The Eclipsed Life of Luna Mischa (by Jennifer Francis) novel Chapter 69

Mischa felt Anthony’s return to the pack the following morning. He’d spent the entire afternoon and night out there in rogue territory. That was odd to her considering just how many rogues were out there to the northeast of the pack; it wasn’t a dawn return either.

It was just after 10am when she felt him cross back into the pack, from the same direction. It was a nice morning here for her, a clear day. There was a little snow on the ground outside, but it wasn’t falling, and she’d gotten accustomed to the cold, and she actually had her office windows open half way.

Her unit had kind of looked at her when she’d cracked them open like she was doing something odd. But they were wolfen and so, other than them wearing their long–sleeve shirt and a pair of jeans as they were doing, they’d be fine. She thought it was more about her, wearing a short–sleeved blouse and a softly flowing skirt that came to her knees.

She wasn’t dressed for the weather, but they didn’t know she had spent the past four months sleeping in the cold to numb her heart. She’d just not commented about how they looked at her. They could all see she was doing just fine, she actually thought the day was pretty warm, even though she knew it really wasn’t, because the nights were freezing compared to the day.

She smiled to herself a little as he stepped out of the woods and into the area behind the packhouse, and she heard as he made his way to the packhouse mudroom at the western end of the building, a she–wolf stated, “Congratulations Alpha.” And another voice “I hope it’s a boy.”

“What are you talking about?” he asked right back, sounding a bit confused.

“The pack’s heir.” Those two had voiced.

The entire pack had taken her lead and not only because of her words, but because, for the past four days, Christy had made sure to mention she was certain there was a pup from her heat to anyone that would listen, and stated the words the heir to the pack, when Mischa was

in earshot of her.

So the pack were, in fact, just accepting of all they’d seen and heard since Christy’s heat was over, so it was, of course, entirely possible she was carrying the pack’s heir. Some of them were genuine in their congratulations of Christy this morning as well, though she’d heard a few say it with full amusement too, as they came across Christy and couldn’t pick up that tiny heart beat they were all likely expecting to hear.

Most of the pack that was older than she was, understood exactly what she’d done; even Christy had understood, but it was too late to stop her. But the younger ones, the teens, they

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didn’t get it, and thought it was good news, that in a few months time there would be an heir

to the pack.

Anthony had not been here and had absolutely no idea what was going on, and she’d picked up his confusion in his brief exchange outside. She watched him walk by the packhouse through her window, and saw he didn’t look so happy about what he was hearing. News like that wasn’t meant to be broken by anyone but himself and his Luna; the one carrying the pup.

It was a pity Christy had refused those omegas Mischa had sent up there to move her, but she’d also expected that too. But none here in the pack could say Mischa hadn’t accepted it, stepped aside or didn’t approve of it. Not considering she’d handed over that access card and sent staff to move Christy right into the Alpha’s Suite.

She knew where Christy was right this minute, in Debbie’s office, she’d not needed to be told to go there or stay there and attend her lessons since the last argument with Anthony in the foyer about her not wanting to do the job of Luna.

Christy had also come downstairs this morning all smiles for everyone, had even sat at the Alpha’s table, asked how everyone was doing and portrayed herself as being happy and friendly with them all. As if nothing was wrong inside this pack, and they all got along well. They’d accepted her punishment and forgiven her.

Then she’d stood after her breakfast was finished and announced, after she’d eaten, “I’m off

to Luna Lessons.” sounded happy and as if it was something to be proud of, like she was newly marked and mated and happy to learn her role. When, instead, she was being forced to attend them because, for the two years she’d been there, she’d barely learned a thing.

Mischa had watched her go and wondered if she was upping her game, but then shook it off, put it down to her actually realizing if she didn’t do it, Anthony would likely reject her. Because she’d been religious about attending them, arrived on time and not missed a single class since that argument.

Debbie had told her not only was she there, but she was taking notes, asking questions and, according to Debbie, now willing to actually take it seriously and learn, was actively

participating.

Mischa put that down to Anthony’s actual threat about rethinking his and Christy’s mate bond. Those very words spoken out loud had pulled that she–wolf into line. Christy had come to the realization that if she didn’t do as one, becoming a Luna to a pack should; learn the

actual role, she wouldn’t be able to keep her Alpha Mate.

