The Protected Luna

To assert, to command

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Disclaimer: Like The Rejected Luna, The Protected Luna has been written by me and has not been copied, plagiarized or stolen from any other story or author.  Similarities are purely coincidental all ideas are original their place of origin-my creative well established mind.

Artemis
I felt sorry for Beatrice as she stood there crying her eyes out. She must've been feeling so overwhelmed and conflicted. Taking the initiative I stepped up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She wiped her eyes and looked at me and I could feel my heart breaking.

Wiping her tears I pulled her into a comforting hug.
"It's all right Beatrice, don't cry. Everything's going to be okay," I said soothingly as I rubbed her back.
"I don't want to go with them," I heard her whisper. "Please don't send me with them Artemis."

I barely knew Beatrice. All I knew was that she was Lydia's sister, she was from Moon Beam Pack, she was a rouge on the run for three years after she killed an alpha, she never had a good relationship with her family and she was eighteen.

Regardless of that, I felt the need to protect her. She seemed so lost and alone, much like me when I was rejected by Marcus. I knew I had to do something. Detaching myself from the hug I seated her on her chair and passed her a tissue to wipe her face. Then I faced Beta Adrick and Lucy.

"Forgive me if I seem rude Beta Adrick, I have no idea what went on in Moon Beam Pack as far as Beatrice is concerned so therefore I shouldn't interfere between your family matter," I said calmly. When I saw that they were listening intently I took a deep breath. "Beatrice wishes to stay in Crimson Blood with us."

"WHAT?!" Adrick, Lucy and Lydia exclaimed in unison.
The room grew quiet. No one spoke, they just sat there, watching me. I could only imagine what they were thinking.

"Artemis, Beatrice is our daughter, she belongs in Moon Beam Pack with us. How could you think that we'll allow her to stay here when her one true place is in Moon Beam?" Lucy asked standing to her feet, an angry look in her grey eyes.
"Yes Artemis, Beatrice is my sister, she belongs in Moon Beam," Lydia added as she as well as her father rose off their chairs.

"She's not happy with you, she wants to stay in Crimson Blood. I don't see what the problem is," I told her patiently.
"Alpha Pedro will not appreciate one of his wolves staying in the pack he is not on friendly terms with. He will not allow Beatrice to join you," Adrick said firmly.

"She is a consenting adult. She was a rouge for three years, she is no longer a wolf from Moon Beam Pack," Dimitri said rising and standing next to me. "The law says that if a wolf has been a rouge for a year or more, they are no longer apart of their pack. Unless the Alpha personally binds them to the pack."

"Besides it's not like you need me. When Alpha Pedro retires, his son will become the new Alpha and his daughter will be the Beta," Beatrice said lowly. "I gave no interest in being Beta."
"You belong in Moon Beam Pack!" Lucy shouted.
"Lower your voice Lucy!" Dimitri ordered her.

"Stop yelling please, can everyone please sit down," I begged.
"First you make the absurd suggestion of letting Beatrice join your pack and now you're trying to play mediator? Artemis why don't you sit down?" Lydia said in annoyance.
"First of all!" I said in a sharp voice, gaining everyone's attention.

"I am the Luna of this pack. You are my friend Lydia, that's why I'm tolerating your continuous disrespect. But no more. You do not get to raise your voice at me. You are in my pack! I asked your parents to come here so we could work out a compromise, not initiate a shouting match!"

I didn't usually play the Luna Card, but the situation called for it. Undaunted I plunged ahead. "Beatrice wishes to stay in Crimson Blood. As my mate said, if a wolf has been a rouge for a year or more, he or she is no longer a member of the pack. She is also eighteen years old, a consenting adult. If she wishes to stay in Crimson Blood, why the objection?"

Hearing my words, Lydia and her parents said nothing. I suppose they were too ashamed to say anything to oppose me. Good.
"I will speak to Alpha Pedro if it will ease your mind. Fill him in on the situation and let him know our intentions of letting Beatrice join us," Dimitri said calmly.

