30

Chapter 30 – Surprise
With three days left until the Luna ceremony, Diesel and Payton had stepped up their training sessions. I was ready to join the warriors in training. I was currently walking towards the east end of our territory, to the training grounds and arena. The indoor arena was used during the snow season for trainings. Diesel and Payton were already at the arena and Alpha Knox walked with me.
There was something so warm and comforting when I was with him. He had worked hard to help me train and control my element. When he wasn’t working hard, he spent time cooking for us and telling me stories about the mischief he and my father got themselves into when they were young. Being here at Crescent Moon, with him, felt like home.
Most Alpha’s lose their sanity, become cruel killing machines or withdraw completely when they lose their Luna. Some even kill themselves. When Alpha Knox lost Luna, Clair, he focused his energy on helping his children. His children that Clair had given him, who were also a part of her.
Ranger was a new Alpha and neither wanted or asked for Alpha Knox to stay and help at Dark Moon, so he left. He returned back to his childhood home at Crescent Moon when Diesel became Alpha. He had been instrumental in the success that Diesel and Payton had with this pack. The pack that my father grew up in.
We reached the arena and before we walked in, Alpha Knox stopped me. “Lucy, I want you to know how proud I am of you and am honored to have you as the Luna of my family pack. I wish I could go back in time and change what happened to you at Dark Moon, but I can’t. I’m glad that the Moon Goddess sent you to us because you are exactly what this pack and my son needs.” He paused for a moment.
“When you go in there, hold your head up high. Be the strong Luna you were born to be and the descendent of Gods I know you are. Always
remember, it’s not how you started, it’s how you finish.” I wrapped my arms around him and received a warm embrace, he had become a second father to me.
When we stepped inside, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at me. Some were exercising and lifting weights, others were sparring in human form and there was even a special area for combat in wolf form; but in this moment, they all stood frozen.
Diesel was standing with the chief warriors assessing the fighting going on in front of them. They had been reviewing the defensive and offensive strike techniques as well as the strike power and take down. They also stopped and watched me make my way towards Diesel.
“To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit to the arena, Luna? I wasn’t aware you’d be touring today.” Athena said with a half assed bowed of her head to me.
“Oh, I’m not here for a tour. I’m here to assess the talent of this pack and perhaps give a few pointers.” I said with confidence.
“I had no idea we were in the presence of such a skilled warrior.” Her voice laced with sarcasm.
Lia was ready to chew her up and spit her out. “Oh, this is going to be fun!” Lia sneered in my head and I saw Diesel’s lip twitch in a smile.
“Time to show her who she’s dealing with.” Diesel mind linked me.
“I understand you’re rather a skilled warrior yourself Athena. Should we put our human to human combat skills to the test?” I asked.
“If it’s okay with the Alpha.” She said.
“The Luna will be training with the pack and assisting just as I do. If you would like to test your skills against her, please feel free to form a single line. Athena will go first. This will be human to human combat.” He said.
No one else stepped up to the line, but everyone started to gather to watch. Payton smiled widely at me and mind linked me. “You’ve got this!”
I looked out to the faces and Alpha Knox nodded his reassuring head at me. Athena was hopping around getting loosened up. I stood in the middle of the fight arena and assumed my fight stance with my fists clenched.
She lunged at me and I quickly moved out of the way and stuck my foot out to trip her. She landed on the ground and some laughter could be heard from the crowd. Athena growled and came running back at me with a flying fist aimed at my face. I gave her a side kick and she was launched in the air, landing twenty feet back.
She came at me a few more times and I blocked her, landing strikes of my own. She was not able to land a single strike on me. I was very fast thanks to Lia. I almost felt guilty, but since Athena was a bitch to me, I didn’t mind checking her. The crowd was cheering like crazy for their Luna. I could feel Athena’s frustration and rage as she lunged at me again. This time, I cartwheeled over her back and kicked her from behind. She landed with a rough thud on the ground and the crowd went wild.
I heard a growl and the sound of bones cracking, before I knew it, Athens gray wolf lunged at me with bared teeth. In a split second, I had moved out of the way and felt my own bones cracking. I let out a thunderous angry growl that shook the whole arena. HOW DARE SHE TRY TO CHEAT AND USE HER WOLF.
I stood snarling and ready to rip her throat out right here. My wolf was twice the size of hers and wanted blood. Athena’s eyes were wide open with shock and she dropped down on the ground exposing her neck in submission. Lia wanted to sink her teeth into this bullying bitch. I’ve seen her type before, the shitty Miranda types who preyed on the weakness of others. NO MORE. I was going to put a stop to this and make an example out of her.
The arena had gone silent and everyone looked shocked, except for Diesel. Diesel looked proud. Everyone started dropping to their knees and bowing their heads as I looked around. I realized that I had shifted. Three hundred of our elite fighters were kneeling in awe of Lia. She stood tall and proud daring anyone else to challenge her.
“As you can see, Crescent Moon has been blessed by the Moon Goddess with the strongest wolf known to our kind as our Luna. Dukes mate, Lia, is a golden wolf. We would like to keep this as a pack secret so that we may keep the element of surprise in a battle.” Diesel said.
“YES ALPHA!” Rang in unison through the arena. Followed by, “LONG LIVE LUNA LUCY. LONG LIVE LUNA LIA.” Howls rang out through the arena.
I looked around the arena at all the kneeling wolves and caught a familiar scent in the air. One I would recognize anywhere! My eyes looked around again and I saw Gamma Zeke standing by the door in shock. He dropped to his knees and behind him stood a young she wolf and the other wolf I was looking for.
Big smile, sandy blonde hair, green eyes, very thick muscular build. Warm honey and citrus sweet orange, it could only be MAX! We locked eyes and I let out a joyous howl.
“LUCY!” He yelled as he ran over to me. I was still in wolf form and could not shift because my clothes were torn to shreds when I shifted unexpectedly.
“Did you know?” I asked Diesel through the mind link. “Surprise!” he linked back with a smile on his face.
I dug my wolf head into Max’s abdomen, and he wrapped his arms around my wolf neck and gave me a hug. Lia was also happy to see our friend. Then he stood up and gave Diesel a hug.
“Thanks for everything you did for Lucy, I really appreciate it.” I heard Diesel say as they hugged.
“I wish it had been more. I was so surprised and happy to hear you were second chance mates.” Max said as they pulled apart. “I hope you don’t mind; I brought my youngest sister Megan with me as my date for the ceremony.” He added.
I yipped happily and Megan giggled. I remembered the time she had sent clothes and shoes over with Max for me. Speaking of clothes, I needed some right now.
“I need some clothes.” I mind linked Diesel.
“Payton went to get you some clothes, hang tight babe.” Diesel said as he stroked my head.
“Lucy, I brought you the tote bag with your special belongings.” Max said as he held out the old bag that contained pictures of my parents, my father’s old hat and my mother’s necklace. I could also see the stuffed beige wolf poking out that my father gave me when I was little.
Ironic isn’t it? Of all the colored wolves my father gave me, he gave me the one closest to my golden wolf. I wonder if he actually knew what I would become. I can’t believe Max kept my things safe for me and remembered to bring them all this way. He truly was a wonderful person and friend. I tried to hold back my happy tears and could feel Diesel’s happiness for me through the mate bond.
I put my head on Max’s shoulder to thank him and he rubbed the top of my head. I heard an angry possessive growl coming from behind me and turned around to look for my mate to calm him. Diesel stood there with a knowing smile on his face, looking at Payton. She was the source of the growl and stood with clothes in her hand as if she had been stuck in a trance.
Max stared back at Payton with a look of surprise and I heard them both call out, “MATE.”