Warriors of Blue moon

I finally finished my shift it was now 5am and I dragged my tired ass to my room.. I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and made a makeshift sign ′DO NOT DISTURB’ and stuck it outside my bedroom door.. I didn’t have any shifts tomorrow so I had planned to sleep in especially after feeling the affects of doing two shifts in one day.. I flopped into bed pulled the blanket over me after checking my phone to see no messages and I slept several hours away.

It was Noon by the time I finally woke and after an hour of lazing in bed watching telly I went downstairs to have something to eat, I was starving I hadn’t eaten since 10pm last night and to my surprise I saw Sam in the kitchen eating, he was never home this time of day during the week..

“OH hey bro” I smiled as I sat down next to him on the bar stool.

“Hey li’s, You hungry? i made some Pasta” he said as he pushed the pasta dish toward me then getting up to get me a dish and utensils..

"Ohh perfect Sam, I’m starving”

“Yea where you been? and what’s with the sign on your door?”

“Oh I’ve taken up extra shifts on Patrol I did the night shift so just had to catch up on some sleep”

“I see.. so what have you got planned for the rest of your day then?”

"Well, I haven’t actually painted for a while so I was thinking of walking along the coast and painting there”..

He nodded his head “Ok, cool”

"Why are you home anyway? aren’t you supposed to be at the Palace?”

"Well actually the Alpha and Luna have doctors and specialists visiting for most of the day for Florence and they want Layton to be around for it too so they’ve closed the office down for the day but they’ve got Gabel at the Palace gates in case there’s any emergency and i’m first call, so If there is anything he’ll let me know and I’ll handle it.. poor family they’ve been so nervous about it.”

"Aww well lets hope its all good news I know Florence is so ready to have a better life, some adventure... love, I hope it goes well for her today.. I’ll go round tomorrow in the morning before my afternoon shift and find out what’s going on”

"yea I think that would be a good idea, you know she loves your visits, they’ve really helped Lil’s”

“Really? well I’m glad, and to be honest they help me too, shes so easy to be around, she just has this calm angelic arua about her, it always feels really theraputic seeing her”

"Yea she’s mentioned to me and Layton a few times about how nice your visits have been” he paused for a moment looking at me thoughtfully”

“What?” I asked my eyebrows raised ”why are you looking at me like that?”

he opened his mouth as if to say something then stopped

“SAM” WHAT”?

“Ok... Is there a problem or something between you and Layton”

My head flinched back at his question not expecting him to say that! ”Noo, why? what would be a problem”?

"He just asks about you a lot, and when Florence mentioned you visiting again last week he got a bit.. well.. pissed off and kind of stormed out of the office... honestly me and Florence were baffled"

“Oh well I don’t know what that’s all about” I lied hoping he’d believe it and lay off asking anymore questions.

“okayyy” he said as if not actually convinced “well you can tell me you know... if there is anything I wouldn’t want you two falling out, especially seeing as” he stopped himself and shook his head

“What? seeing as what Sam?”

“No, nothing, its nothing important”

“SAM” I got annoyed at him now, i wanted to know what he was going to say.

"Look Lil’s... just drop it”

“Huh?” I asked confused, and with that he ruffled my hair gave me a peck on the head and left the kitchen yelling goodbye on his way out of the house.

straaange!

I found a nice spot after walking across the coastal path for an hour, I sat down on a large patch of grass overlooking the beach. The sea was beautiful from up here with the Sun gleaming on the water making it look like it was covered in diamonds..

It was truly stunning, breath taking and I decided that was going to be what I’d paint including the little boy and his dog playing on the sand while his parents chased them both all laughing with happiness..

I neatly placed all my paints next to me and got started, taking in each detail of the suns glow and the different rainbow colours that danced across the sky in reflection from the sun and the sea, how warm and soft the sand was, pure white in some places with a golden yellow mixed around it. From here I could just make out the dog was fairly large with brown and white fur, floppy ears and a fluffy tail. I loved watching the dog, he looked so happy with his owners, he surely was living the good life of a dog and was clearly a good companion of the sweet little boy that didn’t want to stop playing with him. The family left before I could take in their features properly so I improvised the rest on my own, remembering to make the characters in my painting look as happy as they did before me, capturing the absolute joy they shared as a happy family.

