3. Shadow Moon Pack

~Jayden's POV~

The first ray of the sun fell on my face making me smile wider and sigh in relief. It kept falling all over my body and from head to toe, I started to feel relaxed and more connected to nature and myself.

"I feel amazing... It will be best if we can run back home in my true form."

I smiled, for sure my wolf, Dominic wants to take the lead for the day. And why not? It is our first day as an Alpha.

I stood from the ground while stretching my muscles and started to feel my wolf getting ready for another shift.

A deep breath helped me release all the tension in my muscles and just by thinking about my giant jet-black wolf, I was standing on my fours in my wolf form.

Dominic growled loudly telling the animals in the forest and people in the pack who was the boss and dashed back to the packhouse in no time.

I always enjoyed running in the forest early morning but running for the first time in my wolf form with all the fresh air and sun rays falling over my thick black fur made me feel light like a feather and joyed.

I reached the packhouse super quick and saw almost every person living in the packhouse standing in our huge garden.

While my beta who is also my best friend, Dylan was trying to hold back his laugh, my mother was shaking her head at me with her hands placed on her white satin night robe.

Everyone knelt on their knees while bowing their heads in submission as I walked toward the packhouse with my head up high in the sky.

My mother, who was looking irritated earlier was smiling proudly at me with her grey eyes shining with pride. Her hair was tied in a messy bun which made some of her black hair strands fall on her beautiful face.

I smiled, my mother is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life.

"Wait for our mate to come into our life. I am sure you will change your statement super fast," Dominic said.

Well... I can't wait to change my statement then.

Dylan passed me my clothes and I quickly went behind the packhouse to shift back to my human form.

Once I was dressed, I made my back to the garden and once again my people bowed to me.

Mom kissed my head and smiled, "Till now, I was the one who was leading the pack with my beta beside me but now, the shadow moon pack has its new alpha. Proud of you, my son. Happy Birthday, sweetheart."

The crowd started to cheer as Mom completed her statement while my chest filled with pride, "Thank you, Mom."

My mother not only led the pack for fifteen years but she also won against so many enemies. She is an alpha female who radiates power from every inch of her body. She hushed a lot of alpha males who thought they could take over our pack. I feel proud to have a mother like her.

People took the shadow moon pack lightly after knowing it was led by the Luna of the pack but once they were in front of my mother, my mother left no room for mercy. Yes, she was wise and kind, but she never let anyone take her for granted.

I smiled, I will get all the fame and power I want in my life but there is one thing that I want from the moon goddess and that is a powerful mate. A powerful Luna to rule my pack with or without me. Just like my mother.

"We will begin the party at 7 PM sharp. See you all at the packhouse," I said to all of them and moved inside the packhouse with Mom and Dylan following me.

"So... It's your last day of school. Who knows you might end up being with your mate today," Mom smiled at me.

"We are hoping for the same Luna," Dylan said with a smirk on his face while I shook my head, dork.

"Hope you boys will find your girls soon. And, now start calling me Emma or Aunt Emma. I am off my Luna duties now," Mom said.

She turned to me with a small smile on her face and blinked her eyes twice. I noticed her eyes were getting glassy which left me confused. What happened that she was emotional all of a sudden?

She shook her head at me while I placed my arm on her shoulder comforting her through our bond and warmth.

"Don't forget to meet your dad before leaving for the school. He wanted to see you in your wolf form so badly but... You know he couldn't make it to the garden to see your shift last night," she said with a long sigh leaving her mouth.

My father...

I wish I wasn't that young when everything happened.

"Don't worry, I will see him right now," I said to her and walked toward their room.

I slowly opened the door and found my father sitting on the bed with his head placed on the headboard. A teardrop rolled down his cheek which gave me a pang in my chest.

I fisted my hand at my side and gritted my teeth, for how long do we have to see him in pain? For how long he has to bear this pain? I fucking can't see him like this.

"Sweetheart..."

Mom took her placed beside him while he took no time to wipe his tears. A bright smile appeared on his lips as his eyes landed on me and seeing him looking proudly at me made my chest rise with pride.

He patted the space next to him and said, "I wanted to be there with you on your first shift but the moon goddess had another plan. I... I know I couldn't make it to your first shift or the first run, but I am damn sure your wolf is as deadly as we used to talk about him."

Damn it... I was a big fool last night. I should've come straight to him after my shift. He was eagerly waiting for me.

"I'm sorry. I should've come to you right after the shift. I got carried away in the surge of new energy that I didn't come home last night."

"Not an issue, son. I understand how powerful our shifts are. Especially under a full moon. It wasn't your fault," He smiled.

I sighed seeing him smiling and said, "Yes, He is, Dad. He is the same as we used to describe him."

"Tall, powerful, beautiful and deadly. My son has the best wolf of the time," Mom beamed with joy.

"I am sure he does," Dad laughed.

I saw my parents exchanging looks with each other which made me think that they were having a conversation in their mindlink.

I was about to leave without disturbing them but suddenly I saw Mom's eyes getting glassy and Dad's shoulder getting tensed.

What is it?

It's been years since I have seen these two like this. They always converse in their heads and then start to feel very low. I asked them multiple times what was bothering them but they never told me.

"Guys... I always wondered what you two talk about in your head that makes you this sad. At least tell me now. I am not a kid anymore," I softly said.

"Our life would be a lot different if those recurring attacks wouldn't have happend. I wish I could go back in time and change a lot of things," Mom said while Dad wiped her tears.

A knock came on the door and I scented my father's caretaker standing outside the room.

"What's done is done sweetheart. Let's not think about that anymore," Dad said.

We took our time comforting Mom and once she was alright, I let Fred, Dad's caretaker enter inside the room.

While Fred started to massage Dad's feet, I exited their room after kissing Mom's head.

Fifteen years ago, we started to have recurring attacks on our pack. Rogues and other pack who were my grandfather's and father's enemies started to target us now and then. Though we won every single battle, still, my father... My father lost the ability to walk again. He was damaged so badly that not even his wolf could help him heal.

Fifteen years...

Fucking fifteen years and my father never stood back on his two.

I closed my eyes while thinking about all the people who did this to my father and took a deep breath.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and by the touch and scent, I knew it was Dylan.

"Your aura is rising way too much alpha. Please calm down. We know who they were. Some of them are still roaming happily and freely. Father gave me a list of all of them. Now we just have to get back at them," Dylan said.

I smirked, your time is up losers. The alpha of the Shadow Moon pack is coming to avenge all the attacks that happened on his pack.