The Luna

9

I could hear something lightly knocking on wood, but I ignored it, snuggling deeper into the pillows. I don't know how long I've been asleep for, but it seemed like I had just closed my eyes when the knocking started.

"Luna?" The deep baritone voice spoke from right beside me and I nearly fell out of bed. I pressed my hand over my heart as if that would slow it down from its rapid beating as I looked up to see an outline of a Dex standing over me. I hadn't even heard him come in. It seems impossible that someone has large as Dex could move with such stealth.

He didn't say anything as he stared down at me, The room was still pretty dark, so I couldn't make out his face very well to see if he was amused by what he had done. Still, I sent him a small glare as I stood up, rubbing my butt where I had landed.

"You scared me, I wasn't expecting anyone to be in here," I said as I moved back to bed.

"Apologies, Luna," Dex said simply, shifting in the darkness. After a second, the shades on the window begin to rise, letting in the soft evening light of sunset filter into the room.

I can't hold in the gasp as my eyes take in the scene in front of me. If I thought sunset was beautiful while walking in the woods, I don't know what word would describe the sunset from here. The trees are cast in different colors, melting into the sky until it's hard to distinguish one from the other.

Dex clears his throat, pulling my attention from the window to him. His hands are behind his back, like something I would see in the military, and even though he's looking at me, he's not making eye contact. It's a little unsettling if I'm being honest with myself.

"The Alpha has requested your presence at his dinner table," Dex says emotionless, still looking at something just above my head. I'm not sure why it bothers me, but it does. I just can't decide if it would be impolite to say something.

I'll ask Caspian about it later.

"Oh, um, did Caspian say what time?" Dex tensed at my words. He takes a deep breath, rolling his shoulders as if to relieve some tension. Something about the action sets me on edge, or maybe it's just Dex in general. I get this weird feeling when he's around and all these little things keep adding to my unease.

"He is the Alpha heir. He won't hold the title until after the Luna Ceremony," Dex says curtly, providing no further explanation, "Dinner will be served as soon as everyone is present,"

My cheeks heat in embarrassment as I realized, I knew that. I should have remembered, but it must have slipped my mind - Wait... Does that mean that Caspian's dad is asking me to dinner? Unease swirls in my stomach, and I'm not sure why. I was already technically introduced to Atticus and Adelaide. But that was a quick introduction and in front of hundreds of other people.

This would be more intimate. I would actually be meeting Caspian's parents. They're going to want to get to know me as their sons Luna… or whatever.

I mean, I guess it would be the perfect opportunity to get some answers about everything.

"Um." I looked down at my outfit and cringe. It was bad enough I had to be shown to Caspian's pack in these dirty clothes.

"There are some clothes in the closet," Dex nods towards the door as if to remind me where the closet was, "and we will be ready to escort you whenever you're ready." With a small bow, Dex turns and leaves the room as quietly as he had entered.

Okay then, thanks Dex, I think as I move to the closet. I know it's supposedly an honor to guard the Luna, but I kind of want to ask Caspian to choose someone else. Then again, if it is such an honor, would it be a great dishonor for me to ask for a new guard?

Would Dex and his family be forever shamed if I asked for a new guard? If that's the case, maybe I'm being unfair in my judgment. I mean, he hasn't done anything to me and barely met me a few hours ago, and in the time I've spent maybe all ten minutes actually around him.

Everyone has an adjustment period, even me getting used to these strange customs and titles will take time. It would be unfair to judge him so quickly.

I open the closet and can't help but be surprised at all the white dresses that line the rack. There are at least twenty, all of them different fabrics, cuts, and styles. Some are modest and look like they would be cute on a warm summer day walking around town, while there are a couple that look like actual wedding dresses.

My eyes widen as I take in the elegant design, the delicate lace, and elaborate skirts that no doubt are made for weddings. I'm afraid to touch those, even more afraid to face what they could mean.

With a deep breath, I focused on the simpler ones, deciding on a knee-length, high-neck dress. The fit is surprisingly accurate and that stuns me as I twirl in front of the mirror, trying to see if there is anything unflattering. The only thing I don't like about the dress is that it's white and the chances of me spilling something are higher than normal when I'm nervous.

I look at my dirty sneakers, knowing that they won't go with this dress, but I don't like the look of the white ballet flats on the floor of the closet. What is with all the white? I mean it stains so easily and yet the door to the room is white, with white bedding, and all the dresses in the closet are white and now the shoes?

I open the door to let my guards know that I'm ready to head to dinner. I wasn't expecting Dex and Travis to be standing on either side of the door, facing each other with stoic looks on their faces.

"Oh, I'm sorry for taking so long -" a nervous laugh leaves my lips but neither of the men turns to look at or even acknowledge my presence. The laughter dies on my lips as I shift uncomfortably. Why is this so awkward?

"This way," Dex says, nodding to Travis before walking away. Travis doesn't say anything as Dex walks away from us and I finally get the hint that I was supposed to follow.

The entire house is silent except for our footsteps going down the stairs. Caspian had said that his family and another lives here and yet I haven't seen anyone. What's even more unsettling, there are no personal touches to the house.

My mother had framed photos everywhere. It seemed like I couldn't turn around without seeing my face frozen in time with a smile on my face or some drawing I had made her with my crayons. A pang of hurt starts in my chest as I think about all those photos that she had held so dear, left behind in the apartment above the diner.