I was just finishing up when I had noticed the Sun had moved lower, luckily I had just about finished my painting... I decided to take a five minute break to stretch my back and arms and then I checked my phone to see it was 7pm. I took a deep sigh, nearly another whole day and still no word from him.. I put my phone back in my bag, did one more stretch and got back to finishing my painting.

I packed up my stuff held onto my painting and made a slow walk home back down the coastal path watching the sun slowly set....Magical I thought as I breathed in the salt sea air and the cool breeze.

"MUMMMM, DAAAD” I called as I got home..

"OH HONEY” my mum called as she walked out of the kitchen ”Were just heading out my dear, Your dad wants to go for a little evening stroll, did you want to join”

It sounded nice but I was ready for food, shower and bed, but then I had a thought “actually, why don’t you leave the girls here with me, so you and dad can go out just the two of you?”

"Really?..are you sure?”

“Yes of course mum” I chuckled ”you two should have time to yourselves you don’t have that enough”

"well that’s true” she looked thoughtfully “I suppose the girls are already tired so at least we wont have to listen to them moan about their little legs being worn out”

"Mum, you two go! I’ll do me and the girls some food, give them a bath and put them to bed, just take your time, ok! don’t rush back, enjoy the evening, take some wine and glasses with you”

“Ohhh Lelanna honey, now THAT is a good idea, I’ll go pack that now” she said as she came over to me and gave me a tight hug “Thank you my darling I know your dad is going to be very excited” she squealed

I laughed as I pulled out of her hug ”ok mum, go... go before the sun has completely set, you can catch the last bit”

“Ok honey” she kissed my cheek and headed back into the kitchen when she called my dad ”OHHH SWEETHEART”

I chuckled and made my way upstairs to see Daisy and Lily, they were more than happy when I suggested we ordered pizza and watch a film together. Mum and Dad headed out and it wasn’t long until the Pizza arrived, we huddled on the living room floor and watched Gnomeo and Juliet, which the girls thought was hilarious, apart from when they got teary at the plastic garden swans being separated.. but all in all they liked it.

I got them into a hot bath filled with over the top extra bubbles which most of it ended up all over the floor as we thought it would be a fun game to gather bubbles in our hands and blow them at each other.. needless to say it took me over an hour to clean it all up after I had gotten them tucked into bed..

I glanced at the clock and smiled as I saw it was 10.15pm.. I’m glad they didn’t rush back after only an hour, I hope they make the most of they’re evening together..

I had a long hot shower, I stood under the falling water, letting it hit my back and relax my muscles. My thoughts went to Layton. I wanted to see Florence again tomorrow so once again I had to make sure I got in and got out without him seeing me.. I don’t know why... I don’t know why I still felt like I had to stay away... and why my mind would still think of him, or feel nervous and feel butterflies in my stomach every time I stepped onto that Palace and thought of him being so close by, even though the Palace was huge, it was like my body could feel his presence. It was as if my body was my own traitor. Three months of no Layton and I could tell my feelings for him hadn’t subsided.. and I didn’t know why, why he has such an effect on me... we’re both Past 18 so if we were destined mates we’d know by now, so why did I feel such a pull when it came to him, but I was starting to suspect that what I feel for him will never go away and that’s what devastated me the most.

I got out of the shower and dressed into my pajamas, I checked in on the girls once more seeing them fast asleep. I headed to my room and pushed out my thoughts and let myself drift off into a thoughtless sleep.

Its Saturday and I still haven’t heard from Heath, he’s supposed to be due back tomorrow but at this rate I don’t even know if he will be back and I don’t know weather to worry or let him have whatever space or time he needs with his family, wherever that is.. I caved in on Thursday and rang him one more time only for it to go unanswered AGAIN! after that I admitted defeat and decided I wouldn’t contact him again. If he doesn’t come home on Sunday I’ll think then on weather to be worried or not..

Me and the girls finally had a morning together we met at Maz’s for a long catch up mostly about Dakotas and Sam’s dating details and I had been so excited to spend some much needed time with them all.

