<b>Chapter </b><b>3 </b>The Onyx Moon Pack
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“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We <i>shall </i>get there some day.”<b>–</b>A.A. Milne
Neron
Three years ago, I never thought I’d be in the position I’m in today. Three years ofborious effort to <b>ensure </b><b>our </b>survival; a direct result of Onyx Moon flourishing today. My pack. Instead of looking back with disdain and shame, I looked at my enormous family with pride and happiness.
Because I did that. I made it happen<b>. </b>After the strings of doubt guing me for those years, questioning my abilities<b>, </b>I could finally hold the keys to my new home and watch my members grow in number under my
<b>eyes</b>.
Today, Onyx Moon was a prosperousmunity that continued to grow. Some old Zircon Moon <b>pack </b>members followed, but many departed to other territories. New wolves, seeking a new home, blended <b>in </b>seamlessly, <b>and </b>with my mother <b>as </b>acting Luna, she ensured that every family got the help and supplies they needed to settle in. As time went on, our Moon Goddess finally blessed us with the long-awaited peace we’ve been praying for.
I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
The potent scent of maple wafted up to my nose as my <b>car </b>rolled down the streets <b>from </b>Pornd to the pack grounds. <b>Mellow </b>music caressed my ears, tapping my finger against the steering wheel with the sunlight reflecting off my Alpha ring. The golden band encircled therge ck onyx crystal, exposing a prism of rainbows hidden within. A symbol of my sess.
a
It <b>had </b>been a long day of gathering supplies for my art ss, and I was looking forward to a couple of hours of rxation. Aside from my Alpha duties, I worked part-time as an art teacher to my <b>pack </b>disciples. Call it strange, but I found joy in teaching the younger folk about the pleasures of art and the history behind the greats, like Vincent Van Gogh. I still had a long way before I could be an actual teacher if I decide to take that path.
Two guards unlocked the double-gated doors once they spotted my car rolling in. Blurs of the maple trees filled my eyes, zipping past my peripherals. Sounds of pack activity graced my ears, picking out theughter of children. My home opened in front of my <b>eyes</b><b>; </b>the grand pack house standing in the center with smaller houses scattered around its infrastructure<b>. </b>Soldiers trained in the south, kids were ying in the east<b>, </b><b>adults </b>shared conversations over tea and food in front of their homes-everything that constituted a healthy pack was happening right before my eyes.
My heart unleashed a mighty beat. It’s real. It’s <b>real</b>. This wasn’t a dream.
I rolled into the parking garage, exiting my car once I shut it off. Some members greeted me as I approached the front steps of my home with two statues of wolves on either side of the stairs. However, I was <b>met </b>with a different greeting when I nudged the door open.
And it came as a dramatic howl, and a wagging white and grey tail.
“Hey, buddy!” I kneeled and petted my husky, Lupin<b>, </b>behind the ears. Lupin took the chance <b>to </b><b>assault </b><b>my </b>cheeks with his wet tongue. “Alright, that’s enough. You better not have caused too much trouble while I was
Chapter 3 – The Onys Moon Pack
<b>gone</b><b>.</b>
<b>Lupin </b>barked in offense, stomping his front paws in a growl. There’s nothing that truly hits the mark of it being a wolf pack without a pet <b>dog </b>added to the mix. Rubbing his head <b>one </bst time, I <b>rose </b>to my feet and walked through the <b>grand </b><b>foyer </b>with the pup trailing behind me. The smell of my mother’s cooking graced my nose, my stomach roaring for sustenance. Before I could head inside the kitchen, Kwame walked by with a panicked look on his face, darting his head every which way.
“Kwame?” He jumped, turning to me. “<b>Is </b>something the matter?”
“Neron, I didn’t think you’d be back so soon.” Kwameughed, toying with the ends of his dreadlocks. “Something is the matter. I’m looking for Naomi.”
*She disappeared <b>again</b>?” His daughter liked to pull the vanishing act often. Causing her parents’ heart attacks must be her favorite pastime. “She couldn’t have gone very far. I’ll help.”