"That would probably be best Alpha Dimitri," Garrett spoke up.
"Do you have means to contact him personally?" Dad asked.
"I don't have his number but I'm sure I can get it from Beta Adrick," Dimitri said looking directly at him.
Despite having been reprimanded by me, Adrick didn't seem to have any problem giving Dimitri Alpha Pedro's phone number.

Dimitri
I dialed Pedro's number and waited for him to pick up. Although I wasn't too pleased with calling the arrogant prick, I had no choice.
"Alpha Pedro speaking," his deep voice came on.
"This is Dimitri Chekhov," I said curtly.

"Ah, Alpha Dimitri Chekhov of Crimson Blood Pack, to what do I owe the pleasure of your phone call?" he asked delightedly.
I rolled my eyes as I heard the fake enthusiasm.
"Your Beta came to my pack today, to retrieve his daughter. Beatrice Marshall who left Moon Beam and had been a rouge for three years. She's here with us,"

"I see. They finally found her hmm?" Pedro asked.
"Something like that. Anyway, Beatrice is saying she doesn't have the desire to return to your pack. She wishes to stay in Crimson Blood. I called to inform you of her decision," I told him.

"That's interesting. Why would she say such a thing? What does your pack have that mine doesn't?"
"Integrity, dignity, loyalty," Roman snickered.
I bit my tongue to prevent myself from saying those same things to Pedro, despite my urge to say them.

"I don't know, all I know is that she doesn't want to stay in Moon Beam. Adrick and Lucy are unwilling to let her go, I called to ease their minds and possibly make them see things my way,"
"Well if Beatrice wishes to stay with you, I can't see any reason to object. She's been a rouge long enough so she's no longer a member of Moon Beam Pack as the law goes," Pedro stated.

"Thank you for understanding Alpha Pedro," I said as I hung up and placed the phone on the table.
"What did he say Dimitri?" Artemis asked.
"He says Beatrice can stay with us," I replied.
I saw Beatrice visibly relax as she heard this news and wondered what was the reason to bring about such a reaction.

"Are you sure you want to stay here Beatrice?" Lucy asked sadly.
"I am sure Mother, I like it in Crimson Blood," she said.
Lucy sighed and sank into her seat. Adrick placed a hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him, tears in her eyes.
"She's made up her mind dear, let's go home now," he said.

Lucy nodded and wiped her face and rose off the chair.
"Garrett and I are going back to Emerald Guardians now Mom, you and Dad can come and stay the night if you want, you can go home tomorrow," Lydia offered.
"Alright Lydia. It's already past 11am and the drive to Moon Beam will be over twelve hours," Adrick said.

"We're leaving now Luna Artemis. Thank you for your time," I could sense Artemis's hurt over Lydia's harsh words as she left with her parents; only Garrett remained.
"I'm sorry about that Artemis, Lydia didn't mean any of it, she's just hurt over the things that's been happening, I apologize to you on her behalf," he said sincerely.

"It's fine Garrett, her reaction is justified," Artemis said dolefully.
"It was nice to meet you Garrett," Beatrice said as she rose and surprised everyone by hugging Garrett. He smiled and hugged her back. "It was also nice to meet you too Beatrice,"
Garrett shook everyone's hands and left the office after several minutes. The room was quiet once more.

"It's time for Daniel's nap, I'm going to put him down now," Lana said as she too left the room to go get her son with her mate trailing after her.
One by one everyone left the office to go tend to their own activities leaving me and Artemis alone.

"I'm starving wanna go get lunch?" I asked in an attempt to console my obviously dejected mate.
"Sure let's go," she said monotonously as she twirled a strand of hair on her fingers.
I couldn't see my love like that. She was usually so happy, so cheerful, so full of life and energy.

Now she looked sad. I wasn't having it. Taking her hand I led her to our old room in the Alpha's Chambers and closed the door behind us. Apparently just having realized where we were, she looked around in confusion. "I thought we were getting lunch, why are we in here? Aren't you hungry?"

Without answering I placed my hands on her cheeks and turned her head to face me. Her emerald green eyes were no longer sad but rather wide eyed and curious. Just what I wanted.
"Babe what are you doing?"
Ignoring her question I slammed her up against the door and crushed my lips to hers.