Dakota “ugh” she sighed dreamily ”He’s just SO amazing... honestly Lil’s thank you for having an amazing brother”

I laughed ”um I think its my mum and dad you have to thank for that, I didn’t make him”

Lola ”So D is it serious?” she asked the question we all wanted to know

Dakota “well... I think so.. I mean I hope so... I really really hope so”

Lola ”have you guys slept together yet?” she grinned

Dakota “No actually we haven’t, its only been a few weeks, we’ve done stuff but not gone all the way yet. I don’t think I will until we’re official, so far he hasn’t asked me to be his girlfriend and I don’t want to go that far unless he does”

Maisie ”but I mean things are going good though right?”

Dakota “oh” she looked all dreamy again as her eyelashes fluttered ”He’s so good to me, gives me so much affection and makes me feel so safe and its just so easy being around him, like he doesn’t expect me to be anything or anyone else but me, and guys I dated in the past wanted like a different version of me as if they were happy with my looks but not me, who I am, but with Sam, I’m me and its... well refreshing actually, but I still cant believe I’m actually dating him after all these years, finally dating my crush and so far he’s better than I thought he would be”

I put my hand to her back and rubbed it softly “I’m so happy for you D, and from what I can see on Sam’s part, he is really into you and you make him really happy”

Dakota ”Really? you think so?”

Lelanna ”Oh one hundred percent D, honestly he’s always smiling and when he’s not at the Palace he’s seeing you or wanting to see you, you know he comes into my room at night sometimes before he goes to bed just to tell me what you guys have been up to and how great it was... he’s smitten D so just go with it, don’t put pressure on the official thing and I know he’ll ask you in no time, when he’s ready and he’s sure you feel the same. Sam might come across really confident but he’s never been in this situation before so I know he’s a tad scared that if he rushes things it’ll go wrong or he might scare you off”

Dakota “Oh he could never scare me off, the more committed the better when it comes to him”

Lelanna ”I know that” I nodded in agreement ”but Sam doesn’t, I have told him your happy too but he needs to be ready and really see it for himself. But he will cause if there’s one thing I know about him D its that he has NEVER and I mean NEVER felt this way about any girl before...EVER! so Just be you... go with it and when he asks you it’ll be when the time is right.”

She smiled and linked her arm into mine ”Ok Lil’s, I get it... your right, it’ll happen when it happens”..

We all smiled and carried on chatting about our general lives what we’d been up to. We’d made plans to meet up again the following week before we had to part ways and get on with the rest of our day as we all had things to do.. I had to get home, eat and get changed for my afternoon patrol shift..

On my way home I couldn’t help but smile about my friends.. they were all happy and doing so well and I couldn’t wait to see where their futures headed, especially Dakotas and Sam’s when all of a sudden my heart thudded in my chest as Layton’s face appeared in my mind, I quickly shook my head and mentally told myself not to think of him again.

I managed to get in the palace and out again the other day without him spotting me, I spent a few hours with Florence in her room, so luckily we weren’t out roaming around for him to bump into us. Those hours with Florence were happy, ecstatic ones as she was practically jumping with relief when she told me that the doctors had told her and her family that her health was almost that of any other healthy persons and she was fit and well enough to travel and live a normal life, so long as she still got enough rest each night and midday. and kept up with her health regimes... honestly the news was better than I expected. and I told her I’d come over the following week with my girls and we’ll have a girly afternoon now she was allowed to be around more people and when she was ready we’d go for a walk or drive through the village..

I was so lost in my thoughts when I reached my house..

“Well hello there”

My head shot up at the voice to see Heath standing outside my gate, leaning casually against his car... what the fuck! I stopped in my tracks for a mere second as I stared wide mouthed at him before I slowly proceeded toward him, my brows frowining..in fact my whole face was set in a complete scowl.. I walked straight past him without saying a word or even looking at him.

"Hellooo?” he repeated, still not getting an answer from me he put his head down ” Ok, I get it, I know I deserve for you to be pissed at me”

I scoffed ”Oh no you fuckin don’t, you deserve worse, but you know what, I have a busy day and I don’t have time to beat the shit out of you so goodbye” I scolded as I neared my front door.

