Second Chance Luna
Chapter 71

"Don't hesitate now."

Selena couldn't tell if it was meant to be a taunt but it infuriated her. How dare this she wolf mock her! And yet her own wolf was cowering, not wanting to fight. In fact her wolf was whimpering. We should beg for forgiveness.

We are not begging to her!' Selena snapped forcing the shift.

White fur bristled as her joints popped and her body realigned but it wasn't easy. Her wolf was not cooperating.

Her shifts were getting more and more painful and difficult since she rejected her mate. Her wolf had grown morose and barely even spoke from the deepest recesses of her mind.

It was unacceptable. They were royalty. They deserved only the best. Even her wolf had to admit the best wolf for them was Jason. No other would do and yet her wolf dared pine for another?

The shift was exhausting and afterwards Selena shakily stood on her paws catching her breath. Her wolf still refused to come forward forcing her to control her body alone. She took a tentative step forward trying to get used to four legs. Looking up she saw Phoebe watching with an amused gleam in her eyes.

Selena snarled. Her rival hadn't even transformed yet and she had the audacity to look down on her. Selena leapt forward intending to drag Phoebe down. Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on FindNovel.net. Visit FindNovel.net to read the complete chapters for free. Yet she hadn't taken two steps before Phoebe dropped shifting smoothly into a wolf shimmering silver as if formed from the moonbeams themselves.

Phoebe always thought her shifts were faster and smoother than other wolves. Máni said it stemmed from how in sync they were with each other. The more in sync one was with their wolf the easier and smoother their shifts became.

The princess hadn't managed two leaps before Phoebe shredded her gown and dropped to all fours ready to meet her. Startled by the sudden shift Selena tried to stop but it was too late. Máni bound forward and met the princess's charge. Grabbing her by the scruff of the neck Máni shook her violently before tossing her aside.

Landing in a heap Selena let out a sharp yelp before trying to stand. Before she could get her paws under her Máni leapt onto her. She landed with the princess trapped between her forelegs and snarled. Yelping in terror Selena immediately rolled onto her back and bared her neck.

Growling Máni stood over her opponent and snorted in disgust, "So this is what the royal bloodline has come to? How disappointing."

Taking the princess's muzzle in her mouth as a sign of dominance and victory Máni stepped away her tail held high as the undisputed victor. Reaching the torn gown she paused letting her blue gray eyes take in her audience noting their startled, shocked and disbelieving looks

This could be bad, Phoebe warned.

Turning their attention to Jason they saw he looked as shocked as everyone else by the silver wolf in front of him.

A soft whine escaped as they worried about his silence.

Was he angry? Disappointed?

He blinked seemingly coming out of his stupor before stepping forward. Coming to stand before them he knelt so they could be face-to-face. Hesitantly he reached out cupping her head in his hands and letting her silky fur run between his fingers. Tingles of their bond erupted from his touch and with it his soothing presence.

"So, you're Máni, Jason murmured. "You are as beautiful as Phoebe and Lobo can't wait to run with you."

Her tail wagged and their worries faded. Wiggling with excitement Mani pressed forward licking his nose and earning a chuckle for her brazen attitude.

'Maybe we should shift back, Phoebe said. It'll make it easier to explain.

'Fine. But I better get to run with my Mate soon, Máni huffed before allowing her control.

Máni's consciousness slipped back allowing Phoebe to come forward again. As they switched places the shift took over. Their body realigned and bones snapped back into place. Their fur withdrew and as her knees settled on the cold cobblestone Phoebe suddenly realized she was, in fact, naked in front of the gathered alphas and lunas.

Her face burned with embarrassment not sure what she should do when a soft cloth suddenly settled over her shoulders. Looking up she saw Jason kneeling in front of her tucking a satin table cloth around her like a blanket and growling at their audience for daring to look at his Luna in a compromising position.

"

...Jason."

He cut her off with a kiss, warm and promising much more when they were alone. Phoebe found herself blushing for a whole different reason as he swept her into his arms and held her bridal-style safely cocooned in her covering. "You're not hurt, right?" Jason murmured.

