Chapter 42: The Moon and the Stars

Chapter 42: The Moon and the Stars
Sydney
I can’t believe what I just heard. Silas said he loved me and said it in front of his parents. I need to control my face. I know I’m grinning like a mad woman, but I can’t help it. This is not what an Alpha acts like. Ugh, why do I get like this around him?
“Thora, help fix our face.” I plead with her because I know I look crazy right now.
“I can’t. Do you feel that… coming through the bond? Hehe,” My wolf was making it worse.
I’m in front of a high-ranking Beta couple, and I’m acting like a love-sick kid. “Get a hold of yourself,” I scream to Thora and me. Now I was just feeling embarrassed that I, an Alpha, was acting so ridiculous over a simple word. I stare at the bowl in front of me, focusing on the mashed potatoes.
“Does it taste alright, dear?” I look up and see everyone staring at me.
“Yeah, it’s great.” I quickly put my fork in my mouth. I feel like I’m going to explode from embarrassment.
“Oh, Alpha Syd, I was hoping I would find you here.” I look up and see Elder Pearl walking in with a large pot. “Hello, Betas Youngblood. I hope I’m not interrupting” Pearl had a kind smile that quickly disarms people.
“Uh, Elder Pearl. Let me help you with that.” Silas jumped up and took the heavy pot from Pearl. How did she know we were here in this kitchen? “It smells amazing. What is it?” Silas turns and puts the pot on the counter.
“Shrimp Etouffee, my mother’s recipe. Let me make some rice to go with it.” Pearl started going through the kitchen like it was her own. Never questioning where things were.
“Oh, Elder Pearl, let me help you.” Christine got up from her chair.
“Thank you, Beta Christine. That’s mighty kind of you.” Every now and then, a little creole accent snuck its way into Pearl’s voice. It always comforted me, like a warm blanket for my ears. “Oh, Lumiere, let me get a closer look at your new mark. These old eyes aren’t what they used to be. I couldn’t get a good look the other day.”
My heart stops for a second; Silas has been running around without a shirt during training. His mark is entirely on display. How did I let that slip? That damn star could be a problem.
“Oh, you know it’s just a mark, no big deal. I don’t think I’ve had etouffee before. What’s in it?” I attempt to change the subject back to the food.
I failed. “Oh, you’ll know once you eat it. Now come here, Lumiere, let this old wolf have a look.” I don’t know if this is good or bad.
Silas looks at me; he can feel how anxious I am about the whole star thing. His dad slaps and pushes him forward. “Come on, son. It’s something to be proud of. You are an Alpha, the first in our line.” Damn it, David, you are not helping.
Before Silas and I can protest or divert the conversation. Pearl is turning Silas around and examining his mark like it’s a damn oil painting hanging in a museum.
“What do we do?” He bod-links me.
“I don’t think there’s anything we can do. They will all think we are nuts if we make a fuss.” I link him back.
It’s not like we don’t trust Elder Pearl or Si’s parents. We just didn’t know what the star meant if anything. I want to think it’s a good omen, but I don’t know. I hold my breath while I watch Pearl analyze Si’s mark. She has a sparkle in her eye, and a slight smile invades her face. Only when she smiles does she look her age. Years of making the constant expression have left deep ridges around her mouth and eyes. I hope one day I can have those same grooves.
Silas and I are both silent waiting for Pearl to say something anything. Silas’ parents are flirting neat the stove, clueless to the tension Silas and I are feeling.
“Well, this is a fine mark indeed.” Pearl looks at me with a glint in her eye.
“Wh…What do you mean?” I stammer out, not caring how un-Alpha-like it sounds.
“My mama always said that every mark has a meaning and a story. She was what some called a reader, you see. She taught me a thing or two.” Pearl hummed and took a few steps toward the table.
“A reader, what’s that?” Silas asked. He pulled a chair out for Pearl to sit.
“I think humans call them physics; that’s what she did before meeting my father and coming here." Christine sat a glass of water down for Pearl. I guess their flirting stopped. “Thank you, Beta Youngblood.”
“Was your mother human?” Christine asked as she sat next to Pearl around the table. We all followed and took a seat.
“Why yes, she was. She came from a long line of physics. To be honest, there is no such thing as physic. They are really readers. They see the world around them differently and interpret it for those who can’t. The world is full of messages, but not everyone knows how to read them.” Pearl took a sip of water. Her pause was met with complete silence.
“Um, so…” Silas nervously gulped, and I could feel his nerves through the bond. “What did you read?”
“I am sure you already know a bit about how sailors and adventurers would navigate by the stars. So yes, the general guiding light, you might say, but what we forget is that the loved ones of those away from home would look at the same night sky and see hope. The fear of them never returning drifts away.” A slight smile reveals those creases once again. Pearl looks for a moment like she recalls a memory as she thumbs a bead at the end of one of her white braids.
“I never thought of it that way. I guess this old dog does have a few new things to learn.” David’s laugh fills the room.
“I guess I don’t fully understand what you’re trying to say, Pearl.” I looked deep into her eyes; there was so much behind those honey irises I had never noticed before.
“As our Alpha pair, you two will guide our pack into a new era. You give hope in the darkness that we will find our way back to our goddess. We don’t have to fear because you both are watching us as her chosen as it should be.” Pearl leaned forward and took my hand gently into hers.
“I will do my best,” I said as I took a breath.
“No child. You are not alone anymore. You have a mate standing beside you. The moon and the stars make up the night sky together. On a full moon, the stars seem to barely glow, but on a new moon, they take center stage reminding us that the darkness will end. Be there for each other and shine brightly when the other can’t.” Pearl squeezed my hand, and I was holding back tears.
Everything she said started replaying over and over in my head. Every time I let Silas in, I push him away. I take on everything myself and don’t let him help me. When he does step in and help me, I rip his head off. I have been so worried that I would somehow be replaced that I didn’t give him a chance to be my mate or my pack’s Lumiere truly. He’s not just breeding stock for the next generation. He’s my mate. He’s the one that’s meant to go on this journey with me as my only equal. My balance.
I raise my head and look over at Silas. I look around and see his parents lovingly holding hands and gazing at each other. That’s right; I get that too. I get to have someone to love me for all my faults and strengths. I get to experience love and family again. One day I will have those smile lines.
“I understand now.” I place my other hand on top of Pearls. A full smile graces her face, and the deep lines have never looked so wonderful.