Rise of the Crescent Moon

Chapter 45 August

"I don't like it." I grumbled, sitting back in my chair as Josie, Ethan, Hayden, Mayze, and myself discussed the plan to kill Victoria.

"It's a good plan, Alpha." Ethan said.

"How can a good plan put our Luna at risk?" Hayden argued. I ignored them both, looking only at my mate.

"I think it's a good plan." Josie said, locking eyes with me. I sighed, of course she does.

"I should probably mention something else." Mayze injected. I growled at her interruption, growing impatient with the witch.

"What is it?"

"August, relax, she's just trying to help." My mate scowled me. Arlo and I both stood down.

"Only those with Alpha Tobias bloodline can use the dagger." I glared at the witch and Josie stared at her with her mouth hanging open.

"Are you serious?" I grumbled, not even surprised.

"Wait, does that mean Jared can use it too?" Josie asked. I looked at her, almost forgetting about Jared,

"He's my brother." She clarified. Mayze nodded,

"Yes."

"We'll need to get him here, we're going to need all the help we can get." Josie said, speaking like a true leader.

"I'll call him." Hayden said, leaving the room.

"We don't even know when it's going to happen yet." I said, in denial of Mayze's plan.

"Yes we do, August. November 21st, the same day as my Luna ceremony." I sighed at Josie.

"It's the day of the full moon, when the pack and this land will be at its strongest and Marlow will be at her weakest. The entire pack will be gathered in one place for her ceremony, ready and able to fight." Mayze said, trying to convenience me again.

"If Marlow will be at her weakest, then why would she try to attack that day?" I countered.

"She's at her weakest, but her connection to the land and to the pack will be at its strongest. It's her best chance at convincing you or Josie to accept her deal because she holds the most influence over you during the full moon." Mayze tried to explain but it was hard to understand.

"She honestly thinks the moon will give her more power over my decisions? Nothing is capable of convincing me to abandon my mate." I growled, tightening my grip on Josie's waist. I felt her attempt to soothe me by rubbing her hand up my arm.

"The full moon does give her greater power over your mind, but it doesn't mean she can control it. It more so means that if you had any doubt, she would be able to manipulate and amplify that doubt. Your love for your mate is absolute, no one is arguing that. She won't be able to control you, she's just desperate. She's getting sloppy, that's why I think she won't give up the opportunity to threaten you in front of the entire pack. She likes to put on a show." Mayze said. I felt Josie's eyes on my face. I grumbled and plopped my head down on my hands in defeat.

"Give us a minute alone." I heard Josie instruct the room. Everyone hurried out and my mate slipped onto my lap.

"Tell me what you're thinking?" She asked me, tracing the worry lines on my forehead with her delicate finger. I wrapped my arms tightly around her and held on as if she was going to disappear.

"I promised I would trust you and your abilities, but I also swore to keep you out of harm's way. I'm struggling here, Josie. I don't like this plan, I don't like it at all. And I really freaking hate that you or Jared has to be the one to use the dagger." She cupped my face in her hand and ran her thumb over my cheek bone.

"I know, babe, I don't particularly love it either but we have to do whatever it takes to keep our pack safe." she said, trying to calm me.

"I love you." I suddenly said, making her laugh.

"I love you too." She rolled her eyes at me, pressing her lips against mine.

"I'm going to be the official Luna of the pack, August, that's something to celebrate." She told me.

"You're right, as usual." I agreed, resting my forehead against hers.

"Why don't you call Ethan and Hayden back in here and the three of you can discuss the plan in more detail." She suggested.

"Not you?" I questioned, confused. She always wanted to be involved in my meetings and plans.

"I need to talk to Mayze about something. Besides, your job is security, my job is to stab a crazy witch and look pretty." She teased, standing up from my lap.

"You always look pretty." I laughed, swatting at her backside. She turned around and scolded me,

"Well then I don't need to practice then, do I?" She grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled me towards her for a long lasting kiss before slipping out of the room.