Wolf-less Omega Luna novel Chapter 44

Alana’s POV


“You go first, Alana. Tell us why you're drinking.” Lexi belched as she chugged down yet another glass of wine.

I snuck into the cellar earlier, took as many bottles of wine as I could, and crept out to meet with Lexi in her room.

“I think I should go first. Mine’s more sorrowful,” Coral sobbed, clearly wasted.

As soon as I got out of the cellar and was tiptoeing through the back of the house, Coral caught me. She looked as downcast as I did so I offered her a ticket to the drinkers club.

“I should go after you, Luna, my story is not as bad as you all.” Kennedy voiced, her voice shaky from drinking too much.

Maybe Kennedy had a tracker on me because she seemed to find me anywhere I went. At least she wasn’t avoiding me like a plague this time.

“Kennedy, you go first. Let’s progress from least to worst then.”

The trio hummed in agreement, clinking glasses of Axel’s finest wine with each other. 

“Benny said he only saw me as a friend. More of a little sister than a girlfriend. He bought me the dress… just because he could.” She broke into a joyless sob.

“He’s a prick,” I deadpanned. 

“And she’s sixteen,” Coral declared as if realizing our mistake. 

“And I don’t think we adults should be engaging her in drinking alcohol,” Lexi cried.

Shit. They were right.

“And I’m right here, drunk,” Kennedy said a little too loudly, causing my ears to buzz.

I palmed a hand over my mouth to muffle the chuckle that threatened to escape but I ended up snorting twice before doubling over in laughter.

Coral joined cackling, followed by Lexi, and finally Kennedy.

Tears brimmed at the corners of my eyes from too much laughter and alcohol.

Tossing my morals in the mud and downing much less wine than the rest of the ladies, I was already a hot mess this evening. I laughed at the worst joke and I realized that a night of drinking with my girls was all it took for me to forget my problems. At least for the night.

“Me next. Me next.” Lexi sat on her knees, spilling wine on the open space within the circle we had formed on the floor.

“Get it, girl.”

“Tyler and I are in a tight space because I’m an omega and his parents do not approve of us.”

“Wait, my Tyler,” Coral gestured to herself. “You’re shagging my brother?” Her green eyes were bright in the darkness of the room.

“I mean, yeah! I was. But I don’t know if I will anymore.”

The group broke into a sob on behalf of Lexi and Tyler, and Coral squeezed her way between me and Kennedy, grabbing Lexi in a drunken hug.

“I would like you to continue shagging my brother, Lexi. You’re so beautiful and he’s so… not.”
The sobs grew into a fit of laughter before it was Coral’s turn.

“Your turn Coral, I urged.”

Her voice and demeanor shifted as she began to talk. She set her glass down and straightened herself on the floor.

“My parents are on my neck. They’re strangling …”

“Tyler’s parents again?” Lexi casually said as she slurped loudly. 

“Lexi,” I cautioned her before she noticed that things were now serious.

Coral continued. “I just want to fight for the pack. I don’t want a mate. I don’t want to be forced into a fucking bond. But all my parents want is a grandchild. Now they’re pressuring me to find a chosen mate and get on with it. I’m so tired.”

“Wow. I’m sorry, Coral. What can we do to help?”

“You guys are already helping,” she gave me a half smile and raised her glass above her head, cheersing with me before taking a huge swig, emptying the cup, and refilling it.

Behind all the laughter and banter, we all had one problem or the other.

Now that it was my turn to share mine, I couldn’t find the words to describe my problems.

“The universe doesn’t want me and Axel to be together,” I said point-blankly, staring into space.

My words held no weight to my ears. Even as that was the case, Axel was still fighting for me. That was something neither of the other three ladies had.

Axel kept reassuring me any chance he got that I was his, he chose me, and he was mine.

I echoed a humorless laugh and let the bitter liquid burn and roll to the back of my throat.

“Alpha Axel wants to be with you. It's so obvious, the blind can see it,” Kennedy spoke next.

“He sure does,” Coral raised her glass again.

“How are you doing, Alana? Truly? We’ve been caught up in our own drama when you clearly have more going on than the rest of us.”

“I’m good,” I said in a whisper. “I’m good,” I repeated, willing myself to believe it. To believe that Axel wasn’t about to fight to the death to be with me.

“And the challenge? With ‘you know who?’” Coral asked with disdain written on her face for Britney. They never agreed.

“Axel said I wouldn’t have to fight her. I don’t know how he’s going to do that, but I hope I don’t. Jerad was right. When it’s time to fight for the pack, I wouldn’t be able to. I don’t have it in me.”

“But you’re a better Luna than Britney will ever be, Luna Alana,” Kennedy encouraged. “You’re kinder, smarter, and more beautiful.”

“She’s right.”

“Thank you. All of you.” I ducked my head down to hide the glossy eyes before the tears dropped.