48

A few weeks had past and the full moon was approaching. Tonight, was the night that it would be at its peak and there were some big plans in the making. Mika wanted to formally announce Ari as Luna of the pack as was custom. The old wolves would say that the Luna was blessed by the moon which was why she had the title, so it was only proper to name one under the full moon.
In the weeks that had pass much growth had taken place.
Ari had found her place among the people. Children and women alike would come to her to seek advice, or companionship. It delighted Mika to see her be one of his.
Talia was nearing her long awaited birth. Ari had seemed to grow very close with her and is just as excited to see the little one as Talia was. There had been an old saying that babies and chaos were born under the full moon. This infant would be the first in the new colony, and because of that it already had a special place among the pack members. Ari and Talia had found an room large enough for her the little one to be comfortable in. It was not on the same hall as hers and Mika’s, but it was on the same wing. He had noticed that Theo had taken interest in Talia but had also not made it so obvious either. He had gone out and found sturdy vines and had braided the child a bed. Though he did not tell Talia he had done it and she still was not sure who exactly had-Mika had seen Theo place it in her room. Mika could look into the man's mind if he so wished but he had found that to be of poor taste. If his friend wanted to share with him his feelings of this woman, he knew eventually he would.
The girls had gone out and found fabrics when the traders came through. He had not known that Ari could sew as well as she did. "It isn't anything fancy, but it will do. It will look nice on the little bed" she had said folding the linen blanket up after closing the final stich. "Talia and the baby will love it. ." he had told her kissing her shoulder as he looked over into her lap. *One day she will be doing this for one of ours.* he'd thought. A thought which had caught him off guard. He knew what was expected of an alpha- to make heirs. However, there was still so much work to be done, kids would have to wait.
The vampire heads had worked and there had been a great reduction in deader spotting. Because the deaders had either begun to move on or die out traders had be started entering the parklands. Mika was highly pleased with this turn out this meant fresh supplies, but also new blood.
A few more rouges had wondered in and Zeek had apprehended them. No one had caused problems, but Zeek had insisted that none be allowed to enter the pack lands till they were vetted.
Over the last three weeks Zeek and his group had proved themselves to their word. They were up and on guard long before anyone else was. Jacqueline, Murtaugh's fated mate, had been feeding the boys extra and it was showing. Zeek and his four had bulked up very nicely. They were doing well in training. Mika could tell they had been trained back with henry, but now that they had the muscle and strength he felt confident they would be assets.
Mika had gone to the outer rim homestead Zeek was staying. "Have you made your decision?' Mika's voice was cool and calm. Zeek and his men had already made it clear they were more interested in staying with Mika. "If I allow you into this pack you must vow to me as your alpha."
Not a single five of them hesitated, “We agree to do so alpha."
Mika nodded. "Tonight, we will have the welcoming of our luna. You may pledge during that time." The men shook their heads, jaws set. They knew this would forever separate them from their old lives and set them firmly in their new lives. Something each of the men wanted more than anything- a second chance at pack life.
"Have there been any ones worth keeping?" Mika asked referring to the rouges. "Yes alpha. We have had several that are of good fighting skills. I do not mean to over reach but I have not allowed them near the pack. I do not wish to let any *infection*" Zeek hissed the word. " To infiltrate the pack."
"I have seen that. It is a good strategy. Have you found any?"
"No sir, alpha. None." Cliff spoke up.
"It is not to say some have not been turned away for other reasons however." Brandon interjected.
Mika's face firmed. "Why?"
"Mostly because of their fucked up nature. It had nothing to do with being infected. There was one who mentioned skinning humans for pleasure. Or similar treatment to our kind." Zeek answered then.
Mika looked at him in the eyes. "And?"
"They were terminated." Zeek said it straight, not a hint of regret in his voice. He stood firm in his decision and Mika could see that.
Mika turned his back to Zeek and the others thinking how he would respond to their action. At first Zeek was unsure if he had angered Mika. He was not able to read him from behind/ This briefly made him questioned himself, but in the end he stood by his actions..
"Why?" Mika asked over his shoulder. His shoulder tensing waiting for their response.
Without hesitation Zeek replied. "To protect the pack. We will not hesitate to do so."
This time Mika turned around to face them, "Good."
The men did not smile, or jostle around. This was not an award moment- lives were taken- wolves’ lives were taken in order to protect the lives of others. This alpha approved of the protection of the people.
Mika then left the men to prepare for this evening as he too still had details that needed to be worked out.

He found Ari in their room getting dressed in some fresh clothes. She had gotten her hands on one of the white cotton dresses the other women had taken to wearing. She had said they were not hot and did not weight her down as much. "Plus, it made her feel a part of the pack." she said.
"So tonight, I will announce our plan of action, announce you as our luna, and we have some that will be swearing their allegiance to me."
"That's quite a night." Ari mused as she brushed her long hair. God he loved how it felt on his skin as it fell around him. He could smell her scent floating in the air as she brushed. "So, what is the plan of action?" she brought him back to their conversation.
"Well, I have been thinking we need to take the opportunity of gathering the lost boys that Henry is throwing to his borders. We convert them to our side. Train them, and our army will grow. I want to capture a few that are infected and try to find ways to release them before a full blown attack on his lands."
Ari listened intently. "Hopefully we can find a cure, or at least get a better understanding of what we are dealing with. Best case scenario will be to free the females and they pledge to us. Then we will sweep across the country to my homelands and free my people."
"I see." she nodded. "I have one rule." she said lifting a single finger.
He arched a brow, “Okay?"
"We do not convert humans to wolves. Only under extremely critical circumstances will this be done."
"We could grow the pack then." She stopped brushing her hair now and turned to face him.
She shook her head, "No I have been having dreams since I've woken up and in every single dream I hear the same thing. *I am a guardian of the humans. I must keep the balance.* If there are too few humans the world will fall apart. If there are too many humans the world will get reset again. No turning unless it is a life or death situation." she said firmly. Mika thought about what she was saying. It didn't make as much sense to him as it was her, but he trusted her judgement. She knew things that he didn't- not lack of not telling him, he knew that there were things she had witnessed that she had not fully worked through on her own end. "Okay no turning of humans." he agreed.
"Mika?' she asked almost as a parting thought. "Yeah?"
"As the alpha pair will we have to stay here while others go?" her voice held tones of sadness, and regret. *Was she getting tired of being here already?*
He came to kneel before her, taking both of her hands in his. "If you want to see the world we will see the world. We do not have to stay behind walls. We can mark this as one of our pack houses and can send anyone who needs it here."
A smile crossed her face, "Thank you. I love it here, I truly do. But I want to be free and in the woods again. I want to see what else is out there. And I want to go with you when you go to take on Henry." her voice a bit stern on the last sentence.
Mika clamped his mouth shut for a moment, considering his words.
"I understand you want to see what else is out there. I will take you. As for Henry- let us see what we are facing before I make a promise I may not be able to keep roka."
"It is not a promise my love. I have told you what I want, and you have seen I will follow you regardless." she returned to her brushing now. His clenched his jaw, she was right. He knew if he told her no she would follow him. Briefly he wondered if he tied her up till he was back if it would work or if he' d come back and she'd kill him as soon as he released her.
Deciding that making no comment was perhaps the best course of action at this time, Mika stood back up and kissed the top of her head. "I will see you tonight my love."