What the Moon Brings

Chapter 1

I looked back. They were still chasing me. I kept running, my heart beating in my chest. I could hear their footsteps catching up with me. What the hell?! I literally stepped out of my favorite book store and right into trouble.

I kept running, ignoring my wolf begging me to let her out so she could handle it. Too many humans , too risky. She understood, but she also wanted to save us from whatever these guys wanted. They didn't smell lycan although I wasn't going to take the time to be absolutely sure. I turned into an ally .......and a dead in. Flight not fight it is then. I started mentally preparing myself, overlooking the fact that I no longer heard footsteps

I stared at the edge of the alley expecting one of the three at any moment, but a single guy is who appeared. He didn't have the scent of any of my would be attackers nor did he look like he wanted to fight. "Are you ok? I'm not going to hurt you. I saw your uh, problem and they won't be after you for a bit.If ever" He was gorgeous I don;t believe in love at first sight but maybe second or third. I'm not sure. Let me look again

He was coming closer with his hands out. "Lycan!" My wolf exclaimed. Like us. Friend, Unmated. Introduce us hurry" You'd think I'd never met a guy before. Calm Taryn. I've got this. I raised my hands to allow him to scent me as well. "Thank you. I'm Tanisha. I don't know you. Rogue?Passer?Lost one?"

He smiled. "Lost one would probably be the closest to correct. I'm Jaren. Nice to meet you. You from the Firnwinds pack?" I noticed his smile was genuine and he didn't look the last bit sad or embarrassed about his status "Why were those guys chasing you. They weren't human but not lycan either."

I answered him, considering this new information" I don't know who they were or where they came from. I left Bits and Books and they called my name when I stepped out and my wolf said danger so I ran." Not lycan. I had never encountered any beings other than humans or lycans so I had no idea what I was dealing with here but hopefully the pack could help. Being the betas daughter had to be good for something other than being spied on all the time.

He nodded. "And your pack?"

"You're dead on. Firnwinds" I confirmed

"I was headed there myself. Seeking haven. How do you think my chances are?"

I mulled it over. "Well. Saving the betas daughter will get you some points. How long had your parents been rogues? Have you ever been in a pack...do you even really want to be in a pock?" For some reason I was hoping he would say yes. I wanted him to join our pack. We were a small but tight knit group and with proper training he would fit perfectly. Besides...he was really handsome and new. Most of the guys in our pack were like brothers to me.

I boldly grabbed his hand. "Lets go"

While we walked, he told me about himself. Son of rogues. Last time he could even remember being around a pack , he was 3. Both parents now deceased, of course, otherwise he wouldn't be considered a lost one. He didn't know his pack of origin, so he couldn't appeal to them. He was lonely. It has been almost 6 months he had been on his own and he didn't like it at all. By the time he had finished, we were at the entrance to the compound. The huge trees obscured most of the homes from view but being so close he could see a few and I'm sure he saw the barn and the pond. I am very proud of our land. Good for running. Great for relaxing

"I turned to him with a huge smile."Welcome to Firnwinds"

Chapter 2

I woke in the morning with a ton of energy. I couldn't wait to show Jaren around. I got up and took a shower and took a long time mulling over what to wear. I didn't want to dress too fancy but I also wanted to look a little cuter than just casual. I settled on some black leggings with a lavender sweater and black ballet flats. I let my curly hair run wild after adding some leave in conditioner.

I bounced down the stairs and ran into my dad. "Hey dad!"

"Hiya kiddo. What are you doing? You up and at it early today." He gave me a hug .

"I'm off to show Jaren around and maybe teach him a little history. Maybe take him to the mall if that's ok?" I give him my best puppy dog eyes.

"Sure. Maybe I'll tag along with you guys." He smiled at me. Oh no I can't let this happen. "Just kidding kiddo. I will catch up with you later. Behave yourself."

I grabbed my jacket and ran over to the alpha house. I was kind of hungry but I knew I could eat there. I patted at my curls, feeling a tad nervous. When I finally reached the house I didn't know what to do. Should I knock or just go in as always? I decided to go in like I always do. When I stepped in Devin was the first person I saw, sitting on the couch reading a 'magazine.

