Luna's Ascent

As I dust the pictures on the mantle, I took extra time admiring the prom picture of myself and Alpha Christopher. That was a long 8 years ago, I was only 17 then. Back when I thought everything was perfect. He was 18 and didn't find his mate and decided to go to the city to a human college to become a business lawyer, he just up and left his family, pack, and sadly me. In 8 years I've received a few phone calls, texts,and snaps, but he never visited any of us.

The weekend before my 18th birthday I went to his fraternity to surprise him and to see if we were mates, I've always thought we would be since my family took refuge in this pack when I was 9. Unfortunately it was a party weekend and I saw him with a beautiful blonde and I just turned around and went home feeling defeated. He never knew I was there and I never told him, in my young mind I decided he was away from home and lonely and needed companionship. I myself as pathetic as it sounds never got into another relationship, I love Chris and he's the only man I've known romantically. I honestly don't think my heart could beat for another.

"Hey Tess, you gonna dust that picture all day?" I heard Jaxon laugh.

" No Jax!" I rolled my eyes and set the picture down.

Jaxon is Chris's cousin, also one of my best friends. He's a very handsome werewolf with light brown hair, green eyes, and a smile like sunshine.As he walked behind me I got a snap notification from Chris. He was sitting in his car with Samantha, his good friend who happens to be a witch he met on campus, both smiling with the text saying road trip. I snapped back with Jax making a funny face over my shoulder telling them to have fun. and stay safe.

"Funny he can go on road trips, but can't find the time to visit us, and his people." Jax muttered shaking his head.

"He'll be back sooner or later Jaxon, he can't stay away forever." I smiled at him.

But, deep down I really wasn't sure anymore. I tried not to think about how Chris has never seen my wolf, Athena is beautiful standing almost as tall as an alpha, she's a beautiful gray but under the moonlight she has a silver shimmer. We're faster than most and we also have the ability to heal. I'm not sure why I was blessed with a special wolf, but I was thankful the Moon Goddess thought I was worthy. I was born in a strong pack, we were the strongest pack in Europe, until Alpha Deacon decided he wanted the pack and me. He wanted me to become his son's future Luna, I was only 9 years old when they attacked, my father fought side by side with his warriors, until our forces started to falter. He heard the plans of Alpha Deacon, he wanted to kill my whole family and spare me, I was supposedly some great force in some prophecy. That's why he wanted me for his son Nicklas. My father's instinct was to save his family, he got us out as quickly as he could. He called an old friend who promised us refuge, that's how we ended up in Louisiana. That's when I met Chris and my heart has been his ever since. Growing up we were quite the crew, always finding ways to defy orders. While these memories are going through my mind, I stare at my reflection sitting at my vanity. I find myself attractive, I'm far from repulsive. I have long dark brown hair, silver gray eyes, fuller lips that give a natural pout, a straight nose and a light tan skin tone. As I apply some make up I can't help but question why Chris just up and left for college and not return to me. The day he left he promised that we would be together forever, that our love was more than a bond, that our hearts chose each other. I'm starting to believe that it was all nothing but foolish childhood fantasies, that maybe I should just let him go. But every time I start to think that way my chest hurts, it feels like a burning inside, and I know I just can't get over him. I hear notifications going off on my phone, I look and see it's Jax wanting to know what's taking me so long to get ready. We are going out tonight to blow off some steam. I have a strange gnawing happening inside me, I just have a feeling something big is going to happen tonight. The phone rang and it startled me out of my thoughts.

"Hello" I answered.

"What's taking so long woman?" Jax laughed

" On my way." I say as I hang up. With one last glance in the mirror, I grab my purse and wonder why I feel so anxious.

I'm sitting on the sofa watching Jaxon, Tristan, and Christian act like fools getting ready to go out. Tristan and Christian are Chris's brothers. They stand at 6'2, Tristan has ocean blue eyes, light brown hair, and a mischievous smirk. Christian has blonde hair, darker blue eyes and a smile that could knock anyone off their feet. Jaxon's parents walk in hand in hand smiling at each other like it's the first time they laid eyes on one another. I smile inwardly, I want a love like that.

"Uncle Ben, Aunt Deidre" Tristan and Christian nod in unison. Jaxon just smiles and nods at his parents.

" Good evening kids" Uncle Ben replies.

" Where are you off to?" Aunt Deidre asks.

" Moonliters" I answer and smile.

" That place been around since we were young." Uncle Ben said

" What a unique name for a shifter bar." Aunt Deidre said playfully.

The front door opens and Alyson walks in. She's been my best friend, my ride or die since elementary school. If I didn't know she was a werewolf I would have thought she was a pixie. Alyse stood a whole 5'1 and weighs maybe 90 pounds. She has long brown hair, brown eyes, and a smile a mile wide.

"Everyone ready to get your party on?" she asked as she walked in.

" Hell yeah!" me and the boys replied in unison.

" Jinx!" we all said together as I smiled and shook my head. I got up and the guys walked over as we all headed out for the night.

