I loved her

Not for the way

She danced

with my angels

But for the way

The sound of

her name

Could silence

my demons

~Christopher Poindexter

***

Daisy looked at the files for each of the females. They laid scattered around her office. She was never comfortable with the idea of having a permanent residence, and the files that Doctor Schulman had given to her to organize a month ago were still sitting on her desk.

She had tried to organized stacks. It made her laugh when Jay came in and winced at the sight. What didn't make her laugh was when Jay stayed in her office for hours filing and putting papers in binders. Daisy was startled the first time she came across it. But it had only taken her three days for the office to return to its original picture of disorganized mess.

When Jay had come around to visit her and saw the mess she had made of his beautiful, meticulous binders and color coated files, she thought he would laugh with her. Instead he had a pained look in his eyes as he sat down and reorganized the papers.

Now Daisy just shoved the papers in a drawer whenever she knew he was coming.

She had never dealt with files and papers or an office. This was getting to be the mark where she would start to distance herself from the pack, and then leave.

However she couldn't leave- Grace still had at least three more months to go.

Daisy stopped in her filing to take a deep breath. She needed to calm down. She had not stayed in one place for this amount of time in a while. It was starting to wear her down. She was restless. But she needed to stay.

Feeling her heart beat start to race and her palms become sweaty, Daisy pushed herself roughly away from the desk. She needed to get some fresh air. She was not meant to be inside for so long. She needed to see the world in its original beauty and feel the moon upon her skin. Only then did she feel her heart was in the right place. Not even her new found mate could make her feel as safe as the moon could. Because the Moon was all she had during her darkest times. She had been present and there. Constant and steady. She had been the life mate that Daisy did not have to find. And in return for this love the moon had blessed Daisy.

The cool air of fall hit Daisy's face as she opened the door. She breathed out a sigh of relief at the contact. Doctor Schulman looked out of his office to see Daisy standing within the open door way. She noticed his eyes and turned to him saying, "I'm just going out for some fresh air."

Doctor Schulman nodded, "Are you wanting to find Alpha Jay?"

Daisy thought about it before nodding. She wanted to see Jay.

Doctor Schulman glanced at his watch "It's close to noon" he mumbled. Doctor Schulman looked up, "he should be at the training grounds at this time."

Daisy nodded and smiled. Always so meticulous.

She basked in the coolness of the breeze as she walked over to the training grounds. She needed to see Jay more. She had been avoiding him. Guiltily Daisy thought back to their encounter a few days ago.~~

"There is a pack meeting tomorrow night. I will announce that you are my mate there," Jay had looked at Daisy with affection and pride in his eyes.

He had said it to her as they cuddled together under a blanket- looking out at the moon hanging above them.

"Jay."

Jay sat up at the tone in Daisy's voice. He silently stared down at his mate waiting for her to speak.

"Could you please...not announce it?" Daisy did not flinch at the request or silence her voice. This was her request to him. She was only curious if he would honor it or not. Daisy did flinch though at the hurt that passed through Jay's eyes.

"Can I ask why?" His voice was silent. Deadly. It had made Daisy shiver in both delight and terror but she refused to back down.

"This is just my request to you, hot stuff." Daisy stared silently up at Jay. Silence hung in the air around them as they stared at each other.

"Alright. If it is what you want my little moon." Jay pushed himself back down in the chair not saying another word on the subject.

And then the next day at the pack meeting he had honored her request. He said nothing about Daisy being his mate. He only updated the pack on certain issues, listened to and growled at Grace's brother, and then told the pack that Grace's condition was improving because of her. The pack had applauded her and some had even come up and rubbed their cheeks against hers after wards in thanks and respect.

But Daisy still heard the whispers....

"He didn't mention that they were mates?"

"Why is he ashamed of her..."

"Has no teeth, just all bark and no bite..."

Daisy did not flinch from their insults. She boiled underneath that they should dare defy their Alpha so openly but as she turned around to see how Jay would handle the problem, she found that he had been the first one to leave the room. Retreating back to his office.

They had not cuddled under the moon that night. No soft kisses had been exchanged. Daisy had felt something shift within the bond that had slowly been forming between them in the last months. It was a fine wire, that was now being stretched too thin- as if it would snap at any moment.

Jay did not say anything to her yesterday. Daisy was still confused about his behaviors. She did not know if it was his Alpha blood that was slinking in the corner, hurt that his own mate did not want him to say she was his. Or if this went deeper than that. But some silent wall had been broken, releasing in it an ugly dark creature.

Daisy had second thoughts as she entered the training ring and saw Jay standing in the center, watching all that transpired. But the moon guided her and she felt the calmness of it pull her to him. She felt no shame in her actions. It was her honest want. Jay would probably never be able to understand her reasoning. Even some part of herself did not fully understand her actions. She was a messenger of the moon though. Sometimes the ideas and thoughts of what packs thought was ceremonial and right was just simply beneath her. It had come with her time of seeing and experiencing so much and feeling the moon's presence within her violently at times.

