His Blue Moon Princess
His Sunshine Baby Chapter 20

I stay a long time there, thinking about it. I don't know why I'm getting my hopes up all of a sudden, but I just can't. I have enough trouble in my life like this.

My eyes wander on the horizon, looking for answers. Where did I come from? I was about three years old when Reagan brought me before Clark Hamilton, the new Alpha of the White Moon. He saw me, a strange child who turned out to be an obvious Alpha she-wolf. With amber eyes and white fur... I learned later that it was an unusual combination. Something that reminded others of Royal families of werewolves, like ones none had seen in a very, very long time. But my fur wasn't completely white like the legends, neither did I have blue eyes. Mine were definitely amber. Yet, my strange appearance and alpha disposition raised suspicions. I couldn't be raised among ordinary wolves. So, Clark found a young alpha couple to raise me. My adoptive father, Samuel Whitewood, was the younger brother of Xavier Whitewood, the leader of the Opale Moon, a branch of the White Moon that had just been created. My mother, Ivy Whitewood, was young and pretty but had not been able to conceive children yet. She was the one who approached Clark, asking the Alpha to let her take me in. He agreed, and the whole pack accepted me as their child.

However, no matter how good the pack treated me, I always felt I was different from my peers.

I was stronger than the kids my age. I was faster. I shapeshifted for the first time when I was five. No one had ever seen such young shape-shifting. I was the best hunter, the best fighter among all the young of the pack. With my Alpha blood, and Reagan training me, there was no way anyone else could keep up. Sadly, that also meant I was naturally ostracized by the other pups.

I didn't really mind, though. The others couldn't pick on me, as I was strong and an Alpha's daughter. I had Daniel, too, the only other kid that didn't blend in.

Hey, look who's there.

I turn around, surprised to see another wolf here. The dark grey male joins me, playfully pushing my side with his nose.

Hi, Levi.

Long-time no see, beautiful. What are you doing here?

I needed some fresh air. What about you?

Patrol duty. Where's my little brother?

He's at home.

Did he tell you? Our mom wants to see you at brunch.

Oh right. Yeah, sure, I'll come. I miss her cooking.

You better!

We chit-chat for a few minutes. Levi is the oldest of Daniel's siblings, and I consider him my brother too. He's a few years older than me, and one of the only people in the pack strong enough for me to really train with.

Levi?

Hm?

Have you heard about the Blood Moon coming?

Among the Lewis children, Levi was the only one born with a Beta aura, which is unusual for a pup born of two regular werewolves. But it suits his big brother attitude and personality, though. Hence, he became a close aide of the White Moon Beta, and might even be a candidate to take over her position someday.

He agitates his ears, looking for something unusual far away. I already know it's not a threat but a couple of deers... After a few seconds, he growls.

Yeah. A big guy came yesterday to talk to Clark. They say they just want to visit. Sounds fishy, but our Alpha probably won't refuse. If we anger them...

I heard they are looking for someone.

He turns to me, surprised.

Huh? How do you know that?

I actually met the guy last night, at Pepe's. He said the Blood King is looking for someone. I don't think they mean trouble.

Interesting...

What did Clark say?

Levi shrugs.

You know him, he said he'll think about it. He never takes rash decisions. But Xavier is pushing him to accept.

No surprise there. For some reason, my uncle is always willing to replace new allies for our Clan, though I doubt that's what the Blood Moon really is after...

I heard you met with Old Reagan too.

How do you know?

She made a fuss with Xavier last night. About your dad. That granny is really scary when she's mad. Xavier couldn't even talk back to her. I don't often see him getting reprimanded like this, it was funny.

Well, she's a stray, so she doesn't really care about the Alpha hierarchy I guess...

I never thought my uncle Xavier was very imposing, to begin with. I can barely feel his Alpha aura. Compared to a regular Alpha like my dad, he was definitely weaker. The only reason Clark chose him to be the Alpha of the Pearl Moon instead of my father was that he was the oldest brother. No wonder he always had an inferior complex...

Levi, how far have you gone to the North?

Flustered by my abrupt question, he gazes towards that direction, sighing.

About twenty miles, I'd say. We never crossed the river, even when hunting. Clark won't allow it, and it's too far from our territory. Besides, it's only snow most of the time, nothing much to hunt...

I just nod. Levi's answer is as I expected. I've never been past the river, either. In winter, the snow progresses past it, and the cold freezes the river enough for someone to cross it, but like Levi said, there probably isn't much life after that border. Still thinking about it, huh?

As always, Levi knows what I'm thinking about. He gives me a gentle push with his head against my shoulder.

Don't worry, beautiful. One day you'll replace your answers. Reagan is just one stubborn old lady. Wanna come with me? We could make a run to the river, see if... Well, we replace anything.