" Boys keep your tempers in check!" Uncle Ben stated.

" Girls be safe and always be aware of your surroundings." Aunt Deidre reminded us.

" We will! " we answered back.

Why are we all speaking unison tonight I thought, it was a little funny.

We walk into the bar and notice Prince Tyler the fox heir sitting at the bar. Yes, there are fox shifters, as well as bears and were cats. Vampires and witches also exist but we all hide our identities.

We walk up and surrounded Tyler, he's been a part of the gang since high school.

"What's up my peeps?" Tyler asked smiling. Tyler stood at about 6'1 with a military cut brown hair, green eyes, and beautiful lips.

Tyler ordered the guys beer, and Alyse and I a couple shots of tequila. The six of us were having a blast drinking,dancing, and talking. The bar was pretty crowded, I looked across the bar I waved and smiled at my brother in law Kane. My family isn't too fond of him, but he loves my sister Kendra unconditionally. They found each other six years ago, he's a vampire a very old and strong one. It's not unusual for your mate to be another supernatural, some wolves are even mated to humans. I often wonder where our mates were, my friends haven't found theirs yet either. Rumor has it Tristan did find his but he rejected her, we've never asked and he never confirmed it. If there's any truth to it my heart goes out to that young woman. Very few wolves get to find their fated so to be unwanted and rejected by the one who's supposed to love and protect you is unfathomable to me. I turned from the bar slightly and saw My Uncle Geoff and Aunt Natasha walk in. They've been together since we came here 16 years ago. They are fated mates, Geoff is my dad's brother and he was his beta, Natasha is Aunt Deidre's cousin. They walk over to us and take a seat.

" You kids having fun tonight?" Uncle Geoff inquired.

" Yeah" we all nodded.

" Looks like there are a lot of wolves out tonight. They're probably getting ready for the full moon." Aunt Natasha said taking in the large crowd. The full moon's coming up, I bet that's why I feel anxious. Makes total sense now I thought.

" I don't think that's it Tess, I'm never this antsy before a full moon." I heard Athena say.

" It's gotta be." I shook my head at my wolf.

" Maybe having sharp instincts is another gift we have." Athena replied. I really hope we figure this feeling out.

Maybe" I answered her. The night seemed long even though I was enjoying myself. The guys wanted to go play pool, Alyse and I saw our escape. Anytime they wanted to play pool we found an excuse and hid. Alyse and I snuck off and went to the bathroom, she had a bottle of tequila and a smirk.

" I brought us our happy drink while we hide." she giggled.

" Uh thanks I needed that!" I exclaimed. I really do got to drink my troubles away tonight. I'm so done with this feeling, I just want to be numb. Taking off the lid getting ready to take a swing I look at Alyse and exclaim " party time.". "Yes it is she smiled taking the next swing.

After 8 years I've decided it's time to go home and be the Alpha I was born to be. I'm a bit anxious and extremely excited to see my family and my people. I'm as nervous as a school boy to see her again. Tess has always had my heart and soul, I just wished my mind would have agreed. Wanting to restore my pack to its former self is all I wanted.My father was a strong, intelligent Alpha, our pack thrived under his rule. Unfortunately, a car accident took my parents and Tess's parents from us. My Uncle Ben took over but, he ruled the pack more like a community as if nobody was in charge.

I think he didn't want the responsibility so did what he could. So, I have to step up and claim my birth right. While I was in college Jenna Mueller had taken quite a interest in me, her father Bentley is loaded. He gave me a deal I take his daughter as my mate and Luna and he invests in my pack. I honestly didn't see a problem with it, I've never found my fated mate so I agreed. I've been with Jenna since my first year in college and she's easy on the eyes, although she's a little dense upstairs. Now I have to come home and face the music, my whole family will be angry with me. I know I promised Tess that we would always be together, but things change, we grow up and do what's needed not what's wanted. My wolf Hades doesn't agree though he always loved Tess, but he blocks himself off when I'm with Jenna.

"A penny for your thoughts." Sam said.

" Just thinking about my upcoming reunion, thanks for coming Sam, I don't think I could face this alone." I smiled at her.

" Shit I wouldn't miss this homecoming for anything. I see happiness and everyone so excited you're back. Then pow when they find out what you did to Tess it's all gonna hit the fan." she said while scowling at me.

She only knows Tess from phone calls and video chats but she's her biggest cheerleader. But, my Tess could charm a snake so it didn't surprise me at all.

" I know you think you've done the right thing, but I think you fucked up buddy. Hell if I was into girls Tess would be my one and only. Goddess you're an idiot." Sam exclaimed.

" Once we're thriving and our pack is finally back in rankings they'll all understand, they might even forgive me for it." I shrugged.

Driving from Alabama to New Orleans took forever, but I'm finally here. Pulling into the parking lot of Moonliters, I sit there for a minute and ask " You did hide my scent right, I don't want anyone knowing I'm here yet."

" Of course I did, but I shouldn't have you big jerk." Sam stuck her tongue out at me. Reaching for the door handle I smile and take a deep breath " Show time."