Dead Luna
Chapter 47

Amelia's POV

Everything seems kind of weird without Leo, at first. His presence had always felt calming and familiar to me. And deep down, I felt some kind of sick enjoyment in showing off with so many alphas, which was my way of saying, "See! I was worthy all along!" Although the attack of Alpha Jerome kinda ruined that pleasure for me. Now, I'd just like to finish the task I was appointed to do as quick and efficient as I can, and get back to just living my life. But what do I want that life to be like? That was a question I was having trouble answering. Alpha Craig Armstrong was a likable guy, hard working, and very focused on the welfare of his pack. So gorgeous, with looks to rival a Norse god. And while small, his pack was wonderful and welcoming, and the location felt almost magical like a little alpine village from a fairy tale.

Alpha Derrick Lyons had a lot going for him, including the fact that he had been my teenage crush. He was the head of a large wealthy pack, where my family and friends lived. Although most of my friends are too busy with their own lives to spend much time with me these days. Also, his wolf saved my life. If not for Harry's intervention on my behalf with the Moon Goddess, I would have died from my wound after the rogue attack.

And then there is Leonard Hart, my original fated ex-mate. Who is now apparently not only an alpha, but also one of my 3 remaining potential mates. We had a lot of history together. He saved me from whatever insanity that was going on with Alpha Jerome, as well as been instrumental in catching the rogue wolves that caused my death. And other than being an immature egotistical selfish jerk 3 years ago, Leo had otherwise been good to me. And he's obviously changed a lot since then. But he's become such a broken mess, that I'm not sure I want to be the one to fix him. I didn't spend enough time in Bull Run to get a feel for whether I'd like living there or not. In fact, some of my memories of that place are downright disturbing. I'm not sure if I have the nerve to choose him again after all that's happened.

I honestly don't know whom I should choose. I asked Jackson for advice, and he mention a couple things that rang true. I don't have to choose anybody if I don't want to. And that we should trust Moon Goddess. But I think I might have a slightly different idea along those lines that probably wasn't quite what Jackson meant.

Friday morning is rainy, which is odd for late July but not unheard of for this time of year in the Pacific Northwest. I still have about 24 wolves that I'm scheduled to meet with this morning. Derrick and I have an official date this evening, and then mom and I will have the entire weekend to hang out, other than one last date with Derrick on Sunday night, before Jackson and I head to the Portland area to spend a few days in the west hills with the Willamette pack.

I'm trying to enjoy my time at home, as well as helping unmated wolves to replace their mates. But the thrill has gone. I wonder how Selene manages?

She been roping us into helping her out, is how she be managing these days, Ambrosia grumpily complains.

No luck getting information out of her about how to help Leo?

None that'll give you any satisfaction, girlfriend. Selene never does like giving a body anything resembling a direct answer.

I was afraid of that. Then my next appointment arrived and I was busy helping another lonely wolf in search of his fated mate.

The day went by quickly, and eventually the rain stopped and the clouds parted. At lunchtime I asked Derrick what I'd need to wear for our date, and he and Jackson seemed to think that was amusing.

"Do you own a swim suit?" Jackson asked. I shake my head no. "Then I suggest wearing something light that you wont mind getting wet, and maybe a decent pair of walking shoes."

That sounds intriguing.

We set out that afternoon in Derricks vehicle, with Jackson driving us. We don't drive very far, however. Only about a mile and a half beyond the last home in the pack, along a bumpy little dirt and gravel road. The road ends at a trail head. "Normally we just shift and run the entire distance. But you haven't shifted yet, so I guess we will walk," Derrick says as he hands a picnic basket to Jackson to carry.

"You guys go ahead and shift, I'll follow along with the basket!" I offer. They immediately accept, and they both got undressed and shifted into their wolves. Harry is a huge tawney colored wolf with brown eyes, and Jackson's wolf Sky is light grey with pale blue eyes. They both frolic about for a minute while I admire them, then they both head off down a bit of a narrow path into the forest, me feeling a bit like little red riding hood with her basket of goodies for grandma.

I had never been down this path before and wondered where we were headed to. Thankfully the guys stayed close so I wouldn't get lost.

After less than a mile we came to what must be the destination they were leading me to. A natural hot spring within a small glade, surrounded by thick pine forest. Derrick and Jackson shifted back and then got into the water, naked, and beckoning me to join them. I slipped out of my clothes without hesitation, and dipped my toe into the warm water. It felt heavenly, even if it did stink of sulfur. Derrick held out a hand to me, so I didn't slip as I got in.

"This is wonderful!" I tell them as I settle myself waist deep in the warm water. "I didn't even know this was here!"

"Not many do," Derrick informs me. "But this is near the edge of our border, so mostly only our warriors are aware, and I told them I'd be here for several hours so they don't need to patrol this area for now." "So we are all alone?"

"With Jackson, of course." Derrick reminds me.

"But I bet he'd make himself scarce for a little while if I asked him real nice."

"What about the rules?" Jackson piped up, not wanting to fail in his bodyguard duty.

Ambrosia comes forward and sets them straight. "The rule is only hand holding and kissing above the neck for the alphas... unless she gives verbal permission. Amelia can do whatever she wants. But that permission is very important. The last Alpha that went and tried something after she said no is now dead."

Way to kill the mood! I've been wanting to get into Derricks pants for as long as I can remember. Now I've got that scene with Jerome playing my head, effectively killing the mood. I shudder despite the warmth surrounding me.

"What happened?" Derrick asks, his voice hard. "Are you ok?"

"I just don't like to think about that night, is all. Things would have been very unpleasant if Leo hadn't arrived in time to prevent Jerome from beating and then raping me. The only thing I gave him permission to do was check if I was still a virgin. Well, that ship has now sailed thanks to Jerome handling me too rough."

Derrick lifts me onto his lap and hugs me tight. "I promise I would never do anything against your wishes. I will always treat you gently and with love."

"Even if I asked you to be a bit rough?" I ask, skeptical that I would always want such tender loving care.

"Whatever my luna wants, my luna gets!" Derrick says with a purr.

"Mmm... I want to check out the contents of the picnic basket, before I think about what else I might want." I say playfully and give him another little kiss, followed by a boop on the nose.

We enjoy several more passionate kisses in the hot spring, Derricks aroused c**k pressing against my pelvis, while Jackson goes to set up the picnic. I'm starting to feel very aroused, surrounded by the warm water as well as all the sexy naked werewolf eye candy. I give Derrick permission to touch my a*s, so he can press me tighter against his body.

I'm so very tempted to allow Derrick free reign, to do whatever he likes to me. I'm positive that it would be pleasurable far beyond my expectations. But I can't help feeling like that would be a very bad idea. I'm not on any sort of birth control, so I better not be letting anyone's little swimmers anywhere near my uterus, that's for sure!

Then Derrick is picking me up like I weigh nothing, and we go check out the picnic that's waiting for us.