The Lunar Child: The Elemental Wolves

by M. D. Butler

  “You seem a little obsessive there, Benny Boy. I never was and never will be yours. As I said, I have a mate. I’ll be joining his pack after the meeting with your father. Now, get away from Denahi’s truck so we can attend said meeting.”

  “You’re lying!”

  Is this girl for real? I thought the mate thing would shut her up. She’s in serious denial right now.

  “Why would I lie?”

  “You’re a defective, worthless slut! Didn’t take you long to spread your legs for them, huh?” She turns to us, and spits, “Is that all it would take? Some easy pussy? Do you share her with your friends? Is that why you’re claiming to be her mate?”

  Now she’s annoying the fuck out of me. I can feel the guys struggling to control themselves through the bond, but Jahla is calm. She’s used to being insulted, but the things this bitch is saying makes me want to put my hands on a girl. In a violent way.

  “We’ve already marked each other, so it’s best that you accept it.” I casually pull the collar of my shirt to the side to give them all a view of the shimmery scar.

  “No! You’re mine!” He takes a step towards Jahla, making us all step in front of her. No way is the douchebag getting anywhere near her.

  “Fuck this. Come on, Ben. We need to go home and talk to Dad about this.”

  There’s no way this shit is real. She stares at us for a long moment before pulling her brother away. The group follows them, many giving us confused looks as they go.

  “Well, that was fun.”

  “Really, Cash?” she says with a roll of her eyes.

  She’s completely unphased by Huntington’s revelation now, but I felt the split second of disbelief that shot through the link when he revealed it. She didn’t expect that, and neither did we.

  “Has everyone made it yet? They’re going to be trouble, and we need to let James know. We might not be able to stay here, sweetheart.”

  “Yeah, they got here a couple of hours ago. They’re at the hotel off of main street.” I turn to help Jahla get into the back seat next to Cash. “Mav’s right, angel. I know you wanted to finish school here, but it might not be wise.”

  “I just said I wanted to graduate. The school doesn’t matter, Krix. I don’t think I want to stay, either. What Benson said gives me the creeps. I might throw up if I even think about it too much.”

  “No vomiting in my truck, pixie!”

  “Alright, we’ll talk about it tonight. Right now, we have to go to the hotel to pick up the alpha for the meeting.”

  “And meet out parents! They’re going to love you, babe.”

  By the grimace on Jahla’s face, I think she forgot about that part.

  “You’ll be fine, sweetheart,” says Mav as he climbs into the front seat.

  “You don’t know that! I don’t even have anything nice to wear!”

  “You look beautiful,” Den says as he starts the truck and leaves the parking lot of the school.

  “It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing, Jahla. They’ve been waiting for you just as long as we have. Our moms are going to descend on you like vultures the moment you step through the door.”

  “Oh, joy.”

  Chapter 14

  Benson

  I refuse to believe it. The bitch is mine, and they think they can come in and take her? Who the fuck does that Krix bastard think he is?

  “I can’t believe Dad didn’t tell us about her having a mate. She has to be lying. Right, Ben?”

  “You saw the marks, Bee. They’ve mated.”

  The words taste bitter in my mouth.

  “It’s not fair! I was going to ask Dad if I could take one of them as a mate, and now they’re all standing with her. Probably fucking her disgusting ass pussy!”

  “Shut the fuck up, Blythe!’

  She gapes at me, and I swipe my head down my face in frustration as I turn the car onto the road leading towards the pack’s main gate. I’ve never raised my voice at her, but her whining is grating on my already shriveled nerves.

  “Look, I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated that Dad didn’t tell us anything about this.”

  We both sit in silence as we make our way to the pack house. I pull my car into its spot in the garage, the beta kids doing the same with theirs.

  “I’m going to my room. I’ll meet up with you guys later.”

  No one says anything, and I don’t stick around to give them a chance. I’m not really up for company right now, and I know the only thing they’ll want to talk about is Jahla and her newfound harem of dicks.

