Second Chance Luna
Chapter 67

Phoebe left their guests quietly talking in the cafeteria. She knew the kitchen staff would keep an eye on them and alert her for any trouble. Shannon was one of their own after all and they were all impressed by Gideon's immediate desire to claim her. Returning to the cells she found Erick had woken up. His eyes practically glowed red as he thrashed trying to break the leather straps that held down his limbs as fur bristled along his arms and back. Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Ebookex.com. Visit Ebookex.com to read the complete chapters for free. Harper cowered from her brother weeping in terror as their father watched in horror as the young alpha partially shifted. The guard was loading a tranquilizer dart and preparing for the moment Jason gave him the go-ahead.

Jason grabbed Phoebe as she approached and held her protectively as he eyed the young alpha. He would have been happier if she remained in the packhouse rather than witness this unfortunate event. "Phoebe" Mona said as her own mate held her tight. "I think you should talk to him."

"Me?"

"Why?" Jason growled.

"Because she's the only one of us who knows what it is like to be rejected...and she has a calming aura. I think he'll listen to you."

'She's right, Máni agreed. We are probably the only ones who can reach him.'

'Are you sure?'

"If not he'll have to be put down like any other rogue.'

'All right. Let's try.

"Phoebe," Jason's embrace tightened when she tried to enter the cell. "Don't..."

"I have to try," Phoebe said. "Or else he'll be put down. I won't get too close. I promise."

Jason gritted his teeth at war with himself. Finally he gave the barest of nods and allowed her to enter. Phoebe approached the bed as near as she dared.

What do we do?'

'Give me control, Máni said. It would be easier if we knew his name.'

You mean Erick?'

I mean his wolfs name, Máni huffed as if it should be obvious. That's who I need to speak with!

Phoebe grimaced.

"It would be better if the moon wasn't waning too."

Phoebe bit her lip. That was right. Werewolves were always strongest on the full moon and weakest during the new moon. While it was true of all wolves Phoebe noticed it was even more pronounced in Máni. Will you be okay?' Phoebe asked.

'Yes. Mate is here. We'll be fine.

'All right.

Phoebe relinquished control allowing her wolf to surge forward. Remarkably they didn't shift and she wasn't sure why. Mani hadn't hesitated to show herself to Shannon.

Yet, even without shifting, their aura spilled out filling the room like a thick fog. Even time seemed to stand still as everyone froze under the spell of their calming presence. 'Calm yourself, pup, Máni spoke through her. Is this any way for an Alpha to act?'

'M-mate, Erick's wolf howled in pain.

'She has already been claimed by another.

'No! Mine!'

Where was this resistance when you rejected her? Why didn't you come forward then? Answer me, pup! Where were you when your sister lied and ruined your friendship? Well? Answer!'

Erick whimpered.

What is done is done. You cannot change the past. You can only learn from it and move forward. 'But...Mate!'

Is lost to you. That void is something you will have to live with.

'But...

You will have to replace the strength. You may yet replace a partner, but she will never be able to fill that void. You must teach your pups to be better than you. Teach them not to reject the gift they are given. Teach them not to make your mistakes. You can do that, can't you?' ...What if I can't?'

Then your line ends with you. They will have no choice but to put you down. Do you choose life? Or oblivion?'

1...

Phoebe sighed as Máni receded into the back of her mind.

She wobbled and suddenly Jason's arms were around her.

His scent filled her nostrils and she leaned on him welcoming his warmth and support.

'Máni?'

I'm here. Just tired. That took more out of me than expected.

'Are you all right?'

'Yes. I just need to rest.

'All right. Rest.'

"Phoebe, are you all right?" Jason nuzzled her, his voice harsh with concern.

"I'll be fine. I just need some rest," she smiled at him.

He kissed her forehead and tightened his embrace.

Watching from the sidelines had been the most difficult moment of his life. But when her aura spilled out he was in awe. He had no idea it was so strong or how she had ever been able to hide it. Even Lobo was moved to silence. Phoebe looked to the bed to see the young alpha lay in a cold sweat. However he was no longer fighting his wolf for control. Groggily he opened his eyes as tears streamed down his face. "Dad?"

"Erick?" Henry stepped forward. "Are you...How do you feel?

"It hurts so bad and I...I can't feel my wolf. I think he's gone!

"Erick choked out.

