Second Chance Luna
Chapter 78

Luna Kleio stepped out of the SUV smiling at the warrior who had accompanied her across Blue Moon's border. He acknowledged her with a nod but remained on alert. Her driver had also been rather anxious constantly checking mirrors and monitoring the road after picking her up in neutral territory.

It made her rather nervous but also comforted. There was no doubt in her mind the alertness was due to the threat posed against their Luna. Kleio was glad Blue Moon's Alpha was taking the safety of his mate so seriously. If not she had been prepared to insist Phoebe return with her to New Moon where they could protect her.

She followed the warrior to the front door where Beta Luke waited for her. With a stiff smile he escorted her inside. It had been years since she last set foot in Blue Moon's packhouse, not since she was nineteen. Her father sent her to visit for a summer as a way of strengthening their ties, though it was mostly to see if she and Jason were mates. Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Ebookex.com. Visit Ebookex.com to read the complete chapters for free. She didn't know who was more disappointed more by the revelation they weren't: her father or his, but it turned out all right in the end. Kleio certainly wouldn't trade Hymen for anyone in the world and she knew Jason felt the same way given how devoted he was to Phoebe.

Luke brought her to the office entering without knocking. Jason sat at his desk but immediately stood to greet her, "Kleio." "Jason," Kleio nodded.

"Have a seat," Jason gestured to the couch and chairs.

She sank onto the couch as he sat across from her. Studying him she noticed his pensive expression. Kleio briefly wondered if he was recalling their brief history or if it was the future that concerned him more. Probably the latter.

Jason studied the Luna in front of him. At one point his father hoped they would be mates. It seemed like ages ago. He barely remembered it to be honest but he did firmly recall the princess's birthday celebration. Phoebe and Kleio got along rather famously, discussing all sorts of history and once again reminding Jason just how well-read his Luna was.

But even more important was how Kleio stepped forward to defend Phoebe when the king practically demanded her head. That took courage and he was grateful she spoke with such ease.

"I never got the chance to thank you for what you did," Jason finally spoke, "for standing up for Phoebe."

"Oh," Kleio blushed, "you don't have to thank me for that. It was the right thing to do."

"Still, it couldn't have been easy in a room full of alphas and the king."

Kleio snorted, "The king doesn't have much of an aura. He couldn't command a Chihuahua."

"I've noticed," Jason smirked. "Still, thank you."

"I only told the truth," Kleio shrugged though pleased with his gratitude.

Before either said more, Luke opened the door allowing Phoebe to enter carrying a serving tray loaded with a tea setting and small cookies. Jason was on his feet immediately as she approached and set the tray down.

"I thought we could use some refreshments," Phoebe said as she poured.

"Oh, you don't have to," Kleio tried to protest.

"Nonsense, how do you take your tea?"

"Oh, ah, milk is fine."

Phoebe nodded adding milk to her cup before handing it to her. She offered Jason a cup but he declined. With a note of exasperation she made her own cup. Before she could move to sit Jason tugged her into his lap. "Jason," Phoebe protested making sure she didn't spill her tea.

"It's fine," Kleio chuckled, "I think your Alpha needs the reassurance you are close and safe."

Phoebe felt her face warm even as she leaned against him. Ever since her heat ended three days ago he had been more attentive than ever. She still hadn't confirmed her potential pregnancy but that didn't dampen his, or the pack's, enthusiasm. "Oh! This is excellent," Kleio exclaimed sipping her tea.

"Thank you," Phoebe smiled, "my mother loved tea. She said making it was an art."

"She wasn't wrong," Kleio sighed. After another sip she set down the cup choosing her next words carefully. "What do you know about Lycans?"

Jason raised an eyebrow. This certainly wasn't the line of questioning he expected. He thought the Luna wanted to talk about silver wolves. Why was she suddenly concerned about Lycans?

"They were our ancestors," Phoebe said.

"Predecessors, not ancestors," Kleio corrected, "but yes. They were the first children of the Moon Goddess. When they shifted they were humanoid beasts with wolf heads and tails. I imagine they looked quite grotesque but like us they received the Goddess's blessing of increased strength and speed especially under the moon."

Kleio paused gauging her audience. Phoebe was naturally intrigued though Jason seemed confused. He probably had no idea where Kleio was going but that was the nature of history. One needed to start at the beginning.

