His Blue Moon Princess
His Sunshine Baby Chapter 103

"Mommy! You were so cool!"

Estelle runs to me, her little eyes sparkling. I smile and open up my arms, satisfied. "Are you okay, Tonia?" I ask while standing up with my baby girl in my arms. She's still laying on the floor with a sour expression. "Don't ask..." She growls.

Truth be told, I can't really blame her. After she insisted on a fifth fight, I couldn't go easy on her and went all out. Tonia is a very, very good fighter, I cannot lie about that. But she relies a bit too much on her strength and is stubborn. Once I analyzed her strengths and weaknesses properly, it found the key to beat her. She has great adaptability, though, and also gave me quite a challenge. I'm sweating and a bit out of breath.

Our small audience is amazed. We picked one of the Dojos near the Blood Moon's Headquarters, but after the first three days of watching Tonia and I fight for hours, only Liam, Nate and Estelle are still here to watch, and some young ones from the Blood Moon and Purple Moon packs.

Damian is concerned about Nora's health, as she's been tired lately. The Luna is resting at her house, but it seems that, since we officially entered my new name into the City's registry, yesterday, I've inherited a new nickname I didn't expect. "White Luna! Can you show us how you did that move? The one with your leg and bam!"

I sigh at the sight of half a dozen young werewolves crowding around me with her eyes filled with expectations. That's right, they have been calling me the White Luna, while Nora somehow became the Black or Blood Luna. I'm still can't say how I feel about that... "You little punks! Why don't you ask me!" Growls Tonia while getting back up.

Seeing her come our way, the kids run away laughing. I can't help but chuckle too.

"They're cheeky, aren't they?"

"Tell me about it," she sighs. "The ones from the Violet Clan are the worst, I swear. They are not afraid to tackle the older ones and have been groomed for fighting since they were pups. I often fight with Lysandra because they are too excited. They think this damn war is going to be fun. Fun, for Moon Goddess' sake!"

I understand her concerns. It's hard to explain to the children what's at stake... And that they might be the first ones to die. I kiss my daughter's forehead and stare in the direction they left, Nate joining my side. "Do you think we will be ready?" I ask.

"In all honesty, I don't know," replies Tonia. "If I knew how many vampires are coming or what kind of witch we will be dealing with, I could, but no. It's just as bad as it looks, Elena. I am glad your plan and Nora's working fine it's a really good one, awesome even, but... It really might not be enough."

Sadly, I know Tonia's pessimism is justified. We could really be wiped off in a few weeks' time...

I take a deep breath. I've trained enough. No matter how I look at it, I am in shape and ready. My injury's completely healed, thank Moon Goddess, even my fights with Tonia didn't cause any issue with my scar. It's ugly and it will remain, but it's healed. That's all I ask, and luckily, Nate doesn't seem to give a s**t about it. I turn to him.

"You okay?" He asks.

"Sure," I say with a nod. "Nate, I want to change at your place and then go."

He seems a bit surprised, but he knows what I mean, and nods with a determined expression. I chat with Tonia a bit longer before we part, and Estelle bids her a shy goodbye too. It's funny she bonded with her more easily than with Boyan, whom all kids seem to love. Maybe she reminds her of Reagan?

I take a quick shower at Nate's place and get dressed up again, in dark pants, tank top, and a white leather jacket. I put my hair in a ponytail, almost ready for a fight. It's a different kind of fight that awaits me, though...

Nate drives us to the White Moon territory, and I'm nervous all the way there, despite chatting with Estelle. My daughter is excited to finally see the pack I grew up in, but I can't shake off that nervous feeling inside me. For some reason, I've always been so careful to keep her and Nate away from my Clan, now that we're actually going there as a family, it's very strange and nerve-wracking.

As previously planned, Nate carefully parks close to Clark's house, right after sunset, and we walk up to the Clan's gathering point.

Everyone's here. A lot of people are glaring at Nathaniel, wary of the Black brother walking on our territory. He is a stranger and a damn strong Alpha. A lot of our people have shape-shifted already, either out of fear or just to feel safer. Maybe some want to show they won't trust him or his brothers, too. However, since he's holding Estelle's hand, the most adorable little girl in the world with her floral white dress and cute ponytails, I can also see a lot of smiles and amazed eyes. Yeah, that's my baby, looks just like me. I walk up to my godfather, who gives me a hug before checking Nathaniel out. He sighs.

