Dead Luna
Chapter 51

Amelia's

POV

"What about this one?" I ask mom, showing her a conservative navy dress with white piping trim on the collar, sleeves, and pockets.

"Oh, yes!" She says, adding it to the heaps of clothes we intend to try on. I'll be a Luna soon, somewhere. And mom will need a bit of an upgrade to her wardrobe. She needs to have more than just one dress suitable for dinner. "You have such a good eye, dear!" Jackson had Alpha Derricks credit card to pay for my purchase, but I still had my own money from my last paycheck, so I refused to let him pay. I didn't want to feel indebted in any way.

While mom goes into the dressing room with her haul, I wander over to the formal occasion dresses. I see a handful that would look perfect for the Luna ceremony. I grab 3, and go replace an empty changing room near mom. The first one I try on is a pale peach flowing organza baby doll dress with a handkerchief hem line. I'm not sure if I like it, so I go in search of a second opinion or two.

I replace mom showing off one of her replaces to Jackson, a black dress with tiny white Swiss polka dots.

They both look at my dress and give me plenty of compliments, but I'm still uncertain. Next I try on an emerald green satin ball gown with a sweetheart neckline and black lace accents.

Again, everyone is complimentary, but I'm not sure. Mom, however, looks great in the navy dress I had helped her to pick out.

I try the last dress on, an ethereal cream color tulle with delicate pastel flowers embroidered on. It's loose fitting and flowing, with spaghetti straps, and plunges most of the way down my back. Beautiful! I decide I don't need a second opinion, and go directly to pay for it, and have it bagged up to keep it a surprise. Then I have Jackson pay for my moms dresses. She has worked for the pack in the kitchens for over 2 decades, they can pay for a few dresses without me feeling guilty about it.

Jackson and I help mom to narrow her choices down to the navy dress, the black polka dot dress, and a pale pink pantsuit. Once I'm a Luna, I will probably have carte blanche to buy as many nice dresses as I like for mom and I. Unless I choose Alpha Craig. Hmm. Well, I'm honestly a simple girl who doesn't need a lot to be happy. But that is something to keep in mind while I narrow my choice to the one. Bull Run is better off than Silver Falls, but neither can hold a candle to the financial power of Winter Moon. We head back to our little home once the purchases are made, and decide to bake some cookies. Mom whips up a quick batch of shortbread cookies, which are apparently Derricks favorite. I recall snickerdoodles are Craig's favorite, and they were served quite often in the Silver Lake pack house. Leo was partial to oatmeal raisin. I had honestly never met a cookie yet that I didn't like.

The cookies are cooling off, when there is a knock at the door. I open the door to replace Derrick standing on the porch with a fresh bouquet of flowers, and behind him is Rachel, Belinda, and a HUGE pregnant Chelsea! I was SO excited to see all my friends, and invited them all inside to enjoy the cookies mom and I just had baked, and Derrick was especially happy to come in for a moment since shortbread was his favorite.

And speaking of favorite, the bouquet of flowers had a variety of stems, but front and center was a beautiful star gazer lily. It was almost as if someone had told him of the flower arrangement I had received from Leo, and he was trying to one up him, "accidentally" including my favorite among the other flowers.

I'm starting to rethink my "friendship" with Jackson. Yes, I knew all along he's the Alphas right hand man, so I should have been more guarded. I should never have expected him to have my best interests at heart, despite acting the part of my bodyguard. If I suspect for even a minute that he's told Derrick I'm in heat, I better leave this pack as quick as I can, without him.

So the girls and I sit around the little kitchen table, catching up. Rachel has one more year of her nursing degree to get thru. Chelsea is mated to an elite warrior named Gabriel Simms. They already have a two year old son named Devon, and are now expecting twins in a week or two. Belinda is mated to a carpenter, and has a 5 months old daughter named Isabell. They all seem happy, but glad to get away for an evening. Chelsea can't stay very long, as she's actually supposed to be on bed rest, but Rachel and Belinda are down for going out for burgers and then to the club for drinks and dancing.

