[Hyacinth] “Do you think that is a good idea?” I do not take the invitation from his outstretched hand. “Wouldn’t that cause problems for you and your fiance?” “Not particularly,” he shrugs. “Especially since she will be there too.” “Is this some kind of trick?” I feel myself bristle. I suddenly feel very vulnerable. If I say no, it could affect my standing here in the pack. But if I say yes, it could affect my heart and spirit. Ashlynd’s coldness towards me has made me feel so unsure of where I stand. I never thought that a reunion with her would feel so awkward and painful. “Do you think it is wise to bring both of us? Together?” “Well it wouldn’t just be the three of us,” he explains. “My Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Epsilon would also attend in addition to my Luna. It is a gathering of pack elders three weeks from now and I thought, as pack doctor, you should also be there. You are also the daughter of a Beta and my Delta and it is time, past time, you had your chance at pack leader
[Hyacinth] [Thirteen Years Ago] "What are you making, Cindy," my father smiles, giving me a warm hug as he watches me sew a very small pair of shoes with delicate stitches. Beaming up with him I smiled. "These are for baby Hawk," I held up the tiny little blue booties. "Do you think Mom will like them?" He pulls me into a deep hug, "Of course she will, Cindy. Although you still have 6 months until you'll meet your new baby brother. Are you sure you want to..." There is a knock on the door. My father kisses the top of my forehead as he answers it. A firm but sad voice speaks from the other side of the door. He isn't speaking loudly, but the Gamma's voice carries and I hear every word. "Delta James, there has been an accident. I am so sorry, but the Beta, she's..." He couldn't say the rest, and he didn't need to. My father knew. Holding the little booties to my chest I cried myself to sleep that night. I would never see my mother again, never hear her voice or feel her touch. My
[Hyacinth] All the blood drained from my father’s face. “What did you just say?” “Eclipse. Is it a type of wolf? I found something in Mother’s records and I…" He rushes up to me and places a hand over my mouth. Looking around anxiously he whispers in my ear. “Never say those words out loud, Cindy. It is never safe for you. Even knowing about it can put you and your son in danger. I’ll tell you what you need to know, but you need to wait for me to come talk to you." He pulls away from me looking at me intently, checking to see if I understand the seriousness or the situation. "Please don’t look into this yourself, Cindy. It isn’t safe," he looks terrified, his whole body shaking as he begs, "Just trust me.” That was two weeks ago. I am usually a patient person, but everything about this sets me on edge. What isn’t my father telling me? When I said “eclipse” his eyes grew wide with shock, his face went red, and his body started shaking. What made him so afraid? I haven’t heard
[Hyacinth] "Cindy!" Ashlynd tries and fails to cover herself, her arms already full with champagne in one hand and a rose in the other, she had no real way to cover herself. Which is how she ended up covered in alcohol and stabbed with thorns for the sake of modesty. "Ash!" I shout in response. "What on Earth are you doing here? Naked?!" "I'm the Luna," she huffs, as she struggles to cover her large breasts with her right arm while her left hand reaches down to cover her exposed crotch. "I'm supposed to be here! This is the ALPHA's suite. I have a key." "So do I," the key catches the light as I hold it out in front of me. "Slate gave it to me himself. We meet here twice a week..." Her face goes from red with embarrassment to the dark purple color of rage. "WHY DO YOU HAVE A KEY!!" she screams loud enough that the whole pack house likely heard her. "Are you fucking him too? Isn't the man you have at home enough?" I slam the door behind me as I boldly stride forward. "Who are you
[Slate] I hope Cindy understands. We always meet on Thursday afternoons around 1 PM, but today I ran into Gamma McCoy who wanted to spend some time discussing pack security. We’ve had a recent uptick in violent situations on our borders. We aren’t sure what has changed recently, but these attacks seem specific, targeted, and very intentional. Because we are such a welcoming pack, even going so far as accepting rogues who want a second chance, and because of our openness, we have been able to expand and grow as a strong pack, some individuals and groups would like nothing more than to see us fail. Maybe this is a disgruntled rogue who was denied membership for one reason or another. Maybe it is the actions of a rival pack, looking to stir up trouble. Either way, the detour took longer than expected, and despite telling Cameron several times that I needed to leave, I ended up running to make my meeting, out of breath, sweaty, and exhausted. The large clock above the staircase in th
[Hyacinth] On Monday, waiting for me on my office desk was a copy of the pack newspaper. Featured in a full-page spread is a grinning picture of my sister, Ash, holding Alpha Danver’s arm. They look happy. The title has been gone over in a bright yellow highlighter. I pick up the newspaper and scan the page: ANNOUNCEMENTS: ALPHA SLATE DANVERS and LUNA ASHLYND ANDREWS JAMES, daughter of DELTA HENRY JAMES will officially declare their commitment to each other on September 25th in a public wedding ceremony on the morning after the ALPHA BETA BALL as a conclusion to the festivities. The entire pack is invited to the reception to follow. Champagne, cake, and light refreshments will be served. On the bottom of the page, two words have been scrawled in a swirling hand: I win. I didn’t even bother asking Lisa if anyone had been seen entering my office and leaving that note. I know who did it. Sadly I cannot say I’m surprised that Ash would want to show off. That seems to be how she op
[Hyacinth] His pine and sea salt smell is so soothing that for one, brief, shining moment I let myself forget that we have an audience and leaned up against him, breathing in his scent. Releasing a sigh I didn't know I was holding, I close my eyes. I hear a cough from behind us and I remember where I am and who I am with. Standing, I straighten out my clothing and try to smile “Sorry,” I apologize, “I can be a bit clumsy sometimes.” The sun shining through Slate’s light brown hair casts a halo around his head, giving it an almost golden glow. I find myself breathless and mesmerized as I look up into his glowing blue eyes, his face still and his lips slightly parted. “Not…Not a problem,” he stumbles over his words...”I’m glad I was here to catch you.” Another cough from the van on the street reminds us both of where we are and what we have become to one another. We aren’t even friends anymore. We are barely associates. And we both have other people to love. “Slate sweetie, we
[Ashlynd] Cindy had fallen asleep somewhere along the way with my fiance holding her hand. Yes, I'm upset at Slate for putting his hand on hers in the first place, but that doesn't mean I'm not angry with her as well. Cindy must think I'm a complete idiot if she thinks I don't notice. She must be a bigger fool if she believes that a single word she says about not pursuing Slate, not trying to win him over for herself, is even remotely convincing. If she thinks she can steal my alpha, my chosen mate, and my future husband, she has no idea who she is messing with. I’ve seen the way she looks at him--you'd have to be blind not to notice how her cheeks grow rosy and her gaze distant every time he enters a room. I know that she wants him. \ But he’s mine. I claimed him long ago. I knew that I wanted him from the first moment I laid eyes on him. Looking down at the large sapphire on my hand, I place it on the steering wheel in such a way that it captures the sunlight, sending blue-tinte