The Moonstone Wolf

CHAPTER 7- The Romeros

  ACYN ROMERO (āy-sîn)

   I jolted awake from my restless sleep as my heart raced , beads of sweat dripping down my forehead. The dreams I had been having over the last week were causing me to be restless but I could never remember what they were. It almost felt as if I was in someone else’s dreams and I was behind a veil of sorts, but tonight was completely different. I remembered everything as flashes, like scenes from a movie.

   Her eyes changed from the most beautiful emerald green to a mesmerizing silver that sparkled as if they were filled with diamonds, then back to that same deep green again. They were outlined with the thickest, longest black lashes I had ever seen on a woman and her hair was dark as midnight, cascading in loose curls down to her lower back . Her pale skin had a warm glow about it as I saw her twirling around a fire, laughing and smiling perfectly at me as if I were the one dancing with her. She seemed so happy at that moment.

   Then in a flash, I saw those same emerald eyes wide and full of fear, staring up at me from her back. I looked down to see her face grimaced in pain, her holding the sides of her head while she screamed.

Another flash and her eyes had so much anger in them as she stared up at me, seeming like she wanted to kill me for what I was doing to her. I could feel the terror and rage rolling off of her body in waves and she was thrashing on a bed, trying to release her hands from my grip over her head. 

   “Please Tristan, don’t do this…” she sobs and I can’t take it anymore.

   Who is Tristan?

   Suddenly everything went still except for her, and I saw a woman who looked so much like her but older, come and release my grip. She gathered her in her arms and as I looked at them, they disappeared before my eyes. I had heard the name “Ali”  spoken.

   The last image I remember seeing is that of her beautiful face staring out a bus window, staring into nothingness. I could feel her confusion, turmoil, unrest, pain, loss, profound sadness and uncertainty as she was traveling to some place new and unknown to her.  I watched her helplessly as she fell into a restless sleep. 

   Just as quickly as I saw all of that, she was gone. I still felt her emotions though- and that something was different about her, like she had changed somehow. I was left with feelings of loneliness, sadness and betrayal, wondering what could have happened to this woman…

   I quickly shook my head as my thoughts returned to the present. ‘Who is she?’, both me and my lycan wondered as I got out of bed and headed to the shower.  I entered and allowed the water to slowly help to melt the tension out of my muscles that were still reacting to the dream I had just had. 

   As soon as I was done with my shower I finished getting ready and made my way to my closet, selecting a business-casual look of black pants, black button down shirt with cuff links, and black fitted Italian leather shoes.

   I like everything tailored to fit me well- I am an alpha heir to one of the largest and most powerful lycan-wolf packs in northern America and therefore I need to have a certain appearance. Not that I care about it all that much personally, but it’s what’s expected of me. I’d rather be in sweats or jeans honestly.  Then I sighed to myself as all the things I’ve been dealing with for the past few months started to weigh heavily on my mind. 

   My parents wondering when I’d ever find my mate and take over as Alpha of the Golden Moon Pack, the restless nights, this mystery woman, learning how to successfully lead a pack with several businesses  and thousands of creatures residing within these boundaries. My life was an endless barrage of meetings, lectures from my father and mother, strategy meetings, council and committee meetings, and not to mention the paperwork. All while still trying to find time to meet with our pack leaders and residents, and hear their concerns. Add to that fighting and training sessions, and spending time with my family, and I barely have time to eat and sleep.

   “How the hell am I supposed to find my mate during all of this?!” I say sarcastically outloud to no one, rubbing my forehead yet again. I’m surprised I still have skin left in that spot from all the rubbing I do.

   I'm 22 years old and I know most alpha heirs have already found their mates and even started their families, but that is not me. I’m okay with that but obviously the parents are not.

   I'm just not convinced about the whole mate bond being the be all, end all- I want it to be based of of more than just our instincts.  I also believe you can have chosen mates- but those don't always work out so well.  Sure as hell didn't for me with Jillian.  So now I’m more open to the mate bond, but as a lycan I can’t just be with anyone.  Most werewolves couldn’t handle our mark.

   I am not a typical lycan, or werewolf for that matter.  Sure, I believe there is more to this life, my life, than playing a chess match with other kingdoms and packs, vying for dominance and control and power. I believe this life was made for more than war, power, control, lust, possession, finding your mate and completing the mating rituals and producing heirs. Call me crazy (which several do), but I want so much more than those things. 

   ‘I need to get away for a bit. I need a break,’ I thought to myself. It’s been months since I’ve been to Crescent City, and I need a new project to focus on, and I have just the one.  “Hopefully my father won’t see through my excuses this time…” I wondering out loud if he’ll approve.

   “Jordan! You ready for the day yet?” I mind linked to my beta. Jordan has been my best friend since we were pups growing up together in the pack residences.

   “Waiting on your lazy ass as always,” he replied while I rolled my eyes.

   “Watch it- I am your future alpha and I don’t HAVE to appoint you beta, you know…. Meet me for breakfast.” I said in my serious tone, being anything but serious.

   “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Good luck trying to find any other wolf wanting to be your beta. I’m the only one who would tolerate you and you know it…” he responded. That’s certainly true, I’ll give him that.

   I entered the small family dining room to see my parents already eating with the twins. “Mother, Father, Michael, Lillian. Good morning.” I greeted as I gave the women kisses on their cheeks and patted the backs of the guys. I took my seat at the left side of my father, with my mom being on the right.

