"There's too much risk in loving."

The young boy said.

"No."

Said the old man.

"There's too much risk in not."

~ A T T I C U S

***

"Quiet!"

The voices died down as Stephen turned to his Alpha. Jay kept his surprise inside as he stood and faced the group.

He read the weekly report, gave updates on the warriors and their conditions- congratulated the parents whose sons and daughters were moving up a level in training.

Then he allowed Stephen, his new Beta, to address the pack on the condition of his sister.

"Grace is doing good. John has stepped down as Beta to be by her side. I have taken over the responsibilities and have been promoted to be the new Beta. Thank you."

One pack member stood up, "Is this permanent or will Beta John be placed back as the Beta when the pups are born?"

"John," Stephen said between clenched teeth, "as of now, is no longer the Beta, but a prized pack warrior. The future is always uncertain, but I am the permanent Beta." Stephen's eyes glowed gold as he addressed the other males within the room, daring them to challenge him and his new position.

Jay silently leaned back and felt himself take a relieved breath. He had forgotten what it was like to have a Beta around. Another person to help you.

He glanced at Daisy and saw that she was watching him, smiling.

Another pack member stood up, this time a female. She nervously twisted her hands together and Jay could tell that her other friends, from the way they encouraged her and were pushing her up, had forced her to stand and speak for them.

"Um... I wanted to ask Alpha Jay...," She blushed as the room's attention focused on her but bravely continued, "What were your plans for future L-Luna?"

Jay angled his head to the side, watching the female as the room grew silent- observing and waiting for their Alpha's answer.

He honestly didn't know either though.

He glanced at Daisy and felt a bitter taste in his mouth. How could he explain to his pack that there was a possibility she might not stay? That she would instead come and go? They would never accept it.

Stephen stepped forward, "We will be addressing that within future meetings."

There was a collective sigh from the room. Mostly frustration from the pack, and relief from Jay.

He quickly left, like he always did, catching small phrases of conversations as he exited.

"John is such a good mate..."

"Giving up his position for Grace..."

"Do you think the Alpha doesn't like his mate?....."

"Why can't she be our Luna?....."

Jay felt Stephen follow him. He turned towards Stephen's office, and they silently entered.

Jay folded in on the couch, letting Stephen sit at his desk. Stephen was already aware that the Alpha didn't like anyone in his office.

"Thank you," Jay whispered.

Stephen nodded, "We have a couple of weeks now to figure out what we are going to tell them."

Jay looked silently at Stephen, partly in surprise again. Was this how a Beta was supposed to act?

He thought to what John might have done in this situation. Probably pat Jay on the back and tell him to figure it out by next meeting. But Stephen had said we. He was going to help Jay with his problems. He was going to help his Alpha.

He was so much like his sister. Jay smiled as he saw the similarities in their personalities. It was almost like having Grace as his Beta, which he realized, through those long years with John, had been the outcome more times than he could count.

"She cannot be the Luna," Jay admitted.

Stephen absorbed the information. He himself had not found a mate, but he had watched his sister and other mated couples, and had seen his Alpha and how he acted around Daisy. He knew it was not a question of affection or love.

"Why? Because she is moon blessed?"

Jay nodded, "I would say that is the main reason. It is hard to explain. She is moon blessed, but that does not mean that her appearance is altered by the moon. Her soul is also. She is branded by the moon- she wanders and travels, doing the moon's will. She helps those who suffer, and guides those who are lost. Though it would be a blessing for the pack to have a moon blessed Luna- they do not understand that she cannot be confined and tamed to one place."

Stephen took all the new information in carefully. He thought back to his impression of the female wolf, ignoring her weird t-shirt's and catch phrases that would catch him off guard. He thought of her intense stare, and how she had already pulled a miracle by making Grace healthy again.

He nodded slowly, "so she cannot be Luna because she won't be here?" there was a small hint of confusion in his voice.

"She will be following the moon's will."

Stephen stared at his Alpha, "And you will let her go?"

"She will come back." He said it with such surety and strength that Stephen almost believed him. But there was something about Daisy's wild eyes and white hair that made him shiver and realize the Alpha's meaning- she was not normal and she did not belong with them.

"I don't know how we can explain this to the pack. Unless we get Daisy to try to explain her blessing?"

Jay stared silently out the window.

"I will ask her. If not, then I will say it is because she does not want me. Which is partially the truth."

Even though he had just been the Beta for several days, Stephen felt a strong urge to protect his Alpha at all cost. He felt a sense of hatred boil within him for this female who was crushing his Alpha's soul. How dare she come like a hurricane and wreck this man who already had so much sorrow.

"No," Stephen said. Alpha Jay glanced at him with raised eyebrows, "the pack will never accept that and challengers will come."

"Let them come," Jay said. Though his voice held a hard edge of sadness. Stephen knew- and knew well after watching his Alpha when he deformed Richmond and Victoria- that he did not enjoy challenges.

"I would prefer to have as many warriors as possible," Stephen said, covering up his worry with another.

He watched the conflict within his Alpha's eyes, "I cannot blame her. I won't stand there and say there is something wrong with her and it's because of that, that I won't accept her."

"But there is something wrong with her- and that's why you can't accept her," Stephen pressed.

Jay sighed and stood up, "I'm sorry to place you in such a tight position when you've only been Beta a few days. I will talk with Daisy about it."

He gave a short nod to Stephen before walking out.

Stephen stared at the door and the Alpha's abrupt departure. He always seemed to leave like this. Without warning. Stephen only worried about the day when his mate returned the favor.

I'm thinking at the end of the story I'm going to have all these cool bonus chapters and show pictures of my rough draft work (like my little doodles of brain storming). But that's just an up in the air idea for now.

I hope this chapter cleared up a few things for you!

(It kinda details somethings)

But if not you are always welcome to ask questions, message me or say your thoughtful thoughts out loud for your dog/or cat to answer back (that is how I roll).

Until next time my little peepers!

Loves,

/////WORLD_JOY_/////