No One's Luna
Chapter 4

I wake up half dazed to Leia yelling at me.

"Wake up Ellie! We have a mate to watch get sweaty tonight!”

“Gross! You know I can sense your arousal, right?”

“You know I can sense yours too, right?” Yep, we are practically twins.

I grunt and roll my eyes before getting off the bed and heading to my closet to figure out what I willwear tonight. It's kind of a big night, so I should at least try to put some effort into my look.

I still don't care enough to not have my signature pony, but I do however care enough to wearsome cut off denim shorts and a tight white t shirt with our school's colors. I also am wearing someneutral makeup with Luke's number on my cheek. I am his number one fan, after all. It's my job ashis best friend to cheer him on.

I walk over to the stadium and purchase my ticket. Amber and Heather are at the mall picking outdresses and accessories for tomorrow. They couldn't care less about football, so it's not a surprisethey didn't come. Since they are not at the game, I don't really have any friends to sit with.Everyone pretty much likes me and I equally like them, but I just have never really formed deepfriendships with anyone but Luke, Amber and Heather. Even Colin and I have had someconversations since we are around each other so much, but never anything meaningful or long

I end up sitting next to mine, Luke's and Colin's parents. On the other side of me are the otherSeniors in the “Senior Zone" going crazy. Not too crazy, since the Alpha and Luna are so close.

We all know that Lawrence and Amara actually really enjoy the young wolves having fun. They don'tmind, as long as they don't get out of control, but the seniors are always respectful.

Luna Amara is currently talking to mom about shopping and tomorrows dance. They both love tohelp out with preparations and decorating the gym. As they are talking, Amara stops and looks atmy cheek.

“So, I can't help but notice that you and Luke are always together, and that you are sporting hisnumber tonight. May I assume that you will possibly be our next female Beta, young Elenor?” Hervoice as always is soft and beautiful. She really is a great Luna to all of us.

"Yes Luna Amara, we are always together. He has been my best friend since middle school. Althoughwe would do anything for each other, the Moon Goddess did not make us mates. I think she knowswe would be terrible for each other. To be honest, we fight like cats and dogs about everything!” Ican't contain the small chuckle that leaves my mouth.

Luke's mom joins in laughing and shakes her head in agreement since she knows how much wefight

“Very well, but you recently turned seventeen. Have you found your mate or spoken to your wolfyet?” She looks so interested and I am suddenly sweating bullets.

Why did she have to ask that!? Now my mother, my father, Luke's parents and the Alpha are allstaring daggers at me. How the HELL am I getting out of this one?

"YES! My wolf's name is Leia! She is pretty much my twin in personality and although I haven't seenher yet, I have a feeling she is super pretty! I'm very excited, but also terrified of my first shift.” I amreally hoping she doesn't notice that I haven't answered the mate question.

“That's amazing dear! If she looks anything like you, I know she will be absolutely gorgeous! Anywolf will be lucky to have you as their mate.” Hearing this from the Luna put me through awhirlwind of emotions. If she only knew that I was mated to her son.

"Yeah, but whoever it is better not piss her off! She's the best female warrior I have with one hell ofan uppercut.” Alpha Lawrence butts in and we all laugh.

The Alpha sometimes watches us train to keep an eye on his future warriors. Anytime I see himcoming I make sure to be cutthroat with my opponent.

"Don’t worry too much about your first shift Ellie, you are a strong she-wolf and I am confident youwill get through it just fine.” Luke's mom Jessica smiles at me.

“So, honey, you didn't answer Amara's question. Have you figured out who your mate is yet?” mymom asks me again while thankfully everyone is now intently watching the field.

“Mom, I-*

"TOUCHDOWN by number thirty-six, Lucas Combs! That's halftime folks!" The announcer yells outas we all stand to cheer for Luke. "Now let's get all of our senior players out on the fifty-yard linewith their parents.”

Relief floods over me as I am saved again from the mate question. I can't wait for this to all be overso I don't have to hide it anymore. It's becoming exhausting.

