The Luna

Chapter 15: Preparations

A/N: From now on I'm gonna write in 3rd person. Sorry if it bothers anyone; it's easier for me to write in that POV. Thanks! ~Beyawolf

Everyone had left for the living room, following Elysia, save Silas and Alex. The man had held her back, saying that he needed to tell her something. Now, he leaned against the wall, a far away look in his eyes. Just as Alex was about to inch her way into the other room, he spoke.

"Every year," He said. "Every year on May second my Tessa would seal herself away, whether it was in our room or in the house in general. She would lock herself behind closed doors and grieve. I could hear her crying, and it broke my heart that I couldn't do anything about it. Hell, for two years I didn't even know why. Until she came to me, clutching a worn photo. Her family, she said. Her parents and her brother I recognized. But there were six others. Two parents standing in front of four kids. Three of the kids looked alike, all with flame-red hair. The girl had green eyes, the boys had hazel eyes. The other boy had striking lavender eyes.

"And she told me that it was her family. Her aunt and uncle and cousins. She told me that, three years ago that day, they had died. At least, the parents had. But a week or so after the parents had died, she told me that she had gotten the call saying that her cousins were dead as well. She told me about each and every one of you. She adored you; still does. But for eight years she carried on thinking you were dead. And now, for her to know you're alive," Silas chuckled slightly, shaking his head, "it puts a stop to all of that. Don't you see? She doesn't have to bear that pain anymore. Thank you, Alex." And with those words, he departed to join the others. After a moment's hesitation, Alex followed.

Everyone was eating when she came in. She managed to snag a seat between Austin and Chris, and her mate handed her a plate with a couple sliders on it. She gladly accepted it, settling in beside Austin. "So, what should we do?" Elysia asked the group.

"Watch a movie? We should probably save getting to know each other for later..." Austin trailed off.

Leah looked up from where she'd been playing with Emma. "Why? I don't know about you guys, but I want to get to know the newcomers."

"Uh," Austin looked to Alex, a silent question in his eyes.

She linked him personally. "Just tell them it's a story for a different time. When I can tell them." She emphasized the 'I'. Austin nodded.

"Well, my lovely mate here just so happens to be mute, so we'll wait until after the Luna Ceremony, when she has the pack link."

"Mute like Koda?" Ashlyn asked. The male in question was studying Alex.

"Not exactly. Look- it's not my story to tell. You won't have to wait long. So, about the movie. What should we watch?" It was silent for a moment; everyone was thinking.

Surprisingly, it was Silas who spoke first. "The Lion King." He said, staring right at Alex. The girl's eyes widened. Silas smiled, and she mirrored the action.

"Am I missing something?" Austin asked, looking between the two.

"The Lion King was Alex's favorite movie ever. We must've watched it at least twenty times." Tessa smiled at the memory.

Upon hearing that it was Alex's favorite movie, Austin agreed. "The Lion King it is." Elysia chuckled at her son as she found the movie and pressed play.

~~~

Austin combed his fingers through his mate's hair. She was laying with her head in his lap and her feet in her brother's lap. She was awake, but barely. She'd said that she needed to finish the movie for old time's sake. He knew by now that it was no use arguing. But the movie was finally over, and it was past time for her to go to bed. It'd been a long day, and while it was only eight here, it would've been nine in Blood Moon. So until they got used to it, she'd probably be going to bed early.