Alex offered her a supportive nod; he was there to watch her perform her first official task as Luna, not to help her. She knew she was being stupid. She realised Alex could hear her thoughts and immediately regretted it. She also praised the stars for keeping the rest of the pack from hearing her thoughts unless she projected them. Being the Alpha's mate comes with yet another wonderful perk.
If Grace could do it, and she effectively controlled everyone, it would be simple. "I'll guide them, but I won't be their master." I am not arrogant like her. She pondered.
She formally introduced herself as Rosalie and grinned as she said, "I shall lead and hear you. I'll be respectful to all of you, and I'm counting on you all to be as well. I'll be your support, and together, we'll hold and safeguard one another."
She repeated the etymological passage that Alex had put on a piece of paper for her to remember for her official introduction:The holy moon blesses us; the sacred moon protects us. Let us honour one another under the circle of this holy tie. She finished her speech.
The ancient words were a necessity, since they showed the rest of the pack that she was their Luna. All the pack's female members howled at her in submission as they phased from their human form, stripping quickly into their wolf forms. Their tails wagged and twitched behind them as they bent down and laid their heads on their front paws and then rolled over, exposing their naked furry bellies in submission.
Pure instinct washed over her as she transformed into her silvery-grey wolf. She was certainly bigger than before. Which was strange? She couldn't grow that big in a week!
Alex nodded, but instead of transforming into a wolf, he took a step back.
She replied to them, "We shall explore the earth beneath our paws," and she sprang through the clearing to an open passage that led directly into the forest. As she was being followed by other female wolves, the moon rose high in the night sky.
Rosalie ran over a boulder and leapt across a big stream without allowing the water to contact her body as she felt the chill wind on her face. The female wolves behind her separated into their ranks. The Betas sprinted inches behind Rosalie.
The lower-ranking members sprinted behind them as they caught the fresh, alluring scent of a mountain lion.
'Separate and encircle.' She commanded.
Small animals were scattered across the forest, and wolves were jumping over large stones and dense vegetation. Her betas sniffed two additional mountain lions and hissed in anticipation.
'Jackpot! Woo-hoo!' Janet joyfully cheered. Rosario grinned.
Mountain lions were harder to hunt because they were bigger than "regular" wolves, yet the effort was well worth it.
Rosalie approached the lions by crouching low. Of course, they were on guard, scanning the area for any threats. Rosalie leapt high, scratched the largest of the three lions with her razor-sharp claws, and bit hard into its neck with her razor-sharp teeth. As she tightened her grip on its neck, obstructing its airway, she could taste the rusty rush of fresh blood trickling down the back of her throat. Under her, the lion struggled as it attempted to pounce on her with its claws. Rosalie, though, remained firm.
She yearned for the first kill, and it showed in her golden eyes. As her Betas and the other wolves attacked and killed the other two lions, the smell of blood roused her inner demon. Rosalie's lion was a skilled foe. She was impressed by its might. The hunt was made more rewarding and delightful by difficult prey. While still fighting, the lion let forth one last yell of submission as its life force fled its body. She had shown her worthiness in front of the others. The largest and sturdiest lion had been chased by her alone. She howled loudly and felt triumphant on top of it all.
Before approaching her and nuzzling her bloodied face, the Betas flipped over and showed her their bellies. She guarded her kill with a possessive growl, but it was only natural. They backed away and calmed her by exposing their naked, furry necks to her. With their pointed fangs, the lower ranks pulled the two dead lions. The Betas snarled, but they could finish their duty.
We'll have a lovely dinner tonight, Rosalie thought.
She gritted her teeth as the lower ranks drew near.
She said, "This is mine," and bit down on the lion's severed neck. She pulled her kill back to the circle as they fled, bending their heads once again. She understood instinctively that she had to lift the heavy dead lion on her own, even though it wasn't a simple task, to prove to her new family that she was the deserving Luna. Alex's choice was right for them.
Just a few feet from the circle, Rosalie dropped her kill, giving the omegas the chance to take control and prepare it for roasting. When she caught a breath of a perfume that was strangely appealing and familiar, she immediately hurried towards the circle. She shifted back into her human shape and sprang into a sprint as quickly as she could. She also jumped on Alex and jokingly tackled him. They both fell to the ground, and she straddled him while giving him a passionate kiss on the lips. His hands massaged her bare back. They paid little attention to the people around them as she hungrily kissed him. She had been longing to hold and cuddle him in her arms ever since she last saw him hours earlier. She was dying from longing. She didn't even mind that after her first hunt with the female pack members, she was bloody, filthy, and nude.
"Maybe, brother, you could get a room!"
Rosalie looked up at the girl when a female voice cut off their moment.
It was unmistakably Sarah, Alex's sister. She had the same grey eyes. Sharp nose and wavy, dark hair. She grinned at her. After they untangled, Rosalie stood up. She gladly received a robe from an omega who had rushed to her side.
"Good to see you here, Sarah. I hope you have learned your lesson." Alex addressed Sarah with a smirk.
"Yes, my Alpha," she said graciously and bowed dramatically. Rosalie couldn't help smiling.
"I wanted to meet you earlier, Madam Luna," Sarah turned to Rosalie, "but I was being punished." Her eyes twinkled with mischief. Rosalie knew then that Sarah would continue to be as mischievous as ever. She was going to like Sarah.
"What did you do that required such punishment?" Rosalie asked.
Sarah smirked. "I was just walking down the hallways of one of our hotels, moaning fairly loudly and weeping, scaring the human guests. I also might have phased in front of this snooty bitch from my high school and scared the shit out of her, but all of that is completely beyond the point. I just do it to keep my mind off my brother."
There it was. Sarah reminded her of Melissa. Always doing things they shouldn't and getting into constant trouble, well, at least when they were younger. Rosalie doubled over in laughter. The girl looked up, a smile bursting across her face. Rosalie was vaguely aware of the other women staring at them, stunned, but she didn't care. It felt good to laugh like this and to be reminded so completely of her younger years and happy times at home.
She gently corrected her, "Rosalie, don't call me Madam Luna. We are sisters. Would you like something to eat?" Rosalie remarked. "I'm sure the omegas are already preparing the food."
Sarah gaped at her. "Is something wrong?" Rosalie asked with concern.
Sarah muttered, "You're a weird Luna to be so casual with your pack members."
She laughed, "I'm a modern-day madam Luna," but Sarah continued to look at her incredulously.
"Would you prefer it if I was a huge, bad, nasty wolf?"
Sarah snickered. "N-no. You just took me off guard, that's all."
Alex concluded jokingly, "I guess we're going to be a thrilling pack together."
She said again, "Sarah, just call me Rosalie."
Sarah snickered. She twirled around. "Having an Alpha female of my age rocks!" she exclaimed.
"Don't worry about her, Rosalie. She's the cuckoo one in this pack." Alex shook his head in embarrassment at her behaviour. Sarah put an end to her whirling and gave her brother a friendly shoulder punch.
" I am not cuckoo, you are cuckoo."
Rosalie chuckled at their playful banter, feeling grateful to have found such a welcoming pack.