Luna

9

Never in all my life had I slept so peacefully. Keeping my eyes sealed shut, I pulled myself closer to his bare, heated chest. Josh seemed to stiffen under my touch but ran his fingers through my hair as he hummed a song softly. I was amazed with how beautiful the sound was. There was nothing better than being lost in his arms.
"I know you're awake." His voice was deep and husky.
Pinching my eyes shut tighter, I shook my head in disagreement. "No."
He chuckled and rubbed my back. Looking down I found myself in one of his shirts. Looking up to him curiously, he growled. "You nearly gave me a heart attack taking your clothes off last night. My poor little heart couldn't take it."
My cheek blushed, "Sorry. I was feeling strangely bold last night and I don't like to sleep in clothes."
He kissed my forehead, "Don't worry, I liked it."
"Still slightly embarrassed."
He smiled softly, "So you remember what you said?"
"I wanna go back home with you."
I could feel and hear his heart stutter with my words, "You still mean that?"
"Every word." Leaning up, I placed a soft kiss on the sensitive part of his neck.
He let out my favorite deep growl, "You don't want to do that while you're half naked in my bed."
"Why?" I giggled.
"It drives me and my wolf crazy."
Still feeling a little bold, I kissed a little higher up his neck, "What about there?"
He growled.
"There?" I placed a kiss on his jaw.
He shook his head.
"What about here?" I kissed his cheek.
Before I could finish my game, he had me on my back as he crushed his lips to mine desperately. His upper half, hovered over me as he gripped my hair in his fist and deepened the kiss, forcing open my mouth.
A knock on the door made him rip himself from me and growl in anger. "Who is it?"
"Julie. Is my daughter with you?"
My cheeks flushed bright red as I shot up out of the bed and quickly changed into my white dress.
Josh took a deep breath but stayed under the blankets, in an awkward position. "Yes."
"May I came in."
"Yes."
Mom pulled open the doors and looked from me to Josh. After a few awkward seconds, she focused on me, "It's time to get you ready."
"Ready? What time is it?"
"Three in the afternoon."
"Must have been tired."
"That's why I let you sleep. You need your strength."
Josh still sat on the bed watching me with sad worried eyes. The sight was heart breaking. Walking to his side, I kissed his cheek, "I'll see you tonight."
Cupping my cheek in his hand, he brushed his thumb along my cheekbone. He looked like he wanted to say something but he bit his tongue and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. "See you then."
Slumping to my Mom's side, she eagerly pulled me down the hallway to my room. "What happened?"
"Nothing. We just slept."
"Sure." She laughed and pointed to the bathroom, "Clean up. Scrub really well."
"I'm not a child."

Once in the shower, Mom came in and sat on the counter top, "So tell me about Darrow."
"What do you want to know?" I shouted over the water.
"You and him seem closer?"
"Yeah but I still feel like he doesn't know me that much and I don't know him at all. Like I know nothing about his life except the name of his best friend and how his parents died."
Mom sighed, "You know, your father didn't open up until he took me back to his land. He was more comfortable at home, it helped."
"Is this your way of wondering if I'm going back with him?"
"You caught me." She laughed and pulled out hair and makeup supplies.
"Yes Mom. I want to go with him but we still haven't really talked about it, we kinda did last night but I'm not sure how we ended that conversation. I really just wanna focus on tonight and after I survive that, I can worry about everything else."
"Okay." She hummed as she set everything up for getting me ready.
Beth and Heidi nocked on the door before they barged in, ready to help my Mom. After I had brushed out my hair and scrubbed my skin almost raw, I turned off the shower, dried off, wrapped the towel around me and climbed out of the shower.
Beth giggled, "I'm so excited for you Josie!"
"Thanks Beth."
She smirked, "Did you know Darrow was making friends with Cris?"
"What?" This was random of her to say.
"Yeah. Everyone thought he was going to beat the crap out of him after last night but he didn't. He gave him fighting tips in the gym just a little while ago."
"Like today?"
She laughed, "Yeah. It was hilarious, Cris was trembling in fear. Darrow just walked up to him with a scowl and corrected his posture and then pat him on the back."
Heidi pulled me into a hug, "Forget that. Let's make you look even more beautiful."