"If they had told me I would one day welcome one of the Black brothers on my territory..."

Nathaniel can't repress his smirks.

"Don't worry. I don't bite."

They both chuckled, and after a few seconds, they finally shake hands, making everyone around relax a bit. As soon as they are done, Clark's eyes go down on Estelle.

"Hello, pretty lady!"

"Good evening mister Clark!"

"You know who I am?" He asks, surprised.

My daughter nods and blushes, a bit shy.

"Yes... Mommy explained to me that you are the White Moon Clan Alpha and you are my mommy's godfather."

Clark's face brightens, visibly overjoyed with one sentence from one four-years-old. Damn, he should really get a wife and make some kids. He goes down on one knee and rubs her head with a big smile.

"How did you make such a pretty girl! Even you were not as cute as that!"

"Thanks," I reply, unsure if that's a compliment or not.

On the side, Nathaniel laughs, and so do Orpheus and Isabella behind the Alpha.

"Well, I do have memories of you running around, dirtying your rompers and calling out the boys for fights..."

"Danny!"

My best friend just stepped out from the crowd, his mom, dad, and siblings right behind him. While I quickly hug Danny, I notice Abigail his wiping some tears behind him. Ben sighs.

"Really, mom?"

"I can't help it... Seeing our Elena where she is... after... you know, everything... It's making me so emotional..."

"Wipe your tears, honey, it's a joyous occasion," says Joseph behind her.

"Of course, I know, but... I can't help but see Elena like my own daughter, and... and..."

Abigail's words get lost in her handkerchief, and the twins take over to talk to her and try to have her control her emotions a little. While I'm so grateful for her kind words and thoughts, I do feel this is a bit... somewhere between embarrassing and awkward. Joseph chuckles and takes this opportunity to step closer to me, giving me a big hug and whispering a few words in my ear.

"Selena Whitewood, you're the strongest, bravest she-wolf I have been given to meet in my life. You deserve all of this. You have the blood, the heart and the guts of an Alpha. Never, ever forget that. We trust you, just like Ivy and Samuel believed in you. We really do."

I didn't expect to hear my parents' names after such a long time. I can't help but tear up a bit, and I'm glad I can hide it in his shoulder. Moon Goddess knows how much I miss them both... Joseph was close to my dad, and hearing the same words holds more value than if anyone else had said it.

We separate, and after a brief moment with each of their family members, I go back to where Clark stands. It's a bit weird, to be back to talk to my pack so soon, with Nathaniel and Estelle with me, too. I take a deep breath, turning to the crowd. I thought Clark would say a few words to the crowd, but everyone remains silent. I guess I'm up...

For a few seconds, I stare at the entire audience. I look at those people I've known almost all my life, and I wonder, what right do I have to stand there? What do I tell them now? Can I stay anything? Can I convey my feelings properly? Or will I just fail, lose their faith and have them regret picking me to lead them?

I take another deep breath. No. I am not, and I won't be someone who backs off. Never. I am Selena Whitewood. I am a survivor and a fighter. I'm someone's mother, someone's sunshine. I am a werewolf, I am just like them. Those are my people.

"I... I was born in a place far from here," I declare. "A place I can't even remember. My first memories are with Reagan, right at the border of the White Moon Clan. I remember my first meeting with you all. With Clark, with my parents, with my friends, with all of you. I was young, so I struggled with my identity. I grew up with parents who didn't look like me. With friends from a different background. I felt like I could never fit in, so I fought harder, because I thought a strong werewolf was the only part of me you'd accept. I hated the word "adopted", because it reminded me of something I didn't have. I wished my parents were my birth parents many, many times. I often wished I was more like the other kids. I wished I knew where I came from, though I'd never say it."

I take a deep breath, glancing at Nathaniel. He's gently smiling to me, his hands on Estelle's shoulders. I take a deep breath and turn to the crowd again.

"When... you're a child, you don't know how to cope with your insecurities. I struggled with my identity. I made bad choices, because I was desperate to fit in, and rejected people who rejected me twice more. I couldn't see what I had, only what I was missing. I met... the wrong people, and lost sight of the ones I should have held close. I made poor choices."

