Page 38 of A Luna's Revenge (Stone Mountain Shifters)

Charlie - One Year Later

“Happy birthday to you!” Everyone sings.

“Blow out your candle, Xy!” Reggie laughs as our darling little pup struggles to blow out the flaming candle from the top of his brown wolf-shaped birthday cake. We all begin clapping as he squeals with delight. His chubby cheeks are rosy from the excitement.

I watch Reggie remove the candle and push Xy’s hand into the frosting. He squalls again, but this time, in disgust, as he holds out his frosting-covered fingers with a grimace. He doesn’t like the sticky feeling.

Laughing with the assembled crowd, I approach Xyran, swipe my finger across his birthday cake, and smear the frosting in his open mouth. He recoils at first, but then, tasting the sweet flavor, he shivers and smiles as he cautiously begins licking the chocolate icing from his tiny hand.

Reggie straightens from where he stands in front of our pup and draws me into his arms. “I love the family we’ve created here, Charlie.”

“Me, too.” I sigh as the volume increases around us. Mom and Dad are now stooped over Xyran, talking animatedly as he continues to decorate his face with chocolate while sucking his fingers. Dad leans in and kisses Xyran’s forehead. “That’s our grandpup!” He brags.

Reggie dips his head into my neck and inhales deeply. He gasps sharply, pulling back to look me in the eyes. I giggle. “Charlie?” His hand slides to my still-flat stomach as he softly begins to caress it. “Are you–?” He stutters as his eyes start to moisten. “Again?” He chokes.

“Yes,” I whisper just before he tenderly kisses me. Surrounded by our family and friends, who celebrate the life we created; together, in ourlittle bubble, we share another secret–a tiny spark of a new life growing beneath my heart. A tear rolls down my cheek as Reggie hugs me tightly to him. In a few short months, we will be welcoming our daughter.

Reggie and I have come to terms with our new normal. Just after Xyran was born, we returned to Little Silver Creek to live and raise our family. It only made sense as it’s where our families live. At first, it was a little awkward because I felt like my pack had betrayed me, but I soon learned that Jenson’s cheating wasn’t as widely known as I had thought.

The handful of she-wolves in the pack, who had cheated with Jenson, had been ostracized and decided to relocate to Stone Mountain City. There were rumors that a few of them had found their fated mates but had been rejected by them for their part in breaking up Jenson and me. I call that Karma, but I place most of the blame on Jenson as he is the one who broke sacred promises to me. It still hurts, though, as I grew up with these females; they were my childhood friends.

I’ve always been a girl’s girl and support my sisters, and Ifeel the conquest of taking someone else’s mate is not something to be proud of, in my opinion.

I might be jaded, but I think most males are carnaland, given enough persuasion, will cheat. I don’t think we need to give them a pass. We are teaching males how to treat us, and we can't let things slide because "boys willbe boys." No, we all need to have accountability.I have zero tolerance for cheating, and Reggie knows it.

As for Tracy, she and her daughter have been living here in Little Silver Creek because her former pack wouldn’t take her back, and her sister disowned her. Beta Ben, who has been caring for the pack in Jenson’s absence, is soft-hearted and allows her to live here since she has no place to go.

I believe she also hopes that she and Jenson will reunite and she will become Luna when he’s released from the mental institution wherehe was placed after his breakdown. But it has become clear that she and he are not getting back together.

As I take in the party around me, I clear up the paper plates and cups. Reggie is talking to Xyran and feeding him cake and ice cream.

Reggie’s Mother is cleaning cake out of Xyran’s hair with a diaper wipe while his sister has Xyran’s hands in hers, dancing with him. Our Dads are talking and boasting about their grandpup to anyone who will listen. He is the first and only grandpup, at least for another few months. I smile happily and rub my belly at the secret.

Asher

Jenson and I were institutionalized after Charlie gave birth to her pup. From what we’ve learned, Reggie and Charlie are second-chance mates. While I agreed with Charlie's leaving because of Jenson’s actions, Jensonnever got over it. I am astonished by his shock at how things ended. I am not sure what he expected. We physically present as Jenson, but I control our mind.

“Jenson.” Dr. Michelle prods softly.

“Asher,” I reply, looking at the sweet doctor who has diligently tried tohelp Jenson recover.

“May I speak to Jenson?”

“You can speak to Jenson as much as you want to Dr. Michelle, but I don’t know if he can hear you. He doesn’t acknowledge or respond. He’s still curled up in the back corner of our mind,” I inform her. We have been going over this for months now. She tries to get Jenson to come out, but he never does. He just sits and stares at the wall. I can’t sense his thoughts, and he no longer speaks to me.

“Asher, this is the strangest condition I’ve ever encountered. In the history of shifters, there has been no other documented case where the human and wolf sides have exchanged identities.”

“So, you have said, Dr. Michelle.”

“Asher, you can drop the doctor title when we are alone. We have known each other a long time.”

“Yes, we have. Has your diagnosis changed regarding my mental state?”

“No. You are of sound mind. The only part of you that is still struggling is your human.”

“Then why don’t you discharge me, and let’s pursue a relationship,” I whisper.

“I’d like that very much, Asher. I just wish I could get Jenson to come out.”

“Give him time. It’s his due punishment.” I say, “How long has your mate been deceased now?”