Sitting down in a chair they had brought into the bathroom, they quickly got to work. Together, they dried my hair and curled it after giving me a braid above my forehead like I liked. Beth put a little layer of makeup on me. By the time they were done, I looked older - a lot older - but it was still me at the same time.
While still in my towel Mom brought in food for us and we ate and talked as I shaved my legs and finished a few last minute things. After this, Mom sent everyone away and we worked on my Latin. When the time finally came, she fixed my hair and makeup before grabbing my dress for the full moon.
The dress was long, white and pooled at my feet. The material felt like water against my skin and it easily slipped on over my naked body. It was tighter on top, the material in the front swooped down low across my chest and in the back the v-cut dipped to my lower back, yet somehow the material was secured to my body and didn't reveal anything else. It looked like a Greek Goddess dress and it was too white but it was tradition. I felt as if I was wrapped up in a fancy sheet.
Mom smiled, "I know it's weird but you need skin showing for the Alphas to put their blood."
I cringed at the thought, blood made me queazy. "I'll get sick."
"Fight it. You can do this Josie Lee." She moved my hair behind my shoulders, hiding my birthmark.
Standing up taller, I took a deep breath. This was it. I could do this.
Mom led me to the door, "Everyone is ready at the graveyard. You stand in the clearing. The Alphas will cut their hands and put their blood on your arms. I know it's weird but it's to keep you connected with their packs. When you feel the light of the moon, call for Luna and stay strong. Remember you can't phase."
Smiling, I shrugged playfully, "Oh is that all?"
She laughed with me as we walked out of the mansion. I didn't put shoes on but you couldn't tell because the dress was so long. As we came to the burial sight, all eyes were on me as I walked through the crowd. The families all stood behind the Alphas as they created a path for me to go to the front where the clearing was. Mom left my side when we passed Dad and Josiah. They looked proud but worried. I could feel the fear rolling off of everyone as I took my place.
Laughing, I rolled my eyes, "Come on guys. Have a little faith in me."
The crowd chuckled but my smile vanished when I found Josh. He looked pained and confused as he watched me. Breaking down his wall, I forced myself into his head. I got this Josh.
He nodded. You're coming home with me Josie. He sounded sad but forceful.
I smirked, Yes I am.
Mom took out a knife and cut her palm. She stood straight and addressed the Alphas, "Your blood needs to be on her skin." She walked over to me and wiped her palm on my shoulder before it healed. Handing the knife to my Dad, he followed suit. One by one the Alphas cut their hands and put their blood on my arms. Josh was the last to go. Cutting his palm, he didn't make eye contact with me. My heart hurt but as he reached out, I snatched up his hand and pressed his palm against my neck over the place he would mark me. Taking a deep breath, I kissed his knuckles and let his hand fall.
Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead and moved back beside the other Alphas. With all eyes on me, I felt the light of the full moon on my back and pulled my hair forward. Letting my birthmark see the light.
Taking a deep breath, I looked up at the moon, "Luna. Luceat lux vestra."
My head rolled back even farther as the full force of the power hit me. I couldn't stifle the scream that erupted through me. My fists clenched as my vision went white. Holding tight to the power, pain shot through my back and I could feel the mark changing. It was the most excruciating thing I had ever felt. My eyes shot to Josh and I stumbled forward into my knees, "Adiuvare me!" It wasn't me talking but again and again I shouted at him. "Adiuvare me!"
Josh went to move to me but my mom stopped him, "No! You can't touch her! John!" She yelled for my father.
Father and a few others grabbed Josh's arms and pulled him back.
My mom growled, "It will kill you both!"
Another serge of fire seemed to burn through me and my body blurred. I was on the edge of humanity and wolf - somewhere in between. All I could see was light, a blinding light. I'm not sure how long I stayed like this. It could have been days or seconds but I could feel my strength slipping. I needed to stay in my human form, I couldn't go wolf. Growling, I dug my nails into the ground and could feel the blood coming from my eyes and nose. "Et arripuerit." It was my voice but it wasn't me.
Mom sniffled, "Hold on." She translated.
"Et arripuerit."
My breathing was frantic and heart racing as the light in my vision moved back to the white shadows. I felt stronger, more powerful than before. My mark burned but it was fading. Standing, my head rolled back as I looked up to the moon, "Et nos unum sumus." The words slipped out and my body relaxed as Goddess left me. The blood that had once been on me was gone and my vision was better.