“Wait,wait,wait” he called as he grabbed a hold of my hand making me turn back to face him ”please Lelanna I’m really sorry, there was just so much going on and I barely had time to stop”.

“Oh?" I said ”oh ok, well that’s ok, all’s forgiven then” I said shrugging

"really?”

"NO! you really think that’s a good enough reason to not speak to me all week? what were you doing Heath? hmm? you got a wife and kids somewhere? and this is just like a fun little vacation stop for you to visit your new bit on the side?”

"WHAT?" he asked shocked ”No fucking way Lelanna, you really think I could be that type of guy”

“Oh, back off Heath, what the hell am I supposed to think? Just leave me alone, ok. I’ve got to get ready for work I don’t have time for this, just cause now it’s convenient for you, well its not convenient for me..so how about I contact you in a week or two when I decide I can be bothered to speak to you” I pulled my wrist out of his grasp and turned to open the front door, stepping into my house I turned back to him with one last look “I’ll see you around Heath”

“Ok, please let me explain, there was a reason I was so busy and I’ll tell you... ok, just, just please let me explain!”

“Goodbye” I slammed the door in his face and for a moment I just stood there angry, the fuckin nerve, he thinks just cause he’s home a day early he can show up and its all alright. I know I’m not his girlfriend but I thought we had enough between us to consider the other persons feelings and have some fricking respect!

I ate my food hastily and quickly got dressed into my tight leather black trousers, black long sleeved top and a black leather jacket that fitted to my skin, the armor was thick, designed to keep us warm but breathable and flexible material making it easy to move and fight in, and black of course to keep us hidden at night.. I grabbed my swords and placed them in my sheaths, one on my hip and one on my back. I left the house and made my way to the guard house to sign in so the other person I was taking over for could be called to go home.

My shift was in the village tonight, this shift was covered by five other warriors, the village and high street were rather large, all backstreets, wooded areas were checked and patroled throughout the day and night. I liked this shift cause although it was tiring as your constantly on the move, it made the time go quicker and you got to see a lot of friendly faces and today it would be a good distraction from my pissed off mood at Heath..

Its been three days since I saw Heath, he’s been ringing and messaging but I’ve ignored it all and decided not to even read his messages I was still too angry, like I felt more for him than he did for me.. HA well that’s not exactly the first for me, seems to be the way with all guys I like.

I decided to go for a long run this morning blaring my music in my ears letting the breeze from the trees cool my skin and the sun beaming down on me making me feel as if I was glowing. Funny how something so simple as running and listening to your favourite music can make you feel more alive, like your problems aren’t as bad as they seem and I know in the grand scheme of things my problems weren’t bad, they were just... annoying.

I was actually looking forward to my afternoon as Arthur my old boss from the Gallery had called me yesterday asking if I could fill in for one of the girls, luckily I had the day free so I agreed and I was looking forward to being back in the gallery again. I got in my uniform and headed there, giving the usual nods and ”hello’s” to passers by that I knew, the good thing about being a patrol warrior was that you got to know more people in the pack and I got to know how many wolf’s had chosen humans as their mates, I always knew we had some humans living amongst us but turns out there is more than I expected, and so far the ones I had met had been nothing but grateful for the protection we gave them and in love with our way of life and our community.. I couldn’t blame them, yes it wasn’t perfect but we did have a good way of life and our village and town were always well looked after and buzzing with friendly people..

It felt as if I never left... being sat at the desk in the gallery going through the invoices and being in the art room to do an intake of what artwork we had, it was calming and quiet, I loved being able to sift through the different paintings, remarking at how creative and beautiful a persons eye and mind could be. the different textures, the moods, the detail. So far my paintings consisted of scenery and as much as I enjoyed painting them, I did hope that one day I could paint something deeper, different.

I went back to the desk to input the data on the computer and turned on the little vinyl record player we had in the corner of the gallery, placing a classical record on, I hummed to the music as I finished up the data, when I heard the door open and the bell tingle. I looked up from my desk to see Heath coming in toward me.. I immediately stood up from my chair with a weird feeling of de ja vu.

