The Chronicles of Moon
Chapter 67

Fake

It seemed like the moment they laid down, they were awoken again by the unrelenting sun rising. Who said it was allowed to rise so early was all Moon could think as she stretched, yawning. She was still so tired, but even Colin was awake. She wondered if he even slept at all.

“How are you feeling,” she asks, looking him over.

“Better than I did; I’ll be happy to get out of here, though. Do you want to get anything from Mark’s room before we leave?” He questions, looking at her softly. She thought it over a moment and nodded a little.

“Yeah, I want to see something.” Moon hops up and hurries to her gramps room.

There are a couple books about the Moon goddess and a few other gods as well. Mark used to read them to her. She can’t remember them clearly, but she hopes some might be helpful in some way.

She also grabs the photo of Mark and Sarah looking at each other and smiling. She smiles warmly at it, hurrying back to her room to add them to the box of journals.

“I’m ready to go home now.” She says, and Colin can’t hide his smile. She said home, and he can’t hide the way he feels hearing her say that.

“Okay, home then.” He smiles lovingly, taking the box from her.

***

It felt so right to return to Twin Falls; it felt like home to her now. She looks out the window at all the people going about their day. They are all unaware of all the trouble they are yet to face. She hates that soon this calm may be forever changed. She is also aware that she didn’t feel sick at all as they drove.

“You know what? I think the binding spell made me car sick.” Moon muses.

“That wouldn’t surprise me. It would be the easiest way to keep you from wanting to leave the pack.” Colin states rather plainly. He takes her hand, kissing the back of it lightly. “Nothing to stop you now, is there?”

“That depends.” She smiles playfully at him. “How soon will David be here?” She half mumbles. She was hoping for a few moments of peace before they turn the pack upside down.

“He will be here tomorrow. We will tell people he was invited to your Luna ceremony but wants to come early to discuss your pack lands and so forth. We will keep what happened last night under wraps. All people will know is that we were ambushed. Jake was killed defending you. That is the story everyone is instructed to tell. David is spreading that story through his pack as well. We don’t want anyone to know you have gained your wolf yet. We need to plan a ceremony like everything is the same as it was before we left.” He explains, clenching his jaw tight, worry reflecting in his usually calm eyes.

“Right. It will work if they are going to do anything. It will be before the ceremony or even during it. I’m sure of that.” Moon grips his hand tighter, trying her best to reassure him.

As they pull into the packhouse, they brace themselves for the lie they need to spread. Ben and Jess had also agreed to lie to his mother and sister. They almost seemed to think it was kinder to tell them the lie than the truth.

They were barely out of the car when the happy squeals of Bella could be heard ringing through the yard.

“You are back! You took too long.” She scolds, crossing her arms in front of them, bunny dangling by an ear clenched in her fist.

“Oh, sorry, Bells, we had a little trouble and had to stay the night. Aren’t you happy to see us now, though?” Colin gives her a cheesy grin that makes her laugh, and even Moon is smiling at him.

“Yes, I am.” She proclaims, throwing herself into him, and he catches her, hugging her.

“Oh, and we have a surprise.” Colin tickles her making her giggle more. “Bells, how would you like to help plan a Luna ceremony?”

“Really, I get to help?” her eyes widen as her little mouth drops open.

“Well, of course, you do. I need all the help I can get.” Moon interjects.

Bella squeals loudly, wiggling free of Colin. She is about to take off, but she stops suddenly, running back and wrapping her arms around Moon tightly. She’s off again before Moon can even say anything making her and Colin laugh.

“She will have the whole packhouse well informed in two minutes flat. Just watch.” Colin chuckles.

“We had better get cleaned up. We are about to have a busy few days.” He says, pulling Moon close to him and kissing the top of her head.

She doesn’t want to tell him that she hates ceremonies and being the center of attention. She never liked having birthday parties and always looked for some excuse to get out of them, but this is different. They are using her Luna ceremony for so much more than just making her Luna. She only hopes the traitors will fall for it.

