Mine to Protect Chapter 58: EMMA

*Hazel*

“Dear all, thank you for your applause of welcome. I know I am new to this pack, a stranger, but I hope I will get to know you all real soon, and even though I am not officially Luna yet, I want to let you know, that if you ever need anything, I am there for you, as is Derek.

I don’t want to take the spotlight from today’s gathering, today we are here to honor our lost ones, two talented and unreplaceable warriors of the Crescent Moon Pack, as well as my mother and father. I won’t lie to you, I won’t say that my heart isn’t hurting at their loss, and I believe it’s the same for the loved ones standing beside me. Every day I wish my parents were still with me, but they can’t be, and I need to accept that; so, I stored each and every of their teachings, warnings, hugs, kisses, I-love-yous, in my heart, and from now on, they will be my strength, because we must go on, but that does not mean we will forget.”

As soon as my last word carries through the wind, people start clapping, and Derek hugs me tightly.

“I am proud of you, kitten.” His words make me feel proud of myself too, and I hope my parents are looking at me with pride too, from wherever they are.

Then, we take the urns, walk to the edge of the tree line, and empty the ashes on the grass in front of us, the wind peaks up, like even he knows what he has to do, and starts scattering the ashes into the forest, grey powder floating everywhere, on trees, bushes, rocks, on the ground, until it disappears, minuscule particles lost in the grandness of the flourishing forest.

Derek undresses and turns into his black wolf, I follow his lead, as do the others present. Although I have never shifted willingly before, it comes easily, my wolf practically doing it for me, it’s not painful, just a strange sensation. I feel many eyes on me, but I don’t care, now it’s time to give my parents my last goodbye, and this is the only thing I am focused on.

Derek howls to the moon, a long powerful wail that resonates throughout the valley, and I join in, followed by the other wolves. Together our howl becomes louder, and I am sure people can hear it from kilometers away. Let them hear it, let them know we are mourning, because when we are done, we will come for you, and we will show no mercy.

After his howl dies out, Derek sprints into a run in the direction of the forest, and we all follow, running at the top of our speed, letting our wolves take the reins. It’s exhilarating, I feel like the wind combing through my fur is cleansing me of all the pain and heartache of the last days, shaping me, molding a new version of me, a more powerful, unrestricted me.

We spend hours running through the forest, and when we finally get back to the packhouse night has already fallen, fatigue lulls me in her arms as soon as my head hits the pillow, and I sleep a deep and resting sleep.

The following morning, I wake up to Derek missing beside me, his spot on the bed already cold. Where did he go off to? I get up quickly, take a shower and get dressed. Derek and Alice have gone all the way out to buy me tons of clothes, of all styles and for all seasons. Today I decided to wear skinny jeans, a military green tank top topped by a blue and cream flannel shirt, white canvas shoes for my feet. I leave my hair open, and apply only the minimum make up, I don’t feel like dressing up, or standing out, I just want to lay low, and recover from everything.

I make my way downstairs and bump into Lukas on the way.

“Going to have breakfast?” he asks me cheerily.

“Yes, let’s go together. I am starving, I haven’t eaten anything for dinner yesterday, I was too beat up to drag my rear to the dining hall.”

He laughs, “I imagined as much. If you are up for it, I want to introduce you to my mom at breakfast, she’s waiting for me downstairs.”

“Sure, I’d love that!” I reply with enthusiasm, although I want to find Derek and snuggle into him first, I am missing him badly already.

I find him in the dining hall, at a full table, talking animatedly to a red headed woman; she’s real hot, with all the right curves in the right places and that wild glint in her amber eyes that would bring any man to his knees. I hope she’s not another of Derek’s exes, I can’t take any more jealousy and animosity at this moment.

“Hey Double M, you made it!” Lukas calls out loud, while we make our way to their table. The redhead screams “Lukas!”, then runs at him, and jumps on him like a monkey, wrapping him in a monkey hug. Lukas laughs happily, while hugging her back, while I stand there a little taken aback. That glint didn’t lie, she is wild.

After a few moments, Lukas lets go of her, and she puts her feet down on earth, letting go of him too. She turns my way and studies me closely, she lets her gaze trail from my face down to my feet and back, a smug smirk on her features.

“Hi, I am Emma Davis, Alpha of the Black Mountain Pack,” she says, crushing my hand in a strong handshake. “You must be Luna Hazel; I’ve heard great things about you.”

“Really? I don’t think I’ve done nothing much; I am just a nobody.”

“You are the Luna of the Crescent Moon Pack, one of the biggest packs in the country, how can you say you are a nobody? It’s an insult to your mate and to your pack. If you plan on being a real Luna, live up to your role and to everyone’s expectations, and learn to behave accordingly.”

I am left completely dumbfounded at her telling-me-off, all delivered in an unnerving Miss Rottenmeier style in front of all the people who were quietly having breakfast and minding their own business, apparently not anymore, as all eyes are now focused on the pair of us.

What am I supposed to reply to this? Should I just punch her in the face and get the score straight? But she is an Alpha, I bet she’ll get my ass served to me in one second.

Luckily, Derek joins us and diffuses the situation.

“She’s just stepped into the role, cut her some slack; I assure you she has the right qualities to be a great Luna,” he states amiably, guiding us towards the table.

“I am sure you are right,” Emma The Bitch replies in a tight tone, faking a smile.

What the hell is wrong with her? She has known me for one minute, and she is already at my throat; does she really have a thing for Derek? It seems like the only plausible explanation.

And Derek, he let her scold me like that, in front of everyone, without batting an eyelid. I know he doesn’t want to make a fuss, but I still feel disappointed that he didn’t defend me straight out.

When we reach the table, I notice all chairs are already taken, so Derek goes to fetch me a spare one, but I am in no mood to sit through breakfast with this lady, call me bratty or immature, I don’t care, I just want some peace and quiet, away from mean cat fights.