Falling for his human Luna

Betty's POV.

And lastly, the award for best graduating student is... Betty Daniels. The world stopped for a breathless second. Then the whole crowd applauded.

I felt my cheeks turn red from shyness and pride, a warmth I'd never known so deep.

My classmates whistled, some clapped so hard their palms would surely sting tomorrow. From the corner of my eye. I spotted Claire, my best friend, jumping up and down on her feet, her voice loud in the midst of the crowd, "Go, Betty!"

As I stood, I felt my legs trembling as though the floor had softened beneath me.

I walked up to the stage to collect my award.

When the award touched my hands, it was heavier than I expected. I bit down on my lower lip to stop it from trembling.

The plaque shone in my hands, then the principal stepped aside, with a small hand gesture to say something on stage.

My throat went dry for a moment, but I forced the words out.

"Thank you, Grandma. Thank you, Claire. I really appreciate you all".

The hall roared again, giving me applause as I went down from the podium.

Then I saw Grandma standing, her eyes shining wet as the crowd stood behind her. She opened her arms before I even reached the floor.

The moment I fell into her warm embrace, the kind that said more than words ever could.

"My Betty," she whispered, voice cracking.

I closed my eyes to feel her.

Then, a familiar voice broke through, interrupting me and Grandma.

Betty!" she cried, practically jumping in her heels as she pulled my arm. "Enough hugging! There's an after-party, remember? You're the star tonight, and I am not letting you miss it!"

I laughed heartily, caught between Grandma's hold and Claire's pulling me away.

Claire, full of energy and excitement, had a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

Grandma let out a sigh, shaking her head with a smile. "Go on, but remember your curfew".

Claire gave me a playful wink, already pulling me toward the exit.

"Come on, Best Graduate of the Year, let's party!

I followed her, my heart still beaming with Grandma's pride, but now with bubbling Claire's excitement.

The afternoon party was filled with joy and laughter everywhere.

Music carried everyone into a celebratory mood. I had been immersed in it. Smiling from ear to ear until I noticed Louise was gone.

I searched for him but couldn't find him, and started getting worried.

I brushed through the crowd, the voices and music slowly fading away. Then, I found him backstage.

And he was with Megan.

Their lips pressed together in a kiss.

The sight pierced my heart like a blade.

My breath seized, my chest felt heavy.

I felt as though every happy moment of the day cracked and fell apart right there in front of me.

For a moment, I couldn't move. I felt an excruciating pain. As I turned and left the place in silence.

I stepped out of the party and Claire followed afterwards, the cool evening air brushing against our skin. I thought I had hidden it well, but Claire's sharp eyes caught the strain on my face.

She slowed her steps, bending her head toward me. "Betty... what's wrong?"

For a moment, I wanted to shrug it off and pretend everything was fine. But the slip from my lip whispered, "I saw Louise, Claire... with Megan."

Gasps escaped her lips, her arms wrapping tightly around me.

"Oh Betty, she murmured he doesn't deserve you for one bit".

Listen to me, " don't waste your precious tears on him and try to move on, remember you have Texas ahead of you." she said in a calm and tender voice.

"Betty, you're not going home alone like this," she said firmly, looking at her phone as she booked an Uber for me.

Claire kept checking her phone until she looked up with a small nod. "It's on the way. A few minutes."

We stood together in silence as the car finally pulled up; Claire gently touched my shoulder.

Call me when you get home, OK?

Claire's POV.

When I went in, the party continued as if nothing had happened, but all I could see was Betty's face. The way her smile vanished when I led her out.

Then I saw Louise waiting near the tall windows, in a calm posture as if the staged kiss with Megan hadn't just broken my best friend's heart.

"Louise," I said while approaching him, "Thank you. For doing what I asked."

His mouth curved into a mischievous smile. "She believed it. Just as you planned."

I felt a rush of guilt through me, but I couldn't avoid his gaze. "Better she hurts now than be drawn into what we're facing."

Claire's POV.

In the blink of an eye, his appearance transformed back into its original self.

"You did well to keep her safe," he assured me.

I walked down the hallway and then slipped into a private room, where I opened a portal to meet Alpha Damien.

I saw Alpha Damien was already waiting, pacing in the open space, his eyes filled with worry.

Thornhill wants to kick us out of the council," he said without preamble. "We need to act fast."

My pulse increased, I wanted to respond.

Then my phone rang. Looking at the screen I immediately saw Betty's name.