“Oh, no, you don’t <b>have </b>to, bro. You just got back from the city.”
Iughed<b>, </b>patting his shoulder. “It’s no problem. Have you tried scoping out <b>her </b>scent?”
“Yes, but she’s <b>awfully </b>smart for a three-year-old. Naomi got her hands on the damn Anti-Spray.”
Lupin hopped around my feet, pawing at my leg like the attention-hog he was. “We’ll still find her. Maybe Lupin would have better luck.”
Kwame left to search for his daughter on the other side of the pack house while Lupin and I searched every broom closet and barren room. If I was a three-year-old, where would I hide? Somewhere I’d think no one <b>would </b><b>find </b>me. Aftering up empty for the millionth time, I looked down at my husky, who hadn’t left my
side.
“Take me to thest spot youst saw Naomi, Lupin.”
Wagging his tail excitedly, Lupin took off, and I <b>followed</b>. He led me to theundry room on the lower level. I thought my dog led me on a wild goose chase until I overheard faint muffles of… two girls? I looked high and low until I spotted the short recess nestled next to one of therger dryers. I crept toward the cupboard and threw it open to be met <b>with </b>the shrieks from two small girls.
Naomi and Orchid.
“Uncle Neron! Hi!” Naomi grinned while her cousin waved silently. “Fancy meeting you here!”
“Indeed.” I crossed my arms. “Your Dad is looking for you.”
A <b>wave </b>of panic shed over Naomi’s face, shaking her head. “Did you tell him I <b>was </b><b>here</b>?”
“Not yet.” My eyes darted to the second girl curled in the cupboard. “Why is Orchid here?”
“She wantedpany,” Orchid answered, darting her dark eyes to her knees<b>. </b>“Am I in trouble, Uncle?”
“No, you’re not.” I sighed. “Go find your Mom. You can take Lupin with you.” Orchid’s eyes glowed at the mention of her favoritepanion and Lupin howled in response. She crawled out of the cupboard and followed the husky <b>out </b>of theundry room, shutting the door behind her. Now, with Naomi and <b>me </b>alone in
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the linen-scented room, I kneefed on both my knees and offered her a meager mile. “Wald well me he
“Would real reason you’re here. Mimi
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“Na…” She whimpered. “What if they get mad?”
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Chapter 3 – The Onyx Moon Pack
<b>“</b><b>Yep</b>,” I answered, peering over her shoulder at the stove. “What are you making? I smell fish.”
“We’re making lunch.” Mom <b>answered</b>, yfully <b>evasive </b>as always. “I know you’re hungry, but I <b>won’t </b>have <b>you </b>spoiling your dinner.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Mom, I’m not a kid. I won’t spoil my dinner.”
“Uh-huh.” She shook her <b>head</b>. “That’s the same excuse your sister gives me, but I’m not falling for it! You’ll have to wait <b>like </b>everyone else.”
1
“Fine,” I whined butughed it off afterward. “I got some stuff to take care of, anyway.”
“Speaking of, <b>have </b>you confirmed your attendance for the Alpha Gathering, yet? And are you taking <b>Nuria </b>with you?”
Damnit, I forgot about that damn thing. I wasn’t in the <b>mood </b>for dealing with pompous alphas and their mates for three days, in a state <b>known </b>for crazy humans and roaming alligators. Resting my elbows on the kitchen ind, I huffed. “Not yet. Did someone call my office about it?”
hotel for th
“Yeah, Alpha Erik, who is <b>renting </b>his event.”
“I appreciate you answering for me, Mom. I wish I could get out of it, but the damn five-year privilege thing is kicking my ass<b>.</b><b>”</b>
“Just two <b>more </b>years, darling. It’lle by faster than you think.” Mom ran her hand through my hair, sinking her fingers into my scalp-her age-old technique of calming me down. Unashamed, I melted under her touch like I did many <b>times </b>as a child. She always knew how to make me feel better.
