Second Chance Luna (Phoebe and Jason) novel Chapter 3

The pups had been given a room in the packhouse that was hardly larger than a closet. Somehow they crammed in two camping cots and a pair of trunks inside. According to the pups it was drafty and dark since it only had one small window and no one bothered to install a light bulb in the single overhead light. Even worse the pups’ had mandatory bed checks.

After bedtime the patrolling security made periodic checks to ensure the pups were actually in bed. It had been bad in the beginning but now the patrols were getting more lax allowing Blake and Emma to sneak away returning to her cottage where she kept their room ready.

Her heart ached knowing her anger made life difficult for pups that already had enough tragedy in their young lives. Máni whimpered in her mind sharing her guilt. Their anger was completely justified but they expressed it in the wrong setting. Even so Phoebe continued to care for the brother and sister providing them with new clothes, much better than the shabby hand-me-downs from the pack’s donation closet.

Turning away from the packhouse Phoebe made her way back to her cottage. Her mind raced with meal ideas. She smiled already looking forward to company. Normally her meals were solitary affairs unless Bridget stopped by so the pups would most certainly be a welcome change.

Máni perked up. Phoebe could practically feel her tail wagging in anticipation. One day they would find a way to keep the pups close. She just had to be patient and avoid Luna Kristie’s notice.

“There you are Phoebe.”

‘Speak of the devil,’ Máni huffed.

Inwardly she cringed as she turned, “Hello Luna.”

Kristie was almost a half foot taller than Phoebe with a lithe body punctuated by an hourglass figure. Her long, blonde hair was neatly highlighted and professionally styled as were her nails. It was clear she spent a lot of time and money on her appearance.

Yet her aura was minimal. In fact Phoebe barely felt it even when Kristie tried to exert influence over her. Máni confirmed the Luna’s aura was exceptionally weak so Phoebe knew she didn’t imagine it. Despite this, or maybe because of it, Kristie resorted to rather extreme measures to keep her authority over the pack. Phoebe struggled to maintain a neutral expression keeping her disgust contained.

“How can I help you, Luna?”

Kristie smirked, “We’re having some very important visitors next week and I don’t want those annoying little spawn to bother them. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes Luna. I’ll arrange some activities to keep them busy and out of the way.”

“Good.” Kristie smiled tipping up her nose. “Poor Phoebe, I do pity you.”

“Pardon?”

“If only the Goddess had been kinder to you and gave you a wolf then you wouldn’t have to deal with those snot-nosed kids.”

With a condescending smile Kristie walked away. With a sigh Phoebe tried to calm herself. A luna was meant to be the heart of the pack and ensure the pack’s future. How could she not like pups?

‘She is no true Luna,’ Máni gave a dismissive snort. ‘A Gamma maybe. Delta most likely.’

‘Hmm.’ Phoebe really couldn’t argue considering the alpha had been her fated mate. ‘I don’t see why she has to act like that. She’d get more respect if she was more personable.’

‘She is in a position she was never meant to have so I suppose an inferiority complex is natural,’ Máni said. ‘Especially since her wolf is submissive to us.’

‘It is?’

‘Oh yes. Imagine how much her pride must smart every time her wolf shows its belly to you…a wolfless she-wolf.’

Phoebe frowned. This was not the first time Máni mentioned something similar. Although her wolf continued to hide itself other wolf spirits instinctively sensed her presence and reacted in various ways. Higher ranks acted subservient causing disconnections to their human half while the lower ranking wolves showed difference and respect.

Phoebe found they had a calming influence on others defusing arguments even if she didn’t directly intervene. Yet despite this others continued to think she was wolfless but as Máni wasn’t inclined to explain it was a mystery she never expected to solve.

‘Well we’ll just have to stay out her way.’

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