Page 15 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Ethan***

I sit and watch as the members of The Council gather in my

living room. It consists of my parents and six other elders who help to ensure

the well-being of the pack. Charlie and Brick are on either side of me, no

doubt anxious to see the outcome of this meeting. Once seated, they all go

silent and turn to me expectantly. This is not going to be easy. We’re a

pack of purebreds. How am I going to tell them the mate I intend to take is not

only not a purebred but that she’s human?

“I’m sure you’re all wondering why I’ve called this meeting.”

“I hope it’s to tell us that you’ve found me a

daughter-in-law,” my mother says.

I look over at her unsmiling face.

“She’s right. The fate of the pack is at stake here. Plus,

you’re at your strongest when you have a mate. With Stone’s pack causing

trouble, we need you at your best.”

Everyone mumbles their agreement with my father.

“Well, you’ll all be happy to know that I have found her.”

Everyone expels a breath of relief and begins chattering

happily.

“Oh, thank heavens!” Mother exclaims. “Who is it? It’s Shae,

isn’t it? I knew you two would hit it off—”

“Mother.” At the tone of my voice, they all fall silent

again. I’m in alpha mode now. “It’s not Shae. As a matter of fact, you don’t

know her.”

“Well, who is she?”

Charlie shifts uncomfortably in his seat but squares his

shoulders in support.

“Her name is Casey, and… she’s human.”

My mother stands and places her balled-up fists on the

table.

“You’re joking, right?”

“No, I am not. She is my mate.”

The pandemonium that ensues is what I wanted to avoid.

They’re all running around like headless chickens and talking amongst

themselves, talking about me as if I’m not here. With a sigh, I listen to

scraps of conversations.

It’s unheard of.

A human?

This is preposterous!

It can’t be done.

We can’t let it happen….

That last one enrages me. No one tells me what I can or

can’t do. My wolf is fighting to be let loose, and I allow him a little

freedom. As alpha, I’m the only one who can change at will, but it’s only one

of the powers I possess. My breathing accelerates, my fangs begin to descend,

and I know my eyes have changed from brown to yellow. I let out a vicious growl

and everyone steps back in fear. Charlie gets to me first, grabbing my shoulder.

Next, I feel Brick’s hand on my other shoulder. Closing my eyes, I rein him

back in.

“Son—”

“The last time I checked, I was alpha,” I cut my

father off. “That means I can do whatever I want. I didn’t call you here to ask

your permission. I’ve been waiting for her for too long. No one is going

to come between us.”

“Surely you don’t mean to turn her?”

I turn to Dad. It’s strange that at every council meeting,

my parents are the only ones brave enough to even speak to me directly.

“She’s everything I want and need in a mate. The fact that

she’s not a wolf is semantics.”

“Think about what you’re doing, Ethan. This is not just

about you. It’s about all of us.”

“I know. I will present her with a choice. If she doesn’t want

me, then I will take a mate chosen by you.”

Because if I can’t have her, it doesn’t matter who I end up

with. Every wolf has their one true mate, but can be mated with anyone. If

I mate with someone other than Casey, the bond would be nowhere near as

powerful, but would still give a boost to my abilities. That’s the only thing

they’re concerned about, not my happiness.

My mother turns to Charlie. “What do you think about this?”

This would be a perfect opportunity for Charlie to challenge

my leadership and make a play for the alpha position. I wait for his response.

“Ethan says she’s the one, so I support him one hundred

percent.”

Good man.

“This meeting is over,” I state.

I watch them trickle through the door, except for my

parents. They’re giving me that “you’ve been a naughty boy” look, but I stare

back with unwavering determination.

“This is not up for discussion, Dad.”

“Son, I know you’re under a lot of pressure, but think this

over.”

“You don’t think I have? That’s all I’ve been doing.”

“Helena.” He turns to Mother. “Give us a minute, will you?”

She gives me a final warning glare and walks out. I think

she may just disown me after this.

“I’m asking as a parent… What makes you think she’s the

one?”

I take a deep breath, trying to figure out how to explain it

to him.

“Dad… the moment she walked into the room, her scent…

It almost knocked me out of my chair. When she’s close, I can barely control my

wolf. He fights me every step of the way. And that’s just the feral side of it—”

He places his hand on my shoulder to stop my passionate

discourse. I hold his stare, desperate for him to understand what I’m going

through.

“I was the same way when I met your mother. I just didn’t

think it possible with a human.”

“So, you understand?” I ask, seeing a glimmer of hope.

“I do, but she’s not a wolf, son. That really mucks up the

works.”

“That’s easily fixed.”

“Easy enough. But at the expense of the purity of the line.”

I shake my head, breathing a sigh of resignation. “I don’t

want anyone else.”

“Just promise me you’ll exhaust all your options before you

make any permanent changes.”

“In other words, don’t turn the human girl.”

He pats my shoulder and shakes his head.

“I don’t envy your position, son.”

“Are you sorry you passed on the responsibility to me?”

“Hell no! You’re a great leader, and the pack loves you. I’m

sure whatever decision you make will be best for us all.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“No problem. I’ll talk to the others and try to buy you some

time. Now, let me see if I can calm your mother down.”

When he walks out, Charlie and Brick re-enter the room.

They’ve been by my side through thick and thin, and I can’t imagine better

friends.

“What’s the plan, boss?” Charlie asks.

“I don’t know yet. But I know I have to do something quickly.”

“The full moon’s comin’ up. Plan on taking another sightseeing

trip?”

“I didn’t plan the first one. Who knows what he’ll do.”

The night of the full moon is the only time I can’t control

the change. Restraining my wolf at that time is hard, but I’ve always managed

before now. Last month, he completely took over, and there was nothing I could

do. He knows she’s his mate. His primal instinct is to be with her, so he

sought her out. I need to move fast.