Page 57 of Luna Ascending

“Don't youeverkeep something like that from me again” she hisses, her tone taking on an oddly dominant air “Tavey had to tell me, mid bloody fight, that if neither of you submitted it would be a fight to the death” one of her hands escapes my clutch, and she gives me a final solid punch to the breast bone before flouncing away leaving me protesting to her back.

Bloody hell. I swear that woman is becoming more Luna every fucking day. I love it. Mostly. I rub my sternum ruefully and let Tavey help me into the ceremonial robe.

“With the blessing of the pack council, I, Beta Angus of the Fenrir Watch, pass the Lupine Chalice to our new leader, Alpha Aaron, Son of Connell, his Luna-in-Waiting Freya Faye, and to our new second, Beta Tavey” Angus hands me a cup, and I take a small sip , before passing it to Freya and Tavey in turn, while the whole congregation applauds and yells.

The ceremonial pomp over, everyone is free to mingle, and eat. For shifters food is always a big part of anything we do. A massive buffet is spread out under the canopy set up for the occasion. Being spring, it's chilly, but large heaters and some zip-on sides are keeping it cosy.

I'm physically and mentally exhausted, stuffing my face and nodding and smiling at people is about as much as I'm capable of right now. Thankfully no-one seems to expect much more. The initiation into the Watch will come in a few weeks, so at least for now I don't need to worry about that.

I wander over to the table where people left their gifts. It's a bit much, I don't need extra gifts. Just being the alpha feels like a bloody gift. I'm drawn to a plain looking parcel perched on the end of the table.

I turn it over thoughtfully in my hands. It's much heavier than I expected. Curiosity gets the better of me, I'd intended to wait until tomorrow to open any of these... but... one won't hurt.

Like a kid at Christmas I rip the paper open hurriedly, discarding it on the ground. In my hands is a stone. A rather plain looking stone about the size of my fist. I turn it over slightly confused... nothing different on the other side. Playfully, I toss it in the air. As I go to catch it a beam of light shines on it and the whole thing glows with a dark metallic sheen. The transformation shocks me so much I drop it. Hastily picking the stone up again I search for signs of what it might be, or who it's from. Nestled in among the discarded wrapping paper is a note on a plain brown card.

“Here's to celebrating your alpha-blooding, heard you might have a use for something like this. Call me whenever you need my help – Love Sam” I can almost hear her silky tones again just reading her words. I look between the stone and the note, more confused than ever.

A small cough beside me makes me look up guiltily.

“What is it?” asks Freya, her eyes sparkling “I can feel its power from here”

Wordlessly I hand her the stone. She takes it like its a bloody baby, cradling it in two hands, rocking it, peering at it. I clear my throat, making her start in return.

“Any idea what it is? I'm stumped!”

“It's a Severance Stone you numnuts!” Freya exclaims “Don't you remember Carl and Morganna describing it? This is the most amazing gift ever! Morganna might be able to reverse her spells now!”

I snatch it back and stare at the once-again plain looking stone in reverence, stroking it's smooth surface.

“That isthebest gift... after becoming alpha!” I exclaim and start back towards the tent to find Morganna.

“Not so fast lover-boy. Who's Sam? Why has she left you her number?” Freya's tone has a distinct edge to it. Ah shite. There are distinct disadvantages to having a mate.

It takes alotof reassurance before Freya accepts that I met Samantha once and once only, that she's a vampire, and that we were never, ever intimate. I leave out the part where she came on to me – I've got the feeling that wouldn't go down well.

Chapter Forty-Two

Freya's POV

I'm so excited to see if we can get Morganna working with the Severance stone, but I can't get Aaron's guilty look out of my mind. I've been feeling ropey for days, his ex-Luna Rite ladies are here and now this; a girl can't help but feel a bit insecure. Something seems off with this gift.

Why would a completely different species help out, for a second time, out of the blue. It doesn't make sense. I really, really want to believe him, and ninety percent of me does... but I've been tricked too much before. A little part of my soul will always remain wary now.

It kills me inside to see the flicker of hurt that crosses Aaron's face when he realises I don't trust him unquestionably. Tough shit. Trust is earned. I try to push it all to the side and concentrate on having an amazing evening, surrounded by family, friends and my Alpha-mate.

I am so proud of the way he dealt with their arcane traditions; finding a way to prove himself fairly and without bloodshed. Well, only a little – both Aaron and his father needed a few stitches, and his father's dislocated shoulder had to be reduced. But they're both alive and seem more connected to each other than before.

The next morning I can't wait to explore the possibilities of the Severance Stone. After sneaking out of bed super early, I find I'm not the only one. It's as if the thing is magnetic – Tavey, Morganna and I all seek it out. We pass it around, and exchange ideas over how to reverse the wolf-shifter separations. It's the happiest I've seen Morganna look, and the air around her doesn't seem so dark or oppressing today.

In the end, because Morganna is sure she remembers the spell, it proves relatively easy to work out how a reversal might work. She doesn't have the strength in her to do much casting unless under extreme pressure, but I think Tavey and I should be able to adapt the technique we used before, and channel our energy into her. Now we just need to persuade the shifter's we can do it.

The first to step up is Carl – I'd have thought he'd be put off by his previous experience with Morganna but he seems even more enthused about this than before. Although I can tell there's worry behind his eyes, he doesn't voice it.

I persuaded Aaron that we should use the clearing by the waterfall – I feel so much more full of energy there. I can't really explain it. Connell gives me a weird look when I mention it, apparently it's some sacred Luna site that's important for the Watch. Maybe I'm cut out for this Luna shit after all!

Tavey, Morganna and I sit down in a circle and motion him to join us in the centre. As he walks nervously towards us he passes Aaron. Swivelling suddenly to stand before him, Carl drops to his knees, his head bowed. For such a big, rough man it's an awkward pose. I can't hear the words he growls, but it's obviously heartfelt.

Aaron places a hand briefly on his head before Carl rights himself and continues toward us. What the fuck was that?

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