Dead Luna
Chapter 20

Amelia's

POV

At breakfast this morning I suggest to Alpha Craig that we leave Tiny Tim home during our date, to give him a few extra hours off to spend with his family. As well as a little more wiggle room in the otherwise overcrowded car, but I don't tell him that part. I see Craig look over at Tiny and little Chloe. Colleen hadn't come down yet, apparently only just having gotten the baby back to sleep after a hard night. Tiny looked exhausted. "Yeah, I suppose we can do without him for the afternoon."

I offer to care for Chloe for a couple hours, and Tiny sets her plate next to me at the table, tells me how grateful he is, then fills 2 plates to take back to the Delta suite and tell Colleen the good news (if she's awake, that is). "I guess I need to be a little more observant about the welfare of my pack members," Alpha Craig admits out loud, with a little shake of his head. "I should have seen Tim was burning the candle at both ends sooner."

"It's alright," Jimmy speaks up. "We all know you care about us, and the farm. And very soon you'll have a Luna to help you. Speaking of which, I might need a little extra time off in a few months, myself, probably in early November. Janet and I have another pup on the way!"

Everyone in the dining hall pats Jimmy on the back and offers congratulations about the impending family member.

Alpha Craig then reminds me of our date, which will start just after lunch, and heads out to oversee the farm work for the morning. He is most definitely a hands on sort of Alpha, and not afraid to get his hands dirty. Or greasy, for that matter, remembering how he looked when he came in yesterday after working on the tractor.

It's a little damp out this morning, and so I decide to take Chloe to the lounge where we play Candyland, read books, and then watch a few educational children's programs on the TV. I could almost forget Leo was in the next room getting in his morning workout, as it was starting to feel natural to have him following me around now at a discreet distance.

Now that I think about it, I should get used to having a Gamma following me around. Once I become an official Luna, that would just be the normal thing. It's almost as if I've stepped into the Luna role already at this pack, discussing pack matters with my mate, being aware of the needs of the pack members and helping where I can. And always with a Gamma ever present to keep me safe.

I guess I had never really considered it before, despite having grown up in a pack house and with Derricks mother Luna Francine as an example. I remember she'd come talk with my mother about once a week to discuss the coming weeks menu, often times more if there was a party, which happened about once or twice a month. She always seemed so glamorous, always dressed nicely and drove a nice car. I never really thought about the other roles Luna Francine must have filled within the pack, besides raising children and being "fancy".

Before long it's time to get lunch for Chloe and I, todays offering being macaroni and cheese made from scratch, BBQ meatballs, hot dogs "in a blanket", an assortment of crudités, fresh cut up watermelon, and peanut butter oatmeal cookies.

I'm starting to think maybe not all Lunas are the same. I doubt Luna Francine would have served such simple fare in the Winter Moon pack house unless it was a child's birthday party. And only breakfast had ever been served buffet style. Mom is the head chef, and she had a crew of about 7 or 8 cooks and servers under her.

After lunch I take little Chloe back to her very grateful parents, and then dress for my date with Craig. Casual, but nice. And comfortable walking shoes. Done! I put on a bright blue sun dress since the sun has come out since the morning, and some comfortable sandals. I manage to arrange my hair in a simple braid. Then I head downstairs to meet up with Alpha Craig at the appointed time.

I replace the older model family sedan to be far more comfortable with only 4 werewolf passengers, and with Leo sitting in the front seat. I can tell Craig kinda missed being squished in together all cozy like, but I hold his hand so he seems content enough. And it's another short drive anyway, this time to the Oregon Garden. He tells me how a few pack members work there, so he is able to get free passes a couple times a year, and he likes to go on occasion for ideas and research. "Plus, it's just so pretty!" He's not wrong. The place is quite beautiful, and we spend a couple hours there enjoying all the various gardens and displays spread out over 80 acres. It's fun to see all the fun artwork and statuary placed throughout the 20 distinct gardens, including a funny sea serpent statue within a pond.

Then we head into Silverton proper and go to a picturesque little pub for a beer and bratwurst dinner.

"I'm not going to apologize for not wining and dining you like the others will likely do." Alpha Craig explains, avoiding terms that any humans shouldn't overhear. "Our operation isn't as large or as prosperous as theirs, and I can't fritter away money on luxuries. Maybe in the future, but life on a farm has no guarantees."

"All I can do is promise to be a faithful husband, a loving father to our children, and provide for you and our people to the very best of my ability."

"I've seen already how well you interact with my family, and that you seem to fit in well. That you have certain qualities that I lack, and I would need in a wife. So I hope very much that you decide to stay and become my wife. If not, well, I suppose we will manage somehow."

"I know that wasn't the most romantic of proposals, but I think you know that deep down I'm a practical man. I wouldn't want to promise you diamonds and fancy cars, and not be able to give them to you. I am an honest man."

"I appreciate your candor," I tell him. "And if I didn't need to finish this task as I must do, this would be any easy choice."

"You have a beautiful home, and I already love your family very much. I could truly see myself living here with you and being happy with my choice."

"In a little less than 2 month time, you will know my decision. I promise you this, if it's not me, then I will make sure your family will still get someone practical and loving in my place."