#2 When the Moon Turns Red

Noah

I retreated into my bedroom, not in any condition to speak to anybody else. I groaned loudly as I threw myself down on the bed. I couldn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want their mate. Everleigh was absolutely everything to me and losing her was the only thing I was ever and will ever be afraid of.

I pulled out my phone and stared at the screen. I had the sudden urge to call the one person who I knew could calm me down. Well, the one person other than my mate. She had been doing it since the day I was born.

I hadn’t seen my mother since she left the pack six years ago, but I still talked to her from time to time. Whenever I doubted myself or my ability to lead, I called my mom. She was my rock, my stability. As the Alpha, I struggled with my mother’s banishment and I hadn’t been able to bring myself to see her in person. But, as her son, I missed her every single day. Speaking to her on the phone was like my therapy.

I hadn’t talked to her since I found Everleigh so she didn’t know about my mate. I tapped my mother’s contact and pressed the phone to my ear.

“Hello?” She picked up on the second ring.

“Hi, Mom.” I replied.

“Noah, how are you?” Her voice perked up when she realized it was me.

“I needed to talk to you.” I said.

“Of course, honey, what’s going on?” She knew I only called when I needed her guidance.

“I found her, Ma, I found my mate.” I told her. I heard her gasp sharply followed by silence.

“Mom?”

“That’s wonderful, Noah, I’m so happy for you.” I could tell that she was crying.

“She’s perfect. Her name’s Everleigh and I already love her so much that it hurts. But, she’s human.” I explained, the words just spilling out of my mouth before I could think about what I was saying.

“Does that matter to you?” Mom asked.

“No! No, not one bit. She’s strong and kind and compassionate. She has all the qualities of a great Luna,” I replied quickly,

“It’s just…”

“Your father.” She spoke over top of me, already knowing what I was going to say.

“I’ll go to war over her, Ma. I don’t care what Father or any of those stuffy Elders have to say. I will burn the world down to be with her.” I growled.

“I know, honey, I know,” She sighed, almost sounding sad,

“I’m not going to lie to you, it’s going to be tricky.”

“I don’t need it to be easy.” I said.

“Good, because it won’t be. Those stuffy old Elders have a lot of opinions.” She chuckled softly.

“The pack will love her, I know it.” I said.

“That’s all you need then. As long as you have the support of the pack, you can stand up to the Elders.” She replied.

“She’s worth fighting for.” I was barely audible.

“Of course she is.” I could hear a slight smile in my mother’s voice.

“I understand why you did what you did, Mom. I would have done the same thing. I will do the same thing, if I have to. I’ll do anything for her.” I owed it to my Mom to tell her the truth. She shouldn’t feel guilty for doing whatever she had to do to be with her mate.

“I pray to the Moon Goddess everyday that you and your siblings find your mates. There is truly nothing better in the world than building a bond with your soul. I had to make sure that you four understood that, Goddess knows you weren’t going to learn it from your father,” She sighed,

“I’m so proud of you, my son.”

“I love you, Mom.”