The Defiant Luna
Chapter 24

Nathan

Nathan had everyone in his office; Jay-la’s parents, Vera and Jodi, his parents, Blaine and Darla, the pack doctor Franklin, his Alpha Unit, and he had even managed to get Jay-la’s brother Bradley into his office.

Though he had been the last to arrive, but had attended as requested.

That man had looked around the room at everyone in there and frowned near instantly.

Nathan had been mind-linked by Franklin on the way down to breakfast, only to be informed that Jay-la’s b***d work was back and the news was not good. That it showed she was afflicted and was adrenalized.

He now sat in his office with everyone that needed to know the news, Stephen had been informed by Jackson yesterday afternoon and allowed to read the entries in the Luna’s communications book. He had not liked it at all, his parents had already seen her flight and fight mode activated, his mother had likely understood it to some degree.

Having read this book, she’d got between them and let her flee. Had recognised the signs he supposed.

Her distress had broken her, just like it read in the book, his father had seen her and Kora size him up without any concern as to where they were; out in the human world for all to see, or the fact that he was alpha blooded.

His mother had likely saved his father’s life that day, made him back away and show Jay-la and Kora that they didn’t want to fight, allowed her to flee from them, and she had been gone for hours and no-one had known where she was at the time.

Now all the information was there in black and white, she was not in a good way and anything could set off that flight and fight response.

Though he believed it would only happen if a direct threat to herself or to the triplets was felt by her and Kora. He was certainly not that to her, did not believe anyone here inside the pack was a threat to her, so that should help.

It had not escaped his attention that the pack seemed happy to have her as their Luna. A good eighty percent of them had grown up here with her, they all knew her, she wasn’t mean or nasty, wasn’t demanding and she had always been polite, even to the omega’s. They liked that, got respect from her, unlike how they had been treated by his previous Mate.

Nathan took a long breath in and told them what he had learned, showed both her parents and her brother as well as his father those entries. Franklin had seen them last night, requested it from Jackson, when he’d been told the Alpha was with the Luna. Jackson had given it to him without hesitation, the man needed to know.

Then Franklin stood up and explained her over adrenalized b***d to them, saw Bradley frown, but both her parents just sighed, noticed it didn’t come as a complete shock to them. Looked to him like they already had some idea or knowledge of this, that was curious to him.

For the first time in years, Bradley looked right at him and was the first to speak, asked him a direct question: How did you know to test her b***d, for this rare affliction?” There was not even any anger in his voice, just concern for his sister.

“Mother got hit by it in L.A. The pouring out of distress, and then she sized father up just moments later when he tried to stop her from leaving.” He told them and indicated for his parents to tell them what had happened in the restaurant that night and how they felt about it.

They both did, didn’t sugar coat anything either, even his mother stated how broken she felt, that all she could do was lay down and cry, so very overwhelmed by the fear Jay-la had poured out of her that night. Afflicted by it, just like it stated in the book they’d gotten to read.

They all needed to know the truth of the situation, nothing was held back from them.

“It could be why, she is so difficult with you at times, son,” His father commented.

“That’s not it.” Bradley stated flatly, but did not elaborate further.

Nathan didn’t say anything either. He also knew it wasn’t that, she had her own feelings on why she was there inside the pack. He was still working on that. Knew that he could tell her he loved her till he was blue in the face, but that didn’t mean she would believe him, not until whatever it was deep down inside of her, that caused her not to believe him was resolved.

He was pretty sure she loved him, she just wasn’t certain he Nathan, loved her. Their coming together was messed up, and in her mind he only wanted their children, not her. He’d told her it wasn’t the truth, but she still didn’t seem to believe it.

He looked at both her parents. They’d been quiet now “Vera, Jodi.

Neither of you seem surprised by this. May I ask why not?”

“Jay-la told us, that she and Kora. They feel that something is wrong with them,” Vera told him.

“To be specific.” Jodi stated,

“told us just yesterday, they do not feel that they are in a good place, that fear and pain overwhelms them easily.

Actually stated to us, voiced out loud her own concern that she thinks her flight and fight response isn’t normal, that she believes something is wrong with it.”

“Our girl is smart.” Vera smiled, though it was sadly.

“Why did you not bring this to my attention yesterday?” Nathan asked with a frown.

“She would do it herself if she wanted you to know.” Bradley stated, staring hard at him.

“Son,” it was his mother. “Perhaps Jay-la is afraid you would reject her because of this.”

“I would not.” He frowned

‘Mm, that being said, she wouldn’t know that. But would know Alpha’s don’t want defective Mates or Mates that are afflicted with things that could be passed on down to their offspring.” His father sighed “She might be afraid or worried deep down, you’d reject her.”

“Likely think you’ll reject her, banish her back to the human world uncaringly, but keep your children. Take them from her.” Brad muttered.

That did make more sense to him on her frame of mind. “I will not be. I do love her, Bradley…l also want to fix this, there is a way, you’ve all read it…I also don’t care how long it takes. I think we need to all work together to help her.”