Thanks, Levi, but we already did that about ten times, and never found anything. I don't think it's worth the trouble. I just... Reagan is the only one who knows what I should look for, and as long as she isn't willing to talk...

I sigh, a bit depressed by that thought. But it's the truth. No matter how many times Daniel, his siblings, and I ran through that forest, we never found a single clue about my past. We didn't have any, to begin with. The only thing we ever learned from Reagan was that I came from the North, and that was it.

Levi sighs too next to me.

I'm sure she's got her reasons, Elena. Reagan is a smart, kickass oldie. She'll tell you when the time is right. And anyway, you've got us, ok?

I nod. I'm so grateful for Daniel's family. Since I was young, they treated me like family, all of his siblings, and his parents. After my parent's accident, they supported me all the way, even if I was an emotional mess.

Levi pushes me playfully, and I growl back, playing along. We play fight for a few minutes, then we both start running and chasing each other. Our race takes us to another group of patrollers from our pack, and I end up spending the rest of my morning with them, catching up with those I haven't seen in awhile, playing tag or patrolling with them.

When we get back to the White Moon territory, I follow Levi to the main house. It's an old building, sitting on a high hill of the Hispanic neighborhood. The colors on the building have faded away, leaving a reddish clay apparent, though one of the regular punishments for the young ones is to paint the shutters, leaving them always perfectly white. It's a nice contrast, making the house really visible from anywhere around. When Levi and I step in, back to our human appearances after we fetched our clothes, a teenager is busy repainting them with a grumpy face.

We walk in casually and get a warm welcome from everyone in the room.

"Elena, mi amor, it's been a while! You're such a pretty mi carina!"

"Look at her! Que Hermosa eres! Come here, say hi to this old uncle!"

I hug and say hi to everyone there, mostly adults who saw me grow up, friends or family to the Alpha. I feel a bit guilty for not coming more often, but this warm atmosphere reminds me a lot of my parents, and I feel a bit uncomfortable with it. Thankfully, Levi never leaves my side, even putting an arm casually around my shoulders to take me to the kitchen. There, we come across Ben, another one of the Lewis siblings.

"Hey, Levi, how was patrol? Anything new? Hi, Elena! You coming for brunch?"

"Hi, Ben. Yes, I am! Where is your other half?"

He smiles at me.

"Bonnie's helping mom cook. They are both super excited since Rachel's back. What about Danny?"

"He... will probably join us there?"

I hope he does. It would be super awkward to have to explain to his mom and all five siblings he's missing their traditional family brunch because of his love interest! But Benjamin doesn't notice my hesitation and starts talking to his brother about the patrol. Meanwhile, I decide to mindlink Daniel since it's almost noon now.

Danny? What about brunch?

I'm coming, Babe.

... Are you ok?

His inner voice seems a bit... weaker than usual. Like he's sad or something. But he brushes my question away.

I'm fine. See you there.

He doesn't sound fine, I know my Danny. Did something happen with Bobo? Everything seemed alright when I left this morning.

"Elena?"

Ben and Levi noticed my expression, and the two redheads are staring at me with worried faces. I try not to give to much away and smile.

"Daniel said he's coming for the Brunch."

"Oh, yeah! The whole fam' in the house!" Says Ben, overexcited.

He runs past us to leave the Alpha's house, headed for their home. He shape-shifts halfway, ruining his clothes in the process. Levi growls after the red wolf.

"Seriously, Ben? Mom's going to get mad!"

But his younger brother is already gone. I help him gather the scraps of clothes. Out of the four Lewis boys, Ben is definitely the mischievous one. While Bonnie, his twin sister, is shy and quiet, he's the exact opposite. A real tornado. Levi is rumbling about his brother's carelessness when I suddenly hear someone calling me. "Look, who's there!"

I turn around. Clark! The Alpha himself, smiling at me with his arms wide open. I can't resist and run to him, giving him a big hug. I haven't seen him in days! He laughs and hugs me back, with his arms almost crushing me until he lets go to look at me. "There she is! How come you never stop by to see your godfather, huh?"

"Sorry..."

Here's another reason why uncle Xavier doesn't like me: I'm one of the Alpha's three godchildren, and in our world, that also means I'm a potential successor to the White Moon Clan's lead. Clark's wife died before she could give him any children, and hence, no one can predict who will succeed him.

"Elena, I need you here next Friday."

"Next Friday?"

What is this? Clark usually never asks me to attend all the meetings, I just come when I want to or not... But I realize one second too late what this is about.

"You may have heard. The Blood Moon's Black brothers will come here. I want you to be there."

Oh, crap...