Second Chance Luna
Chapter 69

Phoebe leaned against Jason letting herself relax and enjoy their present company. If this was how the evening would go she wouldn't mind it at all. So focused on their group she didn't notice the arrival of the royal family until the King stepped forward raising a hand to call everyone to attention. "Friends, allies, alphas and lunas, it pleases me to see so many gathered here for my dear daughter's birthday," the King announced.

He stood on the edge of the courtyard where the ledge gave him a natural height advantage. Beside him Queen Leah maintained a severe expression looking uncomfortable as all eyes turned toward them. Next to her stood a younger she-wolf, clearly the princess they were gathered to honor while on the king's far right were two males, the princes.

The king, queen and princes wore purple signifying their place as members of the royal family while the princess set herself apart in light blue and crowned with a sparkling diamond tiara.

The family did make a striking group as they stood together. All bore similar facial features: dark eyes, long, narrow noses and tanned skin. Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Narugi.com. Visit Narugi.com to read the complete chapters for free. However, the king, first prince and princess were blonde while the queen and second prince had dark, brown hair. Despite their attempt to appear as family Phoebe couldn't help but sense tension among them. Though the king commended his daughter's beauty he never once looked at her

"Would all the unmated males please step forward? One of you will be the lucky one chosen to escort my daughter for the night."

The unmated males followed his request to stand before the royal family. Some were eager wanting to make a good impression. Others were reluctant hoping they were passed over once again. It seemed not everyone thought escorting the princess was a lucky task. Several glanced at the others now standing in front of the king and noticed a prominent figure had not joined them.

Looking to the princess it was clear she also noticed the missing figure. She looked down on her perspective escorts with a frown while her father waited for her to make her choice so they could get on with the night. Her gaze drifted to the rest of the gathering wondering if he arrived late and eventually found him talking to several alphas and lunas in a small group.

A confident smile returned and she descended into the courtyard marching past her would-be suitors to the one Alpha she coveted. All eyes followed her as she crossed the distance separating them. Reaching her goal she tapped him on the shoulder. "Jason, you silly goose, you missed father's announcement,

"Selena smiled offering her hand expecting him to take it.

He eyed her coldly though that never bothered her. Jason had always been aloof toward everyone. But surprisingly a smile suddenly graced his face, "Not at all, your Highness.

Your father asked for the unmated males."

Jason turned revealing the petite she wolf in his arms. His broad frame had hidden her completely from view. She wore a delicate salmon-pink gown. Her hair was tamed in a half-up style. Despite its rich, dark color she was rather pale and plain looking compared to other she-wolves. Her most remarkable feature was her gray eyes which shimmered silver in the moonlight.

"Allow me to introduce my mate and Luna, Phoebe," Jason smiled. "Phoebe, angel. This is her highness, Princess Selena."

"Hello, your Highness," Phoebe smiled. "It's very nice to meet you."

Selena stared in disbelief. Did Jason, a wolf who claimed he would have no other but his fated Luna, just...who was this she-wolf? Jason bowed his head nuzzling Phoebe and nipping her ear. "Jason," Phoebe chuckled.

Jason growled, smiling and enjoying her against him. For a wolf that had always been cold toward others it was strange to see him so warm and openly loving. It was clear his actions were not only a surprise to the princess but the other wolves around them. Phoebe shot him a glance in a clear warning to mind his manners before looking again to the waiting princess; congratulations and happy birthday."

"...Th-thank you," Selena's mouth twitched as she muttered her reply.

She watched in jealousy as Jason cuddled his Luna, showering her with love and attention. In all the years she knew him Jason was always cold and distant. He virtually sneered at any she wolf begging for his attention, even her.

However, as an unmated male he could never deny her on her birthday and she always chose him as her escort. Even so he maintained his distance and acted as if her touch revolted him.

And yet there was no sign of that now toward the petite she-wolf in his arms. He treated her so tenderly. There was no doubting his desire if the heaviness of the musk in his scent was any indication. Phoebe kept elbowing him and shot him warning glances but her smile made it clear she delighted in his attention. Just who was this she wolf? How was she able to get his attention and love?

"Ah!" Jason suddenly looked up, "Phoebe, there's someone! wanted to introduce you to. Shall we?"

"All right," Phoebe cast a final glance at Selena before allowing him to lead her away. "Have a wonderful night, your Highness."

Jason excused them from their group and headed to the buffet table where a pair of males was perusing the offerings. Not surprisingly the royal family served only the most expensive hors doeuvres. "Zain."

One turned at the sound of his name to see Jason and broke out in a smile, "Jason! Glad to see you! Oh, and who is this lovely creature?"

"This is Phoebe, my mate and Luna. Phoebe this is Alpha Zain of Strawberry Moon and his Luna."

"Hello," Phoebe smiled. "I've heard so much about you and your pack."

"That is the highest compliment but it's not my doing," Zain chuckled kissing her hand. "It's all due to my Luna, Chandler."