“Have you told her yet?” Jodi asked him.

Glared at Stephen when his phone rang and he excused himself, now wasn’t the time to be leaving the room. “I will be,” he nodded as Stephen left the room and closed the door. Likely he was getting an update on his Mate. Nathan wasn’t happy he’d just left the room, but the most important part of the conversation was done, he supposed.

Everyone was now aware of her affliction, they all just needed to decide on a plan of action.

“The sooner the better.” It was Franklin, “I’ll need to do regular b***d tests and I will start that research today. It is likely there are more efficient ways to reduce her adrenaline levels. It’s been over a hundred years since the last entry, there could even be new medications to help reduce it. ‘ll get on it right away, Alpha.”

“If you need help, Franklin.” It was Ethan. “Just let me know.

“Will do.” He nodded,

Nathan felt Stephen connect a mind-link to him, could feel him moving away from the pack-house, and feel panic in the man ‘Nathan Suzy’s house is on fire.’

What? he was completely shocked, now understood the man leaving the room.

‘I’m going to Jay-la, she’ll be able to call her. the link was cut. Everyone was looking right at him.

“Stephen won’t be back, his human mate’s house is on fire.”

“What?” it was his mother. “Why is she not here?”

“Won’t come, Jay-la could not convince her and I need him here, so he can’t exactly go and get her himself.”

“Who is she?”

“The triplets nanny” Jackson and Ethan stated at the same time, smiled the pair of them

“Oh,”

“He’s going to Jay-la, likely to hear Suzy’s voice, he will need that to comfort him.” sighed softly “Vera, you called your mother?”

“I did.” She nodded.

“Your mother is bringing her Alpha with her.”

“Alpha Austin is coming?” she asked right back.

“Yes, and not as an Alpha. As a council member representative. To check on Jay-la and the children’s welfare he put it, when he called yesterday.”

“Oh, I didn’t ask for that.” She shook her head.

He just nodded, it was likely after their fight and with Austin’s offer of sanctuary he was coming here to make sure she was safe and unharmed. Made the decision on his own, as any council member could do. Finally, he had his answer to his question. Though Stephen had told him his line of questioning with Jay-la, was not only out of line, he thought it now led her to believing he thought she’d called them on him. Regardless of the fact that she’d not, because he had pressed her so hard on it. Just one more thing he’d managed to screw up with her, it seems.

He was going to have to start thinking before he spoke with her. Weigh up the possible reactions he would get from her, before asking anything that might seem to her, like he was blaming her for something. Always on the defensive with him.

“He is coming and Jay-la has yet to close out her human world, or drop those charges against me. That might not go down so well with him. It could be seen, as she doesn’t want to be here.”

“She does though.” Vera smiled up at him.

“Kora does.” He sighed, he wasn’t going to hide from them the fact that Jay-la was still on the fence where he was concerned.

“She wouldn’t claim you, if she didn’t want to, Nathan.” Vera told him.”

She is likely confused. Just give my girl some more time.”

He nodded. “She can have all the time she likes.” His eyes moved to Brad, he wouldn’t actually put it passed her brother to try and talk her out of it, out of their Mate Bond, if she voiced her doubts to him in person.

“I’m not going to intervene. I’m not happy about it.” Bradley stated flatly

“At all, you don’t deserve her as far as I am concerned.” Then the man sighed “But I acknowledge, she did always love you…I agree with mother, she is likely very confused. But if my sister wants to reject you in the end. I will stand right next to her, hold her hand for support and I will leave with her so she is not alone.” Then he just turned and walked out of the office

Nathan sighed heavily, he still couldn’t blame the man, and had a feeling they would all leave this time. He even knew where they would go; to the Winter Moon Pack, to a council members’ home pack. Be under the protection of Alpha Austin, he was Vera’s former Alpha. He also knew she’d take the children with her, and likely wouldn’t be able to stop her. He wouldn’t like it, but couldn’t separate her from them.

Not again.

“Son, perhaps we should put the Luna Ceremony off, till we can get a better idea of Jay-las current state.” His father sighed.

“And what? Let her think I don’t want her to have a ceremony and present her. That is not going to happen.” He shook his head, knew already that was exactly how she would take it.

“Well,” It was Vera

“Might not be so bad an idea. When I talked to her or

tried to, about her ceremony. It came across as she believed this ceremony was not about her, it was about you and solely you. She told me herself to go and ask you what you wanted, seeing as she knew nothing about it. She said something about that you’d bought a dress already for her to wear and everything”

“I have.” he nodded “It is beautiful, she’ll look stunning in it.” he smiled.

Then he felt the hit from his mother before he’d even realised she’d moved, used all her wolfs speed to get to him and smack him one “You bloody fool, the Luna chooses her own dress. No wonder she thinks it’s all about you.”

