#1 The Rise of the Crescent Moon

August

It was around seven in the morning by the time I made it back to the pack house. I went straight for our bedroom but found that Josie wasn’t there. I ran into Ethan on my way back down who informed me that she had gone to the hospital. I decided to head to my office to look over the reports and plans that Ethan had left me from the weekend. I opened the door and was surprised to see a woman sitting at my desk.

“Savannah, what are you doing here?” I sighed, not in the mood to deal with her today. Or any day for that matter.

“I heard about your meeting and figured that you must be so stressed and so tired from everything,” She curled her pink lips over her startling white teeth as she walked towards me,

“Let me help you.” She purred, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards my desk. I shook my hand from her grip,

“I don’t want anything from you.” I muttered, sitting down behind my desk and hoping she would leave. Instead, she positioned herself on my lap.

“Savannah,” I started to protest, my hands moving to her arms to remove her from my lap, when my office door burst open.

“You’re going to want to remove yourself, promptly.” Josie’s voice was venomous, deeper and darker than I had ever heard it before. I quickly shoved Savannah off my lap and stood up.

“August,” Savannah whined, daring to use my name,

“Make her go away.” She pouted. Josie crossed the room in two seconds flat, her fingers curling around Savannah’s chicken arms so tightly that I thought she would snap them in half.

“How about I make you go away instead.” She growled. Savannah looked back at me, her bottom lip quivering,

“August, don’t let her do this to me!” She cried out. I stepped around Savannah and stood behind my Luna,

“Savannah, you have offended your Luna. You’re at her mercy now.” I said plainly. She looked back and forth between Josie and I, fear finally registering in her eyes.

“Who am I?” Josie shook Savannah, demanding her attention.

“The L..Luna.” Savannah stammered.

“And who is he?” Josie nodded her head towards me,

“Alpha.” Josie shoved Savannah away, releasing her arms and exposing the bruised rings that her fingers left.

“Forget that again and you’ll be excused from this pack, understand?” Josie threatened.

“Y…yes, Luna.” Savannah bowed her head in submission,

“You are dismissed.” Josie ordered, and Savannah hurried out of the room, not making eye contact with me. Josie kept her back to me well after Savannah had left.

“Josie….” I whispered, gently placing my hand on her shoulder and praying to the Moon Goddess that she didn’t think I had led Savannah on. Josie slowly turned around and I noticed that the anger hadn’t faded from her eyes and her tiny hands were still balled into fists.

“I need to punch something.” She said, gritting her teeth. I blinked at her, not sure what to do.

“You can punch me.” I suggested, holding my arms out wide and giving her a good target.

She looked me up and down, seeming to seriously consider my offer, before walking towards my desk. She picked up my pencil cup, dumping out its contents, and chucking it hard against the wall. She went for my coffee mug next and then my mouse, the keyboard, and a large binder full of papers. She watched the papers flutter through the air and scattered across the ground before turning back to face me.

“Feel better?” I smirked.

“A little.” She shrugged.

“Josie, you have to know that I want nothing to do with Savannah…” I started. Josie rushed over to me and took my face in her hands,

“I know, August.” She pressed her lips to mine and wiped away all my worries.

“Savannah and I shared words earlier today, I was already on edge. I sensed that you were home and then I felt that snakes hands on you ....” Josie’s anger started to stir up again and I took her hands in mine, calming her.

“I’m sorry you have to deal with her, it’s all my fault.” I sighed, ducking my head.

“We all have a past, August, I don’t blame you for yours.” Josie sighed, resting her head against my shoulder and I melted into her.

“How did I get so lucky?” I whispered.

“I have no idea.” Josie giggled, looking up at me through her dark eyelashes. I pulled her face up to mine, giving her another kiss.

“Ethan said you were at the hospital?” I questioned, pressing my forehead against hers.

“I was going to, until my encounter with Savannah. Then, I needed to take my anger out on your brothers before I could be a healer,” She paused and looked up at me with wide eyes,

“Someone might want to tell Hayden that I’m not at the hospital.” She gasped. I laughed at her, assuming Hayden was sent to look after her at the hospital. I sent Hayden a quick mindlink and could tell immediately that he was in a panic.

“Oh thank the Goddess,” Hayden replied in relief,

“I thought I had lost her.”

“I wanted to say thank you for my office, I love it.” Josie said as we walked hand in hand back to our bedroom.

“I’m glad it was finished in time, but I hate that you had to use it so soon.” I mumbled.

“I told you, I’m here to help you carry your burdens and the pack’s burdens; they’re my burdens now too.” Josie urged me to listen.

“I know, love, and I’m so proud of how you handled things. The pack and I needed you, and you were amazing.” I smiled down at her, planting a kiss on the top of her head as we entered our room.

“Everyone is healing or already healed, the borders are protected, and our pack is safe. You did that,” I told her, pulling her against my body for a hug,

“And I love you so much for that.” I felt Josie snuggle her face tino my chest,

“I love you, too.” Her voice was muttered by my shirt but her feelings were clear. I pulled her away and she flopped down on the bed,

“I have to go, deal with the prisoners, then how about you and I salvage some of our alone time?” I suggested, crawling on top of her.

“That sounds perfect.” She giggled as I nuzzled my face into her neck, kissing her exposed skin.

“Pick out a movie awhile, I won’t be long.” I promised her, kissing her lips quickly before leaving the room.