Unrelenting Destiny

18. Properly Punished

Luciana Faith Moore

The new Luna had just spoken to Orianna, readying herself to convince her mate to postpone her banishment. As she passed the Omegas and other pack members who milled about the house, she wanted nothing more than to just collapse in bed and take a nap. Sneaking up to her room, she was surprised that the bustle was even more raucous there.

"What's going on?" She asked as Gamma Maverick appeared in the hallway carrying a nightstand out of a room.

"We're renovating per the Alpha's orders." He huffed as he put the nightstand down, sitting on top of it before pointing a thumb over his shoulder at the room, "He thought it'd be a good idea to replace all the furniture from Ivan and Saravie's room so you guys would have your own things."

"I'm not staying in my room?" She asked slightly confused, looking towards the guest room she had been staying it. It looked like it had been completely gutted as well, her possessions piled just outside the master room.

"I don't know about you, but I'd prefer to have the biggest room in the house." Jasper suddenly appeared, hauling the front end of a plastic-covered Cal King mattress. It was very noticeably covered in some...questionable stains, "And I'd prefer to sleep in a bed where three pups weren't conceived."

Luci chuckled, making room for the two to bring the furniture down the stairs. She made her way into the Alpha's room. It was considerably bigger than her guest room and it seemed the furniture being placed inside was nothing like what had been there previously. The pack worked well into the night converting the rooms. Embry had opted to stay in his room while Maverick and his mate moved into Jasper and Orianna's. It had taken some careful planning and a lot of Tetris to get things situated but by the next morning, everything looked brand new.

It was considerably nicer to be there knowing nothing had been tainted by the bad energy that had haunted the house just days before. The pack seemed at ease as they fell into something more normal than the past few days. They even seemed to take a liking to their new royalty rather quickly.

Luci sat in the small sitting area inside her room, watching TV as Jasper came in. He immediately scooped her up and sat down in her seat, a pout forming on her soft lips, "Hey, I was sitting there."

"And now you're sitting here." He teased, kissing her forehead as he cradled her in his strong arms, "How are you settling in?"

"Better than I could've ever imagined." Luci admitted with a laugh, "Though I definitely didn't expect to become Luna in a day."

"You fit the role well." Jasper nodded, his rough fingers lightly rubbing the top of her knee, "I've heard nothing but positive remarks from everyone I've spoken too. Even Maeve seems to have taken to you. She's never been the friendliest."

"Really?" Luci asked in surprise. Maeve had been helping her since they had met and she was nothing but kind to her.

"She's been against The Claiming since she didn't find her mate when she turned 18 last year." He admitted, "I imagine your little act of rebellion really inspired her."

She groaned, tossing her head back, "I don't want to incite any sort of rebellion. I shouldn't be an example of breaking tradition. It can't always end in finding your soulmate, right? That's the whole point." She pouted again, making Jasper laugh.

Nibbling on her bottom lip, she finally switched to the subject that had been eating at her, "Jasper, I think we shouldn't banish Orianna."

"What?" Jasper looked at her, his expression almost instantly turning stern, "Why do you say that?"

"She claims she innocent, love." Luciana met his gaze, "Even you admitted that she doesn't seem capable of doing something like this. Maybe it's worth letting her prove her innocence."