  I hate even the possibility that they all might be touching her. I already want to rip Krix’s throat out because she marked him, and I could see the hint of a mark above the frayed collar of her raggedy V-neck.

  That bastard will die first.

  Dad has been keeping the other wolves at bay since I was ten. That was when he told me that I was going to have to mate with the alpha’s daughter from the White River pack. I was given the chance to choose one girl to have as my own. He said that alliance matings are never happy. I was shocked at the time because that’s what he has with my mother, but it made sense.

  They hated each other.

  I could have any girl from the pack as my mistress to keep my wolf in control. He said the wolf will continuously try to reject the forced mating, and a mistress will give him that feeling of having a real mate because she will act as one should.

  It was a lot to take on at ten years old, but my answer was immediate. I walk into my room, closing the door behind me, and lay back on my bed as I think about the single name that I’d given him.

  “Jahla.”

  He tried to talk me out of it. Wanted me to pick a wolf that had at least a little worth to her in case a pup came out of the arrangement, but I stood firm.

  He didn’t see beneath the weakness that she represented. Her parents hated her, and she never stood up for herself.

  I saw her, though.

  Jahla was, and still is, beautiful. Her hair so white that it shines silver at night. Her lavender eyes glow in certain lights when she takes a chance to look up. That brown skin, so smooth and soft looking. I’ve never been attracted to anyone but her in my entire life.

  And now they’re trying to take her.

  I can’t let that happen. We have to do something!

  I’m lying there, staring at the ceiling, when my dad walks in. He pauses to look at me as I sit up, then closes the door, and makes his way over to sit in the chair at my desk. I don’t hesitate to with getting straight to the point.

  “Why didn’t you tell me she had a mate?”

  “You know better than to question me, boy.”

  I lower my eyes to his nose. He may be my father, but he’s still an alpha. He doesn’t hesitate to kill. He has excuses whenever the council comes knocking, but they’re always lies. His wolf is bloodthirsty, and the man is power hungry.

  A murderous combination.

  “She was supposed to be mine, Dad.”

  “She was never meant to be yours.”

  What? He told me I could have her. Said she’d keep my wolf calm. I’ve fantasized about having that little body chained to my bed for years!

  “You told me- “

  “I never said she could be your mistress. I told you to pick a girl, but I never agreed to let you have her. You just assumed when I let it go.”

  “Then why even keep her around?”

  “I let it slide that you keep questioning me, but know that my patience is wearing thin.” I smother my anger and frustration as a trade for surviving.

  “Sorry, I’ll listen.”

  “Good choice. I kept the girl around because I knew they’d come.”

  I bite my lips to keep from blurting the question out. He knew those assholes would come here. Knew they would try to take Jahla away from me?

  “I’ve been trying to take on the council for years, gathering packs to my side. They try to make us live like humans; talking things out, inste
ad of just slaying our problems like we did in the past. We’re animals! The top of the damn food chain, and they want us to be peaceful? We’re supposed to be fucking savage! It’s what we are.”

  I’ve known how he felt on this topic for years. He hates having to cater to the council and usually ignores their laws in favor of doing things his own way. I even caught him talking to a few rogues in his office before, even though the law says to kill them, or turn them over to the council.

  He was giving them orders for shit.

  “That girl could ruin all of my plans. She and those boys.”

  I try to hold in the question in, but I can’t. “How?”

  I brace for the punch, but it never comes.

  “I’ve known it since she was born. The Winter Solstice. There’s never been another wolf born on that day in over two hundred years. Only her. Now, they’re here.”

  He’s mumbling to himself, and my confusion is growing. Fuck the consequences. I need to know why I can’t have Jahla!

  “Dad, what does this all mean?”

  He stops pacing in front of my desk and turns to look at me. Slowly, he spins the chair back around to sit in it. I adjust myself on the bed so we’re both comfortably facing each other. He came into my room, so I know that whatever he’s about to say is important.