Alpha Damien quickly commanded to ignore it. But I refused

"Betty?"

In a wavering tone. "Claire... I'm home. Safe. Don't worry."

I froze. "You've been drinking. Alone?"

A shaky laugh, then a muffled sob. "Mhm... just dizzy. Don't be serious."

Damn it. I knew she was breaking down.

"Claire," Damien snapped at me. "This is bigger than personal matters. Please Focus!"

Betty whispered in my ear, "Don't worry I'll be fine..."

I turned to Damien, meeting his gaze"I have to go."

I have grown too attached to her now, and I don't think I will ever restrain myself from her.

Whatever crisis Damien was facing at the council, Betty was my problem now and I wasn't leaving her alone to ruin herself tonight.

Betty's POV.

I staggered out of the bar, the cool night breeze brushing against my red cheeks.

I tried to steady my footsteps by following the railing on the way but my knees disappointed me, sending me off track towards the driveway.

Then I heard Claire call out my name. I quickly turned, and through my blurry sight, I saw Claire rushing towards me.

And grabbed me before I could fall, wrapped her arm around me, pulling me back to the sidewalk.

"Claire", I said in a muffled sob ", I can walk on my own".

"You'll fall again," she said, firmly.

She slung my arm over her shoulder and steadied me with her other hand at my waist. Guiding me step by step towards the car waiting.

She started the engine as I lay my head on the armrest and drifted to sleep.

Claire's POV.

Immediately I reached Betty's apartment, I called Grandma out to open the door while steadying Betty's weight on my shoulder.

I saw the concerned expression on grandma's face, but I couldn't explain anything at that time.

While Betty was barely keeping her eyes open due to her drunken state.

"Almost there," I whispered, guiding her through the hallway

I lay her on the bed and pulled the duvet to cover her.

I removed her shoes and brushed her hair lightly away from her face.

I stood there for a moment, watching her sleep.

I quickly remembered I have unfinished business with Alpha Damien.

Immediately, I opened the door, my eyes fixed on Grandma's sharp gaze standing by the doorway of Betty's room. "Is Betty all right?" she asked quietly.

I forced a smile, though I felt my heart racing. "She's fine, Grandma. Just a little tired, that's all.

I lied as guilt almost overwhelmed me.

I touched Grandma's arm, lowering my voice. "Please stay with her. Make sure she rests."

She nodded, though it felt a bit suspicious. I couldn't wait for more questions and quickly left.

Outside the building, I went to a dark and narrow place.

I move my hands instinctively, in a familiar pattern in the air, filling every force around me until light vents into a circle of gold and blue.

A portal opened, bustling with power.

I took a breath, imagining Betty's innocent face before stepping into the portal.

My boots struck a stone as I emerged from the portal, and the portal slowly closed on its own.

I met Damien and the high priestess already there waiting with a great expression of worry written on their faces.

"You came fast," he said, in a low voice.

"I had no choice," I replied, trying to steady my breath "What's happening?"

His gaze was on me for a moment.

Damien turned toward the darkness ahead. "We don't have much time."

The words sent a chill down my spine, but I forced myself to focus.

"We must find her quickly". The high priestess said calmly.

"But I can't find her scent, like it's vanished." I managed to say.

"Don't worry, when the time comes. You will know," she reassured me with a smile.

Chapter 3: Hangover.

Betty's POV.

The rays of the sun suddenly flashed in my eyes, piercing through the thin curtain by the window.

The first thing I felt was a great pounding in my head, like someone beating a drum inside my skull.

My mouth felt dry, and my tongue heavy with the bitter taste of last night's drinks.

I groaned and rolled over on the bed.

A sudden urge came.

"Oh no..."

I jumped up, holding my head, and staggered toward the restroom on my weak legs.

By the time I reached the sink, I was already gagging. I bent forward, grabbed the cold porcelain, and threw up.

When it stopped, I spat and wiped my mouth, ready to leave the restroom, when another one came and forced me to stay there for a while.

When I finished, I looked at my watery eyes and my hair stuck to my sweaty face in the mirror. I cursed under my breath, whispering things I don't understand.

When the urge finally ended, I leaned against the wall, clutching my stomach.

I felt my pounding head and my throat was dry from thirst.

I walked out of the bathroom, still rubbing my aching head, and almost dropped my towel in shock when I saw Grandma.

She was standing by my bed, holding a tray with a steaming bowl of soup.

"Grandma?" I whispered, blinking at her.