The other male eagerly took her hand, "It's so good to meet you finally. I was so disappointed when we missed your Luna Ceremony. It was unfortunate it was so short notice.

Men! Am I right? Can't trust them to plan anything."

Phoebe laughed as both Jason and Zain shook their heads,

"Yes, males are impossible."

"Excuse me?" Jason scoffed. "My mother planned it so it's all her fault." >>

Zain snorted, "Issues much?"

Jason growled but there was no hostility behind it. Their packs shared strong ties and originally he planned to end his security tour at Strawberry Moon as he seldom was able to visit. "Phoebe," Chandler mused, "why does that name sound so familiar?"

"It was on the invitation they sent us," Zain reminded.

"No, not that. There was something else... oh yes! A transfer request," Chandler said. "A few years ago, you remember, we had a young male, a rogue, arrived on our borders. He wanted to join and said he had a friend he left behind in his old pack. I sent a transfer through but it was rejected. What was his name?"

"Dash," Phoebe said.

"Yes! That's it! Dash."

"Am I missing something?" Jason asked.

"Dash was a member of Rimrock," Phoebe explained. "We went to school together. He was one of my few friends. He had a hard time when it came out he was bi-s****]. The warriors in particular were pretty brutal. He finally had enough. I helped him purchase an old beater, he cut ties and went rogue. He later contacted me saying he had joined Strawberry Moon and offered to have them put in a transfer for me to join as well. By that time I was already taking care of Blake and Emma so I couldn't just leave and I couldn't let the pups go rogue either. I didn't know he actually did put the request through."

"I'm guessing it never made it passed our alpha's desk,"

Chandler sighed. "I warned him it was a long shot, but he felt bad about leaving you behind, especially knowing you had been rejected by your mate. But Luna? That's interesting."

He looked to Jason who stood behind her with a pensive expression at this new revelation. It was almost a fluke he visited Rimrock and found her. If she had transferred to Strawberry Moon Phoebe would have been even further away and given his mother's call made him cut his security tour short he probably never would have visited Strawberry Moon especially knowing their pack security was excellent.

"Perhaps it was best it didn't work out," Chandler said coming to the same conclusion. "Dash will be happy to know you are doing well." "How is he?"

"He's one of the best trackers and warriors we have," Zain announced.

"Oh, good," Phoebe sighed. She was glad to hear he was doing well after all the difficulty he endured. Jason's embrace tightened in comfort. She leaned against him enjoying his warmth. Yes, they were all in a much better place.

***

Selena watched Jason walk away with his Luna still in disbelief. For years she pursued him confident he would eventually choose her for his mate. She was a princess after all, who could be better? Despite the fact he claimed to be waiting for his mate she knew he had to be getting impatient. No male could hold back his urges forever, and she was determined to be there when he finally succumbed, but he never did.

And now he found his mate. The warmth in his gaze was no illusion but it was reserved only for Phoebe. He held her, nuzzled her, devoted all his attention to her. Selena never imagined he could be so loving or attentive. But why that she wolf?

Phoebe was pretty enough, Selena supposed, in a plain sort of way. The gown she wore showed off her gentle curves but it was nothing compared to Selenas endowments. She knew just how appealing she was to other wolves. What was more she had ample experience pleasuring males so she knew she could easily win anyone's heart.

Yet Jason refused to touch her. Any time she tried to entice or seduce him she was met with a firm rejection. He never even spent a single night in the royal palace though she offered him a bed many times. Every birthday he escaped as soon as propriety allowed with hardly a good-bye.

Selena thought he was just being shy given his inexperience. But now...she watched him with his Luna, the way his hands caressed her, his arms embraced her, his mouth hungered for her. It was clear there was no shyness in him. He devoted everything to her. It couldn't just be the mating bond. Her father assured her the mating bond was nothing special. They had the freedom to choose their most suitable partner. That was why she rejected her fated mate. She deserved better than a mere royal guard. She hadn't expected the pain that cut through to her very soul when the bond severed. But after a dose of wolfsbane, the pain went away, and it had the added bonus of silencing her whining wolf for a time.

If she rejected her mate with such ease there was no reason Jason couldn't especially as he hadn't met her yet.

He was free to take any she-wolf for his mate. So why then did he have no interest in her? She was the only princess and possessed a royal lineage. So why?

Why did he look at her with disdain when he had only love for such a plain little she-wolf? It didn't make sense.

"Something the matter, princess?"

Selena jerked from her thoughts to see Lucille eyeing her.

The she-wolf had always irritated her, but since Lucille was Jason's sister, Selena had no choice but to tolerate her. It just wasn't right. Selena was from the royal family yet Lucille never showed an ounce of reverence. Ancient bloodlines or not how could Lucille dare think herself better than a princess? Because she had a mate? He was only a gamma!

With a growl Selena spun on her heels and returned to her waiting family and unmated males longing to be her escort. She would show Jason exactly what he was missing.

Lucille snorted back a laugh watching her retreat. She was actually glad she had been dragged along after all.