I Am The Luna (Moonlight Muse) novel Chapter 7

ZAIA.

It’s been four months since that day. I wish I could say life is perfect, but it’s far from it. I am still weak despite doing my best to remain healthy for my babies.

Mom knew someone who had helped us create fake IDs, and we had managed to be accepted into a new pack. She explained to the Alpha that my mate had rejected me and I feared for the lives of my children. Leaving out the fact I was the Luna of an enemy Alpha.

We had little option, and I was grateful when we were accepted into the pack. The Whispering Mountain Pack is a rival pack to Sebastian’s.

Not only that, but it is also in an isolated location, only open to other packs on rare occasions. Since it doesn’t tie in with any large city areas, no one has any need to venture on to the pack territory.

Mom had chosen it for this reason. Plus, this is a pack where Sebastian would never think to look for me, if ever he decides to. The packs are sworn enemies.

The Alpha of this pack also has a reputation for opening the doors to his pack to those who need a safety net.

In this way, he has won the loyalty of many.

I know it is risky, and sometimes I wonder what he would do if he found out our truth, but we didn’t have any other choice.

We learned Sebastian was watching if I left the country, too.

I go by Zaia Walton now, taking on Mom’s maiden name. After all, even if people didn’t know Sebastian’s wife’s name, everyone knows Hugh Toussaint, my father.

I found a job here at the local florist. It’s not much, but it’s enough to keep me distracted from my sadness. I didn’t want to draw attention to myself by choosing a high-profile job, although there were many positions that would have worked perfectly for me.

Mom also found a job at a small bridal boutique. We are both earning enough to live comfortably enough, and we’ve managed to save some for when the babies arrive.

We are both excited and have already begun buying little titbits here and there, although I decided to leave the babies genders a surprise.

We have happily blended in and although when we first came here, everyone was wary of us; we are now a part of the pack and fit in as if we have been here for many years.

I know back at his pack, Sebastian is happily living with Annalise. He’s probably already forgotten about me and removed every memory of me from that house, but for me, I truly loved him deeply and it isn’t as easy to move on.

I sigh heavily, looking at the chrysanthemums in my hand as I start to arrange them in the bucket that I’ve already filled with water.

I place a hand on my swollen belly as I stand up again, sighing heavily.

“Careful there dear,”

I turn as the shop owner, Mrs Watson, enters from the back holding freshly cut roses. She’s an elderly woman in her seventies.

“Oh, I’m alright, here - let me help you.” I say, walking over to assist her.

“I’ll handle these. You go get the daffodils from the back. Do you know every year, for the last five decades, it’s my shop that gets the order from the Alpha family to decorate the Pack Hall for the New Year’s Eve Ball.” She says proudly. Her white hair falls around her face in tight curls and the wrinkle lines that cover her face speak of memories of a long life.

“That is amazing. Are we going for a certain colour?” I ask, still assisting her with the roses and helping them over to the table, where she would trim the thorns.

She pauses and nods. “Yes, in fact, the Alpha was rather insistent this year on a colour theme. He usually allows me to choose whatever I want.” She chuckles. “I wonder…”

“Oh, a theme! That does sound exciting.” I say, smiling, but no matter who I talk to or how I occupy myself, the gaping hole left by Sebastian’s rejection forever remains.

“Violet, so we will bring out the Bellflowers, wisteria and geraniums, oh I have a lovely stock of hyacinths.” She continues. “It’s a big event. Alphas and guests from other packs will attend.”

I listen quietly, wondering if there will even be a slight chance of someone we know coming. I would need to find out and if there is, then Mom and I will need to make sure no one sees us.

My phone begins ringing and I take it out, ‘UNKNOWN NUMBER’ I look at Ms Watson.

“Oh excuse me, I need to take this.”

“Go ahead dear, after lunch perhaps you can help me with the arrangements for the ball.”

“Of course!” I say as I step out onto the cobbled streets.

The Whispering Mountain Pack is a breathtaking place. Unlike Dark Hollow Falls, it is filled with nature and beautiful scenery. With a stunning backdrop of snowy mountains and a waterfall that could be seen from afar.

“Hello?” I answer the call.

“Hi, how are you?” Valerie whispers.

It’s always lovely to receive a call from her. I don’t call her just in case someone else picks up the phone, but when she gets the chance, she does call. Mainly to make sure I am up to date with all the prenatal care and instructions she has commanded me to follow.

She may not be here but she’s been there guiding me and offering me pregnancy advice.

“I’m well, just working at the shop. This is such a nice place. I hope someday you can visit. Is everything alright, you don’t usually call during the day?” I ask. She doesn’t sound like her usual self.

“I am… but we have a slight issue.” She murmurs, keeping her voice low.

My heart thumps as my nerves begin to get the better of me.

“What is it?”

“Jai somehow saw the pregnancy report, and-”

“What!” Fear envelops me and I grip the low fence that runs along the side of the flower shop.

“Calm down, Zaia, I’ve handled it. He told Sebastian, but I managed to lie and said to him that you miscarried because of the rejection.”

My eyes widen. “You… what did he say?” I don’t know why, but I want to know.

“Well, he looked more upset than I thought he would.”