I don't want to go on too long about Diego, not in front of my daughter, so I don't say his name. They will read between the lines.

"By doing that, I... I was hurting myself indirectly. It is sometimes easier to rebel against people who wish you good than to leave people who are intoxicating you. It's sad, but it was my way of... punishing myself. No matter how many times my parents and the few friends I had left warned me, I... I didn't listen."

I hold back my tears, look for my wolf for all the strength I need and solemnly put a hand on my tummy. I need them to understand because I won't say it. I replace Daniel's eyes in the crowd and look at this pair of blue eyes to give myself some strength.

"I lost... a lot. I'll never have it back. I... I shut down, and I lost my family, a second time. You all know what kind of place I went to. I don't know what you think I had done wrong for that, but the truth is, if I injured anyone, it was myself. Because I reacted too late and put myself in danger. I lost... What no girl or woman should ever lose. I lost my Angel."

I feel the tears slowly run down my cheek as I confess about that truth. I take a moment and hear the audience's shock. Some women cover their mouths, some men are stuck between confusion and anger as they slowly come to understand.

I can feel the anger from behind me, too. Nate's wolf is exulting a scary aura, but I ignore him and Clark's.

"When... When I came back to the pack, I was at the lowest point in my life. I had lost my family, a second time, a third time even. If it wasn't for Clark, and the Lewis family who helped me, I might have never come back from that darkness." I manage to gather a smile for them, for Danny, and wake my wolf to finish.

“|

I got back on my feet, and I worked harder. I felt like I needed to prove myself, even harder than I used to. I was part of the White Moon Clan. I truly accepted that when you didn't toss me aside despite my parents being gone, despite everything I had done and said. I really... I realized it then. Because the young ones were still looking up to me. Because the ones my age would still talk to me and count me in. Because the adults would invite me over, salute me or just acknowledge me. Because anyone in this pack was fine with me being just me. Not Ivy and Samuel's daughter, not Clark's goddaughter. I was just Elena, your Elena from the White Moon Clan."

A lot of people are nodding, some are even smiling to me with a tender look in their eyes. I can't help but smile back, a bittersweet smile.

"Just when... when I started getting used to that idea, things changed again. I... I fell in love with someone I wasn't supposed to. I met Nora Bluemoon, who was suddenly closer to me than anyone had ever been. Die... My ex came back. And the situation became a lot more complicated. I was conflicted again, between my identities, between my past and my future, between what I thought I owed to the White Moon and what I truly wanted."

I turn around and hold my hand to Estelle, who takes it with a smile, walking a couple of steps to join me.

"If... I have disappointed people, I will apologize," I say. "But I won't apologize for making a new family of my own. I won't apologize for the beautiful baby I had, the man I loved or even for getting close to another pack. I love Nathaniel Black, but it doesn't make me less of a White Moon daughter. Eleanora Bluemoon is my blood cousin, but that doesn't make me less of a Whitewood. I am just building up my identity. Truthfully, that warrior part of me, the part I inherited from my father, is the only thing, perhaps, I have always felt confident in. I even don't really realize what it means to be half-human yet. I am gathering the pieces and constructing myself, piece by piece."

I take another deep breath, waiting a few seconds before breaking that solemn silence, with my mind voice this time, taking them all by surprise.

"I am Selena Whitewood, and I want to keep that name. I don't want to forget the Clan that raised me. No matter which pack my blood belongs to, what I know is that my heart sprouted right here, and you are the people my wolf's voice can reach out to. You are my pack, my people. I love... every one of you. Even that b***h cousin of mine, yes. That's why I want to protect everyone here. I really do. But it won't be possible unless you all trust me, a hundred percent. I..."

I turn to Clark, resolute.

"I, Selena Whitewood, claim the Alpha title of the White Moon Pack, here and now."

After a long silence, all eyes are on Clark. My heart is beating like crazy in my chest, and my cheeks are burning. My godfather smiles, and finally, puts both knees down.

"I, Clark Hamilton, fully acknowledge you, Selena Whitewood, as the sole rightful Alpha of the White Moon Pack!"

A sudden wave of cheers, applauds and howls bursts all around us.