“Speaking of Nuria, where is she?”
“In the trees.”
“Huh?”
Mom and Luli pointed out the window above the sink. Well, they weren’t kidding. There Nuria was<b>, </b>sitting on top of the thickest branch of a tree with her legs <b>crossed</b>, tapping away at her cell phone. She looked up briefly and gave us a wave before returning to whatever caught her interest on her phone.
Those bird mannerisms hadn’t disappeared, so it seems. Shaking my head, I pushed <b>myself </b>off the ind. “I’ll be in my office. Let me know if you need anything, Mom.”Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
After spending a <b>good </b>ten minutes in my office examining <b>and </b>signing documents, something knocked at my window. When I turned to look, I jumped when <b>Nuria’s </b>face was in full view, hanging upside down from a <b>tree </b>branch with aic grin on her face. She gestured for me to open the window.
This is what I get for setting my office <b>near </b>the <b>trees</b>.
I set the <b>documents </b>down and allowed my sister to slip in with case. “Hi, Nero! What’s up?”
“I was busy.” I rolled my eyes<b>, </b>taking my seat in my chair again. “What were you doing?”
Chapter 3 – The Onyx Moon Pack
Nuria shrugged her shoulders. “Hanging out?”
“You’re <b>not </b>funny.”
“Humor is subjective, Mount Everest.”
I shot <b>a </b><b>re</b><b>, </b>which was returned with a grin. Nuria’s many nicknames for my height have yet to <b>run </b>out. <b>Last </b><b>week</b>, it was Sasquatch. The week before, Beanpole. “Anyway, what do you want? I doubt you came to my office to <b>chat </b>about humor.”
“Nope!” Nuria hopped on my desk, folding one leg over the other. “I wanted to ask how the ns for Mom’s birthday party areing <b>along</b>?”
Just like that, my annoyance was reced with glee in an instant. “Well, Mom is a social butterfly, so I sent out invitations to all her friends <b>plus </b>advised <b>the </b>pack members to keep this a secret.” I pulled open a drawer next to my leg and pulled out a ck folder I kept hidden from view. “I found a renowned bakery in Oregon called Pearl’s Delights and I’ve ced a custom order for Mom’s cake.”
“Buttercream frosting or whipped cream?”
“Buttercream. Whipped would melt in the heat.”
“Okay, fair. How about presents?”
I slumped my head into my fists. “I don’t know, I asked Mom if there was anything she wanted and the answer she gave me was “I have my babies, I need nothing else.”
Nuria snorted. “Typical Mom response. Why don’t draw a portrait?”
“I did thatst year, <b>and </b>I want to do something different. What are you getting her?”
“I’m deciding between a custom-made purse or a weighted nket. Her birthday party is in a week and I still can’t decide.” My sister sighed, rubbing her temples. “But I’ll figure it out. I just need more time.”
“Fair enough.” Flipping open the folder, my eyes were greeted with rows of colorful highlights. “I’ll ask the Omegas to go shopping the day before for the feast. Now, the only thing we haven’t figured out is how to get Mom out of the house for the day.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that! I got that covered!”
…How?”
“Trust <b>me </b>on this.” Nuria giggled, crossing her arms. I arched an eyebrow in suspicion, but I let it the invitations, Neron. I don’t know if you thought about it, but… since <b>you’ve </b><b>invited </b>her parents, I think you should also invite Kiya to the party this year.”
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“Back to
My heart jumped straight into my throat, stilling my body without fail. Lyra and Niki’s <b>names </b><b>were </b>highlighted as confirmed attendees to Mom’s birthday party, but I didn’t list <b>Kiya’s </b><b>name</b>. Not even onst year’s list or the <b>year </b>before. Nuria waited for my response, but I simply closed the folder and set it on my desk and shook my head. “I don’t <b>think </b>so.”
“Why not?” <b>She </b>asked, baffled. “It wouldn’t hurt to ask. Kiya is a part of my family too.”