She gave me a small smile. "It's hangover soup. You need it."

She smirked. "Ah, the great party queen finally wakes up, thought you would outdrink yourself, uh"?

My cheek immediately turned red. " It wasn't that bad."

Grandma let out a laugh, shaking her head. "Not that bad?

You were literally walking like a duck with one leg last night.

"Claire brought you home last night... drunk and wasted."

My eyes went wide, and I quickly sat on the bed, holding the blanket tight. "W-what? She told you?"

You were singing and talking nonsense the whole way in. Oh, poor Claire had to carry you like a baby."

I covered my face with both hands. "Grandmaaa..."

She only chuckled more and pushed the bowl closer to me. "Here, drink this. Hangover soup. It will help your head before it breaks in two."

"I know the signs, dear. Sit and eat before your stomach gives you more trouble."

I couldn't stop the embarrassed laugh that slipped out of me.

I finished the soup quickly and set the bowl aside. My hands shook as I picked up my phone.

I opened the school portal, and my heart started racing. I typed in my details slowly, afraid I might get something wrong.

My palms were sweaty, and I wiped them on my clothes before pressing "Enter."

The page soon began to load as I anxiously waited.

The loading bar crawled to the end, and then the page opened.

I stared at the screen, hardly believing what I was seeing.

I jumped up from the bed so fast I almost dropped my phone. My heart was beating very fast, and I couldn't stop smiling.

Without thinking, I ran out of my room. With my bare feet stomping against the floor as I shouted, "Grandma! Grandma!"

The words came out of me before I even reached her. "I got in! I was admitted!"

I laughed breathlessly, with my heart full of excitement.

I quickly dialled Claire's number, my hands shaking with excitement, and the phone rang, but she didn't answer.

"Come on, Claire pick up," I muttered, pacing around.

When the call ended, I tried again, but couldn't get through.

"Claire! It's me!" I said, almost out of breath. "Please call me back the moment you hear this. I have something really good to tell you."

Chapter 4: Admission.

Claire's POV.

The meeting hall was filled with tension.

Alpha Damien is at the head of the table, strong and serious.

The Betas sat beside him, the Elders close by and omegas standing while others spread out the maps showing borders and patrol lines.

"We can't leave the east side unguarded again," one Elder said. "The rogues will see us as weak."

One of the Betas agreed. "We need more patrols, but we are short of warriors."

I was about to speak when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I wanted to ignore it, knowing the rules that no one was supposed to be disturbed during pack meetings, but my phone continuously buzzed, causing a distraction in the meeting.

I quickly hid the phone to avoid further distraction.

I gave a small, awkward laugh, trying to cover it up. "Uh... I'll... come back to that," I said, forcing a smile.

Alpha Xavier raised a brow while the Elders exchanged quiet looks.

Alpha Damien's sharp eyes stayed on me as if he knew something.

Inside, I was cursing myself just one message from Betty, and I had forgotten everything I meant to say.

For the first time, I wanted the meeting to end so badly that I ignored it even with the Alpha watching me closely.

When the meeting finally ended, everyone started to leave the room.

The Elders and betas bowed to the Alpha, and they talked quietly as they walked out.

I gathered my papers, trying to act calm, when Alpha Damien's voice rang.

"Claire," Alpha Damien's voice stopped me.

I turned around, and I saw him still sitting at the head of the table with a small smirk on his face.

"You seemed lost today," he said.

I tried to smile. "Just a little tired, Alpha."

He raised a brow. "Or maybe your human friend sent something that distracted you?"

I stopped my movement for a while. "You... heard?" I asked, though I already had the answer.

His smirk grew lightly "You wear your emotions too openly, Claire. Don't let a human pull you away from pack matters."

"Yes, Alpha," I said softly.

He gave a small nod, then stood. "Be careful," he added before walking past me.

I watched him leave, while my fingers wrapped around my phone. "No warning could keep me from calling Betty," I said, smiling to myself.

First of all, I need to hear the voice note to know what happened.

Her voice played in my ear, full of excitement. "Claire! It's me! Please call me back the moment you hear this. I have something really good to tell you. You won't believe it!"

What news could make her that happy? I wondered.

I quickly looked for a quiet hallway and around and made sure no one was looking.

My heart beat a little faster as I raised my hand and whispered the words. A soft blue and golden light formed in the air, slowly spinning until a portal opened in front of me.

Without looking, I stepped inside

The light quickly disappeared and I found myself inside Betty's apartment.