Talking to the Moon

Chapter 3 – Birthday Bash

“Are you ready, Birthday Girl?” Micheal asks as he winked and takes his stance in the fighting ring.

I chuckle. “Are you?” Micheal advances towards me and lunges forward. I sidestep at the very last minute and he keeps running past me a few steps.

“That was dirty,” Micheal exclaims.

“No, that was smart. Let’s try again.” I look around me trying to find something. I smell something wonderful, green apple and lemon. My mouth is watering, not for food, but for touch. Then a second scent hit me, rosewood and vanilla. Micheal takes my distraction as an opportunity and hits me in the jaw. I rub the spot and curse myself for letting myself get distracted.

Micheal takes his stance again and motions for me to attack. I take a step to my left and then two to my right, throwing him off before I then veer left again and sideswipe him on the ribs. He lets out a loud groan and I quickly step behind him. Before he has time to come back from my punch I step on his leg under the back of his knee to gain his height and lock his head between my arms in a chokehold. I hold it tight until he taps my arm, signaling that he gives up. I let go and he falls forward on his knees and starts coughing.

Alpha Darren and Greyson clap their hands outside the ring and Alpha Darren’s laughter echoes in the clearing. “That’s my girl.”

“Alpha.” Micheal and I say in unison and bare our necks in respect. Alpha Darren nods and we relax again.

Greyson dismisses everyone from the training session and all the trainees hurry towards the showers but not before patting me on the shoulder, congratulating me on my victory.

“Olivia, have you made a decision yet? I’m sending Micheal but as you can see you would be a great addition.” Alpha Darren is getting impatient in waiting for my decision but I sense that he doesn’t just want me to be a better fighter but also wants me to keep some distance from his sons. He knows better than to order them to stay away from me and figures a more delicate approach is smarter.

“I’ll let you know soon, Alpha Darren,” I reply with uncertainty. I still don’t know what I should do. Do I take the safe route or do I risk everything?

“Alright, alright but don’t wait too long.” Alpha Darren demands jokingly.

“I won’t, I promise. Have you seen the twins?”

Alpha Darren chuckles. “I have.”

“And?” I ask, a little irritated that he didn’t elaborate.

“And, I won’t tell you anything other than this. The birthday girl is expected to appear as her most beautiful self on the docks at exactly 7 pm tonight.” He teases.

“I will, thank you.” I start to jog towards the showers when Alpha Darren calls behind me.

“Oh and Olivia… Happy Birthday.”

When I arrive in my room in the packhouse I find a small rectangular box laying on my bed. I smile, knowing that it is a birthday gift from the twins, and hurry over to open it. They didn’t bother wrapping it so all I have to do is open the lid. It is a necklace with a full moon charm and on the back, the words veni, vidi, and amavi are inscribed.

“We came, we saw, we loved,” I whisper as I run my thumb over the inscription. My heart aches, knowing that this might be my last night with them. Finding my mate wouldn’t change how I feel about them, I will always love them but I will have to push that love far back into my heart.

I take a long shower and spend the rest of the day reading and getting ready for the night. I decide to wear white-washed jeans with more holes than fabric, a black t-shirt I have stolen from the twins, and my black high-top shoes. I curl my long blond hair in huge curls and french braid one side of my head ending it in a ponytail. I add some light eye shadow, mascara, and lastly a matte, dark red lipstick. I complete the look with the necklace they gave me.

I glance at my phone, 6.48 pm. It is time to head to the docks. I head downstairs, out the door, and walk down the path to the lake. The full moon is lighting my way down the path and Greyson and Emma joined me on the way. They both wish me a happy birthday, Greyson hugs me, and Emma awkwardly waves. She still doesn’t like me much.

“I heard they worked on this all day,” Emma says, jealousy evident in her voice.

“More like all month. I can’t count how many hours of planning I had to endure,” Greyson chimes in as he wraps his arms over both of our shoulders. “Those boys sure know how to throw a party.”

A few minutes later we reach the lake. Loud music can be heard and lights are strung in the trees, leading us toward the party. I smell the unmistakable smell of beer, tequila, rum, soda, grenadine, pineapple, and many more drink ingredients.

Yet again I smell the scents that had distracted me earlier, green apple and lemon, rosewood, and vanilla. My nipples harden and I can feel my pussy clench, the scents are delicious and turn me on without even laying eyes on the owner.