Stick to one drink, girlfriend. I don't wanna wake up to Sky or any other werewolf sampling our hooha again.

I agree!

I saw Derrick and Jackson chatting quietly before Derrick headed back to the pack house. Probably giving the head honcho whatever new info he learned about me today. Who else had known who my best friends could be, or that they hadn't visited me since I'd been back? Derrick will want any and all information he can get before our final date tomorrow, in order to secure me in some way.

I was starting to feel sick and tired of being a pawn in this stupid game. Yes I had a crush on Derrick years ago. He was a handsome rich future alpha, and EVERYONE was in love with him. I didn't actually know him well, though. And then I was falling in love with Leo. He showed interest in me, and would do sweet little things to show that he cared about me. Perhaps he wasn't quite as big or as tall as some werewolves, but he was so good looking with his dark hair, pale complexion, and brilliant sapphire eyes. And he was a future Gamma, so that wasn't a bad thing for a girl with no father, whose mom worked in the pack house kitchens. Plus I felt drawn to him long before my 18th birthday when I finally felt the mate bond.

I may still lust after Derrick because he truly is a physical masterpiece of a specimen, being so strong and handsome. But the more I get to know him, the less I like him. Everything he does to win my heart feels manipulative or contrived. I wasn't against getting a bit of between the sheets action with the Alpha, but not if it's nothing more than a ploy to force me into being his Luna against my wishes.

I go change into something more appropriate for the evening activities, tossing on some snug black capri length yoga pants, and a sparkly little blue-ish green top that ties around the neck, with no bra. It was a very hot day, and I wanted to be comfy. Jackson drives me and my friends to the local diner for dinner. Jackson is about to sit at our table when I mind link him, asking him to sit elsewhere. He obliges without question, but I could tell he was surprised. So Belinda, Rachel and I reminisce about the good times we had growing up together while we enjoy the greasy burgers and fries. We have Jackson pay our bill, and then drive us to the club, where we dance and enjoy ourselves. I drink only 1 alcoholic drink, following Ambrosias orders, then just soda afterwards. But it's a Saturday night, and people are there at the club to party. A couple of single wolves are wanting to dance with me, moving and grooving to the beat of the loud music. Jackson keeps my drink full and waiting for me every time I go back to the table thirsty. After a while I start to feel dizzy, and I notice the hands around me are becoming more brazen. I'm wanting to go sit down, but my dance partner is insisting that he'll take me out in the fresh air. Only I don't feel like that would be a good idea. I just want to go sit down.

"You can sit in my car!" He says grabbing my arm and trying to steer me to the door. "No!"

"Let go of her, NOW!" Jackson tells the dude, his voice loud and threatening. "She's here with me!"

"Oh, sorry Beta," He says, letting go. "I didn't even know she was your type..."

Jackson looked about ready to pound that guy into the pavement, but he must have seen that I wasn't doing well, and decided to just ignore the i***t, pick me up and carry me outside.

Not that I didn't object. I was still rather unhappy with him for being Derricks informant. I was trying to escape from his grip, but he held me tight. "Let me go!"

"Are you sure you can stand?" He asked, actually sounding kind and sincere. The jerk. "You drank quite a lot tonight. You're feeling very warm, and the smell of your heat is getting stronger."

"Wait, what? I only had 1 alcoholic drink! The rest was soda... wasn't it?

"Oh... crap. I didn't know, I'm sorry." Jackson says, as he places me in the car. "I refilled your drink with vodka and soda on the rocks."

Before he can get me buckled in, I push him aside and throw up in the parking lot.

"Dammit!" I shout. "If Ambrosia is out of commission, no wonder I'm starting to feel so crappy. She can't do anything to mask the symptoms if she's passed out drunk. No wonder all those wolves were getting handsy, the pheromones were egging them on!" "We gotta get you out of here." Jackson says, thinking out loud. "I better get your friends, and get you home. Stay here with the car locked, I'll be right back."