CHAPTER 23: ARRIVALS
CHAPTER 23: ARRIVALS
Alana’s POV
Many days have rolled by and I am now standing with Tyler and Axel, welcoming strangers into our home.
Goddess, it has taken weeks for me not to sound like an imposter by saying the words “our home.”
Three packs have their representatives already in Crescent Moon pack and will be spending the night over for the meeting with Axel. The representatives include their Alpha, Beta, and some, their Luna.
The ones from the other packs plan to only be present for the party and take off just as they've come.
“Don’t panic, Alana, you’ve done a really good job.” Axel’s hand is locked in mine, sweeping over the back of my palm soothingly.
I think that Axel could be the most touchy werewolf I’ve ever encountered. If his hands aren’t holding mine firmly, they’re slightly brushing over my arm, my neck, my cheek, or his leg is brushing over mine or my thigh.
I can’t complain. I don’t wish to. What sensible she-wolf would?
“I guess I have,” I say, squeezing the hem of my gown to absorb the sweat forming on my free hand. “They would be here any minute right?”
Alpha Micheal and Luna Valentina decided to come just this afternoon, hours before the party began.
I had been so busy with Coral preparing the halls and inspecting the foods, ale, and wine that I hadn't had the chance to panic about their arrival.
Well, Coral did most of the work, I just trailed beside her nodding and smiling as much as possible.
“Mom and Dad are here already,” he says softly. “Are you ready?”
I nod. “This is as ready as I can be. I’m ready. I’m ready.” I look up to Axel smiling down at me and the corner of my lips stretch into a small smile.
“Okay.” His free hand finds the nape of my neck and gently massages it before kissing my forehead.
“Wait!” I screech wide-eyed. “Do I look okay?”
“Yes. You look absolutely beautiful, Alana. You always look beautiful.”
The blush that heats my cheek instantly makes me forget that the Alpha and Luna could see me and sniff that I am a weak and pathetic wolf whose only best gifts are unsheathed claws and sharp canines.
“Thanks,” I say.
The doors to the main building are held open and the most beautiful woman in existence walks through beaming, hand in hand with her male who walks beside her.
Her hair is black, long, thick, and shiny in the dull lighting of the room. What would those look like out in the sun? Her skin is tanned, so smooth, and must be as soft as butter because it looks like it.
Head held high, steps purposeful and confident, I immediately feel self-conscious and less of myself.
I didn’t expect to be on par with her, but I feel very intimidated by her presence.
“Axel! My baby,” the elderly woman practically screams like a child on Christmas morning and runs into Axel, squeezing him tight in a hug.
“Mother. You look good. How do you do?”
Did he say she looked good? Axel was being modest. She looked stunning. Amazing. Fire. Breathtaking. Goddess!
“Fine, my boy.” She beams and lets go of his shoulders. “Oh! You look good. The circles under your eyes are no longer there. And you’ve grown more. I like the beards, I do. But you’re not taking care of your hair. I expect it to be thicker and fuller.”
Her large, soulful, and motherly eyes scan Acel from head to toe. “I see you’ve been eating well, and working out,” she holds his jaw in her thumb and forefinger. “But not having enough sex. You need more of that.”
I practically choked on air and the invisible black liquid that filled my lungs within a second.
Luna Valentina laughs. A motherly laugh that could draw heartfelt smiles from anybody before turning her head in my direction.
Axel, as usual, gives up nothing in his expression.
“Goddess,” she chokes. “Alana, am I right?”
“Yes ma’am,” I throw a glance at Axel and stutter. “Luna,” I bow, curtsy, almost kneel, I don’t know what to do.
“Get up, silly. Dear, Lunas bow to no one other than their males. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” I nod, short of words as this intimidatingly beautiful woman hovers over me, cupping my cheeks, my shoulders, and my hips.
“You’re beautiful. Eyes gifted from the Moon Goddess herself. Blessed. Fit to be a queen. I feel it.” She says matter of factly, and for the first time, I look up at her and my smile reaches my eyes.
“Thank you, Luna Valentina.”
“Oh dear, this is great. Isn’t it, my male?” She throws the brightest smile to the elderly hunk of muscle behind her.
He is only about an inch shorter than Axel, and a carbon copy of him as well. He has the same piercing blue eyes as Axel and although they are aged, they're still sharp enough to cut through steel.
His black hair with specks of grey sweeps over to the back of his neck.
“It is.” His attention is now on me and I instinctively crouch my head and hook my hands behind me. Is that disrespectful? NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
Oh, goddess. I hook them in front of me and finally settle them at my side, gripping my gown.
“Father,” Axel says.
“Son,” he locks eyes with Axel and gives his shoulder a firm squeeze.
“How are you, child?” And I know his question is directed at me.
“I’m fine, Sir, Alpha,” I say, hunkering even lower.
He takes a big step in front of me and takes hold of my hand. His aura is so strong and unnerving, that it unbalances me for a good long second. He plants a soft kiss on the back of my palm before
speaking again.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, child. You call me Micheal. No need for formalities between families.”
I am not given the time to recover or respond before the Luna's voice is heard again.
“Axel, where is your sister?” Her head scans the entire room in one quick motion and returns to Axel, a furrow crowning her forehead. “She’s not out here to receive us.”
My eyes shoot to Axel who has never mentioned he had a sister, never mind one that lives and breathes here in the same pack with us.
“She’s away at the moment.” He briefs, rendering an explanation to the both of us.
Right. Five words do just that. I shake my head internally at the man.
“Right.” Luna Calentuana says.
“Father, Mother, let me show you to your rooms. Alana must have some finishing touches for the party tonight,” Axel says,
“You forget we raised you in this house, Son.” His father laughs. A deep rumbly laughter.
“We can show ourselves up. Tomorrow he’ll politely ask us to vacate the building.” The Luna huffs. “Can you imagine that my male?”
Like father, like son, they both chorus a low grunt.
“Well, dear,” she pulls me into a smother. “I will see you tonight. If I don’t show up early, save me a seat beside you on the table, will you?” She says and throws a grin at Alpha Micheal who returns it with a wink, openly showing their affection.
“Bye Mom, Dad.” Axel gags as he pulls me outside.
Well, that went a hundred times better than I expected.
I feel Axel’s eyes boring into my back as he makes small talk with an Alpha from…Snowfang pack, I think, and I make my way to the pack kitchen. I did have to add some finishing touches to a list of things, starting with the foods and drinks already arranged in the kitchen.
As I walk in, I take note of the length of trays with covered champagnes, barrels of ale, coolers containing more drinks, and a long line of sweet-smelling foods and snacks arranged all over.
I count them mentally, praying that it would be enough to feed the guests and the pack members that will be in attendance.
Overseeing this party is my first appearance as the Luna of the pack and it has to go right. I mutter a prayer to the Moon goddess before taking deep breaths to prepare me.
What my breaths did not prepare me for was the gargoyle’s voice that I heard next.
“Alana.”
Oh, goddess. Not today.
I spin to my heel and there she is in bright red lipstick, an overly skimpy red dress that hugs her generous hips, and long, thin heels that could easily crush the skull of a newborn.
“Britney?” It comes out low and cautious.
I couldn’t fight her properly the last time but this time, I have long claws and sharp teeth at my disposal and she doesn’t know that now, does she?