The docks come into view. The docks and the surrounding area are full of people. From the looks of it, every pack member over 16 and under 25 is here which still makes it well over 100 wolves. I am greeted by most people that I pass and they wish me a happy birthday, some congratulate me on being old enough to find a mate, and others are just happy to have a reason to drink.

I follow the intoxicating scents all the way to the end of the docks only to find Jameson and Liam standing there with their back to me. Even from behind, they are gorgeous and the realization hit me as I sniff the air, the scents coming from them. The green apple and lemon scent belongs to Jameson and the rosewood and vanilla come from Liam.

‘Mates,’ echoes in the back of my mind and I know that I have found him, or them. I’m elated, my best friends from childhood and boyfriends of three years are my mates. I love them already and know it won’t just be because of the mate bond. They are everything I have ever wanted or needed. My wish has come true and I feel happiness swell inside my heart.

Their backs are still towards me as they are talking and watching the moon reflecting off the still lake water. They both sniff the air and grin. “Mate,” They both declare right before they turn around with the biggest smiles they could muster. They locked eyes with mine.

As soon as their eyes meet mine the mate bond snaps in place and I am happier than I think I have ever been, that was until I look at their frowning faces. The smile drops from my lips as I take in their uneasy appearance. “What’s wrong?”

“No,” quietly leaves Liam’s lips. Jameson is no longer looking at me and finds the wood slats of the dock more interesting than me.

I knit my eyebrows. “What do you mean, no?” Jameson steps towards me grab my arm and lead me off the dock. Liam trails not far behind us. “Jameson, you’re scaring me.” The electric surge flowing through my body coming from my arm where Jameson is touching me added to my confusion. Why is he dragging me away? Why is he mad and why will he not look at me? Why is Liam letting him do this?

“Let’s go up to the packhouse and talk, Olivia,” Jameson demands as he continues to drag me towards the path leading to the packhouse.

“Jameson, ease up,” Liam pleads as he catches up with us with a somber look on his face. “She can walk on her own.” Jameson doesn’t let go and the questioning looks from the party guests does nothing but add to my distress. What did I do wrong?

“What’s going on?” I beg for an answer but neither one of them gives it to me. We are on the path in the woods, far away from the party and ears listening in. I yank my arm free from Jameson’s hold and wrap my arms around myself. They both stop and look at me.

“Come on, let’s go inside,” Liam tries to coax me but I’m so easily compliant, I want answers.

“Why are you acting like this? You’re both my mates, I love you. Don’t you love me?” I question with tears dangerously close to spilling. They don’t answer, the only sound around us is the rustling of the wind in the grass and insects chirping. It dawns on me. “You’re rejecting me?”

“Olivia…” Jameson reaches for me but I step out of his reach before he can grab me. “We don’t have a choice.”

“We never wanted this,” Liam admits while rubbing the back of his neck.

I start shaking and the tears are flowing freely down my face. I don’t cry very often and this is probably the first time I have since my dad died. “Why?”

“You’re an Omega,” Jameson admits while yet again not being able to look me in the eyes.

I knew that Alpha Darren wouldn’t want an omega as a Luna but I thought the twins didn’t care. I thought they loved me and saw the potential in me. I am a strong warrior, smart at tactics, good at arranging events, and knowledgeable in all sorts of topics. I have always been considered beautiful and smart, and liked by most.

“Then why spend all these years with me if I wasn’t good enough?” Their downcast eyes gives me the answer I didn’t want to hear, I was just entertainment, a way to pass the time. “Go on then, do it.” I dare them.

They both let out a long sigh. “I, Liam Alexander Murphy, Alpha of the White Oak pack reject you, Olivia Beth Wilson, as my Luna. Do you accept?”

“Yes.” I feel the mate bond snap as pain rips through me and I fall to one knee while clutching my chest. My breathing is ragged but I carefully stand back up, awaiting the next hurdle. I will remain strong even through this.

“I, Jameson Gabriel Murphy, Alpha of the White Oak pack reject you, Olivia Beth Wilson, as my Luna. Do you accept?”

“Yes.” The same pain courses through my body and the last mate bond brake. This time I fall on all fours and start dry heaving. The twins rush towards me, trying to aid me but I push them back, ignoring the electric surge going through my fingertips that connected with their skin. With much effort, I stand up, turn around, and run off.