   “Morning son,” my father replied with a serious look on his face. “Did you sleep any better last night? I need you operating at full capacity today.”

   I sighed heavily and looked at him. “Yes, actually a lot better thank you.” I then started eating my breakfast, which is usually at least two plates because I’m usually famished in the morning. Today however, my mind is consumed with thoughts of her in that dream- whoever ‘her’ is.

   “This wouldn’t have anything to do with your mate, would it?” My mother asked with hopeful eyes and a smirk on her face.

   “Luna Francesca, Alpha Antonio, good morning.” Jordan greeted the with a nod and took his place next to Michael. Jonathan, my Delta, then joined us a moment later with the same greeting.

   I looked at her and answered honestly. “I don’t know who ‘she’ is mom." I responded with a far away look in my eyes. Then I noticed the huge smile she had plastered on her face.

   “What?” I asked, looking at all of them.

   “I knew it! I knew the Goddess would give you a dream of your mate! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” My mother screamed, raising her hands to the sky, to which my father rolled his eyes and promptly responded “Good Goddess Frannie, let the boy have some peace! We have bigger things to worry about today than his possible ‘dream-mate.” He put his napkin on top of his finished plate and stood up, kissing her forehead before walking out to go to his office.  “Have a nice day everyone, see you at dinner tonight. Acyn, I’ll be in my office.”

   The twins continued to stuff their faces in silence, just watching the show before them with big grins in between their bites.

   “What’s a mate?” Michael finally asked, always being the studious and inquisitive one.

   “I heard that they’re the other half of our soul that was separated by the Moon Goddess when she created us and I hope my mate is super strong so I can train with him, and he better be stronger than me. I’ve gone through all the sparring partners at training and no one can beat me,” Lillian responded all in one breath to her brother matter-of-factly. I just chuckled- I love this girl.

   Jordan and Jonathan just looked at me with big smirks on their goofy faces before bursting out in laughter.  

   “Ooooo, Acyn has a girlfriend,” Jonathan quipped in a high-pitched, feminine voice teasingly while rolling his eyes and batting his eyelashes.

   Jordan knew better and just chuckled, barley containing it as he replied to my ‘I’m going to murder you’ look I was giving both of them.  “Oh Ace, you know we just have to give you crap about your ‘mystery mate’ and dream girl.”

   I glared at them and finished up, leaving the room because I needed to talk to dad.  “Meet me in my office in ten minutes.  Don’t be late,” I growled to them, thinking over what hellacious assignments I can give to them as payback for their fun at my expense.  I quickly went to dad’s office and knocked, waiting for him to respond before opening the door and taking a seat in front of his massive desk.

   He was on the phone so I waited and looked around his office for the millionth time in my life, never taking for granted the power and authority this position held. Numerous framed pictures and paintings lined the walls of all the historic and important moments in our pack’s lineage and legacy. The most important of these are strategically placed to remind people just how powerful the Golden Moon Pack really is and always has been.

   Everything is calculated and on purpose within these walls, never taking for granted the opportunity to influence and demand respect. The room exudes masculinity, tradition, and power, being decorated in deep red, gold, black, and dark wood tones- the colors of our pack. Then I focused on the man behind the desk.

   Antonio Romero is a giant of a man and lycan, standing at 6’7” with jet black, thick curls and eyes the color of steel. His face and body molded from years of fighting, leading and training with the mightiest warriors around the world.  His reputation is without blemish, being regarded as a wise and just leader.  Add to that powers of telekinesis and manipulating nature, and he is someone you don’t mess with.

  I sighed deeply, the enormous weight and responsibility of my impending future not being lost on me. How on earth would I ever be able to take his place?

   “Yes son?” He asked as he hung up the phone. “What can I help you with?”

   So I told him of my plans to merge all our existing companies under one, Romero Investments, with a company headquarters that would house all of them under one roof, in Crescent City.  They are all there anyway, just all spread out and incredibly inefficient and expensive to maintain.  I figured with the mergers and any possible re-assignments, plus construction of the new building, it would take about two years and the pack would have increased revenue streams well into the future.  "What are your thoughts?” I asked, hopeful he'd see the potential.

   “This is honestly not a bad idea as far as the business and pack side of things is concerned, but you know your mom,” he wisely reminded me.  Yes, yes I do.  I know she has the propensity to make his life a living hell, and I believe that she’s the one wolf he is scared of (he’d never admit it though). Luna Francesca Romero may be regarded as gentle and kind, but she is a force to be reckoned with, coming from a strong werewolf legacy bloodline as well. She is tiny at 5’5”, but feisty as hell and a mighty Luna.  “Son, clear it with her and you have my blessing.” 

   “Well, on that note, I’ll be in my office until the first meeting if you need me for anything,” I said and stood to walk to the door.  “I have to meet with Jacob and Jonathan about some things, then I’ll be free.”

   “Sounds good,” he replied, then added.  “Hey Acyn, before you go. Maybe spend some time with her at lunch if you don’t have plans. She’s been missing not having more time with you and it really bothers her.”

   I nodded and made a mental note to take my mother out for a date this afternoon. I mind-linked Tracy, my mother’s assistant, asking her to make the reservation at her favorite restaurant.

   “Right away, Acyn. I’ll confirm with Jordan when it’s done,” she noted.

   Now to focus on punishing my Beta and Delta for earlier...