The Luna

10

I'll be the first to admit that yesterday wasn't the best start to things, nor did it go how I thought it would.

True, Caspian didn't exactly give me any expectations as to how things would be for me once we got to his pack, so I can't technically say that it didn't meet my expectations. Still, I can't help but be a little let down.

But aren't first encounters usually always a little awkward and rough? I know that first hand - I went through countless foster homes before aging out of the system. Countless new hellos and beginnings that didn't always get off on the right foot.

So why does this one feel different in a way that I can't explain?

After dinner last night, I wanted to talk to Caspian. I had a list of things I wanted to say and ask - even had a little script of how the conversation would go in my head. He would sit with me in the room - maybe even sit outside because it looked like a beautiful night - and he would be patient as he answered all my questions. He would give me the same smile from the diner and remind me why it was I had left with him in the first place.

But that didn't happen.

Instead, after the awkward dinner with his parents - where I hardly said two words after Caspian had arrived - he just walked me to my room claiming he had more business to attend to before the Luna ceremony. Before he shut the door, leaving me alone once again, I saw Dex and Travis taking their positions outside the hallway.

He was busy. Finding the Luna was a big deal to him and his people. No matter how many times I repeat the words over in my head, I still get a little upset. Caspian brought me here and has hardly looked at me since.

Maybe I do need to be a little more understanding, but he also needs to understand that I am the odd one out. I don't want him to think I'm complaining, but I will make him listen to me this morning. He has some explaining to do and I deserve answers.

I'm also going to have to do something about all these white dresses. Why are there no jeans or sneakers? We're in the middle of the woods for crying out loud, shouldn't that be standard clothes for anyone?

I shower and dress quickly in the first dress I see. It will do well enough; a light summer dress. Simple but still pretty cute. I brush my hair with the brush that was in one of the drawers in the bathroom, pulling it back into a high ponytail for the time being.

Okay, I tell myself as I stare at the door in front of me, just march across the hall and demand that he answer your questions. You've been patient. He owes you this much.

Just as I'm about to reach for the knob, psyched up from my little pep talk to myself, someone knocks. I jumped a little, not expecting that. Talk about timing.

"Good Morning, Luna," Dex bows his head slightly, his face just as impassive as Travis' behind him, "Caspian has asked me to bring you to his office once you've awakened," I can't hide the surprise that crosses my face.

Maybe I did get frustrated too soon?

"Oh, yeah okay. Thank you," I say and Dex steps aside, making room for me to step out into the hallway.

Travis starts walking towards the stairs and Dex stands behind me, waiting for me to follow. I practically run down the stairs trying to catch up with Travis. Either I didn't realize how far behind I had got or he takes giant steps.

The house is still and silent as we reach the bottom level. It still feels more like a museum rather than a home, but I'm excited to see more of it. Maybe more of the personal touches are just not on display in the entryways. But I'm disappointed when all that lay down the hall Travis led us down are light gray walls, and a few portraits of men lined up along the walls.

The first one I see is a man I recognize as Caspian's father. I stop to inspect the portrait closer, noticing just how regal Atticus looks at this angle. His face is slightly skewed as if he's looking toward where we had just come from. His eyes, jaw-line, and cheekbones are so similar to Caspian's. Enough to know that they are definitely father and son.

"Ahem," someone clears their throat loudly, an irritated sigh following. I look to see that Dex and Travis both looking at me and neither had to say anything for me to see their impatience.

I mumbled an apology, dropping my head to my feet and scurrying over to where Travis was waiting. I cast quick glances at a few of the portraits we'd passed, each as imposing and stern-looking as the last.

Travis knocks twice on one of four solid wood doors that are in this hallway before opening the door.

"The Luna, as requested, Sir," I stare in shock at Travis as he bows slightly, stepping aside for me to enter. I've never heard him talk before, and that light, normal voice isn't one that I was expecting from someone who looks so... gruff. I guess I was assuming it would be more like Dex's voice.

"Thank you, Travis," Caspian said, "You and Dex may go," he says with a quick nod at both men.

They backed out of the room quickly, closing the door behind them, leaving Caspian and me alone for what feels like the first time since I've been here. Silence surrounds us, as Caspian reads over some papers on his desk. I'm unsure of what to say, so I just took a minute to look around.

His office is huge - definitely bigger than my apartment back at the diner. The entire wall to my left is a bookcase, packed neatly and tightly with all different shapes and colors of books. I wonder what kind of books he has collected. Is he a fan of the classics, like Jane Austen, or is he reading more current reads like J.K. Rowling?

"Mia," I turn to look at Caspian, still sitting behind his large desk. My eyes lifted to the portrait hung on the wall behind him that I hadn't really noticed. Caspian sits on a chair with both of his parents posed behind him on either side. Atticus has a proud expression and a hand on Caspian's shoulder, but neither of them are really smiling.

There is something about the painting that unsettles me, but I can't put my finger on why.

"I thought we could get breakfast," Caspian says, pulling my attention to him as he stands from behind his desk, "You haven't eaten yet, and I must keep you fed," he jokes as he reaches me.

"I'd like you to answer my questions, Caspian," He looks down at me raising an eyebrow in surprise. I'm unsure where this sudden surge of bravery came from as I placed my hands on my hips.

My hands and determined face falter when, instead of looking even a little bit intimidated by me, he chuckles. He has some freaking nerve!

"Ok," he says, still chuckling, "But can we eat first?" He places his hand on the small of my back gently and pushes me towards the door, not even waiting for my response.

I furrow my eyebrows in frustration. Every time I try to stop walking, his hand is right there on my lower back, pushing me along rather than guiding me. He is leaving me no choice but to follow along with his plan. I guess getting out of the house doesn't seem like a bad thing. It will be nice to see more of the town in full swing.