Daisy stopped to stand directly on Jay's left. She mimicked his stance- silent with arms crossed. He looked down at her, "Hello my little moon," the greeting rumbled in his chest as his deep voice echoed across the fields. Some wolves stopped to look at the moon blessed female who wore her long skirts and weird t-shirts. Today it read, "Being random is potato."

"Heyo Jayo" Daisy greeted softly back.

They watched in silence the action of the wolves around them. Daisy gave a critical eye to the beginners and how some were already giving up on their training. Personally she believed the system Jay had set up was a very good one. It let all wolves within the pack have some experience in defense and fitness.

Her attention though was soon captured by the expert group. She already knew and approved of Jackson. He made her laugh with his banter. But on the field he was a different wolf. Hard with no edge for nonsense. Daisy watched in fascination as the wolves within the group quickly shifted from wolf to skin, wolf to skin keeping up the process. It seemed to be a brutal training exercise. Jackson stood on a small platform, overseeing the process, while shouting out criticism.

Daisy frowned though when she noticed something amiss on the field.

"Where is Richmond?" She questioned.

Jay looked around the field. Daisy knew he had already detected the lack of his presence before her.

With a sigh Jay said, "he will come when he is ready."

Daisy's eyebrows shot up. She gave a hard look up at Jay. She couldn't believe though that he would allow for this behavior to happen in front of him. Daisy didn't want to tell him how to run his pack though.

"I think Doctor Schulman will need you back at the clinic now," Jay said.

Daisy shook her head, "He gave me permission to leave. I want to stay here and watch." Something though gnawed in the back of Daisy's mind. Something seemed to be teetering on the edge. Just about to tip over. Like the silence before the storm. She couldn't detect what it was, just that there was an uneasy feeling within her.

Before she could comment on it to Jay though, a furious energy took her attention. Richmond.

Training wolves stopped what they were doing as he passed them. Their eyes widened as they smelled the air and the scent that surrounded Richmond.

Challenge.

Daisy had seen many challenges done before within packs. She wanted to ask Jay what their pack's policy was. Did they stop at submission? Did they kill? She didn't know but a tiny shiver went up her spine.

She and Jay watched the approaching figure, as Richmond got closer- the wolf not even bothering to mask his scent of dominance.

Daisy moved closer to Jay. They were on rocky ground at the moment, but she wouldn't let that affect him.

"Show him Jay," she said.

Jay's eyes flashed down to her. She shivered at the golden irises, the uncontrolled rage that seethed in the back at the thought that he dared be challenged.

"Watch little moon," Jay growled, his voice making Daisy's hair on her arms stand up as goosebumps appeared, "watch the mate the moon chose to bless you with."

Daisy nodded and smiled before stepping away. She kept her emotions in check, not wanting to distract Jay from his approaching fight, but the dominance and power that came off of Jay had her panting with delight. Other females within the training area had their eyes glued upon their Alpha, their wolves inside howling in appreciation of the power and strength that one male could display. Some growled at Richmond as he passed. How dare he challenge such a glorious creature was what their wolves were saying.

The females were won over- they knew what true power was and were addicted to the scent of it. However one female stuck out like a sore. One fought the intoxicating scent that Jay put forth, biting it down and instead focusing on her mate. Victoria watched with gleaming eyes as Richmond stood in front of his Alpha, challenging him.

"Alpha Jay," he growled, "I, Richmond, general of the Alba Rosa pack, challenge you for your position. You have not displayed the true strength of an Alpha. Instead you curve your spine and don't have the balls to announce your female with pride. You choose to ignore the moons blessing and deny us our Luna." Richmond growled out his threat.

Daisy stood to the side shocked. She had not thought her request would bring challengers to Jay's front door. But now she saw what her actions had led to. Of course wolves would question Jay's strength if he was not even able to mark and keep a female- in their eyes their future Luna. Daisy growled at Richmond's word though. She and the other wolves knew better. They knew that he was using this as an excuse to challenge Alpha Jay. A cowards charge. He could not simply say that he wanted to challenge for leadership. Instead he had to put into question how Jay ran the pack.

"I accept," Alpha Jay said. His voice was deadly quiet. Males all around shivered at the cool echo of power. The promise for pain. Some looked at Richmond with pity in their eyes.

The moment did not last long. It was broken by Richmond's sudden growl as he lunged forward, shifting in mid leap. Alpha Jay did not shift. Onlookers gasped as man and wolf collided.

Snap.

Daisy did not flinch from the noise. She had heard it many times since she was a healer. However a gasp escaped hers and many others mouths at the sight they were seeing.

Alpha Jay, as if he were breaking a twig in half, had snapped Richmond's front right leg. Daisy didn't even see how it had happen. Jay had been a blur within her eyes, her mind unable to keep up with the speed.

Richmond howled out his pain. He was rabid now. Desperate.

"No!" Victoria screamed, dropping onto her knees as her nails dug into her face. Her look of smug satisfaction now replaced with horror.

Richmond feinted left, trying to distract Jay before he lunged right- going directly towards his throat. Jay saw the move and threw the wolf to the ground. Richmond's claws and teeth desperately tried to break free of Jay's hold around his neck.

Snap.

Another audible gasp could be heard from the onlookers. Richmond's left leg useless now. Daisy looked with mild horror at what she saw. What she knew now that Jay had planned on doing from the beginning.

