Dead Luna
Chapter 2

Derrick's POV

I'm starting to regret selecting Leo Hart as my Gamma. He's my cousin from my moms side of the family, and a whiny little b***h. The 3 hour drive from the Winter Moon territory to this little human town near the Green Mountain territory felt like it would never end. He complained about the music on the radio. He complained about the selection of snacks and drinks in the car. He complained about having to sit in the back seat. He complained about the sun being in his eyes, the temperature in the car, and about being bored. Goddess, Leo was testing my patience. I would have brought my Delta Rick Travis along with me instead if I didn't fully believe that leaving Leo in charge of the pack would turn him into a power tripping egomaniac in my absence. I love my aunt DeeDee Hart, but her son is a pain in the a*s.

We stopped off at a little diner just outside the territory of Green Mountain to grab some dinner before heading to the packs guest quarters. The Alpha meeting doesn't start until tomorrow morning, and I wasn't sure if there was any provision provided this evening. We get seated at table since a booth would probably be difficult to fit in, and we are told our waitress Amy would be right with us. Then Leo starts to sniff the air, and a look of alarm comes over his stupid face.

"What's the matter? They can't be burning your food already, you haven't ordered yet!" I tease him.

"It's nothing. Just thought I maybe recognized someone." Leo tries to explain his nervousness away.

"If someone recognized you, they'd probably turn around and walk away!" Jackson says, joining in to tease Leo. "Where is our waitress? I'm getting hungry."

"She's probably just busy. I bet that's her now with the tray full of drinks." I gently scold my beta, feeling the need to stick up for her. We haven't been here long, and nearly all the tables were full of customers. I see her deliver the drinks to a table including Alpha Zachary Blake of the Iron Peak pack, and 2 of his officers. I hear a couple of flirty comments from the guys, and a snappy little set down, before she heads over to us.

Wow, I think when she heads our direction. She is at least 5 foot 10 inches tall, got plenty of curves on her sturdy frame, dark hair, and the most gorgeous soft green eyes I've ever seen. I wish to moon goddess that this woman was my fated mate, but my wolf Harry remains silent on the matter. No worries, my human dude. When I know, you'll know!

Leo seems to be sinking down in his chair, and trying to half hide his face by resting his elbows on the table and resting his chin against his palms. How odd, I think.

Then the strangest thing happened. Our waitress Amy calls me by my name and asks why I'm so far from Winter Moon. Do I actually know this woman? I mumble a half truth about being here for a "meeting" since we are surrounded by humans, then order my dinner, so flustered I just ordered whatever she recommended. Jackson ordered the same, so hopefully it's good.

Then everything gets even stranger when she takes Leonard's order. The look she is giving him is filled with disdain, and her voice is so sharp I'm surprised he doesn't bleed!

What the hell, man? Who is this woman? Jackson and I are both asking over the mind link.

It's Amelia, he replies. Amelia Hearst. Daughter of that omega Julie Hearst. Nobody even knows who her dad is. She worked in the kitchens of the pack house. Naturally I rejected her!"

Why? I nearly wonder out loud. She is gorgeous!

What an i***t, Jackson chimes in. You rejected your gift from the moon goddess, Amelia should have been treasured as the other half of your soul. How stupid to reject her just because you think you are somehow superior to her?

Leo finally orders, and she trounces off towards the kitchen. I then pray to moon goddess that the rest of the dinner goes smoothly, and nobody makes a scene in front of all the humans. What a nightmare that would be!

A few minutes later I see Amy taking several plates of food over to the Iron Peak wolves, then they were flirting back and forth for a minute, while Leo sat there with a scowl on his face, occasionally letting out a quiet growl. I reminded him thru the mind link to behave himself, or he might be subject to severe punishment.

Soon Amy was setting plates in front of Jackson and I, containing a generous pile of the most wonderful looking baby back ribs imaginable, and sides of baked beans, coleslaw, and corn bread, as well as the two plates of chocolate peanut butter pie, with a huge dollop of whipped cream on top. She asked us sweetly if there was anything else we could possibly need, while refilling our coffee cups. Then she coldly told Leo his meal would be out shortly, and then headed off to her newest table to take their order before heading back to the kitchen.

Jackson and I dig into our ribs with gusto, and oh my goddess, they were amazing! Fall off the bone tender. The sauce was the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and a touch of heat. The coleslaw was some of the best I've ever had, and I consider myself an aficionado. The cornbread was pillowy soft, warm, and served with a generous amount of honey butter. Have I died and gone to heaven? If so, I've died a very happy man.

Meanwhile, Leo still hasn't gotten his food, and has begun begging to try some of ours, claiming he'd share some of his fried chicken.

"If you ever get your fried chicken," Jackson snidely reminds him.

Leo looks as if he's about to blow his top when Amy finally brings him a plate of kiddie food and sets it in front of him, plus a little glass dish which looks like ice cream topped with chocolate sauce and sprinkles.

Aww, your food is happy to see you! Jackson cackles in the mind link, referencing the smiley face chicken nuggets.

I nearly hurt myself trying to not to laugh out loud at the little lecture Amy gave Leo about how he ought to be grateful that this is all she did to him. Oh, it was all just so perfect, calling him out on his childish behavior by treating him like that.

Then Amelia looked into my eyes and mind linked to me. Until you can learn to be happy with with the things you have, you don't deserve to be given anything better.

I'm half in love with this gorgeous woman already, and wondering if she'd take me as a chosen mate? What do you think, Harry?

Well, my human dude, if the moon goddess were to tell me that this was our fated mate, nothing could keep me away from that fine fat a*s she's got! Until that happy day, I suggest we continue to wait for our true mate.

The rest of the dinner goes as well as can be expected, with Leo grumbling about his food being cold. Jackson gave him his slice of the chocolate peanut butter pie just to shut him up. Not me, though. Amelia is right, he's lucky she didn't serve him s**t on a shingle. And yes, I make absolutely sure we left a huge tip for Amy at the end of the night.