The Alpha’s Little Luna

When I walk into the canteen a few hours later, I see that Alpha Glary’s usual seat is empty.

Also, where Clarita always sat next to me is open. Hungrily, I take a seat and eagerly started my meal. I’m almost ready to go back to class when someone plops down next to me. It’s John Ogabe, the future Gamma of the pack. His strong scent invades my nostrils, and I must push the food back into my stomach to not vomit on the spot.

“Mercedes, tell me. Will you still be the Beta of our pack? Because I’d be happy to take over from you,” he explains plainly. His directness doesn’t surprise me, I’ve always found him rude and therefore avoided his company.

“I’m happy to hand the position over to you, John. As you already know, I have a higher one in my pocket”, I tell him proudly. “I stole the heart of an incredible Alpha and he can’t wait to make me his Luna. So, you see, Beta John, be my guest.”

Before I tend to get up, he tries to grab my arm. But I manage to avoid his grasp. He is provoking me, almost everyone in the pack knows I’m not too fond of physical contact. The only one who comes close to me is my mate, so all others keep their distance.

I decide to stay in my place, whatever is on John’s mind, I want it all behind me.

“Tell me, Mercedes”, he starts again. “The pack is buzzing that Clarita was rejected by her mate. He’s from your mate’s pack. Is that true?”. I sigh, getting into a gossip chain isn’t really my thing. And I wasn’t able to speak to Kenry and Clarita yet. Besides that, I don’t know John’s plan for approaching me.

“Well, why don’t you ask her yourself, John? I haven’t spoken to her myself yet, but even then, it’s not up to me to give information about her personal life.”

He doesn’t get discouraged by my attitude.

“I have a deal. I heard you’re inquiring about the Alpha son’s location. If you tell me what’s going on between Clarita and her ex-mate, I’ll tell you where to find Glary and Saphira,” he offers. I’m shocked, what he states now is definitely an attractive deal. The odds of Kenry reconciling with Clarita are slim to none, but Jace loves Saphira and their breakup is more likely to recover. But then I think there is such a thing as ethics, Clarita is my friend anyway. She’s entitled to my loyalty, even if she won’t return it. It’s a matter of my conscience not wanting to betray a friend.

“John, I urgently need to speak to Saphira. If you know where she is or have her phone number, please give it to me.” I know I sound pleading, but I want to do everything I can to help Jace. He is my best friend, since the day I set foot in Midnight Moon he has been my guardian angel. I owe it to him to help him find his mate so that he can convince her of his love and they can live happily together.

“Nothing comes for nothing, Mercedes. Why should I help you find Saphira if it doesn’t do me any good?” he says sarcastically.

Again, I feel my stomach churning. John clearly doesn’t mind his responsibilities as the future Gamma; each pack member’s mental well-being should be his concern. But he’s negotiating for his own welfare here, those of his pack members are of secondary importance.

“So, explain to me, what’s the benefit of knowing what happened between Clarita and her mate, John? What is that to you? How does your life get any better with that information?” I want to know.

An evil grin now appears on his face. I’ve never liked John, he strikes me as the eternal bad boy, always looking for trouble. The tattoo on his neck looks more like a devil’s head than a werewolf, a clear indication of his character.

“I am Clarita’s first mate. When she turned eighteen, she rejected me because my rank was too low for her,” he confesses. “She said you’ll be the pack’s future Beta and she wants no less rank than you.”

I’m startled. Clarita already had a mate? That means that Kenry is her second chance mate. She’d never told me about that before, she always pretended she couldn’t wait to meet her mate. This now is tipping the scales of my conscience. If all this is true, it means that Clarita is consciously looking for trouble and I’m not going to support her in that at the expense of Jace and Saphira’s happiness.

“How do I know if you’re giving me correct information about Saphira’s whereabouts? You’re not exactly the most reliable figure in the pack”, I reciprocate icily. He takes a piece of paper from his bag and writes on it. Then he slides it towards me. When I read it, I smiled full of joy, this would be a piece of cake.

“Okay. What are you up to with Clarita? She has rejected you, what more could you want?” I ask the man next to me to be sure.

“Use your beautiful head, Mercedes. Of course, I want to win her back. Now that I’m getting an upgrade to Beta, I have a better chance with her. With that rank she has no reason to refuse me again. At least if the rumors are true. Did her mate reject her last night?”

Slowly I nod in agreement.

“Yes, Gamma Kenry has different conditions for his mate, which Clarita does not meet. So, he let her go. And it doesn’t seem like he’s going to change his mind any time soon,” I finally admit, also to myself. “I do think you have a chance now, if you were indeed her first mate.” John smiles broadly like this is the best thing he’s heard in all his life. Strange actually, isn’t he supposed to hate Clarita after a rejection?

“You can’t deny that Clarita and I are a perfect match. Yes, I know she had a crush on the Alpha, but that will end when I mark her,” the future Gamma, now Beta states confidently.

Well, that’s not my concern, in a few months, I’ll be gone to Midnight Moon. My focus is to find and reunite Saphira with my Beta Jace.

Jace saved me once, brought me my perfect mate and now it is my time to return the same favor…