“Mother enough.” He was getting real sick of her just cracking him one when she felt like it was necessary. Luckily for her, Havoc was asleep. “I was just trying to show Jay-la, I wanted her as my Luna, so I bought that dress to prove it to her, so when she arrived she would know I was already thinking of her as my Luna.”

Saw her just stare up at him and then frowned “Perhaps we should put it off. I’ll go and speak with her, there is so much to do and Vera and I are actually struggling with the planning of it.”

“We are.” Vera nodded “It doesn’t help that she won’t tell us what she wants, just shrugs it off like it doesn’t matter.”

“Son, you talk to her about being over adrenalized all the time, then we’ll sit down and discuss the Luna Ceremony, she herself may not even be ready for it, may want to wait, move it to a time that better suits her and her state of mind.”

“Tradition is the next full moon mother.” Nathan stated, “That is how this pack has always done things.” He didn’t want to put it off, didn’t want her to find another reason to think he didn’t want her. Pushing her ceremony back was likely to do just that.

“There is nothing traditional about your Mate Bond you Jay-la, and so it may be acceptable to push it back a month.”

Nathan didn’t like it at all, just knew deep down it was going to make her put up those walls of hers and think the worst of him. “If she so much as frowns or decides to shut me out during that conversation, I’ll be over ruling your decision, putting my Alpha foot down on you mother and it will be on this full moon at the end of this week.”

He actually saw Jodi half smile. Perhaps the man did believe that he loved his daughter. Perhaps he just needed to show her family as much as herself that he did love her, for them to all come around to him being her Mate.

“TIl have to tell Jay-la after Alpha Austin gets here, would have liked to do it now, but…” he shook his head “There is not enough time, I’ll bring it up with her after the triplets go to bed. Better, I think, to not let them worry about their mother.”

“How are you going to explain knowing this?” Vera asked him.

“The same way I did here in this room, that book, mum and dad’s observations, that Franklin found an anomaly with her b***d and has confirmed it.”

“She might see through that.” Jodi stated, “We’ll leave you to ponder it.”

“She might need you.” He sighed.

“We’ll come, but she already knows deep down. I don’t think it’s going to come as a great shock to her or Kora for that matter.” Nathan nodded and watched everyone leave his office, looked at his watch, not even an hour until Alpha Austin arrived, mind-linked to Stephen. “Where are you all?’ knew he was with Jay-la and the children.

Jay-la and Margaret took the triplets down to Deena at the school, to have a she-wolfs heat explained to them. Prepping them for her heat to come I guess.’

‘Alright, I would like her with me when Alpha Austin arrives.

‘Might not make it. This is important boss. Her heat could be here any day now, you know this.

‘It is and I do. He agreed, he was going to have to deal with her not being on the steps next to him when the council member arrived,’ Suzy?’ he asked.

‘Alright, Gregory picked her and her family up, they will stay at Jay-la’s apartment for a few days?

I’m glad she is okay?

‘I should have been there. Stephen muttered, didn’t sound happy at all.

‘I understand, but with Jay-la!

‘I get it, I just don’t like it. My father can be here for her. Why does it have to be me?’

‘Because Stephen, you are her Gamma. The connection between you and her is well established. She trusts you, you also have that life-long friendship. You’ve already worked your charm on her and it’s effective.

That is why.

‘It could take years to fix her. It’s not fair to me, or Suzy for that matter, you cant expect me to just leave her out there for years.’ He cut the link.

No, it probably wasn’t fair, and he did not expect them to wait years, he was going to convince Suzy to come here. Perhaps that fire was a blessing in disguise, and Stephen just didn’t realise it yet. He did hope Suzy and her family were really alright.

Looked at Jackson. “It looks like it will be you and I greeting Alpha

Austin alone.”

“That won’t look good, or go down so well.”

“No,” he agreed, “but at least I can explain it, Jay-la has the triplets, is with Deena having her heat explained to them.” Smiled a little at that, prepping for it, she didn’t want them freaking out about her disappearance. Wasn’t planning to leave before it either. That was a good thing.

“Mum is good at that.” Ethan smiled. “Though it now occurs to me.” Saw him look from him to Jackson and back. “You’re mates are likely to go into heat at the same time or around the same time, an overlap is possible. You both Mark and Mate within a day of each other.”

“Mm.”

“I can’t wait.” Jackson smirked right at Ethan “My mate is sexy as hell, I’m going to.”‘

“You finish that sentence Beta, I’ll beat the hell out of you.” Ethan shot at him, cutting him off completely.

Jackson just smiled, Nathan could see that he was going to really enjoy tormenting Ethan about Margaret for a long while yet. Likely end up getting that beating at some point as well.

“Who will be in charge? While you’re both out of action?” Ethan asked.

“You and Stephen..” that made him think “Just you actually. Leaving Stephen in charge will see him leave the pack, I imagine, to go and get Suzy, so you, Ethan, will be in charge I guess.”

“Stephen’s not going to like that. He out ranks me.”

“He’ll have to deal with it.” Nathan sighed.