The Last Alpha

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Every year for the Wolf's Moon, which is the Pack's most sacred time of the year, Regina prepares a huge meal for her Pack. With everything they have done for her in the past, she feels it's the least she could do to repay Ruby and Granny for their kindness and guidance. She takes the three days of the Wolf Moon off from work, and spends the first day preparing the meal, baking desserts, marinating meat, cleaning everything from top to bottom to make sure everything is perfect for the women who are the closest thing she has to a family these days.

As soon as she wakes up after the first night of Wolf's Time, she immediately starts cooking her Wolf's Moon dinner, dancing around the kitchen in her bare feet, with her hair wild and loose, her skin buzzing, anticipating the second night of Wolf's Time, when the Wolf's Moon is at its fullest. She can still smell the forest on her skin as she dumps the pot of boiled potatoes, ready to mash them for mashed potatoes checking on her roast in the oven, the smell of sweet potatoes mixing with the other aromas, filling her home with the sweet smell of their upcoming feast.

Three o'clock comes quickly, and the table is set, candles lit, Granny and Ruby securely seated at their usual spots, as Regina carries the last of the food into the dining room, food already piled on their plates. Regina takes her seat across from Ruby, instead of the head of the table, when the front door slammed shut, causing the three women to jump.

"I'm late! I'm so sorry!!!!" Emma said, as she ran into the dining room, stopping in her tracks to kiss Regina, before pulling her coat off quickly. "I'm sorry. My boss called a last minute meeting, and would not stop talking." Emma said, taking her seat next to Regina.

"You're right on time." Regina said, squeezing Emma's hand for comfort. "We were just sitting down to eat."

Plates were piled high with Regina's cooking, Ruby devouring her plate in record time, reaching for seconds before most had even eaten half their first plate. Conversation was light and cheery, Granny explaining the meaning of the Wolf's Moon, and why it was a sacred day for Wolves.

"Back in the times before the modern world, the Native Americans would determine the months based on the full moon. In the winter, when the snow was thick and deep, it muffled the sounds around them, and the only sound they could hear at night was the howling of the Wolves. That was how the first full moon in January was named The Wolf's Moon. It is believed that the first ever of our kind transformed into a Wolf during the second night of the Wolf's Moon, which is why we celebrate on this day, when our connection to the full moon is at its strongest." Granny explained, Emma hanging on every word, as she clung to Regina's hand under the table.

"Can you feel the moon now? Even during the day?" Ruby asked, running her hand up and down her own arm.

"I can, yeah. I can always feel it during the full moon, but it's always way stronger once a year. I never realized it was because of the Wolf's Moon." Emma said, still mesmerized to learn about her Wolf heritage.

"Let's move the celebration into the living room." Regina suggested after a few more minutes. "Ruby, will you build a fire in the fireplace while I clear the table?" Regina asked, receiving a quick nod from Ruby, as she and Granny took their leave from the table.

"Let me help you." Emma said, as she started stacking the plates.

"No you will not." Regina said, playfully swatting Emma's hand. "This meal is my way of thanking my Pack for all they do for me. You are only to enjoy while I do all the work." Regina smiled, taking the plates from Emma's hand.

"Are you sure?" Emma asked, still not ready to let Regina do all the work.

"Absolutely. The dishes will just get piled into the sink to be cleaned in the morning, after tonight's run. It's the only time I allow dishes to remain in the sink overnight." Regina laughed. "Go, sit with Ruby and Granny. I'll be in soon with dessert." Regina said, pushing Emma out the door.