"Good morning Luna" I greeted her as I headed over for a hug. I'm feeling extra friendly today I suppose. She smiled up at me and told me breakfast was in the kitchen.

I headed in and grabbed myself a plate while looking around for any signs of Jaren. Only Toby, a pack elder was around and he was reading so I didn't want to disturb him. I loaded my plate with bacon and pancakes..what I mean I am lycan..and grabbed some oj and sat at the table. While I was eating , I must have started daydreaming because I didn't even hear Jaren creep up on me.

"Who said you could eat my breakfast" he whispered in my ear. I almost jumped out of my skin. Between him and my wolf purring contentedly in my ear, I was spooked a bit.

"Well," I started,"the Luna told me to help myself so here I am. Helping myself. If anything you're trying to take MY breakfast." I teased. His smile is so amazing . I was so wrapped up in it, I didn't hear Rebecca come in.

Becca is the pack whore. not sure how else to say it. She has a home, with a bed. I'm just not sure she has ever actually slept in it. Usually when we leave for classes, we see her leaving some unmated males home. I'm not sure how that will work for when she meets her mate. They will have to move to his pack for sure. If he's in our pack, he will most likely reject her. It would be really hard to build a life here with her when everyone has been IN her if you know what I mean.

"Good morning Becca." Being polite never hurts but I regret it soon where I see how she is looking at Jaren. Hands off bitch, I think as my wolf nods in agreement.

"Hey Tani." she coos "Introduce me to your friend here." Does she ever stop.

"Jaren this is a good time. Good time, Jaren." I blurt out before I stop myself. Jaren looks shocked Becca has a smirk on her face as she tries to nudge me out of the way.

"While I may be a good time," she cuts her eyes at me "My name is Rebecca, but everyone calls me Becca. Are you seeking haven or a passer or other?"

"I'm a pack member. I've just been away awhile. " He smiles at me over her head. I want to ask how he's feeling about everything but now really isn't the time. I watch in disgust as Becca tries to hug him to welcome him. "If you need anything..anything at all. at any time, call me. " She drawls, running her fingers down his biceps. Ugh. The hate is strong for that one with me.

He looks at me "Boy she is really something. How are you this morning other than a being a breakfast thief?"

"How are YOU? You had an interesting night to say the least." I ponder how he will transition.

"It is a lot to take in. Its nice to know I was in a pack. It's even crazier knowing the guy I thought was my dad isn't..but the biggest is knowing I will be the alpha someday. That is not something I envisioned myself being but I won't take it lightly. That means a lot of folks will be depending on me and the decisions I make. I hope my mate is thoughtful, strong and kind. In my mind that's what balances an alpha out. The right mate." He drinks a sip of his juice. "It's almost getting to time where my wolf will start seeking my mate. I hope he does so with being the alpha in mind. I also have a lot to learn, but part of that is where you come in. So what's the plan for today sensei?: He laughs

"Well I thought we would start with a tour of the grounds then a visit to the library to learn about the history and if you're game, a little fishing. Then we can hit the mall. I'll show you where all the people around our age like to hangout. Does that sound good?" I stare at him intently. I can't stop thinking he will be alpha and we know nothing about him. I will admit that his character seems to be great though.

I wash my dishes and put them away then turned to him. "Well, let's get started." He holds his hand out and I take it. It feels....right. But I definitely don't want to get ahead of myself. For now, I just want to get the future alpha on his way to being great.

Chapter 3

Tani

We head outside after breakfast. I turn to him" Where would you like to start?"

He looks around. "How about with your favorite place to go to." He holds his hand out and I take it, wishing I was of mating age to know if he was my mate. 1 more year and I would know. He knows. Or he should but it's not uncommon for older mates to withhold the information until a younger mate is of age.