"What are you doing here Heath? and how did you even know I was here?”

"Well you wont answer my calls or texts so I went to your house, your mum told me you were here today”

I sighed, thanks mum ”ohh I’m sorry, I was under the impression we didn’t answer each others texts and phone calls anymore” I said sarcastically

"Oh very funny Lelanna, Look I know how it looks and I know I’m completely in the wrong here but please I’m begging you give me a chance to explain... there’s a reason why I didn’t get back to you. I’ve been worried about telling you but I know I have to so please will you just hear me out?"

huh what could he mean by that? didn’t want to tell me?? ”ok, fine what is it?"

"No, I don’t want to tell you here, what time do you finish?”

“Actually I finish in about ten minutes, when charlotte comes to lock everything up I can go”

“ok then I’ll wait in the car... when you finish I’ll be just outside, we’ll go to mine and I’ll tell you everything”

“no, No I don’t want to go to yours”

he took a deep sigh “ok then we’ll go somewhere else.. long as its quiet and we don’t get interrupted”

“we can go to mine, no one will be home till tonight”

he nodded “ok, perfect” he turned and made his way to the door “I’m right outside, ok, come as soon as she gets here” he said then left to get back into his car.

Fuck me!! great! I took a deep breath and let my head fall back..im dreading his explanation what could it even be!!! well if its bad then get away from him... which will be shit considering you actually like him Lelanna!!

Charlotte arrived and gave me the ok to leave. I gave my self a second to gather myself then left and got into his car. The whole ride to my house we sat in silence which just made me even more nervous.

The sun was still shining so when I got home I made us a quick glass of iced tea and told him we could sit in the garden, the last place i wanted to be with him right now was my garden and although we could have used the living room, as sure as i was we’d have the house to myself, I wasn’t completely sure if Sam would have a break at home from the Palace.. so outside assured us of no disturbances..

We sat down on on the ratten garden armchairs and for a moment it stayed silent, no noise apart from the rustling of the tree leaves blowing in the warm breeze and the tweets of birds that nested in them..

I took a deep sigh and decided it was time to get answers “ok Heath, we’re here now, so what is is you want to tell me?”

He blew out a deep breath as if to prepare himself to speak ”Well as you know I said i was visiting my uncle..”

“yesss that’s what you told me”

“well the thing about my uncle is that... he’s...he’s actually an Alpha for the Moon Valley Pack down south” he gulped and paused

"Oh! right, Ok! well what’s wrong with that? I’ve heard of the Moon Valley Pack they’re not an enemy of ours”

"I know, but the thing is, Well he did have a Luna they were happily married for some years but she died and before she died they didn’t have any children as an heir to take over as Alpha or Luna.. sooo he then looked to his only sibling which is my dad and decided that as he knew me well and watched me grow up he wants me to be the one to take over”.

“What!... you?” my brows frowning

“Yes”...he took my hand in his as he gave me a concerned expression ”This is why I’ve been going back and forth he’s been trying to convince me as I didn’t actually want to, but when I was there this week I saw how ill he has gotten and he can’t be the Alpha the pack needs him to be, he’ll practically be on bed rest in the next few weeks and he’ll barely be able to do anything. he said he wants to spend what’s left of his life watching me take over so that he can see for himself that pack is in safe hands.. and the reason I always went with Trey was because I’ve appointed him as my Beta... and when we move, my gran will be coming too, I had to make sure it was a safe place for her to be too and it is. My uncle’s been a good Alpha and Its a good pack. I wanted to say no but he has no one he can trust to take over” he explained as his fingers stroked the back of my hand.

