Crescent

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Alexander and I are sprawled on the grass outside eating sandwiches and watching the children play. The ones that are too small for school are offered a day care service if their parents have to work, so the nurturer, the woman appointed over the nursery, is in charge of all the children during that time. Her philosophy is that they can never have enough outside exposure, so she brings them out a couple of times throughout the day. We watch as the boys play fight with each other and the girls set up a tea party.

A brave little girl strays from the group and waddles towards us. She looks at us through a tangle of dirty blonde hair with a set of doe eyes. "Alpha?"

Alexander gives the child a genuine — and flawless — smile that reaches his green eyes. "Yes, Sophia?"

With a large gap-toothed smile in return, Sophia responds. "I brought you some tea!" She holds out an empty plastic tea cup which Alexander takes gingerly. It looks normal in her hands, but completely dwarfed in his. He pretends to take a sip before handing it back to the toddler.

"Sophia," he says, feigning seriousness. "That is the best tea I've ever had. I don't think even Luna Prime is served tea that delicious!" She giggles in response and runs back to her group with a blush on her cheeks.

"Luna Prime?" I question once the little girl is gone.

"The Lupine Republic of Northern and Central Canada is ruled by their Luna Prime and Alpha Prime. They run the largest territory of wolves in North America. Their government is different as well. Think of it like this: I've been appointed alpha of alphas and when the alphas meet, I give them orders that they then take to their pack, right? The Prime's have a bunch of betas that rule similar to how alphas do here and they report to the Primes. It's more like Europe Parliament versus the United States democracy." Alexander stares off in the distance while absentmindedly taking a bite out of a strawberry.

I mimic his actions, but my strawberry ends up half falling out of my mouth. I fumble and catch it while laughing with embarrassment.

Alexander laughs, too, before sobering up. "The Primes," he muses. "I grew up with their son and I believe he is going to ascend next month. It's between Marcus and his sister, Robin, but my guess is they will give the crown to Marc. I don't think I've seen or talked to him in years. Since he isn't Alpha Prime yet, he hasn't joined any other ascensions or alpha meetings." His eyes glaze over with nostalgia as he confesses.

"You should call him," I offer.

He shakes his head as if focusing back on the present. "Perhaps I will."

I smile reassuringly at the alpha, who smiles back in turn.

"Luna! I brought you a flower!"

I whip my head around at the young voice, my gaze falling on a small boy from the group that had been play fighting. His tiny, dirty hands hold out a small white flower plucked from the ground nearby, but I take possession of it as if it were made of delicate crystal. "My warrior," I coo lovingly. "This is the finest flower in the land! How will I ever repay you?" The smile on my face is genuine as I hug the flower to my chest before sliding it into my hair by my ear.

The little boy's eyes light up and he smiles. "I know how!" I give him a questioning gaze to continue, but he makes a 'come here' motion. I lean in close as he attempts to whisper in my ear. "Please ask the goddess to make Sophia my mate. She's so nice and pretty." He giggles.

Pulling back, I shoot Alexander a 'help me' look, but he only laughs. I turn back to the boy. "What is your name?"

"Nathan."