Chapter 3 The <b>Onyx </b>Moon Pack
“I don’t think it is the right <b>time </b>for her toe.”
“You said thatst year!”
“She said she wasn’t ready toe, and we discussed this. I don’t know if it would change this year.”
“Are you saying that for her or are you saying that because you’re scared?” When I didn’t answer, Nuria
I <b>continued</b>. “It’s been three years <b>since </b>you both saw <b>each </b>otherst. I don’t see why she wouldn’t be invited. Mom would <b>love </b><b>her </b>to be here since it is her party.”
“I don’t know, Nuri. I don’t think I’m ready to see her yet.”
“Neron, you always do this!” Nuria groaned, throwing her hands in the air. “Every time we breach the Kiya subject, you always avoid or shut it down. Whenever Mom and I visit Ga Moon, you nevere! What <b>are</b>
you so scared about?”
“I’m not <b>scared</b>.”
“Then, what’s the problem? Can you at least talk to me about it?”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” I insisted. “I texted her yesterday to congratte her on finishing her job with her students. We chatted, <b>and </b>that was the end of it. There’s no reason to push her toe here unless she
wants to.”
“How would you know if she wants toe if you don’t ask her?”
I shifted in my seat, feeling the telltale bump of my phone in my pocket. Nuria <b>was </b>right; how <b>would </b>I know if I don’t ask? My fingers itched to grab the <b>device </b>and invite her to the party,
but everything in my body rebelled against it. I wasn’t scared of <b>Kiya</b>, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready. I love that woman more than life itself, but how could I look at her without feeling so… so…
<b>“</b>Guilty?”
Yes. My work with Dr. Nilsen was far from <b>over</b>. I’m thankful that he became my pack’s official psychologist, but I have underestimated how hard the healing I’ve done was. The distance between Kiya and me has been beneficial for me to focus<b>, </b>and perhaps it was the same with her, but every time I think about her, the desire to hold her and keep her beside me grows stronger daily.
I desired everything about her-from her presence to her smell, to her intellect, to her heart.
But I don’t deserve her. I don’t care what anyone has to say about that.
“I can’t ask her, Nuria.” I <b>shook </b>my head again. “Can I <b>have </b>some space, right now? I need to be alone<b>.</b>”
Nuria reluctantly nodded. She pulled out her cell phone and became engrossed with it as she left my office. <b>Breathing </b>in the silence, I turned my chair to face the window, watching the sun spring <b>out </b>from behind the clouds to highlight each leaf in its pale halo. I didn’t acknowledge the tear that escaped down my cheek.
Why the hell am I feeling this way? If Kiya came to the party, it’ll be for Mom. Hell, she’ll get to see Raina <b>again </b>and meet her niece. It’ll be a nice family reunion. But I knew the moment 1 smell her; I wouldn’t be able to stay away from her. I would whisk her away and kiss <b>her </b><b>until </b>she was breathless.
And <b>that’s </b>what was the problem. Sure, our talks have be sporadic over the years because our lives got busy, but there was never a moment where I didn’t think <b>about </b>her. She was doing so well for herself; a college-educated woman with her whole life ahead of her, surrounded by supportive friends and family. Mom treated her like she was her own, and Nuria has her best friend back.
I wasn’t sure where I fit in the picture. If I did at all.
My thumb hovered over her contact when I pulled my phone out. We’ve talked yesterday; shouldn’t that be enough for some time? I sighed, frustrated with myself at my Indecisiveness. I missed her terribly, but I didn’t <b>want </b>to intrude on her life.
“I can’t… I can’t…”
Onyx wanted to talk to me. He offered his strength and opened our mind-link, waiting for me to take the initiative, but like a coward, I walled up my side of the <b>link</b>. There was no way I <b>could </b>talk about her without jumping into my car and <b>break </b>every roadw to see her. One day, I’ll see her. One day, I’ll be able to not feel the guilt when looking at her.
One day… one day….
But not today.
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