I last held one. I'll see when that comes around again," I replied vaguely. "But tell me, in a few months, you will turn eighteen. Do you already have any idea who your mate might be?" I teased her. My mother started laughing, too.

"I don't want a mate yet. I want to study in Human Town and become the pack doctor," she grunted. "I've already told Daddy to save up for my studies. And also searched online for the best universities to apply to." I stared at her with pride. "That's a nice plan for the future. But you can do all that too when you have your mate with you. Studying together is more stimulating, and you won't be lonely," I told her.

She looked skeptical.

"Rain, only a few wolves in the pack are willing to send their kids to study in Human Town. Everyone keeps their pups in the pack; everything we need is here. And the Alpha grants scholarships only to students with excellent school grades and then only if their mate allows them to leave. I don't want a mate to outline my future."

"And what will you do if your mate shows up on your birthday? You know that the mate bond makes it impossible for you to separate. If he doesn’t want to or can't leave with you, you'll have to stay here in Storm Forest, too," I explained to her.

"No, Rain. Remember, I am your sister. Just like Rachel, we are Beta descendants with ancient, powerful genes, and we stand up for what we believe in. No one stands in our way. We are unstoppable. We are strong!"