"No. I'm fine."

'Did he not see what just happened? She couldn't even touch us!' Máni huffed.

"Good," Jason kissed her forehead. "Then I'll let it go. But if she had so much as scratched you she wouldn't be allowed to breathe a moment longer. Let's go."

Turning he headed toward the door only to stop as the king suddenly emerged from the crowd, "Jason! Halt!" Growling in irritation Jason paused looking back at the royal. Phoebe frowned as her gaze settled on the king. Over the years she had gotten used to looks of pity and disgust from her former pack for being wolfless but the hatred burning in the king's gaze was something new.

"Jason, you must reject that wretched creature this instant!

"the king demanded earning a startled gasp from the crowd. "I command it!"

A snarl erupted from Jason like a thunderclap and his aura poured out making even the king shudder as the crowd took a step back. Phoebe shivered as it rippled over her but she felt no fear. For her it was like a blanket: soft and protective. "With no due respect, your Highness, you have no authority to tell me what to do with my Goddess-given mate!" Jason snapped enunciating each word carefully. No wolf's authority extended beyond the Moon Goddess.

"You have no idea what you're doing!" the king struggled under the weight of the aura emanating from Jason. "That creature will bring chaos and destruction on us all!"

"A-actually, your Highness," Kleio hesitantly stepped forward. "You are mistaken. Silver wolves are messengers of the Goddess herself. They appear whenever we have strayed too far from our path. That makes them heralds of change and realignment. If chaos follows it is only because we refuse to accept the Goddess's design."

After the king's declaration the crowd had become unsettled. Many spent time in Phoebe's company and found her quite charming but the king's words made them wonder if she was a wolf in sheep's clothing meant to lull them into a false sense of security. With Kleio's announcement they were relieved. After all, New Moon was the authority when it came to anything history-related

I told you, you read too much, Máni muttered.

The New Moon Luna wasn't finished, "And I, for one, find it rather disturbing our King would even suggest his authority surpasses the Moon Goddess."

She frowned warily eyeing him as her words sent another shockwave of surprise through the assembled alphas and lunas. While this wasn't the first time the royal family had been caught doing questionable things it was the first time anyone openly challenged it. Now, not one but two pack leaders from the most powerful packs were doing just that.

The king hesitated glancing at their audience. Though none spoke out against the princess's challenge it was clear they didn't support it and none of them spoke in support of him either. They clearly expected the king to stand down.

"Jason, your father and grandfather were fierce and loyal alphas. Do you really mean to dishonor them by continuing this challenge?" the king tried to look the picture of a forgiving, benevolent ruler.

"Wrong question," Jason met his gaze without a shred of submission. "The question you should be asking is do you really intend to challenge me?"

Turning Jason marched toward the door. Phoebe's gaze remained on the king as long as he was in sight. His eyes were practically glowing with hatred. Subconsciously she shivered even as Jason's embrace tightened. The crowd parted before them and her gaze took in a myriad of different reactions: fear, confusion, respect, awe, but nothing close to the hatred radiating from their king. For once even Máni was silent.

Phoebe expected the royal guards to stop them but none dared approach Jason with his aura preceding them. In fact, most bowed, baring their necks at his approach and didn't move until he passed by. Making it to the front door he carried her down the steps to their hastily summoned limo. At the very least the driver didn't seem surprised to see them or the state of Phoebe's undress.

Holding the door the warrior bowed to them as they approached. Refusing to release her Jason climbed in and slid across the seat still cradling Phoebe in his lap. Only then did his aura ease and he breathed a sigh of relief. "Jason?"

"Phoebe, are you sure you're not hurt?" he caressed her cheek.

"Jason, I'm fine. I'm.."

He cut her off with a kiss. Cradling her head he stole her breath with unrestrained passion flooding their bond as his tongue curled and dominated her mouth.

"Jeez, if you're going to do that we'll call a cab," Lucille said as she and Ben slid into their seats across from them.