Heart of the Moon

Today, I am decorating the backyard for my sons second birthday. Derek wanted a spiderman themed party.. while Darius wanted IronMan.. so I simply went with an Avenger themed party. Some of the warriors even volunteered to wear costumes.. The boys will be thrilled! I have Spiderman, IronMan, Thor, and Captain America!

I walked over and checked on Daddy. He grinned and said “Stop fretting! I feel much stronger today! If I get tired, I will take a nap!” I laughed and said “Let me worry, okay? You were at death’s door three days ago! As your daughter, it’s my job to fret!”

I looked up just as Cole walked out the back door.. I grinned “Cole! Two days in a row? I feel so special!” He laughed and said “You are special, dweeb! But the Alpha wanted to discuss some things with your brother, so I rode with!”

My heart sank! I knew I had to tell Kieran about the twins.. I was hoping for a little more time.. Oh well! What better day, than their birthday! Cole asks “How will you handle him seeing the boys? I mean, it is so obvious who they belong to!?” I just shrug and head over to set the tables up.

Derek ran up and yanked on my jeans “Mommy! Mommy! Toby is mean! Darius!” And I looked down, snatching him up to my hip, I went in search of my other wayward toddler. I felt Derek’s head jerk and he whined. Looking down, I watched a handprint appear on his face.. knowing exactly what happened! Oh hell no!

I rounded the corner of the house and spied Toby, leaned over my baby.. on the ground.. curled up, covering his head. I saw red! I knelt down.. touching my baby’s cheek, healing it. I picked him up, placing him on my other hip.. I yelled for Phoebe!

Cole had followed me, and I handed the boys to him, asking him to take them to my dad. Phoebe stepped out of the kitchen and saw me pulling Toby over to her. “I warned you! Did I not warn you!? You’re teaching your son that not only is it okay to hurt others with words.. but physically, as well?! What kind of parent are you?”

She shrugs “Your kids should know how to defend themselves!” I am.. I don’t even.. what!? I said “They are two.. you moron! Two! Babies! Toddlers.. and Toby is six. That’s four years difference! He laid hands on my son! And you see nothing wrong with that!? You need to find your mate.. and get to Alpha’s office.. Now!”

I link Alec, explaining the situation.. and go to gather dad and the boys. Cole helps my dad to his feet and the five of us head to the office. I am furious! It took everything in me to not snap that bitch’s neck. Bad form for the acting Luna… so, luckily, I refrained!

Daddy opened the door, and I followed him inside. Fuck my life! In my anger, I had forgotten Kieran was here! He jumped to his feet… staring at the two little boys on either side of my hips. Well! Here we go!

His face turned as dark as a thundercloud and just as he opened his mouth to snap something out, Daddy said “This conversation will wait! Right now, we have a pressing matter of bullying.. and I want it addressed!”

Phoebe, Warren and Toby walked in.. Alec told them to sit. I took a seat on the sofa.. with my boys between Daddy and me. He immediately handed them paper and pencils.. drawing little animals for them to try and copy.

Alec looked at Warren and said “Explain why your son finds it acceptable to not only harass, call names, but physically assault my nephews!? They are Alpha.. in their own right.. as well as, by birth! We have Zero tolerance in this pack for bullying. Care to tell me when your family decided to ignore the rules?”

Warren looked chagrined and said “I have tried, Alpha. All I can think is, my mate wasn’t raised in our pack.. perhaps she grew up thinking this behavior is okay. I have told her countless times that her gossiping and spreading rumors are not allowed here, yet she persists.. She has accumulated a little following of other she-wolves that all seem to think it’s fun to run others down. I don’t know how to curb her actions!”

I looked at Phoebe. “Even your own mate does not condone this behavior.. yet, you persist!? We have always taught that being hateful to anyone in this pack will be dealt with harshly! You are both warriors! Your son will be a warrior! You are raising him to believe he can manhandle anyone smaller, younger.. or different than he is. Your main mistake was thinking MY babies should be his next targets! Explain yourself!”

She sneered “You walk around here, acting like you are entitled! Like you are better than the rest of us! Yet, you leave for over two years.. going who knows where.. then show back up with kids.. and no mate! The Alpha’s little princess is nothing but a whore!”

I started laughing. Just literally holding my sides, laughing.. I calmed down enough to ask “You are my judge!? YOU are my jury? I have been tried and convicted.. on what? Your small mind decided that I just left so I could whore around? That’s awesome! The interim of my time away, was spent learning. The things I learned allowed me to save my father’s life! I am the acting Luna of Dark Woods until MY brother finds his mate! As such, you either respect me.. or leave! Otherwise, challenge me for my position. One more time! One. More. Time your son speaks out of turn to anyone.. uses physical violence against another defenseless child.. he will be removed from your supervision and taught the meaning of being a decent wolf!”

Warren gasped and asked “Please Luna! Don’t take my son! I will teach him our ways! I guarantee this will never happen again!” I smiled at him and responded “Warren, you are a great warrior. I remember you growing up and you always treated me with kindness. However, your mate hasn’t acclimated very well to the rules and regulations of our pack. I honestly believe she needs to retake the indoctrination course again.. apparently, she learned nothing when she joined our pack.”

She snarls “I never took that course! Why would I? I was a grown woman.. fully aware of the machinations of pack life. You don’t get to dictate how I act or live my life! You are nobody to me! So Yes.. Lunaaa! I challenge you for your position! I will show this pack exactly what you are!”

I looked over at Alec and Simon.. they were irate. I smiled at them and shook my head.. “Okay, Phoebe. Challenge accepted. Since I am the challenged, the fight is my choice. I choose no wolves.. hand to hand.. no weapons.. submission only. I will not kill you! I would not do that to Your family!”

Alec shot his eyes to mine “Are you sure about this, Callie!? You owe this pathetic excuse of a mother nothing!” I just grinned at him.. and turned to my boys “Derek.. Darius. Mommy is going to fight.. you’ve watched before.. this time, I want you to pay attention, I never want to fight. I will never go looking for trouble. But, I won’t allow anyone to hurt you and get away with it. Just like I would never tolerate the two of you being mean to anyone who isn’t harmful to you first. Do you understand?”

Derek nodded, while Darius grinned “Kick her ass, Mommy. I will clap!” And he claps his little hands, as their Grandpa says “Daycare is doing these boys good! Their vocabulary is expanding.” Everyone laughed.. except me. I have a feeling it’s going to get worse..and tell everyone in the room “Don’t encourage them!”