15 minutes later, she watched the Alpha Unit all walk across the packhouse foyer, and she could only guess it was because Anthony had called them to him, likely to go and explain what the hell was going on or had happened inside the pack while he was out of it.

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His unhappy day and night wasn’t over yet, he just didn’t know it, a soft amused chuckle came from her as she thought about that very thing. He’d never cared how she’d felt in those last few months, before shit had hit the fan. Now it was her turn to not care and allow him to

learn how, not only it felt, but to have no actual control over a particular situation. To just have to accept it because it was already done.

She knew his unit would show him that e–mail, Paul definitely would, and she took a moment to send Anthony another e–mail right now. She was certain Kendrick would take his phone to him now that he was back. So, he’d get it right away.

It was the footage of her giving Christy that access card to his suite. The video had full audio, which showed him Christy’s reactions to everything, her faked fear, her actual temperament around Mischa; that he never saw. Which would show him Christy wasn’t at all insecure or afraid of Mischa as how she played it off she was. It even showed by the way she looked at that card; that she did want the access card Mischa was offering.

Along with Christy calling Mischa a bitch to her face, and right after, Mischa had given her blessing for Christy to move into Anthony’s suite. That girl still had no idea just what Mischa would do, but Mischa knew Christy would cry and try to say Mischa was setting her up. Which, of course, she was, but with Christy’s prior history, it was only going to backfire on her. Mischa was unconcerned about what he would see and hear herself state, she’d made it

plainly clear she did not like Christy before.

Mischa had also involved the entire pack, it wasn’t just between her and Christy, like what Christy had done between herself and Anthony. No, Mischa wasn’t so stupid. If one wanted to play their hand, then one needed to go all in, not just bluff half–heartedly.

Not even the Elders had hunted her down or connected to her last night about what she’d done. Not after seeing that video footage. After he’d gone and done, what they’d even brought up to him about him letting Christy into Mischa’s suite.

They, she knew, saw it the same way as she did. That, yet again, Anthony had given into Christy’s ever–present need to be inside a suite she’d agreed to never go into. Knew it wasn’t hers, and shouldn’t go into but begged and pleaded as Paul had stated and Anthony had

caved to her.

Anthony, she thought, wasn’t cut out to have two Mates. It was likely he was supposed to choose between them, but he’d not seen it that way. Thinking about it like that, something occurred to Mischa; Christy was actually a lot like Anthony’s mother.

Maybe it was a test from Selena, to see if he had the same tendencies as his own parents had, and the only thing holding this pack together, and keeping it financially stable, was herself. Maybe if he had chosen between them; she and he would see the pack flourish and continue to grow.

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Whereas if he had rejected her and chosen only Christy, it would see the pack return to ruin as his parents had left it. That maybe even now his orbiting of only Christy and leaving Mischa as he’d done, was supposed to show him the error of his ways and all he’d lose after

decades of building it back up.

To show him that something old and reliable, was better than something young and new. That new didn’t always mean better. That something built with love, hard work and real dedication, should outshine something that was fun and flashy. That temptation was just that, something to be tempted by, not hold onto and allow yourself to be pulled down into, to drown in.

She wondered if he also felt a connection to his mother in someway through how Christy was. She was outgoing and seemingly all about being a good Luna. And Mischa did think seemingly was the right word for both those she–wolves now.

Anthony’s mother and father had seemingly been a good Alpha and Luna, portrayed themselves as being all about the pack, yet behind the scenes they’d run the pack into the ground and left her and Anthony with a pack drowning in debt.

Maybe he was so attached to Christy because she did embody something of his own mother. He’d had no warning of his parents‘ death. It had come out of nowhere, he’d not even known they’d lost all the pack’s funds and weren’t managing the pack’s finances well.

In his eyes, his parents had been fun–loving and outgoing, happy to splurge on not only each other but himself as well. All the things Christy did with him, and Mischa did not. It was very likely he wanted to live that life he’d once had. With someone that was fun–loving, without a care in the world, and as long as he had Mischa here inside the pack to deal with the

finances.

Keeping them in the black, she realized he could do that, he didn’t have to concern himself with the money side anymore, and deep down inside himself he knew Mischa wouldn’t let the pack fall into ruin, like it had once been. Not when she’d worked so hard to bring it back to a good standing alongside him.

He was getting the best of both worlds. As long as she stayed here and was the pack’s accountant, he could continue to live that new life of fun–loving ease with Christy. While Mischa held the pack together.

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