A Luna's Awakening

Chapter I

NOTE: Dedicated to @being_winsome, simply because she's still here after so long <3

CHAPTER I

There was an eerie silence that followed as I stared at where she once stood. In a blink of an eye, she was gone.

"Easton," the elder spoke, ending the silence that had consumed the room. "They'll be coming for you. My heart goes out to your Grandmother, she was a great woman, but I can't do anything except tell you to get up. You're an Alpha, for moon's sake! Be the Alpha your ancestors taught you to be, don't let your pack down,"

I inwardly flinched at his words, a silent tear trailing down my cheek. I was glad I was turned away from the audience, not wishing for them to see how affected I was to know I was letting my family down. I knew he was right - they would be coming for me. With the pretense that I defied the goddess, but with the motive to betray the moon. Those power-hungry bastards!

Wiping my face down, and dusting my pants, I stood tall, my back towards the elders. Without another word I walked out of the room, and out of the building. My pack needed me, and I was not going to let them down this time.

✽❋✽

"What happens now?" a woman asked, her voice laced with concern. I stood still outside the room as my pack members voice their worries.

"They'll come after him, after the pack," a man said, his voice familiar from previous pack meetings. George was a good man, always putting in insightful inputs.

"Those bastards!" growled out another man, Thomas, "they're just using his mate's death as an excuse. Those power hungry bastards!"

Clearing my throat, I make my way in, "Round up the pack in the meeting room. Thank you,"

With that said, I walked to the meeting room. I passed Sean, who gave me a comforting smile I didn't deserve. As I passed worried faces, guilt filled me. How selfish was I? I truly was a monster. I didn't deserve these people's loyalty.

By the time I made it into the meeting room the room was nearly filled, everyone was eager to know the game plan. As their Alpha, I could smell their nervousness.

A hush fell on the crowd, parting as I made my way to the stage. Upon making it there, I simply stared at my pack, my family. We have gone through a lot together, and even after everything I had done, they still kept my back.

"I'm sorry," were the first words I spoke, staring straight into the crowd, not daring to hide my face, "I know I don't deserve it, but I hope you can forgive me for the troubles I've caused. I messed up, and I realize that now. When my father bid his last goodbyes, he made me promise I would guard this pack with my life"

"When he died, a piece of me was buried with him. For a long time, I was blinded by anger and a thirst for revenge filled me. I became determined in bringing the Zeita pack to glory, and to claim revenge on all those who did us wrong. And, truthfully, I don't regret some of it. As your Alpha, I would be a disgrace if I didn't avenge our fallen brothers and sisters. I don't regret what happened with the Alfe pack either." many gasped at that, but I continued, "It was justice. What I regret is killing the innocent. The children." I explained, "My mate." I gulped as a piercing pain struck me in my heart, "That I am sorry for. I am also sorry for dragging you into this"

"I can't ask anything of you, not even forgiveness really," I said, "But, I'm here not as your Alpha, but as your family, to beg for assistance. I did wrong, and for that, I will pay. But you should not pay for justice committed nor for my wrongdoings,"

"Now, I beg for your help, but don't feel you are obliged to," I continued, "Children, elders, pregnant females, and those who wish to not have anything to do with this war, you are granted permission to stay behind. Those who wish to follow me, we leave at sunrise. Thank you,"

With that, I bowed to my people and stood tall. There was nothing left to say. My pack owed me nothing, yet I owed them everything.

The room stood quiet as they looked at each other. "You are our Alpha, Alpha Easton," George said, kneeling down, "we'd be honored to fight alongside you for the Zeita family,"

"George is right, we are a family, and family sticks together," Thomas said, kneeling down as well, "We will fight alongside you, Alpha,"

Many followed whispering agreements.

"Hey!" a feminine voice shouted, making me turn towards her, "We want to help too!" what welcomed my sight was a brunette holding her hand on her protruding stomach, very much pregnant, before I could deny she beat me to it, "We'll help you prepare and keep everything running smoothly here. This is safe land in the time of war, sacred land remember? We'll be okay."

"I want to help too!" a small voice laughed, coming from a little girl in pigtails who was jumping up and down.

That brought a laugh throughout us all, but most importantly, it filled me with pride. They owed me nothing. I didn't deserve their loyalty nor acceptance.

At that moment I knew I would never do them wrong again. I also knew that it might be worth considering stepping down once the war was over. Pass the title on Sean maybe. A tinge of hurt came from that thought, disappointed in myself for being incompetent in carrying on the Zeita rule.

But it would be fine. I owed my people more than just that. 

****

Hey Guys! I know it's late but at least I did as I said. It's Friday and the first chapter has been delivered.

I want to hear your thoughts on where you guys think this story will go and what you guys think of the events happening.

Also, I think I'm just going to begin posting AADL rewritten in the same book but from where the draft left off, that way I don't have to worry about a different book cover and focus solely on the story.

Like I said, updates are guaranteed once a month, but honestly, I might just surprise you and update when you least expect. :)

xox, Roxana