Since it is the homecoming game and halftime, all the parents of the Seniors get to walk themacross the field. Colin looks up to replace his parents but for a second our eyes catch.

There is suddenly electricity that bolts through me and sends crazy butterflies to my stomach. It'sjust like on my birthday when I first felt the pull, but this time, it's stronger. My breath hitches in mythroat and I just stand there frozen.

Colin rips his helmet off quickly and cocks his head slightly to the side. Then he scrunches his eyesand bites his lip, puzzled like he isn't sure what just happened. Instinctively, I curl up the corner ofmy mouth and then bite my bottom lip, but his facial expression does not change

Right on cue, one of the other guys comes up and chest bumps him out of his daze. I take theopportunity to run down the bleachers and out of the stadium

I knew it, he doesn't want me. He wants Victoria, not some tomboy. As I hear his name along withthe Alpha and Luna“s over the loud-speaker, my heart feels so broken and I hear Leia let out awhimper.

"Why did he look at us like that Leia?"

“Ellie, I don't know. We were too far away to smell each other with all the sweat mixed in, so I amnot sure he knows we are his mate.”

“I can't go back in there Leia.”

“Let's go for a run!”

“Really?! That would be amazing, but I'm so nervous it will hurt!”

“I'm not going to lie to you, it will for the first time, but it won't last long and will be totally worth it!I will be there to help you recover.”

“Ok let's do it then!”

Without hesitation I take off running towards the edge of the woods behind the stadium. Once I aminside the tree line, I try to catch my breath. I look around and slowly take my clothes off, makingsure no one is around to see me naked. I can remember my dad telling me years ago, that when youshift, you just clear your mind and envision a wolf. Their paws, tail, ears, snout and all. So that's whatI try to do.

The sound of my bones cracking is louder in my ears than the crowd at the game. I'm sure myscreams are not heard either which is nice. I'm glad I am alone for this, as I don't like anyone to seeme weak.

The pain is so intense that for a moment I feel like I may pass out. I do everything I can to just stayawake and focus on what a wolf looks like, knowing that this too shall pass. It's what my motheralways tells me and it has helped me get through so many tough moments in my life.

Suddenly, the pain is completely gone. I notice all of my senses are going into overdrive. I can hearcrickets from what seems like miles away, and I can smell the stench of football players, to which Iscrunch my nose in disgust. All of the pretty colors of the woods seem like I am just seeing them forthe first time tonight. I'm in complete awe of my surroundings.

"Ellie, let me have control."

"Ok Leia!"

I close my eyes, and when I open them back up, I realize that I am now in the backseat of my mind.Leia has taken control of our body.

Without hesitation she takes off into the woods and I am left stunned at how she leaps over logsand dodges trees like she’s done this a million times. Before long she stops at a small stream todrink some water. That's when I see her reflection.

Her fur is the same golden blonde as my hair and her eyes, if possible, look like actual emeralds.Despite knowing my own eyes, I am completely entranced by their beauty. She is slightly larger thanmost she-wolves which gives me a sense of pride.

“You are stunning, Leia.”

"We are stunning, Ellie! You are gorgeous in your human form just as I am in my wolf form. Pleaseremember that, but like your mother says, maybe you could try a little harder.”

I stick my tongue out at her as far as I can, shake my head and laugh. I needed this distraction afterwhat just happened in the stadium with Colin. At that thought my heart sinks again, but Leia takesoff before I have time to wallow in self-pity.

We get back to the tree line right before the end of the game and I shift back. It doesn't hurt nearlyas bad, so I don't scream. I am silently proud of myself for taking it so well. I know my dad would beas well, if he was here.

Once I put my clothes back on, I head straight to the pack house and to my room. I don't want todeal with anyone anymore, and I certainly don't want to think about the homecoming dancetomorrow night. Knowing that Colin and Victoria are going together makes me want to puke, and Iam already preparing myself for his rejection.

I wake up, and it's Saturday morning. Someone is pounding on my door. Who the hell could thatbe?