All I could do was sit there wide eyed listening to what he said ”and the reason I never text or called was because...well to be honest I’ve been dreading having to tell you. You have to know Lelanna I wanted to call you so badly, i thought of you all the time and missed you but I couldn’t bring myself to talk to you and pretend that everything was fine and that I wasn’t about to come back and drop this bomb on you. I suppose I wanted to pretend to myself that I wouldn’t have to leave you and that we had more time”

My breath hitched and I felt a lump in my throat ”wow! shit!.. this is sooo not what I was expecting” I whispered feeling too emotional by his news to be able to get my voice out properly ”when do you have to leave?” I asked nervously

“In a week” he said as he looked at me with sorry written all in his gaze.. ”I wish I could stay here and be with you longer, you are the only reason that I don’t want to leave” his hold on my hand tightened as he paused thoughtfully... ” I.. I would ask you to come with me but I know there’s so much here that you wouldn’t want to leave and I don’t want to put you in a position to make a decision like that for me”

I shook my head and tried to gulp down the lump that was still in my throat and trying to rise up with every second ”I’m sorry”

"No. no. no, don’t be sorry Lelanna, I wouldn’t want you to leave everything, I’d be too scared that one day you’d end up resenting me for it and I never want you to feel that way about me”

“Heath” I got up and sat on his lap and buried my head in his neck as he put his arms around me and held onto me tightly.. ”so your actually leaving?”

"Yes.. yes I am” he said quietly “I’m sorry Lelanna, I knew It was a bad idea spending time with you and letting myself have feelings for you and for us to get close, I just.. I just couldn’t help it, you caught me off guard and I just couldn’t resist getting to know you and be with you”.

Tears formed in my eyes and I tried to quickly squeeze them away but that lump was bigger and starting to put tension in my throat from me trying to hold it back. “how far is it? your pack?”

“its a forty eight hour drive, we usually stop half way through”

“Forty eight!” I exclaimed hoping it would be much less.

"I know, I wish we were closer so we could visit every weekend that would be doable but its a killer of a travel and I wouldn’t be able to leave my pack often so it would mean you doing all the travelling”

"Well maybe, maybe I can, maybe I can visit, it wouldn’t be often but..” I trailed off cause I knew especially with being a patrol warrior I couldn’t ask to have time off regularly.

He squeezed me in his arms and moved his head back to look at me, we just looked at eachother as he bought his lips softly to mine.

He slowly pulled his lips just lightly off my lips as he spoke ”Can I just... Can I have as much of your time as you can spare before I go?”

I quickly nodded my head “yes, yes of course” I put my hand on his cheek and kissed him again. “come on” I said as I got up off of his lap. ”lets go to yours, I want to spend time with you and your Gran before you leave, I’ll stay with you every night this week, I only have morning and afternoon patrols until next week so ill be with you all the time in between... ok?”

He kissed me again ”thank you my little stunner”. He held my hand and took me out to his car, driving to his house he didn’t take his hand off of mine and grasped onto it tightly, both of our hands on the gear stick. luckily it was only a fifteen minute drive to his house. when we got there the Carer told Heath his Gran had gone to bed for the night. It was then we only realised it was already 9pm. which meant we were already nearly down one night. We hadn’t eaten, I was still in my uniform and we both knew this week was going to go faster than either of us wanted it to.

He took me upstairs to his room and pulled a large white t shirt out of his closet and handed it to me. “how about you change into that and I’ll order us some take out, we can eat it in bed and pick a film to watch, yes?”

I stood on my tip toes and pecked him on the lips as I took the shirt out of his hands ”perfect” I smiled up at him, then he snaked his arms around me and pulled me into him and kissed me deeply and we stayed that way for a few minutes. Our tongues interlocking, my hands running through his hair, his hands wandering over my back and my waist, our bodies pressed against each other. It was me that eventually broke the kiss, just from lack of air.

He leaned his forehead on mine “I’m going to sort us some food then check on my Gran and I’ll be back, ok?”

“ok” I replied as I reluctantly stepped out of his arms

He left the room and I got dressed into his shirt, it was massive on me and I loved it. I hopped into his bed and got under the blanket, turned on his tv and started scrolling through the many films until I landed on a comedy film, I thought, after the evening we’ve had we need something light hearted and funny to end the night on..

The food came, he ordered us an array of tapas that we had placed out all over the bed in front of us. we pigged out on it all as we watched and laughed at the film and when we were done we held each other lying in his bed and we kissed over and over, deeper with more feeling than we ever had before and with of course a light grope and touch here and there till we finally fell asleep, my back to his chest as his arms were wrapped around me holding me tight into him falling asleep with our bodies molded into each other.