Mom smiled and translated, "We are one." She ran to my side and scooped me up, "You did it. You made it."
My vision was mine again and I laughed in relief. My whole body still ached and my back throbbed but I felt so much stronger. "That's it?"
Mom laughed, "It's been almost three hours baby girl."
"What?" I looked back at the crowd and it was only most of the Alphas left. "Where..."
"They put the children to bed."
"I feel weak and ache."
She nodded, "You did so good. A hot bath should help but you will be sore tomorrow."
Looking back at the Alphas my heart ached deeper for Josh but I couldn't find him. "Where is he?"
Mom ran her fingers through my hair, "We had to take him to his room. He couldn't control himself and was trying to get to you. You kept calling for him and begging him to help you. It was too much. It took four Alphas to hold him down. I don't know how he kept from phasing."
Not needing anymore information my body moved without me. Grabbing the train of my dress, I took off in a painful run to Josh's room. My head throbbed and body ached but I moved faster. Forcing open his door, I found him on the bed with four men holding him down. At the fight of me they released their hold and smiled.
"Luna!" They smiled as they rested their hands on my shoulder and bowed their heads before leaving the room.
Once they were gone, I jumped onto the bed and pulled myself into Josh's chest. He was still breathing hard, trying to get himself under control. His body was trembling as his arms pulled me tighter and he buried his face in my hair, taking in a deep breath. "I was so scared." It was the first time I could hear fear in his voice.
"I made it, I'm safe now." I curled up closer to him.
He calmed down and sat up in the bed, pulling me into his lap, "Sorry I lost control. It was just hard to see you like that. Why'd you keep yelling for me?"
"I don't remember. I was in the light. I'm really sorry."
He shrugged, "Just curious. How do you feel?"
Resting my head on his chest, I sighed, "Very achey and tired. I need a bath but I had to see you before I did anything."
Smirking, he lifted me up and flopped me back on the bed. "I'll draw you a bath." He ran to his bathroom and turned on the water.
Laughing, I followed, "I have my own bath."
"Please. I'll be good I promise but I don't want to be away from you." He looked down at me with a pained expression.
Rolling my eyes, I spun around in a circle, "But look at me! I'm stronger than ever."
He chuckled and pulled me into his arms, "You do look beautiful tonight." His hand ran down my spine, "It hurts."
Laughing, I pushed him away and grabbed bubble bath soap and salts and put them into the hot water. "You have to stay out of the bathroom. Okay?"
He glared, "I won't look. I promise."
"No."
Scowling, his face brightened, "One second." He smiled as he skipped out the door and came back with a tie. Laughing, he tied it around his head, covering his eyes. "What about now?"
Bursting into laughter, I leaned up and kissed him quickly before stepping back so we didn't get carried away. "Okay. But still turn your back and sit down."
He laughed and held out his hands, "Show me where."
My smile brightened as I sat him on the floor beside the bath, facing away from where I would be. Turning off the water, I quickly took off my dress, set it on the counter and sunk into the boiling water. The bubbles covered most of me so I wasn't too worried about him peeking.
He adjusted with a smile spread across his face. "This is torture."
Sticking my wet finger in his ear, I laughed, "You're doing it to yourself."
"Yuck!" He pulled away rubbing his ear but his smile only brightened, "Are you feeling better?"
Moving deeper into the water, I sighed, "A little but my body still feels tense."
He nodded and brought his knees to his chest, "How can I help?"
"This is helping." I dipped my head under the water to get my hair wet, "I think I just need some rest."
"Sleep beside me tonight?"
"Alright."
"Really?"
"I sleep best beside you."
He smiled, proud with himself. "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"What was happening to you?"
Running my fingers over my new mark, I sighed. "Getting my blessing."
"What's that?"
"Well...Goddess blesses all Lunas with a blessing. It makes us more powerful and able to control the testosterone, blood thirsty Alphas." I laughed at the thought, things were a lot more different than they once were. "But we have to be strong enough for it, otherwise it would kill us. The blood from the Alphas keeps my connection with them strong but also allows me to feed off their strength during the blessing."
He nodded, "It looked painful."
"It was very much so. I felt like I was on fire and when my mark changed, it almost made me sick from the pain."
"Mark?"
"The one on my back. It's different now, it reads my blessing."
"Why can't I see?"
"Because it's too person and private. I'd rather you see me naked."
