Alpha´s curvy bullied human mate
Chapter 35: Lunas

Penelope

There is a theory that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Simply put, you have to be prepared for anything. I certainly was not.

Ruth had treated me badly. She, like all of the Moonstone pack, pretended I didn't exist. They say Lunas protect and are like the mothers of the pack. But she never did anything for me. "You have a nice... house," she said, looking at everything.

It was obvious that he smelled his son everywhere. For goodness's sake, we had sex right here in the living room! I could see her walking around like she was inspecting my house, and I didn't like it. She would be... my mother-in-law? Damn. I had been living a quiet life, away from the werewolves. And then they flooded my life, and more and more it seemed to be ruled by them.

Even when I knew Nate was my mate... a part of me refused, a protective part that fought for my stability and mental health. Survival, you might call it.

I lost myself in the kitchen with my brothers, washing dishes and cleaning up. I wanted to be anywhere but facing that woman.

But when I went upstairs to my room, Ruth stopped me. "Nate told me everything. I have to say that we in the pack have not been fair with you, and I'm sorry. But you know what awaits you - adversity, but also great responsibility. I want you to know that you can count on me. I can teach you how to be a Luna."

It was obvious that she did not like the idea of me taking her place. "Thank you, Luna. But I have to get ready for work tomorrow." I wanted to tell her that we still didn't know what would happen. But most of all, I wanted to tell her that I hadn't accepted her son yet.

"You are very lucky, you know? Not everyone replaces their mate. I didn't. But to be human and to have an Alpha... that's something... and Nate is a wonderful man," she said, looking me up and down, seeming to think how this chubby, unattractive girl captured her precious son.

"I understand it's not what I expected...." She didn't deny it.

"Maybe... when you have your children, you will understand that you hope for the best for them," she said smugly.

"I don't need to have them to know that everyone has their value," I said. She tried to hide her surprise. I started to climb the stairs, and when I was halfway up she replied.

"But you must also strive to be better... Luna must be its best version. And I can help you with your image and-"

"A Luna must take care of everyone, welcome them... even if they are different. If you'll excuse me, I have things to do," I said without looking back.

I was grateful for all the help I could get. But I didn't forget that the pack. They turned their backs on me. Her, her son, her husband... all of them.

I laid down with a sigh. When Nate arrived I decided not to discuss any of this with him, but he told me about the concerns and what was happening in the village.

I know the situation was worrying him, and I was afraid of what he would tell me sooner or later. My fears came true the next morning.

"Are you going to work?" he asked me in surprise.

"Of course I am, it's my income and..."

"You didn't need it, I can take care of you."

"No, I need my independence," I told him firmly. I could see that he was holding back.

"We need to talk, Penelope," he said as I noticed his fists clenching.

"The danger the town is in, and the threats Marco is making about the pack... it's serious. Your life is in danger, and you know I have to protect you. You have to come with me to Moonstone. There is no other way." I shook my head in panic, my heart was racing, and I wanted to run.

"Penelope..."

"I can't, I won't. Ask me for anything else...but I won't give in," I told him firmly and watched him get upset.

"It's the only way, I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important," he mumbled. I approached him without fear.

"Do you have any idea what you're asking me to do?"

"I'm asking you to come with me to the safest place possible, where I can protect you and keep an eye on you 24 hours a day."

"No, Nate you're asking me to go back to the place where I was abused, humiliated, laughed at, and thrown out of."

"Mate..." he said, closing his eyes. and I knew he was conflicted, angry, and in pain. But I couldn't go through that again.

"I was bullied. A stupid, fat human.... do you want me to go through this again? Do you want me to suffer again?" I said, putting my hands on his chest, trying to tip the balance.

"Of course, I don't want to! But now won't be the same! I swear, Penelope!"

"You can't control everyone, what they think, what they say," I cupped his face in my hands.

We had slept together, we had touched each other... but I had never been tender with him, like with my family. And I could see Nate's eyes change, I felt like I was talking to Hunter, the wolf who had always been for me.

His face was beautiful, and my hands enjoyed touching him. Why couldn't we always be like this? Getting along, with affection and love. Why couldn't our story be different?

I was convinced that what we both felt was an impulse, a crazy drive and desire. But moving from that to a serious relationship... was a big step. And with Moonstone, I would be at his mercy.

"I'm begging you, Nate. I'm sure you can replace another way," I said, running my thumb over his lips. He took my hand and kissed it.

Was I manipulating him? Possibly. Yes.

Was that fair? Probably not, but I knew he would resort to force at any minute. I had to stop him. The bond was in my favor. He couldn't refuse.

"Please... help me..." I said, and he seemed in despair. He closed his eyes in concentration and sighed.

"I promise to look for another way... but if there is no Penelope..."

"I'm sure there is..." I said as I lifted myself and kissed him. We got lost in that kiss for a while, and I pulled away. I felt guilty, but I had to bite the bullet.

I headed to work, happy, thinking that maybe he could avoid the danger. I hoped so.

"You're very cheerful today... and killing it!" Marianne said to me with a small smile.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, not only do you have the hottie eyeing you, but I'm also seeing some others who can't take their eyes off you. By the way... have you noticed that there are suddenly a lot of attractive men in this town?" she said thoughtfully. And I looked around.

Damn. They were werewolves, more and more of them. Some looked decent, probably from a pack, others had suspicious looks. They were probably rogues.... and they were following my every move. "Mari..."

"Yes, yes, I know, I'm not going to get involved with any of them. But I'm going to be very honest with you, at the rate we're going, either we're all going to end up with Andrew, or we're all going to fall into the clutches of one of these hunks. Seriously, this whole thing with people leaving town, it's getting out of hand...." she said.

I took the opportunity to talk to some of the customers and people from the town. It turned out that it was true.

Some women had disappeared, but so were some of the men. Whole families had left the town. My heart began to pound. There were big bad problems, and I was afraid my worst nightmare was going to come back.

...

As I clocked out and headed home, I was surprised by a very pretty girl with red hair, approaching me with a smile. She looked like a model, but strong and firm. Her appearance screamed she-wolf.

"Penelope, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Naomi, and I'm at the disposal of the new Luna..." she said with a bow. Moonstone.

I shushed her as we both looked around. What the hell?

"Naomi, what do you want, what are you doing here?" I asked nervously.

"I'm a warrior, from your father's team. He's my idol, by the way. I was assigned by our Alpha to take care of you," she explains. Great, now I had bodyguards.

"You're going to be my babysitter?" She laughed. It was a nice laugh.

"I wouldn't put it that way! It's an honor to protect you," she said, looking sincere. I nodded and we walked back to my house.

"I remember you, you know, from when you were in the pack..." I was afraid of what she was going to tell me.

"I was just a little girl. Sometimes you took care of us, you were always so patient. And sometimes, you cleaned our rooms and left flowers... I always loved it, you always brought a smile to my face!" she said excitedly. "Oh, thank you..." I replied, embarrassed.

I couldn't believe someone would remember me in that hell. When I finally reached home I realized that there was a lot of movement. I spent the rest of the week watching them install cameras, guards, security gates, and other things. Nate became very busy. He came around whenever he could. The twins were with me, and Naomi never left my side. Nate took this seriously, and I was relieved.

One night after dinner, Nate came to me excitedly.

"Come. I have a surprise for you."