***

It didn’t take long before the pack was buzzing with the news, little Bella saw to that. She had informed everyone in the packhouse, and Chris played his part, confirming everything she said. He and Johnny had been instructed to keep a close eye on Bella. Johnny had been with them helping to patrol at Big Springs pack. While he doesn’t know everything, Chris knows he does know enough to see something is up.

“Can’t tell me what is really going on, can you?” Johnny pokes Chris in the chest playfully as they watch Bella tell the rest of the kitchen the news.

“You already know I can’t.” Chris straightens his back and tries to ignore his mate’s pleading and curious gaze. Johnny knows something is up, and he isn’t one to be left in the dark.

“Let’s see.” He says, pondering, tapping his index finger on his chin. “I know Moon pretty well. I know she hates to have a fuss made over her. So the fact that she is willingly letting Colin go through one of the biggest Luna ceremonies I have ever heard of. That is suspicious. You said several packs are invited, and tonight at dinner, he wants as many pack members there, and he will officially announce it. Still, he also wants to start the rumor going now.” Johnny continues tapping his chin, thinking. When he starts smiling at Chris, looking like the cat that ate the canary, Chris knows Johnny has figured it out.

“He’s hoping to force the people that are leaking information to Caleb to make a move, isn’t he? That’s why there are extra patrols and why Alpha David is coming so early tomorrow. I know I’m right.”

“You need to keep your crazy ideas to yourself, love,” Chris warns. Johnny is a little taken aback by Chris’s response.

“Do you really think I would say anything?” He quips back, crossing his arms, hurt and annoyed, now scowling at his mate.

“No, I don’t, but I have orders, and no one can know or be suspicious of anything, so stop trying to puzzle it all out.” Chris huffs. He feels so guilty about not being able to tell him everything. He wants nothing more than to tell Johnny, but no one can know Moon is a white wolf. She has her wolf fully now. There needs to be no question about the over-the-top ceremony.

“Okay, but you better tell me everything when this is over.” Johnny agrees, and he smiles when Chris glances at him, winking.

“Look, here comes trouble,” Chris says quietly. The beautiful blonde nurse that kept hitting on him while he was in the clinic comes strolling up to them.

“Good morning, boys. The pack is just buzzing today. Is it true? Are we really having the Luna Ceremony on Friday? That is pretty sudden, isn’t it?” She bats her eyes at them, looking sweet and innocent. She makes Johnny ill with all her syrupy sweetness. She is a sharp contrast to her twin, Rachel.

“Good morning, Alexis. You heard right; Alpha Colin wants to have a big party. He felt both packs deserved that. After everything, you know, Big Springs joining us and all, he felt a party would be a nice way for everyone to blow off some steam and get to know each other better.” Chris smiles at her. Every bit of him is charming and confident, as always. Johnny is fighting not to roll his eyes. He can’t stand Alexis.

“Oh well, why have so many other packs then?” She bats her eyes, still acting coy and a bit dumb. Everyone knows she isn’t, but she sure likes to act like she doesn’t have a thought in her head.

“Well, I’m going to be really honest with you, but you can’t say anything, okay,” Chris whispers, smiling. “Colin is pretty smitten with Moon, and I think he wants to impress her a bit. He’s not thinking too clearly and wants to show her off, you know.”

“Oh, so he just wants to show her how much he can spend on her and how many allies he has? All this just to impress her. That’s sweet.” She giggles, covering her mouth with her hand. “Well, I guess men do silly things for love, don’t they?”

“You are probably right.” Chris winks at her, and Johnny does feel ill now.

“I have to go, but thanks for the info. I won’t say a word, I promise.” She hurries away before Chris or Johnny can reply.

“Viper.” Johnny shivers.

“You really can’t stand her, can you?” Chris laughs.

“No, how can anyone? She’s as fake as her press-on nails.”