#1 The Rise of the Crescent Moon

August

This meeting could not be over soon enough. My developers and design team were taking care of most of the negotiations, I was just here to talk money and give the final seal of approval.

“Mr. Hayes, what do you think?” One of the contractors pulled me from my thoughts.

“Yes, yes. Whatever Shawn thinks, he’s my best guy.” I nodded distractedly. I was happy to feel Josie pushing through with her mindlink, instantly in a better mood after speaking with her. I hurried the meeting along to get to lunch and made reservations nearby.

“We’ll resume with the meeting after lunch and finalize the details.” I instructed, gathering up my materials in a folder.

“Yes, Mr. Hayes.” The contractors agreed as we went our separate ways. I hurried to the car and was quick to arrive at the restaurant. Josie’s car wasn’t there yet, so I went inside and found our table.

“As usual, you managed to pick the most expensive restaurant in this part of the city.” Josie’s laugh swirled through the air. I smiled and helped her to her seat.

“Not on purpose.” I shrugged.

“It’s a natural talent of yours.” Josie smirked, taking a sip of the ice water in front of her,

“How is your meeting going?” She asked.

“I’d rather talk about your day.” I sighed, reaching across the table to secure her hand in mine. She shrugged,

“I have a car full of stuff now.” I laughed at her,

“Somehow that’s not surprising.”

“I hope it’ll all fit.” She said suddenly, biting her lip.

“Fits where?” I asked.

“In the house. I guess it can just go in the cabin for now.” She said quietly. I shook my head at her,

“There’s always room for you, love.”

“Jared’s going to have some movers bring the rest of the stuff.” She added.

“Well, whatever you need now we’ll fit in our room and everything else can go in the cabin for now.” I offered.

“For now?” She asked.

“Until we decide on where our permanent home will be.” I said just as the waiter came to our table. Josie ordered a salad and I ordered a chicken sandwich.

“Where do you want to live?” She asked me after a while of silence, her eyes avoiding mine. I squeezed her hand,

“Wherever you want.” I answered honestly. She met my gaze finally,

“I’m serious.” She sighed.

“So am I. I don’t care where we live, Jo, I just want to be with you.”

“You have to have some kind of opinion.” I could tell she was getting frustrated with me.

“I like staying in the packhouse, it keeps me closer to the pack in case anything goes wrong and it’s really the only home I’ve ever known. But, I’m not opposed to living somewhere else. I can be on the pack grounds in minutes, so it’s not a big deal.” I explained to her.

“I want to stay at the packhouse,” she said,

“My mother was never involved, she always stayed at the cabin and our people hardly knew her. I don’t want to be like that.”

“You could never be like that, love. Our people already love you. But, we can easily make the packhouse our own. Whatever you want to do with it will be done.” I assured her. She nodded quickly, a small smile on her face and a glimpse of excitement in her eyes.

“I’d like an office.” She said, surprising me.

“Of course, there’s plenty of extra rooms. We can turn one into an office.” I grinned at her request. My Luna who wanted to discuss offices instead of window treatments; how did I get so lucky?

“What are you going to do this afternoon?” I asked her as the waiter cleared our plates away.

“I didn’t really have any plans.” She shrugged.

“Nobody you want to see?” I suggested while pulling out my wallet and handing the waiter my card.

“I never had much time for a social life.” She said as the waiter came back with my card. I offered it to Josie,

“Do you want to go shopping?” She looked from me to the card with a puzzled look on her face.

“Yeah….I realized how that sounded the moment it left my mouth.” I winced, retreating my hand.

“I’m fine, August, you don’t need to entertain me.” She muttered.

“I just didn’t want you to be bored.” I said defensively.

“I’m not bored. I just didn’t miss New York as much as I thought I would.” She admitted,

“I miss home.” Her words both broke my heart and warmed my soul. Hearing her call the pack home was music to my ears, but I hated to think of her as being sad here.

“I’m not sad,” she said, reading my mind as usual,

“I’m just finished here.” There was a small smile on her lips that somehow made everything okay.

“We can go home early, if you want?” I offered.

“Let’s talk about it when your meeting is finished, later tonight.” I helped her stand from the table and we walked together out to the cars.

“I’ll see you in a couple of hours, baby.” I promised her, pulling her close to me for a passionate kiss.

“See you soon.” She said breathlessly before sliding into the backseat of her car and riding away. My car took me back to the office building and I settled in for the next few hours.

“Alpha, Luna…” Ethan’s voice rang through my mind.

“What is it?” Josie answered.

“We had another rogue attack, bigger than usual. They went after the outskirts of the Hallows, attacking our women and children. The warriors were able to take some prisoners, and either kill or run off the rest but they aren’t healing. It’s even worse than when you were attacked, Alpha. We aren’t sure what to do.” Ethan’s voice was rushed and worried, he felt overwhelmed and scared for his pack. Before I could speak, Josie did,

“Take them to the pack hospital. I’ll mindlink Dr. Brown and walk him through what I did to help August. Then, I’m coming home.” Josie’s voice was strong, her Luna tone coming through proudly. Ethan didn’t hesitate to take her order, not even waiting for my confirmation before silencing the mindlink and getting to work.

“Have the driver take you to the airport, I’ll meet you there.” I told Josie.

“No, August, you have to finish your meeting.” If my pack wasn’t in danger, I would be laughing at her attempt to use the Luna command on me.

“The pack is more important.” I said.

“Yes, and the most capable person to help them right now is me. I’m the doctor and the Luna. I can take care of them. You have to take care of the meeting; the success of your business helps our pack. Put this burden on me, August, it’s why I’m here.” I swear, I fall more in love with this woman by the second.

“Yes, ma’am.” I smiled,

“Will you be alright on the plane by yourself?” I felt Josie falter, my question was answered with silence.

“Josie?”

“I’ll figure it out.” She grumbled.

“You’ll be fine, baby.” I said reassuringly.

“I’ll keep you updated.” Josie promised me before closing the mindlink.

I love you, I thought to myself.