  I know that it concerns Jahla, but I wasn’t prepared for the full extent of what came out of his mouth.

  “There’s a prophecy…”

  ***

  I’m sitting in the alpha’s office as he makes calls to his contacts and allies.

  I refuse to call him my father.

  He wants to kill her. My Jahla.

  I don’t know how, but I have to stop him. She’s mine, and I won’t lose her. Not to him, or those mangy mutts that he says are her mates. All fucking four of them will die by my hand!

  I haven’t said a word to him since he told me about the prophecy. How she was created by the Mother to take him down because he dared to take on the “corrupt” council.

  I don’t believe him for a second. He’s trying to make it seem like his madness is for the good of our kind, but it’s bullshit. He just wants power and control. He’s always tried to conquer other pack and take them over. Very few in our pack know this. They just think the influx of new members are refugees, or something. People that he’s saving from bad packs, when he’s the real one destroying them.

  He’s like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

  I don’t give a fuck about any of that. I have to get a plan together. I can’t let him kill her. She’s fucking mine!

  “They’ll be here soon to negotiate her release from the pack.”

  I jerk my head up when I realized that he’s speaking to me.

  “Are you going to let her go?”

  “I’m going to do all I can to avoid it, or at least delay it for a while. May not be possible. The alpha coming with her is the most powerful in the states.” He sneers out the last part. Loathing clear in his voice.

  Of course, the man would hate having to admit that someone else has more power.

  If I can’t keep her here to kill, I’ll have to make my moves sooner than I’d planned. I can’t allow her to have the time to train with them. I should’ve killed her long before now, when I had the chance! I thought I’d be able to wait until her powers were unbound, then use them on my side. Damn it!”

  “So, if we can get her to stay, we take the chance to kill her?” the thought alone makes my heart race.

  “Yes. If we can’t convince them to allow her to stay, we have to gather the forces to prepare our first move against the council.” A move that involves using rogues to slaughter the packs that approve of the council’s laws.

  “I have to kill that little bitch before she grows to powerful,” he says to himself as he rubs his chin in thought.

  I look towards the floor, lest he sees the dispute in my gaze.

  I have to get her away from all of them.

  Chapter 15

  Jahla

  I want to run away!

  That’s the thought that is running through my head on repeat as we exit the elevators on the sixth floor of the hotel. The guys said the alpha and all of their parents are all on this floor, but they’ll meet us in the alpha’s room.

  I’m about to meet the most important people in their lives, and they’re treating it like it’s not a big fucking deal!

  I straighten my shoulders as we stop in front of a door. The guys taught me about mental walls on the way over here, so they don’t feel my nerves through the bond.

  I’d cut those pesky bitches out if I could. They’re annoying as fuck!

  “It’ll be fine, sweetheart.”

  Oh, yeah. I bet it will, Mavrin. Just meeting your parents. Nothing to be nervous about at all. Fuck you, dude.

  I still give him a small smile for his efforts, though.

  Cash knocks on the door, and something occurs to me.

  They’re standing in the same formation as they were at school when Benson started coming towards me. Cash and Den are in front of me while Mav and Krix stand on either side of me. It feels right, but we’re going to have to talk about this later.

  Right now, the door is opening.

  And a there’s a big man standing there.

  “Where is she?”

  “Well, hello to you, too.”

  “Can we come in, Alpha?”

  Mav thumps Cash on the back of the head as we’re ushered into the room, but I can’t see much with the guys blocking me. I think they’re doing it on purpose.

  “I told you she had to be here for the…” he trails off as the guys shift to the side a little. “Oh. You’re a tiny little thing, aren’t you?”

  My wolf raises her hackles at that, causing me to get a little turned up, too. “I’m 5’4”. Not that little.”

  Fuck! He’s an alpha, you idiot!

  I jump as he laughs hard and loud.