Richmond laid with his face in the dirt, hind legs quivering as he tried to pull himself back up. However his front legs were gone. Disfigured crippled masses that made several wolfs throw up at the sight.

He bowed in front of the looming Jay, who stood tall above, watching the cries of pain and scrambles and pleas that were being whined out of Richmond's teeth.

He submitted. He gave up.

Daisy gave a brief sigh. She did not like watching death.

Snap.

Daisy's head whipped up at the sound. The sound that she thought was over.

Now Richmond laid on the ground. Only one leg left.

"Stop!" Victoria screeched. She ran forward growling in the defense of her mate. Like Richmond, she shifted midair, only to be stopped by Jay.

With quick even motions he grabbed her throat and shoved her hard into the ground. She gagged as she made impact, his hand cutting deep into her wind pipe.

Claws and teeth furiously unleashing themselves upon Jay as she fought to be released.

Many shuttered. Alpha Jay held Victoria down, not flinching as her teeth and claws raked into him. His arms, chest, face. Jay just stared down. Slowly. Slowly. A grinned formed upon his face.

Snap.

Many of the warriors were on their knees. The beginners especially were a shivering mass of panic and terror. Most had never seen this side to their Alpha. No one had dared challenge him. Not since he had first ascended to be Alpha of the pack. Most thought back to the times then, shivering and wondering how they could have repressed such a memory, and if they were able to repress it and this new memory again.

Then Jay started to laugh.

And laugh.

Snap.

Daisy was shivering. She wanted to pray to the moon. Ask her how something so terrifying and powerful could be hidden in such a silent and what seemed like, caring, person.

This was not her mate she was seeing.

Daisy didn't know who this was. This was an Alpha. An Alpha that she had never seen before.

Snap.

Some were gagging now on the grass, dry heaving whatever they could. They knew why their Alpha had to do it though. The sound branded into their souls reminding them do not challenge.

Jackson watched in grim silence. He and some of the expert wolfs were the only ones who seemed to be unaffected by the scene before them. They had battled before. They had seen death and terror. They had seen the strength of their Alpha. Some thought he was cruel and hid it under a silent exterior. Others who had seen him in battle thought he was a wolf who had too much power and no way to express it. It will drive a wolf mad.

Snap.

Victoria laid broken on the ground. Her legs were deformed. As if someone had rolled over and tried to crush them into a ball, only to realize that the legs were attached to a body. Tears rolled down both her and Richmond's eyes as they helplessly watched the other being broken.

Snap.

Alpha Jay had gone back to break Richmond's last leg.

Then he sat down.

There was a sharp intake of breath.

The Alpha sat and, gently, placed both the wolves heads in his laps. He stroked their fur softly, not saying a word.

Richmond and Victoria looked at each other with hopeful eyes. Their Alpha had forgiven them.

Faster than anyone could react, Alpha Jay's hands shot down into Richmond's mouth. A ripping noise was heard along with a howl of pain.

A canine tooth fell from Jay's hand.

Victoria snapped, raising her head as she tried to strike towards Jay's throat. Without even looking her way Jay grabbed her nuzzle. He squeezed her mouth together tightly- the other wolfs could hear her teeth scraping and breaking together.

Blood was coming out of Richmond's mouth. He gave a gurgled whine, eyes full of tears.

What had he done. What had he done. What had he done.

He had angered a monster.

Rip. The next canine along with a few other teeth were pulled out. Alpha Jay stroked Richmond gently before picking him up by the scruff of his neck and throwing him. He landed several feet away, his body giving a sickening crunch as his deformed legs made contact.

Rip.

Rip.

Victoria's body soon joined her mates as Jay threw her away.

He silently got up from the ground, dusting his jeans off, blood dripping from his gashes.

The warriors started in awe. He had not even shifted.

Jackson approached his Alpha, bowing his head and showing his neck in submission.

"Do you want the pack doctors to look at them Alpha?"

Jay nodded. The warriors gasped. He wanted them to live. Some could not even wrap their head around the harshness in the punishment. He had taken away a wolf's most prized possessions. Their legs to run on. And their teeth to hunt with.

Without it they were not wolfs.

The training ring remained silent as the wolfs watched their Alpha walk away.

Warriors got on their knees, showing their neck in submission as their Alpha walked by.

Daisy waited for Jay to glance at her. To approach her or remember her in some way. But Jay did not look. His power and surge over his win left him looking at his pack warriors with gleaming eyes- daring anyone to challenge him. A low growl came from Alpha Jay. All knew that he was the Alpha. He was their leader. Anyone who dared to challenge him was asking for a much crueler fate than death.

They watched the back of their Alpha as he walked out of the training grounds. Each step he took seemed to vibrate in their bones. Some looked in pride over having an Alpha that was so strong. Others in fear. And then those who looked at the crumbled crying figures of Richmond and Victoria, as they were carried away to Doctor Schulman. Do not challenge.

Okay guilty confession, this is my favorite chapter.

(I know right!?!)

Also in case none of you peepers noticed, I changed the cover to "Moon Child"-