We head towards the lake. As we walk I point out landmarks that may be of interest. The old barn that burned down that we repurposed into a playground. The clinic. The study hall. Funny how close it is to the clinic. Studying always makes me sick. When finally hit the treeline that leads to the lake. "Want to shift or would you rather walk it your first time?" I ask.

"Walk. Maybe shift on the way back so my wolf can get the scent of things." good answer. I smile at him. He will make a great alpha most likely. We continue walking, me pointing out the different trees and the small benches hidden throughout.

"Did the pack do that or have they just always been there?" Jaren asked as we passed another bench.

"They're donated by alphas. This is an old pack and each Alpha and Luna has a bench with their initials on it. Usually at a favorite spot to sit in the forest. . Your dads is a bit further up," I supplied.

"Dad. That's still going to take some getting used to. Its like my whole life was a lie. There are some good things. I feel a sense of purpose now. I met you. Devin is great. She didn't push and she has made me feel welcome, like a mother. Oh WOW!" He stopped walking and took in the view.

I smiled up at him proudly, "This is my favorite spot. Many settle for the pond because you don't have to walk but I come for this view. The crystal clear lake, the mountains setting the background scene. Its breathtaking. I sometimes do my homework here. Or pretend to. "

I walked to the edge and sat. He joined me and started skipping rocks. "Do you swim?" He inquired. I smirked at him. "Of course. It's one of my favorite things to do ."

"So if I threw you in, you wouldn't drown huh?" He started walking towards me.

"No way dude. I am NOT going in!" I tried running around him Getting tossed in the lake on the day I decided to forgo a bra didn't sound like a good idea, although maybe it'd work in my favor if he was my mate. I kept backing up and faked left but he caught me and threw me over his shoulder. I screamed.

"Sounds like someone is scared of water" he said heading back to the lake. He swung me off his shoulder and dropped me..then caught me at the last second. "I wouldn't throw you in. No worries." He was laughing like he had done the funniest thing.

"Hahaha. That lets me know it's time to move on to the library loser." He was still holding on to my waist. I want to say I felt sparks but I didn't I imagined them though. I kept thinking this could be my mate. We walked hand in hand to the library.

We went in and grabbed a table near the back. It was the closest to privacy we could get with the pups in for their story time. I started simple. With the purchase of the land back in the 1600s and made it up until the 1800s when he started getting antsy. "Let's switch topics," I suggested. "Do you know what to expect when you meet your mate?"

He stared at me. "I was raised rouge, not an idiot." He chuckled. "Of course I know what to expect. It just hasn't happened yet.

"Well. " I wanted to know so bad but wanted to approach it delicately. "If your mate was under the age, would you tell them or wait?"

He was silent while he pondered the question." I am pretty sure I would not tell them I'd give them time to finish school and learn about themselves first. Then, when they are of age, they'd know and we could start our life.

I let out a sigh. "That sounds perfect."

"What does?" My best friend Rain asked as she pulled a chair up. "And who are you?"

I brought her up to speed. "Why the hell were people chasing you?" The librarian gave us a look. "Sorry." She lowered her voice. "Well?"

"I have no idea. They weren't human though. Jaren here saved me though." I grinned at him

"In that case,"Rain turned to him " A savior of Tani's is a friend of mine. Welcome back.How do you like it so far?"

"I'm overwhelmed and we haven't even scratched the surface with everything I need to know, but I'm looking forward to learning. I think I have a great tutor." He winked at me.

"That's enough of this for today. Let's go to the pond." Rain got up.

"No can do. We're headed out to the mall for a break. Wanna come? I was hoping to draw the day out. Some shopping , a movie, dinner. I'm enjoying Jaren.

"Well why the heck not. Just give me 5." Rain ran out

"She seems fun." Jaren looked at my retreating friend.

"She's the best." I tell him. "Lets go. I want to grab a few things from home before we head out."

"Thank you for today. And the days to come. I really appreciate this." He gave me an awkward hug. I loved it. I wanted more but it wasn't the time. Soon. Very soon. I'd at least make a move to see if I could possibly be his mate. I'm sure I had the goofiest look on my face just thinking about it