He growled his deep chest growl at the thought, "Don't tease me." He fought the desire to turn and decided to distract himself. "Why is it so important?"
"Maybe another day."
He looked hurt, "Can you answer one more?"
"Maybe."
"Who has seen and knows about your mom's mark?"
"Me and Father."
"Josiah?"
"Nope. I told you it's private."
"I don't understand."
"One day."
He sighed, "You still don't trust me."
"No. I just don't know you very well."
He straightened up, "Ask me anything."
"Full name?"
"Joshua Tate Darrow. You?"
"Josie Lee Wallace." I played with the bubbles, "Do you have siblings?"
"A baby sister. She's eighteen."
"Baby? That's my age." I placed bubbled on his head sneakily, he didn't notice.
He chuckled, "Really? You act younger."
Laughing, I ignored his comment, "What's her name?"
"Bailey."
"Why isn't she here?"
He scowled through his tie. "Didn't want anyone knowing about her."
"Why?"
"She's my one weakness...well now one of two."
"No one here would us her to get to you."
He grunted, "Maybe not anymore."
"Anymore?"
"They hurt me, they hurt you. It's the only thing keeping them from killing me Josie, I'm not stupid."
"Never said you were stupid but you don't give our kind enough credit. It's not all about land and blood Josh. These people want peace."
"I've seen another side all my life, it's hard to just forget that."
"You don't have to forget that, I'm not asking you to."
"Why?" He sounded amazed.
"I just want the chance to show you the good in them but I know there's bad. I know better than most. What I see in my visions haunt me but there is still good."
He turned and faced me, "Kiss me."
Leaning over, I brought my lips just above his, "No."
He growled, "You can't get me worked up like that."
Laughing, I splashed some water on his, "There, to cool you down."
"You got my shirt all wet!" He laughed and pulled it over his head and it took the tie with it. "That's better." He slipped his blind fold back on.
My wolf purred and growled with desire at the sight of his naked chest.
He laughed, "See something you like?"
Pulling my knees to my chest, I chuckled, "Yeah. This really hot guy just walked in."
Growling in anger, Josh stood and ripped off his blind fold as he looked around the room. "Where?"
Bursting into laughter, I shook my head, "It was a joke! You are the only man I have been or will ever be attracted to."
He turned and scowled, "I don't like those jokes." When he looked back at me, his eyes widened as they looked from me to the bubbles. My knees stuck out of the water covering my chest and my hair fell all around me, making it impossible for him to see anything.
"You promised not to look."
His jaw tightened and fists clenched as he began to shake.
"What?"
His breathing grew heavy and eyes turned black. I could feel the desire rolling of of him and then I realized what was happening - he was trying to control his wolf.
"Can I help you?"
He growled and sprinted out of the room.
Sighing, I relax back into the water. I didn't understand why he couldn't just take my help. I could make it easy on him. My fingers started to get pruney so I quickly stood and wrapped a towel around me. Needing to get dressed, smiling shyly at him on the bed, I headed for his door.
"Where are you going?"
"To get clothes on."
"I have shirts."
My cheeks blushed, "I need...You know...underwear."
"Just wear the ones you had on."
I was humiliated and my whole face was red, "I wasn't wearing any."
He laughed and walked over to his dresser. Pulling out a pair of his briefs and a shirt, he tossed them to me. "Problem solved."
I looked away, completely mortified, "I'll be right back."
"Don't leave."
I couldn't look him in the eyes, "It will only take a moment."
"Please." He stayed beside his bed but looked sad, "Stay."
"What's wrong?"
He exhaled in frustration, "I thought I lost you today and they kept me up here and...And I didn't know what was happening. It was too much. I just need you to stay here for my sanity."
"I'm embarrassed."
He took a step closer to me, "You don't need to be embarrassed with me ever. I never want you to feel that way. You can talk to me about anything and I would never judge you. Ever. The fact that you had no underwear on in that white dress is mind blowingly hot."
"I'm not good at this stuff." My cheeks burned, "I've never had a boyfriend or anything close."
He sighed, "If going back to your room makes you more comfortable, I won't stop you."
Glaring at the clothes he had thrown me, I moved back to the bathroom and got dressed. Josh was a lot more sensitive than I thought. Still feeling a little embarrassed, I skipped to his bed and hid under his covers. Kissing my forehead, he climbed in beside me and pulled me against his chest.