Enough time had passed that whoever Caspian had sent should be back, if not by now, then soon. I make a mental note to ask him after dinner.

I can hear the clinking of dishes as we reach the bottom of the stairs moving towards the right. Something smells amazing and my stomach growls in appreciation, ready to gladly eat whatever is served to us.

"Excuse us, Alpha," Dex's deep voice seemed to halt everything into an eerie silence as we enter a dining room.

I peek around his large frame, just so I can see what is going on. Atticus is seated at the head of the large table, a glass filled a quarter of the way with a light brown liquid in his hand. His wife sits next to him, a small smile on her face with a glass of red wine in her hand as they both nod to Dex in acknowledgment.

"The Luna, as requested," Dex steps away, leaving me in full view of Caspian's parents.

I can't help but feel as if I am being inspected as they both look me up and down. It's unsettling as we've already technically met, but this is more personal and not in front of however many people.

"Thank you both," Atticus says, rising from his chair, "You are dismissed," Dex and Travis respond immediately with a bow before turning to leave without even a second glance in my direction.

My eyes unconsciously flit around the large dining room, taking in the table that could easily fit twenty people and the elegant centerpieces and settings. It's fancy - fancier than anything I've ever been privy to, that's for sure.

"It's nice to see you again..." Atticus trailed off slightly, looking at me expectantly.+

"Amelia," I don't know why I gave him my whole name. The only time anyone has ever called me Amelia was my mom, when I was in trouble. But I couldn't help it. Amelia, I guess, seems more sophisticated and fit for this setting.

"Welcome to our home, Amelia," Adelaide stands, her voice soft as she moves towards me, "I apologize that we didn't catch your name earlier at the meeting hall. With everything going on -well, it will be much easier now to get to know you. Please sit down,"

She grabs a chair and pulls it out for me, her arm extended to usher me to it. I thanked her quietly, trying to keep my hands from fidgeting. I can feel Caspian's dad watching us but can't bring myself to look at him.

"Where is Caspian?" I ask carefully, not wanting to offend them or make it seem I didn't want to be alone with them.

"He'll be along soon," Adelaide says, carefully taking her seat across from me, "There's a lot to do now that you're here," I nodded to her words, not wanting to appear stupid for having no idea what all needs to be done. But literally having no idea what needs to be done. Or what is expected of me.

Atticus claps his hands twice and, before I can ask why, a door behind him swings open and food is being ushered to the table by women dressed in modest gray dresses.

"So Amelia," Atticus says, as a woman fills his plate with food, before moving to serve Adelaide, "Tell us about yourself."

I wring my hands together in my lap, trying to think of something - anything to say, but nothing comes to mind. I take a drink of the water that had been placed in front of me and smile at the woman who is now serving me.

"I'm afraid there isn't much to tell, sir," I questioned if I should call him Alpha or not, but didn't want to offend him because I'm not a wolf, "I'm nineteen and was working as a waitress when Caspian found me,"

Adelaide hums in acknowledgment as she cuts her meat delicately on her plate. I follow the action, really not wanting to appear rude. Still, I couldn't help but continue to look over my shoulder for Caspian to appear.

"And where's your family, dear," Adelaide asks just as I'm about to take a bite of the potatoes.

My eyes drop to my plate more out of habit rather than anything. I never did like the look that people give me when I tell them about my mother. That sympathetic head tilt to the right with eyes brows pulled together as they apologize for your loss. As if that can somehow dull all the pain and grief that rages in you no matter how much time passes.

"I don't have anyone. My mom died three years ago, and I never knew my dad," I say before taking a bite of the food on my plate. It had smelt so good moments ago, but now I don't taste it, just chew slowly and swallow allowing the silence to surround me.

"Interesting," Atticus says, and my head snaps to look at him- as he and his wife share a look I don't understand.

It's like Déjà vu. That's exactly what Caspian had said when I told him about my family. A little red flag rises in my mind and I can't help but wonder why that's their reaction. How is my dead mother interesting?

"You must be happy that Caspian found you and honored that you're our Luna," Atticus doesn't look at me as he continues to cut the meat on his plate. I struggled to formulate a response. I don't think it was a question. It felt more like he was telling me how to feel.

Telling me that it is an honor, but still not telling me all that being a Luna entails. How can I be honored when I don't know what it is? They make it sound like it's a prestigious thing, but Caspian hasn't explained - maybe the previous Luna can explain.

"Actually, Sir, I'm still unsure of it-" before I can finish, Caspian walks into the room stealing his parents' attention. It's like a switched flipped and both of their faces light up.

"If it isn't the future Alpha himself!" his dad boasts loudly, a proud smile on his face as he claps twice for them to bring him food, "Come and sit. Your Luna was just telling us how honored she is to be here."

Was that what I was just saying? I mean I hadn't even gotten a chance to finish my thought. To ask for more information or to speak with the previous Luna.

"Of course she is," I can hear the smile in Caspian's voice, but when I turn to look at him, his attention is already moved on to his food.

Caspian and his parents begin a conversation about how Caspian and I met, how far we traveled, and I can't help but feel like, even though they are talking about things that include me, they've completely forgotten I'm here.

There is something much worse than being alone - being surrounded by people and still feeling alone.