Chosen

23

"Good morning, Lilly!"

I waved over at the school teacher as she tried to usher a rowdy bunch of young Lycans into a line. It seemed they were getting ready for some sort of outside activity, but the children were so excited just to be outside, and they took it as an opportunity to have fun. I wanted to laugh at the sight, but seeing the poor schoolmarm fling her hands in exasperation, I decided it was best to offer my help.

"Hello, everyone!" The children immediately turned their attention to me, interested in the newcomer. I felt my heart quicken for a moment at all the eyes staring at me, but forced myself to relax. "And what are you all doing today?"

"We're going to practice our dances for the Thanksgiving Harvest festival." The older woman stated, gratitude clear in her voice.

"Oh, what an important lesson! And how important you all must feel, too! You know, it is a great honor to perform at the Thanksgiving Harvest festival."

"It is?"

"Why?"

The children all seemed enamored. They had not been told they were going to do something important. They thought it was just another silly lesson.

"Well, of course it is. At the festival, Lycans pay their respects to the Moon Goddess herself, and thank her for all the many blessing she has bestowed upon us. In fact, legends say that she often comes down to watch each pack's festival, and her favorite part is to watch the young Lycans perform. So, you all are going to be tasked with performing the Moon Goddess's favorite part of the festival." All of the children's eyes stayed glued to me, each one hanging on my words. They had never felt more important, and a few even stood up straighter, feeling the significance of their role laying on them. "Which means you must all pay close attention to what Mrs. Granger tells you, yes? So that you can make the Moon Goddess, and Black Moon, very proud."

"Yes ma'am!" A chorus of affirmations rang from the crowd, and suddenly the little one's gathered into their lines, each one preparing for their teacher's next instructions.

Mrs. Granger turned her grateful eyes on me, and I felt pleased that I could be so helpful. "Thank you, Luna."

I stopped, and she too looked taken aback by her words.

"Oh, I...I'm sorry, Lilly. I didn't mean... it's just that you're so helpful and..."

"It's alright, Mrs. Granger." I cut in, wanting to end both her embarrassment and my own. "I apologize but I have to get going. I'll leave you to your very important work." I emphasized the last bit for the children's benefit and then promptly left, hoping to get out of that situation as soon as possible.

Me? A Luna? I could never. I could barely even take charge in the kitchen with Mrs. Reed.

I kept walking, seeing a few other pack members and interacting with them. It was strange, I'd never made many friends back in White Moon, despite living there my whole life. I was sure no one knew me as anything more than the helping hand in the kitchen, and even then, I wasn't sure if they knew I did anything worth while in there. But here, in Black Moon, I knew most people in the pack, and they knew of me and my value.

My value. I'd never really thought I'd had one before.

I made my way to the market and bought a steak for dinner, intending to cook it with a bit of rosemary chicken, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. I moved automatically, picking the best meats, the freshest vegetables. This meal had become second nature to me since I'd been here, as I'd found myself making it frequently for Rykor.

By the time I made it home, the sun was beginning to set, and I picked a few herbs from the garden I'd convinced Rykor to let me start in the backyard. He'd relented when he realized I was insistent on making dinner every night, and he wanted to save me the trip down the road to the old couple who had their own garden as well.

I'd finished the meal and set the table when I heard the front door open. Familiar, heavy footsteps echoed to the table. He came in with his hands behind his back, a set of files under his arm.

For a moment we said nothing. I wondered, by the look in his eyes, if he knew about the phone call with Travis. I wanted to ask, but thought better of it.

Instead, I asked something else.

"What's my favorite color?"

Rykor brought out his hands from behind him, holding a bouquet of beautiful golden daisies. "Yellow."

I flung myself in his arms. Petals and papers went flying, but we didn't care, we didn't notice. We clung to each other, his hands on my waist, mine wrapped around his shoulders, pulling him down, down, until his lips touched mine, and colors exploded behind my eyes.

Finally.