“I’ve been a widow for three years.”

“Let’s you and I find happiness.” I breathe, reaching for and clutching her hand in mine.

She nods, smiling shyly. “Yes, let’s do that.”

Charlie

A month has passed since Xy's birthday party. Reggie and I are walking closely together, coming back from the playground. I have a sleeping pup cuddled to my chest while Reggie has his arms draped over us protectively.

I muse that life seems to have finally settledas we walk up the steps to our house. Once we moved back, we decided to build a home near Mom and Dad.

Reggie takes Xyran from my arms and walks up the steps to lay him down for a much-needed nap. I follow him up the stairs, looking over the banister at our home. The first floor is open and includes a modern kitchen, dining room, and living room, while our offices are tucked away under the second-story rooms. There's also a bathroom and laundry area on that side with our offices.

The wall behind the sofa features a mural of a tree with photos of our family members and ancestors, including our grandparents and great-grandparents. The back wall has floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to a large patio and the woods beyond.

The four upstairs bedrooms all line one side of the house with a walkway that looks over the great room. Each bedroom includes an ensuite.

Reggie opens Xy’s nursery door, depositing the sleeping bundle safely in his bed. Following behind, I remove his shoes and pull the blanket up around his shoulders. We both stare down at the proof of our love. Reggie turns to me, touching my slightly bulging stomach, and smiles. He pulls me into his arms, resting his chin atop my head.

A knock comes from downstairs. We break apart, sighing at the loss of this precious moment together. Softly closing the door behind us, we make our way to the door. I stand behind Reggie as he pulls the door open to find the Alpha Commander and Beta Ben on the other side.

“Gentlemen, please come inside,” Reggie offers. “What brings you by this afternoon?”

“Official business.” Beta Ben offers.

“Charlie, I need to speak to you and Reggie briefly. Can we go to your offices?”

“Sure. Come on in.” I gesture towards our office door.

You enter our office suite through one main door that leads to a conference room with a table and media screen on the far wall. On the opposite wall are two doors, one leading to my office and the other to Reggie’s. Reggie still works with the elite enforcers, but I don’t have any official pack position; this is where we run our business.

“Have a seat at the table.” I invite. We all gather around, pulling up a chair.

“Charlie, Reggie, I am not going to beat around the bush; we need you to take over the running of the pack.” Alpha Commander begins, getting right to the point. “I don’t know how much you know about Jenson’s mental state, Charlie, but as we want you to take over as Alpha, we need to make you aware.”

I nod. Assisting with the running of the pack is nothing new to me. I helped Jenson run it for five years before I left; I was an equal partner. Becoming Alpha is not a formidable task, especially with a partner like Reggie. “I will gladly accept that role, Alpha Commander, and it will be my honor.”

He looks to Reggie. “Are you willing to accept the role of Charlie’s helpmate? I don’t know what that title would be for a male; it’snot something we have experienced. Luna? Lunar? Lunar Consort?” He searches.

Reggie looks at me and smiles. “Charlie, as your Lunar or Lunar Consort, mate, and husband, I am the devoted moon that orbits around you, my Alpha. No matter where our journey takes us, standing by your side will always be a privilege.” He looks back to theAlpha Commander and nods.

Tears blind me as my heart warms. Never have I felt so loved or seen, cherished, and adored. With those simple words, Reggie tells me that pride will never get in the way of our relationship and that he’ll nourish our bond and always choose me. I will follow him anywhere, for he is my guiding star, and with him by my side, as equals, we can lead our pack to a brighter future.

“Well!” Alpha Commander grins. “That pretty much says it all.”

I turn to him and smile. “I guess it does. Now tell me about Jenson's mental state.”

“Right! As you know, he was institutionalized right after your pup's birth just over a year ago. He has been diagnosed with Lupine Dominance Disorder (LDD). It’s a condition where the wolf personality of a shifter becomes dominant due to extreme mental distress experienced by the human side. This state of mindfulness is a means of coping that allows the symbiotic relationship to maintain mental balance, with the wolf identity managing daily life and social interactions. Meanwhile, the human psyche remains present but silent, in a catatonic-like state, subdued in the recesses of the mind.” Alpha Commander explains.

“So, you are saying that Asher is the main personality in Jenson’s human body?”

“Basically, yes.” He confirms. “And, since this is his pack, Asher, as he is now called, will come here to reside. Do either of you have any problems with that?”

He glances between Reggie and me, looking at each otherandshrugging. “I don’t,” I reply, shaking my head. “Are you okay with that, Babe?”

“I am.” Reggie simply states.

“Good. His parents and friends are here. It will be good for him to return to familiar surroundings and have that support.” Alpha Commander taps the table.

“What about his obsession with Charlie?” Reggie worries his lip.

“Asher has formed a bond with a doctor at the mental institution. She resigned from her position there so she and Asher could pursue a relationship; they were subsequently married in an intimate ceremony last month.” Alpha Commander assures us.

“I am happy for Asher.” I breathe out. “He got hurt just as badly as Lana and I in this mess. I will admit that a part of my heartwill always ache for the loss, but Reggie has mended me so well.” I reach out and touch his face tenderly. “So thankful for you, my love,” I whisper."

“And I you, my love."