He leads me to the dining room where we had dinner last night, the table looking a little less fancy and only set for two people.

"We're eating here?" I can hear the disdain in my voice and I cringe, not meaning that as it sounded, I quickly add, "I mean, I was hoping you would show me the town,"

"You've seen the town," he says simply, stepping forward and pulling out a chair, gesturing for me to sit down.

"Thank you," I mumble as he pushes my chair in, "and not really. I mean, yes, I saw it, but everything was closed. I was hoping to experience it."

"Hmm," he makes the noise in the back of his throat as he sits across from me, "I think that is better left for another time. After the ceremony, perhaps," I try not to let my disappointment show as he smiles at me and rings a little bell on the table.

I mean he never said he would take me out - only that he would feed me. I just assumed he would want me to see the town. Assumed that he would want me to see his pack and meet his people on a more personal level.

"I hope you like eggs," he says with a small smile as a woman comes through the door holding two very delicious looking omelets. She quickly sets one in front of Caspian and one in front of me before bowing and leaving the room like she were on fire, "Alba makes the best omelets," he says around his first bite.

"Why do people bow to you and your parents?" I don't waste any time with pleasantries or polite conversation.

I don't know how long this window of his undivided attention will last, and I don't want to waste any more time than I have already. We can eat, and he can answer my questions at the same time. His eyes meet mine, mid-bite like I surprised him. But he had to have seen it coming.

I slowly cut off my first bite of the omelet, looking at him expectantly as I take my bite. He was right, this Alba woman makes the best omelets, but I won't tell him that. I'll just savor the cheesy bacon goodness as I wait for his answer.

"You know this already, Mia," Caspian says with an exasperated sigh before finally taking the bite that was just hanging there, "We are the Alpha family. We lead the pack,"

"So you're like the Royal family," I interrupted, drinking the orange juice someone had just placed in front of me.

Caspian moves his head from side to side with a shrug, "I suppose you could say that," He takes a bite, chewing carefully, eyes narrowing slightly as if he was trying to decide on if he should say more or not.

I look at him expectantly as I chew my food, waiting but whatever it was, he decided against it.

"So," I look at my plate, pushing my omelet around trying to decide if I really want to ask my next question. I may not like the answer, but I really want to know what we are... if anything.

It sounds stupid but I need to know. He brought me here, away from the life I was living to be his Luna, like some sort of Wolf Cinderella story, but does that mean he's my Prince Charming? Or am I thinking way too much about this?

He never expressed any romantic feelings or intentions. Only that I was more important to him than I knew at the point. There is only one way to take that though, right?

"Mia?" his hand waves in front of my face and I look up to see him leaning across the table at me, "Oh there you are. You zoned out on me," he laughed, sitting back down and continuing to eat the last of his omelet as if nothing had happened.

"What am I?" I blurt out before I could chicken out, "I mean, I know I'm the Luna or whatever, but what does that mean?"

Caspian sets his fork down with another sigh, grabbing his napkin to wipe his mouth before looking at me. I can't read anything in his expression, whether that's good or bad, only his next words will tell, I guess.

"It means you're important to my pack," his eyes roam my face and a soft smile appears on his lips, "Important to me," he looks pleased with himself, like he gave me all the clarity I need, even though his answer is the same one he always gives me.

My frustration rises, and I push away from the table to stand. I twist, giving my back to Caspian as I collect my thoughts. I'm trying to be patient, unsure where the missing communication is coming from. Am I not making myself clear with what I'm asking? Or is he just happy with vague answers?

"Yes, but how?" I spun around to face him, my eyes not straying from his, hoping he could read the frustration clear on my face, "How am I Important? Why am I important? Why did you bring me here, Caspian?"

"I told you before," He stands and moves around the table to face me, his hands reaching out to rub along my biceps, "You Mia, are a blessing to us, to me. Sent to us from the Moon Goddess herself,"

His smile is soft as he watches my reaction, "It's an honor to be the Luna. This is where you belong, that's why I brought you here."

"Why did you leave me alone?" the words slipped past my lips in a whisper as I looked up at him from under my lashes.

Caspian takes a deep breath, one of his hands moving to rake through his hair as he looks at something over my head. I go to look when I see him nod at someone, but he speaks, pulling my attention to him before I can see.

"I'm sorry about that, Mia, I truly am," he says, his hands taking mine in his and holding them between us, "There is a lot to get settled before the Luna ceremony and the full moon is only days away. Time is not on my side."

"Then maybe we should postpone? Why does it have to be this full moon?" Something dark crosses his expression at my words, as he looks at me, but he masks it quickly. Whatever it was though, lingers on in the air, shifting Caspian's mood almost one hundred eighty degrees.

"It would be an insult to the Moon Goddess to postpone. Your guards are here," his tone is curt as he turns and disappears out the kitchen door, leaving me standing there, again, stunned and alone... So to speak.

I expect anger to still be lingering in me. I expect to be so mad that I take it out on my guards like a hormonal teenage girl. What I'm not ready for is a wave of sadness to crash over me like a tidal wave.

I can't explain why, but I feel like I'm suffocating. Like the air I'm taking in is tainted somehow and not filling my lungs as real oxygen should.

I want to be alone. I want to walk and cry and not have anyone watching my every step. I honestly feel that I can't show emotion in front of, not only my guards but any of these wolf people, it would be a sign of weakness.

"Can I go outside, please?" I didn't look at either of my guards. It may have sounded like a question, but I don't care what their answer is. I turn and push past them, heading towards the front door, not wanting to be cooped up inside my room all day.

They could stop me if they really wanted to, I know, but they don't. They follow behind me silently, before Travis steps forward grabbing the door to open it for me.

"We stay on the Alpha property," is all he says as I move past him out the door and down the porch steps.