"Not gone," Phoebe corrected earning their attention. "He's in mourning. You rejected your fated mate and you will not be given another. There will always be a void within that you won't be able to fill. You, and your wolf, will have to replace a way to live with that." Erick whimpered as more tears seeped from his eyes. He never imagined this kind of pain. Was this the pain his sister went through? Why was he punished while Gideon was still given a mate?

"I'm so sorry," Henry shook his head. "I-I should have told you two along time ago about your mother."

"W-what about mom?" Harper asked

"That we weren't fated mates," Henry sighed.

"Dad, we already knew that," Harper shook her head.

"But maybe if you knew the whole story you wouldn't have tried to entrap Gideon and your brother wouldn't have...This is all my fault," Henry shook his head. "I-I was too impatient. I didn't want to wait for my fated mate and your grandfather wouldn't step down until I had my Luna. Your mother was one of my best friends so... we thought our bond was just as good. We chose each other. It was fine... but there was an emptiness inside I couldn't shake. I knew it was because I had given up my fated mate. I tried to ignore it but..." Erick and Harper stared at their father waiting for him to continue.

"When Conri found his mate... The moment I saw her I felt an ache and I knew she was meant to be mine," Henry shook his head. "If I had been a little more patient... If I had gone looking... But it was too late. The Goddess gave her to Conri. And it was clear she felt no connection to me. I had broken our bond without ever meeting her. She would never know it was supposed to be me."

Erick and Harper blinked slowly processing what their father said. They had known their parents were chosen mates but they hadn't thought much about it. But to think their father's mate was meant to be Aine. She had been so close, only a pack away and he hadn't bothered to look for her. Even now he still felt the pain of losing her.

Now that they thought about it their father had always been a bit reserved when their pack and Conri's converged.

And there was often a pained look in his gaze. Was it because he was thinking about what might have been? Did he wonder what it would be like if he had taken Aine as his own?

"So, what's going to happen now?" Harper asked

"First we'll move your brother to the pack hospital," Phoebe announced. "When he's recovered enough for travel, he can go home. But he's rejected his fated mate and he'll not be given another. However, he can still take a chosen mate, one that can help him and be a good Luna though... it will not be the same. And you will have to apologize."

Harper bit her lip.

"Gideon was not your fated mate as much as you wanted him to be and because of your actions the alliance between your packs had been broken."

"Gideon wasn't your fated mate?" Erick asked looking at his sister.

Blushing she shook her head. Erick let out an uneasy breath. So, that was why...

Phoebe nodded to the nurse and guard. Together they released Erick from his restraints before moving the bed out of the cell. Henry and Harper followed each lost in their own thoughts.

"Unbelievable" Mona muttered, shaking her head. "To think the fathers and not just the sons were given the same mate. That's one for the books. And Phoebe what you did... it almost seemed like you were talking to him. What did you say?" "Honestly, I gave my wolf control so I don't remember most of it," Phoebe said.

When Máni took over Phoebe remained in the background and though she had some idea of what was going on she hadn't caught everything. Wolves didn't communicate with each other like their human counterparts so some things were always lost in translation. "That makes sense," Mona nodded. "Still...it was amazing. I never heard of a rogue being brought back once it goes feral. Maybe it was because it was caught early, but still... Wow!"

She suddenly got a thoughtful expression.

"Maybe there is more to rogues. I always thought it was strange they set up territories so close to packs but maybe it's not about going home so much as it was about them being drawn to their mates. That would explain why some travel such great distances too. But how to test the theory..." Mona muttered to herself heading to the exit. No doubt she would go directly back to her lab to research this new information. Luke watched her with a pained expression.

"I hope you realize she'll never come out of that lab again," he complained.

Jason smirked.

"Maybe...but her lab does have a hideaway bed," Phoebe pointed out. "You could always bring her dinner and coax her away from her computer."

Lukes gaze suddenly lit up at her suggestion. Now that was an idea.

"I'll even help you make a special meal for two to surprise her."

"Excuse me?" Jason interrupted.

"Yes!" Luke exclaimed before he could protest. "Thank you, Luna!"

Jason fought back a growl. He supposed he could allow it this time. After all, Luke deserved some private time with his mate. Jason knew his Beta and Gamma had been holding back on starting families out of concern for him. But that was over. There was no need for any of them to hold back any longer.