"But that's where the similarities ended," Kleio said. "Their beasts didn't have consciousnesses of their own like our wolves. They were pure instinct. They also didn't have fated mates. Since they valued strength they naturally sought out the strongest mates. They maintained a deeply stratified society with a king at the top and omegas below. The different statuses didn't mingle or interact let alone mate. They also regularly challenged each other in fights to the death over mates they believed were rightfully theirs." Phoebe nodded. It was the basis for the laws that pervaded today and allowed the princess to challenge her in the first place. She couldn't help but think a change was long overdue.

"Lycans lived between two hundred and two hundred-fifty years so they were never very fertile and they didn't have heat cycles so pups were never a given. Not surprisingly this led to many switching partners in hopes of conception," Kleio continued, "eventually new kinds of Lycan's were born: the so-called beastless.

"Lycan beasts were awakened from the moment they were born but a few were born as weak as humans without beasts. These few were looked down on as inferior and some killed outright. The few that survived had beasts that awakened as they matured. And their beasts weren't just base instincts. They were true pieces of their souls and a living consciousness within them.

"As you might guess they were the first werewolves. Of course there was some disappointment when they shifted into actual wolves. They were naturally smaller than Lycan beasts but much faster with senses uniquely honed and superior to their predecessors. And they could mindlink with each other. Even so they were viewed as weak and treated as mistakes or slaves. Many left Lycan society all together escaping into the forest to live as wolves. Until the next vampire war. "The vampires attacked unexpectedly and almost overran the Lycan defenses. Werewolves who were much quicker turned the tide of battle led by a particularly ferocious she-wolf: Kirke Gabris. As special recognition she was brought in front of the ruling Lycan Prince Enlil. As soon as he came in front of her he caught the most delicious smell."

***

"Mate," Kirke said as soon as the Prince stood in front of her. There was no mistaking the intoxicating scent: pungent, musky salvia and almost elusively spicy saffron. Her gray eyes swirled silver as her wolf pressed close eager to meet the mate it had been longing for.

"What?" Prince Enlil asked his nostrils flaring at the scent of lemon and slightly sweet fennel filling his nose. What was that intoxicating smell? Was it emanating from this petite beastless shifter?

"Mate," she said again. "You're mine and I'm yours. The Goddess declares it." "What?"

"Your scent. You smell it too, don't you? You can feel the bond calling out to your beast."

Enlil shifted uncomfortably. His beast did feel off trying to push closer to her as if drawn by a leash. All around them his warriors watched in confusion. He felt the pressure of their unasked questions. It just wasn't possible.

Standing in front of him was the most beautiful female he ever laid eyes on. She was petite and far paler than the dark, olive tone skin of the Lycan's around her, unmated Lycan males. Enlil had the sudden urge to crush her in his arms and protect her from the other males. He wanted her body against his, to lick every inch of her and fill her with his quickly hardening member. What were these thoughts?

He shook his head, scowling, "Impossible. I would never mate with such a weak creature."

"Are you rejecting the Goddess's gift?" her gaze suddenly became stone-cold gray.

"Of course I am!" he snapped.

"Then say the words," her gaze seemed to darken as if daring him.

Enlil licked his lips at her challenge. He could hardly back down now, "I reject..."

"Your full name and title," she snarled.

"I, Enlil Karalis, Prince of Lycans, reject you Kirke Gabris as my mate," he growled before suddenly doubling over as a sharp pain pierced his chest. The bond that had begun to form shattered and his beast wailed in pain.

"I, Kirke Gabris, accept your rejection," Kirke said calmly and quietly. Her wolf whimpered but they refused to beg for a mate unworthy of them. "Congratulations, your Highness, you have turned your back on the Goddess and she will no longer aid you. The moon will never give you strength again. You will never be whole. And your name will go down in history...as the last Lycan Prince. Enjoy your twilight."

She spun on her heels and headed for the door, her intoxicating scent swirling around her. His beast whimpered in longing and agony. "S-stop her," Enlil groaned. He would break that pride and make her beg for him.

One of his warriors reached to grab her but she was quicker, lashing out. Her strikes were like lightning as she struck pressure points and brought them to their knees. Goddess, did she know how sexy she was as she took them out with such ease and grace? One of his warriors managed to shift into its beast form and lunged for her. Enlil briefly panicked imaging her body impaled on razor sharp claws. Instead she dropped to all fours shifting into a shining silver wolf. He stared in wonder at the beauty of her shimmering coat.

She avoided her attacker with ease leaping up to grip his throat with her jaws, tossed him aside and into the door which flew open. Her way now open she spared the prince a single glance before darting off into the night. Enlil stumbled to the door desperate to call her back as her mournful howl echoed around him.