Chapter 2 - True family

Mina POV

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Despite the rest of her Luna court going well, Mina was glad to get home. The moment she was left alone, exhaustion pulled at her body. It carried her feet to the packhouse, their course already set for her bed. However, she should’ve known it was never going to be that easy. 

“Miss Williamina, welcome home.” A warrior, stood at the entrance, offered her a warm smile; one she didn’t reciprocate. She glared at him, knowing what was about to come and hating that her moment of peace was snatched away. “The Luna is waiting for you in her office.”  

She sighed and brushed past the man without responding. When it came to the Luna’s orders, there were no declining them. He would already be letting her mother know she was on her way. Mina didn’t dare to stop at her room for a change of clothes or to wash the day’s work from her body. She scurried up the stairs, her heart already pumping at the thought of facing the Luna. Each step felt heavy but reminded her that in a week the office would be hers. The title would be hers. Maybe then she’d be free of residing under her mother’s thumb. 

The office was dark, lit by only a few candles. The hour was late, only the few speckles of star light beyond the windows adding to the glow. There, silhouetted behind the desk, her mother sat ramrod straight, staring at the door as if she hadn’t moved since Mina left that morning.  

The slow breath she took didn’t help to ease her as Mina stepped inside, planting herself at her mother’s mercy in the centre of the room. She folded her hands before her, lifted herself straight, and dipped her head just enough to respect the Luna without lessening her own position. Her body ached as she fixed her posture, working through each part like a mental checklist that years of correction forced her to keep. Her muscles were stiff from standing properly all day and yet she was certain she was stood at her best in that moment.  

“Chin higher.” The Luna snapped. “Suck in your gut.” Mina prickled under her scrutiny but adjusted as required to please her mother. “Better.” She clipped, rising to her feet for a closer inspection. She circled Mina like a shark around fresh bait, winding a tension within her that was waiting for the bite. “How was your first Luna court?” 

“It went well, Luna.” Mina’s voice was soft, quieter than her mother's, but she fought the urge to whisper.  

“Liar.”  

The word jolted her harsher than a smack. It stole some of her composure, scrubbing away the carefully built confidence she had earned through the day. The lump in her throat was thick, but she swallowed it down. “I spoke to every Luna. I was polite but firm. I greeted allies as friends and maintained a professional distance with others.” A frown creased her brow a moment before her mother tapped it, clearing the imperfection. “I did everything as you instructed me, Luna.”  

The woman stopped before her. If Mina had expected any level of praise for her hard work or sympathy for her fatigue, it didn't come. Thankfully, she knew better than to expect it. Years of harsh disappointment had seen to that. Though, she couldn’t keep her heart from hoping.  

“I hear you had a run-in with Alpha Castriel.” Mina stiffened, the disapproval in the Luna’s voice like a tart poison. “You spoke with that man, in front of the entire court?”  

“Only for a moment. He blocked my path. Twice.”  

“Where was that good-for-nothing personal guard of yours? It’s his job to keep you safe from men like him.” 

“Owen was there. He helped me.”  

“Was it Owen?” Her mother questioned, the answer already hanging between them. 

Mina’s cheeks flooded with heat. Her teeth clenched together, stealing the tension that wanted to ball in her fists. “Did Alastor tell you?”  

A sharp look made her apologise before she asked the question again, removing any hint of the previous bitterness. It was unbecoming of a Luna to show her reason for asking such things.  

“No. Luna Chelsea sent a messenger.” The Luna answered once she was content with the change. “I asked her to keep an eye on you at court. She was about to intervene when the Hayre boy saved you.”  

Luna Chelsea had approached her shortly after the incident with Castriel, and had stuck nearby for the entire day, but Mina hadn’t realised that had been the reason. She had assumed Chelsea was just being a polite host and a good ally. It warmed her to think she was consciously looking out for her, deterring Castriel from trying to corner her again. She was certainly better company than the old creep. Her thoughts drifted to gifts she could give to Chelsea at the next court to repay the kindness. It was to be held at Clear Blue after all. Maybe she could meet with the Luna beforehand and ask for hosting tips. She wasn't much older than Mina, but she held the position of her Legacy Luna role with the utmost grace and dignity. It was a level Mina always strove for.

“Make sure to stay in good favour with that woman, she’s a brilliant Luna.” Her mother echoed her thoughts. “I had hoped your brother would be her mate with how well they get on.” She pursed her lips. “Their pups would be of two legacy families. Their daughter would undoubtedly be the most powerful Luna ever born.” 

“Continuing the powerful line is all down to Willi.” A gentle voice chuckled from the doorway. “Chloe and I will be perfectly happy with our pups, when we decide to have them.”  

Mina’s heart lifted at the sound of her brother’s voice. She whipped around to face him, a wide smile splitting across her face before she smothered it again. Thankfully, her mother was distracted and missed the break in composure.  

“Sam.” She greeted. “What are you doing here?” 

“I’ve come to get Willi.” He shrugged. “Chloe is waiting for her in her room. She's bought you a gift to celebrate you surviving your first Luna court.”

“As if I were a child?” Mina clipped, though her lip twitched.  

Sam’s eyes shined, catching it. “Or a friend.” He teased. 

“As a Luna, I have no need for friends. Only political allies.” She parroted one of her mother’s lectures, just able to reign in the smile of her voice. Sam didn’t need to hear it or see it to know it was there. He had heard the lectures almost just as many times as she had.  

“Apologies, Luna.” He dropped his head, a little too low to be sincere. “Perhaps you should go and tell Chloe as such.” 

“I shall.” She nodded, before turning to her mother. The Luna’s attention flitted between the siblings, trying to gauge their game. Then, she nodded.  

Mina left the room as fast as she politely could, a wash of relief fluttering through her as the Luna’s office door shut behind her. She thanked her brother for the rescue, daring a small smile, as if her mother had eyes everywhere. He shrugged it off before taking her by the hand and pulling her through the packhouse corridors. The scent of baked goods trailed down the stairs and it was soon her dragging him, her stomach leading the way. 

Any lingering tension disappeared the moment she entered her own room. It was her sanctuary away from her mother, her duties, and the performance that was everyday life. Mina slumped against the door, finally unleashing her smile as Chloe welcomed her home with a big hug. She clung tighter to the girl than she probably should’ve, but it had been a long day, and she really needed a hug. Chloe didn’t complain, and rubbed her back in large slow circles until she was ready to let go. Without drawing attention to the way her eyes watered, her brother’s mate pulled her to the table, piled high with treats, and the trio sat down to enjoy them. 

It wasn’t long before there was a knock at the door and a familiar face appeared. Owen headed to her side immediately. His grin was easy and basked her in a simple warmth that soon wrapped around her as he pulled her into his arms. Mina sagged into him, breathing in his scent and soaking in his presence. There was nothing else like it. A sweet brush of their lips made her stomach flutter and, finally, her true family was together again. They made being a Legacy Luna worth the trials, and helped her to overcome each one. Her brother, Chloe and, of course, her soon to be mate.

In only a couple of days their bond would finally form, and his mark would be the best birthday present she could wish for. Nothing could go wrong.