The Royal Alpha, & Loyal Luna

12. Within Every Fiber Of My Being .

Nova's POV

"I know there are aspects about our plan that are in dire need to be discussed, but there is another equally important matter that I would like to address first, if that's alright with you all."

Nods indicated to me that I could continue.

"Lynn, Audri, if you would?" I gestured for them to stand in front of me, back towards the wolves. They both dropped to their knees, slight confusion evident on their faces.

"My Luna." The spoke in unison.

I wanted to crack a smile at them, especially hearing them call me by what seemed like such a silly title for them to use. Especially on me.

It was Audri and Lynn for crying out loud, my friends.

Yeah.. friends.

I mentally smiled.

"I know this isn't the usual way wolves make rank, but would you two do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my flanks?"

For a moment I was worried that they'd turn down the offer, but watching them look to one another, then at me with watery eyes, let me know differently.

"It would be our honor." They said as if planned.

"Audri, you'll take Beta. Lynn, Gamma." I turned to Kale. "If you would be so kind as to run them through their new ranks?"

"Of course, Luna." He nodded.

"Make sure to inform Gamma Spear, he should be apart of their training. He'll be guarding my father's hall, we'll switch him out with.." I scanned the room. "You. Kaleb."

Ah, there's the burst of the crowd..

Or rather, Grey, Kale, Audri, and Lynn burst into an eruption of arguments and banter. All, I'm sure, was meant for my poor ears to hear at once.

I raised my hand to silence everyone.

Grey included.

"I won't force the job on you, Kaleb, but I would like to show you that I trust you.. even if you may not trust me."

He looked like a wide-eyed deer caught in the forefront of headlights as I awaited his answer.

"Luna, Kaleb isn't.. he's not.. fit for the job." Kale shook his head at me, clear worry etched plain as day across his face. "Believe me."

"I believe you mean well, but Kaleb would do more than his best at something as important to the Luna as this. Right?" I turned to Kaleb.

Of course he knew this was a challenge. Hell, I wanted them all to know. Grey and I agreed that there would be no fighting, but I surely made a point that there would be challenges of sorts.

Starting with the one in the pack who seems to like me least.

Or would that be Ginger Lewinsky?

"What do you say?"

"Permission to speak freely?"

"Of course."

He crossed his arms and it made him look more like Kale. "Is this all the matter of me earning your trust?"

"More like me earning yours. My father means the world to me, he's all I've had before Grey took me in. Placing his life in your hands means more to me than if it were my own."

He thought it over for a moment and I was proud of him that his gaze never wavered over to Grey's. They stayed trained on me. As I'm sure Grey's did.