Dylan had rallied the Starsmoon Pack in the lower fields. All the males were gathered, their grey and white coats glinting in the star and moonlight as night swathed the landscape. Heather and I had collected the females of our pack in our old Luna’s house. Those who could fit had taken to the balconies at either end of the huge reception room, wanting to be outside to watch the battle. The rest of the women were gathered in the main reception room, still alert and listening to the quiet ushering around us.
Alarm for Dylan, for my dad, and Bert, and all the other males of my pack swept through me. Sweat beaded along my forehead, even in the crisp coolness of fall. I was pleased that Fern was being looked after by Maisy at my dad’s house. The other children were gathered in the main reception room. Their quiet chatter was the only noise punctuating the stillness.
Worry bit at me as I thought of Fern. What if, after finally being given her dad back and after meeting her grandfathers, she lost them now? I clenched my hands, refusing to let fear swallow me. I remembered Dylan’s promise to me: “Your Alpha, will lead our pack into battle, and we will be victorious.” The pack was strong and powerful. The lines of male wolves gathered on the plain declared that. The full force numbered two hundred.
The full might of Starsmoon would defend our lands. Dylan and our pack would win. Belief filled me up, not just in Nuu-Chah, but in my mate. After all, he had so much to fight for: me, his daughter, and his pack and home.
Dylan would win, and we’d build our lives here in Lord Hills as we’d always been meant to.
My voice sounded firm as I shared with the other wives, girlfriends, and daughters around me. “They’ll win this. I know they will. Because they’re blessed by Nuu-Chah, and because they are fighting to keep us all safe.”
Heather’s comforting tones rolled through the night from the other balcony too. Fulfillment rushed through me at the sound of my old Luna’s voice, realizing that I’d taken on her role, the one I was always meant to have. I was the pack’s new Luna.
I thought fondly of all the times I’d shadowed Heather all those years ago, learning what I needed to be the pack’s Luna. Despite being on the brink of battle, contentment came over me as I knew this was where I was meant to be and the reason Dylan had asked me to come back. So I could serve our pack as his other half.