  “Oh, shit! Feisty, too! Sorry about that. I didn’t mean it in a negative way. I’m just a little blunt sometimes. I’m James, no Alpha. These pups only call me that to annoy me.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.” I don’t say his name or title. I don’t know if he’s serious or not, and both ways have the possible outcome of insulting him.

  “Can we come over now?”

  I look towards the other side of the room in the lounge area to see a large group of people standing there with excited expressions.

  Oh, shit!

  “come on. You’ve gotten on my nerves enough already. Just don’t scare her away!”

  The women rush over, and I take a reflexive step back behind the guys. Krix was right. They’re descending like vultures!

  “Don’t you even try it, honey! I’ve been waiting for Denahi’s mate for years. Come out from behind them so we can see you.”

  I peak around Cash to see a tall woman who looks similar to Denny standing in front of me. She’s bouncing on her toes like a little kid, her dark eyes shining and long, midnight black hair swinging with her movements. It makes me step completely from behind my human shields. I straighten my shoulders again and dredge up some of my newfound confidence to keep me from showing my nerves.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, dear! Oh, aren’t you a gorgeous thing?” This woman is definitely Mavrin’s mom. She’s willowy with beautiful dark skin, but her hair is black and pulled back into a fluffy ponytail at her nape. Her comment makes me smile, and I feel myself relaxing a little.

  “I’m Donna, and it’s a pleasure to meet you! Is this your natural hair color? Come here and let me see.” Definitely Cash’s mom. She shares his red hair, but her eyes are a light brown. They also share a fascination with my hair, it seems.

  “Stop, Donna, we have to give her a chance to breathe. What’s your name, sweetie? I’m Kathy, by the way” The only one left that she could be is Krix’s mom. She’s a blonde with blue eyes, but they’re not like her son’s. hers are a darker color, more subdued than his
bright orbs.

  “It’s nice to meet you all. I’m Jahla.”

  “Oh, such a pretty name for a pretty young woman! Come on over and sit with us while the boys have their talk. I’m Tia.” Denny’s mom locks her arm with mine as she pulls me toward the couch in the lounge.

  “So just fuck us, huh?” They all spin to look at the men who they were standing with.

  “Fine. Each of you go stand by your son. It’ll make all of this easier. Oh, I almost forgot. My name is Kayla.”

  Donna, Kathy, Tia, and Kayla. Cash, Krix, Den, and Mav. If I don’t say them in order with their son’s I’ll mix their names up.

  “Okay. We have my mate, Kevin, who is the father of Cash.”

  “I’m stuck with Daniel, but he makes cute kids. I could’ve done worse.” Damn, Krix’s mom is kind of funny.

  “I’m mated to Brandon, if you can’t tell by the hair. It’s obvious who he’s the father of.” She’s right, Mav is the spitting image of his father.

  “And then we have my headache, Calen. Now, come on! I want to know all about you. We only have a few days until we have to leave.” Tia is pulling me by my arm again once the introductions are done.

  “A few days, Mom?”

  “Did you think we would just pop in and turn around to leave again? Are you serious?”

  “James!” I guess they drop his title when they get riled up.

  “They overruled me!”

  “You’re the alpha!”

  “You’re acting like you don’t want me here, Denahi. Do you not care about your mother anymore?” I can tell she’s trying to guilt him with fake tears. There’s no way he’ll fall for that.

  “Wait… No! I didn’t… Mom, stop! I’m sorry! It’s just-and we… Fine!”

  What? That wasn’t the Denny that I’ve come to know.

  “Thank you. Besides, she’ll need us when she goes shopping. You four don’t know a damn thing about women’s fashion.” At that, Tia sits me down on the couch and leans in. “Den can’t stand tears. He’ll give in to anything most of the time if you cry, and he can’t run away.”

  “Cash is the same, but they scare him more. I’m afraid his sisters may have scarred him for life,” adds Donna.