Chapter 3 Decisions

Nova POV

I could hear hushed voices around me as well as a strong smell of medicine. Slowly I opened my eyes, blinking a few times whilst my eyes adjusted to the bright walls. I look around and see Alice along with Alpha Jax and Luca sat around a small table in the corner of the room. I realised I must be in hospital, all at once the memories of the pain I had experienced came rushing back. With my neck throbbing I tried to lift my hand. It thumped back down on the bed and everyone heads spun around, realising I was awake they rushed over to my side.

"Water...please" I croaked out. Luca held a glass of water with a straw towards my mouth so I could sip slowly.

"Nova, what he's done to you....I'm so sorry." He said, his voice full of pain. "I was out patrolling, I had no idea what you were going through. I'm sorry I wasn't there."

"It's not your fault Luca, you were doing as I instructed. My neck, what's happened? It's throbbing." I asked.

Alpha Jax came up one side of me, his soft green eyes searching mine. "He marked her Nova. After putting you through so much pain he marked her. You won't be able to feel them intimate anymore however your neck is healing. You no longer hold his mark. You have been out for 3 days now, if your wolf wasn't so strong you wouldn't have made it, there are reasons there are laws about rejecting a mate before marking another. It's normally fatal if not done correctly. You are incredibly strong" he said with a hint of admiration in his voice.

Jumping in Luca snarled "He completely disregarded your agreement with him for that whore.."

"I would be careful how you address her Luca, she is now your Luna" I speak softly interrupting my brother.

"Right. Yes, well about that. She cannot perform Luna duties until she has her Luna ceremony and is sworn in before the pack. Until then you are still acting Luna Nova" Luca continues, "as per your agreement you would be training her in her duties if she is not aware of them beforehand. However due to Alpha Axton breaking that agreement it is now null and void, so it is up to you as to how to proceed from here."

I scoff in disgust, "to think we respected each other. I always knew this could happen, something I've always been prepared for is him finding his fated. Something I was not prepared for was his level of betrayal. I understood a kiss, hugs, cuddles upon meeting her, I supported it. However, to be f*****g her within an hour of meeting her I cannot understand. The primal need to mate with your fated is strong, but I thought what we agreed was set in stone. Clearly not."

"Agreement?" Asked Alpha Jax his brows furrowed in confusion.

"We mated because by the age of 24 Alpha Axton had not yet found his fated mate" I started explaining, "the council and our former Alpha agreed if he had not found his fated by the age of 25 he would take a chosen mate to strengthen our pack. I grew up in a position where I understood the role of Luna , I also had no mate by the age of 21.. it just made sense we would match. This was over 3 years ago, now at age 28 he has found his fated mate. We agreed that if that ever came to either of us we would step aside and let the relationship progress as it should. However we also agreed we would ALWAYS follow the laws for ending a chosen mateship to prevent any harm to one another. Something in which he has not done." I paused to gather my breath, "I will not involve myself in making her understand how to perform as a Luna. Hopefully being mated to an Alpha she has it in herself to lean towards to the role naturally. I will however, allocate someone suitable in helping her to ensure the pack does not suffer. As for Axton, he is no longer my Alpha. Once I have found my strength I intend to move from here and will sever my ties to the pack."

"You will leave...?" Asked Alice, tears forming once again.

"Of course I must leave Alice. I came here for the role of Luna, one which I hope I have performed well. I have strengthened the pack as well as the Alpha in my time here. I will not stand by and watch them parade themselves around after they disrespected me so." I said softly, "if Axton had stuck to our agreement I would not have been hurt and maybe things would have been different. I was never going to stand in the way of his relationship with his fated mate, I was going to strengthen it. But they do not deserve that.

"Where will you go Nova?" Luca asked his voice breaking.

"With me." My eyes flashed to his bright green ones. Alpha Jax held my gaze firmly, "you should come with me. Midnight Sky is strong, we are comfortable. You will be near your brother and Alice, you can find a role you are happy in and progress from there. What do you say?"

"You would do that for me?" I breathed.

He nodded firmly. "You have shown incredible strength, to wake after 3 days after what you have been through, it is something I have never heard of before. I slept for 2 weeks when it happened to me. Not only that but to progress with the meeting as you did was admirable. You opened many Alphas eyes that morning. We would be lucky to have you as part of our pack."

"Oh! The meeting! I missed the dinner.."I trailed off.

"It's all been taken care of. Once I have returned to Midnight Sky I will request a meeting with Beta Kingsley, in that meeting I will arrange to meet with both the Black Star pack, the White Mountain pack and the rogues. We will decide what to do from there. You were right, a united front is needed." He said efficiently.

"Did you organise all of that? I believe that's the right path to follow, thank you for your help....with everything." I add on gently, a small smile gracing my lips to show my gratitude. "And what did Alpha Axton say to this?"

There was a pause, the room went quiet as they all looked between themselves quickly.

"Brother...?" I asked quietly.

"Umm, well...he had no say in it. They have not left the room, not once. I tried knocking on the door once you had been stabilised and was met with a loud f**k off. With that I took on the role as acting Alpha supported by the council and agreed with Alpha Jax on his decision. I hope you understand. Once I knew you were no longer in pain from them I could not bear to be near them. I've been staying in mum and dads old cottage, afraid that if I saw them I'd snap."he looked down as he spoke, almost like he felt guilty.

"Of course I understand Luca. You're my brother, you've shown strength and your ability but stepping up. Thank you" I add on gratefully.

"We will leave you to get some rest. The doctor would like to monitor you over night just for precautions. I will get your things organised for you to leave." Said Alice as she slipped back in the room. "Alpha Jax, if I may ask you a question?"

He nodded his head for her to continue.

"Would I be able to travel with Nova and join Midnight Sky? She has been my Luna for 3 years and my friend for 18 years before that. I see no reason for me to stay, my family are no longer here and it is clear my mate is not within this pack. Maybe I will find him in yours."

A smirk flashed across his face, "I've been waiting for you to ask me that question. Of course Alice, get your things ready also. We leave at 11am, we will break both your pack ties upon our departure. If you will excuse me, I have to ring my Beta to arrange your living accommodation and welcome ceremony. Good night everyone". His eyes lingered on mine for a few seconds before softening and with a smile he left the room.

"Wow..."breathed Alice fanning herself, "that man is a total hotty"

I laugh, "he's alright on the eyes isn't he. But let's not forget he is our soon to be Alpha, keep those thoughts quiet from now on Alice"

Chuckling she replied "another hotty of an Alpha has his eyes on you Nova" with that she left the room still chuckling to herself.

"Am I doing the right thing Luca?" I ask quietly.

"Yes." There was no hesitation in his voice as he replied quickly. "You are. What Axton has done to you has been despicable. I am so proud of you as my Luna and as my sister, the pack will suffer from the loss of you but I am here to help it not break down completely. If I wasn't Beta I would be following you, however Axton will face a trail from the council for his actions. He's broken the mateship laws. I need to be here to pick up the pieces" he said.

"I couldn't think of anyone better for the job. Mum and dad would be so proud of you Luca, I know I am. I need to rest and gain my strength. Come see me off in the morning?" I reply quietly as my eyes begin to droop.

"Of course Nova. I'll be here at 7 to start getting you sorted. Good night sis."