The Rejected Full Moon

Calling Home

After work, I drive to a protected national forest about twenty kilometers from Conselho Construction Enterprises.

I'm so down again, I miss Jasper terribly and can't stop thinking about my mate. It breaks me up to be far from him, sometimes I just want to pack my bags and go back to the safe arms of my buddy. But then I remember the disappointment in the eyes of the pack, the words of my in-laws. Jasper deserves a better woman than me. And now after two years, he must have moved on with his life. He never made an effort to contact me, which proves a lot.

I have to hold back.

'We are strong,' runs through my head, the words of Ruth, my sister. I think now is the time to contact her, she must have already graduated and I wonder if she got the scholarship of the pack or if Jasper helped her after all.

Arriving at my usual spot, I park my car in a safe place.

I walk a short distance into the forest where huts have been built at the edge. First, I convince myself that I have no onlookers. I quickly undress, hang my clothes in a closet, and change into casual clothes and athletic shoes. Then I begin descending the hiking trail and then take a hundred meter long track to jog. It is chilly here in the forest, just what I need to calm my mind. I meet some joggers on the way, we greet each other kindly and continue on our path.

I have made this trip many times before. Sometimes I find small animals to play with, I run after them until they find their den and get out of my reach. It's a fun game, the animals instinctively sense the wolf in me. After about two hours of keeping myself busy like this, I decided to go to a creek that must be near here.

At ease, I walk the route that leads to the water. Swimming is my favorite sport; I can stay in the water for hours. Thanks to my werewolf genes, I can afford it; we are a walking energy source. When the creek comes into view, I take a sprint and splash into the deep end. I dive and swim to the middle where I chase small colored fish. But then I get the feeling as if I am being watched.

After scanning the area and not seeing anyone, I continue my swim until I am done. This moment in the woods has distracted me from the thoughts of my mate. That's all I needed, to relax so I could continue life on my own. As I begin the journey back, I become aware of a strange smell. Werewolf, for sure, not a rogue, but not a pack werewolf either. This scent is odd to me, never encountered one like this before.

I hesitate in my steps.

I am still determining if the one watching is a threat. Looking around again and still not seeing anyone, I stroll further until I reach the cabin. I slam the door firmly behind me and quickly put my office clothes back on. Carefully, I leave the hut and hurry along the path to my car. Fortunately, I arrive unharmed, step in, put the car in reverse and skim away from the spot.

I drive right to my penthouse. Arriving at the apartment complex, I park my car in the underground and take the elevator to my quarters. When I'm in, I rush to the bedroom to undress. There I take an extended hot bath, put on a robe and walk out to the living room. I catch a cold liqueur and decide to enjoy it on the patio. As I stare into the distance, I consider that now is the right time to contact Ruth. If her scholarship didn't work out, I could help. In the two years I have lived here, I have worked my way up. Right now, I have written two books about mastering the financial administration of medium and large companies that are doing well in online sales. In addition, I am a consultant for companies with which my employer has no business connections. That has earned me quite a bit of money. I consider myself a self-made millionaire.

Taking a deep breath, walk back to my bedroom to collect my phone.

I decided to have the conversation on the terrace, the fresh air there would make me think clearly. Ruth will definitely bring up Jasper and I need to be mentally strong to handle this. She loves her brother-in-law, dotes on him and I am sure she will persuade me to come back.

I have to be strong. Jasper doesn't need a Luna like me.

The first thing I did when I arrived in this beautiful country was to buy a new phone and number. But I'm sure that as soon as Ruth sees the foreign number, she will know it's me who calls her; she has no friends outside the pack, as far as I know. After taking a few deep breaths once more and releasing them slowly, I press her number. Her phone rings exactly three times when she answers.

It is silent at first on the other end of the line.

I swallow hard; this is tough. 'We are strong,' I whisper softly. And then I hear a sob, another and another one. "Rain!" she whispers brokenly. "Why? Sister, why?" Tears spring to my eyes. "I explained that in the letter. I couldn't see how he was losing respect from the pack. And also, his authority with the Council was diminishing while he was so strong. I cannot destroy him, Ruth. You have to understand that," I whisper.

"Come back, Rain. He misses you. He's totally changed since you left," she pleads. "He's become ruthless; everyone fears him more now. And besides, we never really see him in public anymore, only when he really has to. Come back, sister".

I shake my head desperately and hold my head.

I miss Jasper too, my gorgeous mate. But I can't be selfish, pulling him into the abyss. Time to turn the conversation around. I clear my throat and try to clear my mind.

"Tell me, how did the scholarship go? Were you able to enroll in that University in Human Town?" I ask her. She gets the hint, my smart sis. "No, no scholarship. Jasper offered to pay for it for me, but now that you're gone, I didn't dare take it. So I'm helping out at the hospital until a windfall presents itself," she replies. "And John, are you mated yet?" I ask. There is silence on the other end.

"John is my mate. We are in a relationship, but I don't want to commit. I want to study, I don't want to be a housewife, Rain," she declares softly. "I want to make more of my life." I smile, that's so my girl.

"Why don't you come live with me? Then you can study here. Take John along. When you have everything settled, I can help arrange a private apartment for the both of you," I offer. A suppressed scream sounds on the other end. "Are you serious, Rain? Oh my God! Thank you!"...