The Luna

Chapter 16: Adjusting

"Hey Alex? Listen, we're gonna have to postpone the Ceremony until Monday. We have to give the other alphas and lunas a chance to get here." Austin smiled apologetically.

"Oh, okay. That's fine really, I just forgot they had to be present..."

"Hey," he placed a hand on her shoulder, "if Rodriguez or anyone else causes any trouble, they'll be out of here faster than you can blink. I promise." She nodded in response. She'd known that, since she was being announced as Luna, Rodriguez and all the other alphas and lunas would have to be there. The Luna Ceremony, while a serious thing, was a time for celebration, for it announced that the pack had both of its leaders. "Max and I have to start making calls, so I'll see you later?"

"Okay. I'm gonna hang out with Aidan, maybe go for a walk or something." Austin nodded and turned to leave, smiling when he noticed her wearing the necklace he bought for her.

He strode out of the room, meeting Max in the living room. They'd divided up the seven packs between the two, Max getting their allies mostly, and Austin getting the more... difficult... ones. For instance, while Max got White Claw, Blood Moon, and Night Shade, Austin got Half Moon, Tropic Fire, Night Howler, and Shadow Rock. Now, they weren't exactly enemies with Tropic Fire and Night Howler; they had more of a treaty. It was a 'you don't bother me, I don't bother you' sort of thing. And now that they weren't exactly on the best of terms with Half Moon, Shadow Rock would surely turn against them. But it wouldn't be a problem- they had the stronger packs with them.

Deciding he'd call Tropic Fire first, Austin picked up the phone. He'd like to say he'd memorized the numbers of each pack, but he hadn't. He had them written down on a piece of paper that he put between him and Max. For a moment, he thought it'd ring out. But then a deep voice came through the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey, it's Austin Hendrix, from Silver Claws. I assume this is Alpha Sebastian Arrowood?"

"That's correct. Can I help you?"

"I don't know if your father told you, but your cousins are alive."

"I'm aware."

"Yeah, so Alex found her mate."

"That's awesome. Is he with you? Can I speak to him?"

"Um... you are."

"Oh. I'm sorry, it's been a long day. I assume you're calling to inform us of the Luna Ceremony?"

"Yes. We're holding it on Monday the eighteenth. Since you're her family, feel free to bring as many as you'd like. We will provide sleeping quarters for all who wish to come."

"Thank you. We'll schedule the flight; we'll be there Sunday."

"Alright, we'll see you then. Bye," Austin let out a breath of relief as he hung up. That wasn't as bad as he'd anticipated. So now he'd get Night Howler and pray that went as well as Tropic Fire had.

It did. Damon Thorn's mate, Brielle, had picked up, and she was very warm and congratulating. She promised they'd get there on time. Then he'd called Shadow Rock, and their alpha, Dean Browning, just said that they'd be there. But now it was time to call Josh Rodriguez. He hesitated before picking up the phone again, dialing the Wyoming pack.

He picked up on the second ring. "Yes?" He sounded stressed and irritated.

"Alpha Josh Rodriguez? It's Austin Hendrix, of the Silver Claws pack. Do you have a moment?"

"Sure. What do you need?" He didn't sound rude, he was just... tired. Austin could tell.

"Well, I've found my mate. I'm calling to inform you of the Luna Ceremony, which is happening on Monday the eighteenth. Will you and your mate be in attendance?" Austin kept it formal and professional, because he knew that if he didn't, he'd snap, and it wouldn't be pretty.