“That’s what a superhero would say,” she remarked with a wave of her hand. “Do you think they want to drop everything to go fight crime all the time? They do it because they feel it’s their responsibility. It’s their duty to help. They can’t stand by while people are in danger. Like it or not, Shade, you’re the hero of this story.”
I tilted my head thoughtfully. I’d never really considered it in that light before. Everyone at Thunder Moon had made it seem as though I were a burden, but what would they have done without me? How would they have survived if I hadn’t been there to save them?
I had stepped in to protect those who shunned me, and I’d never asked for as much as a thank you in return because I thought I owed it to them. But the truth was, even if I hadn’t believed that, I wouldn’t have stayed on the sidelines and allowed bad things to happen. That wasn’t who I was.
“That’s exactly why you’ll make a great luna,” she continued. “You’re willing to sacrifice when others aren’t. You do what needs to be done despite how it affects you.“
“I guess I never thought of it like that,” I admitted.
“Well, if you do ever decide to become a full-on superhero, I get to be your sidekick,” she added enthusiastically, punching and kicking the air for emphasis.
I laughed, feeling light as she brainstormed names for our dynamic duo.I’m so lucky to call her my friend.
*** “Come in,” I called when there was a knock at the door.
Zelda entered, curtseying. “Hello, Luna. The alpha has requested your presence.”
“Please just call me Shade, Zelda,” I asked, uncomfortable with hearing the title. “I thought he was busy all day.”
I followed her as she led me out toward the gardens.
“I thought we were going to Caelan’s office?” I muttered.
“The alpha requested that you meet him outside,” she replied cryptically.
The old gazebo by the entrance to the pack gardens was up ahead. It was white, but the paint had begun chipping away, giving it a rustic appearance that I appreciated.
Caelan had mentioned painting it, but I told him I liked it just as it was. It wasn’t perfect, but that was what made it beautiful.
Twinkling lights had been strung across its beams, casting the whole thing in a romantic glow. Caelan stood inside next to a small round table with two place settings. My mother’s crystal wine glasses glittered against the flickering flames of the candlelit centerpiece.
I walked toward him, my mouth agape as Zelda quietly excused herself.
“What’s all this?” I asked in pleasant surprise.
“I haven’t been able to see you today,” he said as I joined him. “Things were more hectic than I anticipated, but I thought we could have dinner together.”
“This is amazing, Caelan, but you didn’t have to go through so much trouble,” I said as he pulled out a chair for me.
I sat, smiling as he revealed a delicious salmon dish with a side of roasted vegetables. It smelled fantastic
“It wasn’t any trouble,” he assured, taking his seat and pouring me a glass of wine. “I wanted to do something special. We haven’t had a proper date since the choosing ended.”
“Well, it’s very sweet.” I smiled brightly.
We made small talk as we ate, but I could tell that something was weighing on his mind.
A luna is supposed to be an alpha’s equal. She helps to run the pack by his side, which means if there is something bothering him, then I should share the burden.
I set aside my fork, reaching over to take his hand. “What’s going on, Caelan?” I asked. “I can tell that something’s bothering you. Tell me.”
He sighed. “It’s nothing really. Sunny’s been calling and begging me to reconsider my choice. Even though I told her that you’re my fated mate, she’s refusing to let it go.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” I replied. “You’re probably the first person to have ever told her no before. She doesn’t know how to handle the rejection.” I paused. “What about my father? Any word from him?”
“Yes,” he huffed. “But he’s more concerned about Thunder Moon falling into the hands of Dark Moon. He doesn’t seem to trust we’ll honor our alliance unless I’m mated to Sunny.”
That worried me. My father could be paranoid sometimes, but if he was this concerned then perhaps, he knew something we didn’t.
