Beauty and the Beast

Chapter 36

I chuckled as I danced with Alina and Leah danced with Katrina to a heady beat that burst through the territory's space, bouncing off the trees.

Alina keeps trying to feed me "shots " which I gracefully keep throwing over my shoulder, hoping I haven't hit anyone, but pretty sure I have and I don't understand how Alina is acting tipsy when she hasn't had a single drink.

I cringed internally when she handed me yet another one some time later and I quickly threw mine over my shoulder, cursing when I heard someone's voice let out an expletive of their own.

I tensed when I saw the familiar rift of short cropped red hair.

Kieran was in front of me in a second, his large frame covering my front as he stared down at the man as their heads touched.

I peered around Kieran who stood unmoving, watching in awe as the man bared his neck in submission, acknowledging Kieran's dominance.

"I mean no harm to you or your family. I am Bran." The man said.

"What do you want Bran?" Growled Kieran.

"I only wanted a dance with Luna Charlotte so I could speak with her." Bran said, his eyes staring up into mine worriedly.

"And about what exactly?" I said, shoving past Kieran's extended arm.

"My sister Clara and my father's intentions to kill your mate and child." He said bluntly.

Kieran growled as he gripped him by the shirt, bringing him off the ground as Kieran made their noses touch.

"I wish to help you! I'm tired of listening to their lies and I know they're wrong. What they're doing is not right." Bran yelled, his fear evident in his eyes.

"After tonight, you tell my father everything, but if even for a moment I suspect my mate or my pup is in any type of danger because of you, I will not hesitate to rip your heart out." Kieran growled as he released him.

I watched Bran as he stood up straight as he nodded in understanding.

"Bran, please don't worry about your sister. Have some fun." I said smiling.

I watched as Kieran's cold facade broke and he softened slightly, reaching his hand to Bran who looked shocked at Kieran's grace.

Bran smiled as he shook Kieran's hand slowly.

I grinned when I saw Vivian from afar, her blonde hair in a high ponytail, her eyes trained on Bran as he moved. Admittedly, Bran was handsome, his green eyes complimenting his light skin tone and red hair was very uncommon. Anyone could see he was good looking and Vivian looked star struck.

I walked past everyone and to the table where she sat, her brown eyes wide when she saw me standing in front of her. I'm surprised she was even here at all. She was locked up not too long ago in the cellar. We found out that she was interested in finding a mate and settling down and the only reason she was in Leah's pack was because she needed money to buy a house. They paid her to cut Leah's hair off. Leah much to everyone's surprise forgave her, she understood what it was like when you're in a tough situation and you have to do things you wouldn't normally do in order to survive.

I understood that all too well myself. My mother, Samuels, it brings back memories I didn't care to relive. She was so adamant about Kieran because he could put a roof over her head and he came with security and power, but things didn't work out the way she planned. I even felt bad for her, her father left her when she couldn't secure Kieran as a mate and her mother died giving birth to her. She's all alone in this world and I wouldn't wish that on anyone, no matter how much I didn't like them. I didn't like it or agree with it, but I understood desperation. She had been on strict probation for weeks now and had extra duties and worked around the territory as penance. It was that or leave. It was her choice.

She looked shocked as I sat next to her. I went to speak but her words came out so fast I was stunned.

"Luna Charlotte, I'm so sorry. I never ever wanted to hurt you or anyone. I know I am not an easy person to be around, life was not easy on me and I'm not trying to use that as an excuse but I really lost myself for a time. Time in the cells helped me realize I don't want that for myself, and I'm tired of hurting all the time. I know we'll never be friends probably but I am a member of your pack and you are still my Luna and chose to show me mercy where I deserved none and I respect that." She said, her head bowed in respect to my title and rank. I watched as she bared her neck to the side.

I smiled. Seeing growth in someone you thought would never ever have a heart is a wonderful thing.

"Vivian, I forgive you." I said and she looked up.

She smiled widely and I heard her stunned intake of breath, her eyes watering with emotion and I saw a different woman than the crone-spirited one from months ago.

"Why don't you ask him to dance?" I whispered to her.

"Was it that obvious? I've always been the one approached by a guy, I don't even know if I can do this." She said as she stood up nervously.

"But you can, and you will. He's handsome and seems kind, go talk to him." I said encouragingly.

She looked at me with her eyebrows knitted together and then she burst into a fit of laughter, which triggered me as she snorted and covered her nose and mouth in embarrassment.

"You guys are a beautiful family." She said quietly as she stared over at Kieran who held Willow as they danced slowly.

"We are aren't we?" I said as I stared at them.

"And you really are a good Luna." She said softly.

I gripped Vivian by the hand as I led us over to Bran who stood in the corner with a drink in his hand.

When we were feet away I pushed her forward, hard enough to where she collided with Bran's shoulder and he caught her before she hit the ground.

I chuckled darkly as he smiled down at her and the two began to talk.

I walked over to Kieran and my family who all watched in disbelief.

"You were just talking to Vivian." Alina stated.

I nodded.

"Without clawing her eyes out." She added.

"Yes ma'am." I said with a grin.

"Has hell froze over?" She mumbled softly.

"Possibly." I responded with a grin.