Page 61 of Losing My Siren Luna
I’m also uncomfortable riding a horse, and do not wish to embarrass myself further today. I don’t want to admit that, though. A lycan scared of being close to a horse is not something common among our kind.
When we finally get to the orphanage, I stare at it in wonder. It’s a beautiful building right by the sea, with an intricate iron fence circling it, and children running around gleefully in the yard. It's made of white stones that shine in the sunlight and look majestic against the sea view. The roof is clay tiles and there are stained glass windows decorating the entire front of the building, depicting ships sailing on the sea, Lycans and werewolves, children doing various activities, like reading and holding hands around a tree. The building is like a work of art.
“This is wonderful,” I smiled broadly, “It's better kept than the packhouse.”
Cherum chuckles. “That’s because the Alpha prioritizes the orphanages and the widow’s village over the upkeep of the castle. Hidden Cove is the only pack that has a guarded neighborhood just for its war widows. The children of widows and even the older kids here that are old enough to work, apprentice under fine craftsmen and helped to construct this building. It's the Alpha's way of giving a hand up and not a hand out.”
“I don’t think other packs need something like that,” Maurice snorts. “No one else goes to war a fraction as often as we do.”
“Other packs don’t have our location and resources,” Percy tells him. “It’s either war, or give our lands over to those that covet them, and Alpha would never allow for that.”
The kids running in the yard all look happy and well-kept, despite being orphaned. Every one of them has on new, clean, well-fitted clothes, looking well-fed with rosy cheeks and bright smiles.
“Wonderful,” I whispered to myself, the smile on my face so big it almost hurts.
Cherum’s throaty chuckling comes closer until I feel his hand on my shoulder. “Do you want to stand here all day and stare from afar, or will you go and meet them? I’m sure they would love a visit from their new luna.”
I look back at him, suddenly nervous, “I’m not sure.” I don’t feel like Lachlan's Luna, and I still plan on leaving here after my two years are up. The little hope I did have of things being different died this morning with his angry outburst. I can accept that it might be my fault as well, since Val pointed out that I hit him first and called him a whore, and then Yasmin mentioned the order given to the brothel women to stay away from me, but I still don’t see us ever being close enough for me to want to commit to him for the rest of my life. We would kill each other. It would never work. I think it is only a matter of time before he turns his affections to other women, and when he starts to hurt Val again, I won’t be able to forgive him. I can take his abuse, but I won’t let him hurt her through the bond.
“What are you not sure about? They will be so excited to meet you. You are the mother of this pack.”
“But, I don’t know if the Alpha would want me to address myself as his Luna,” I admitted.
Cherum’s face softens and he rubs my back sympathetically. “I know the alpha would prefer for you to address yourself as his Luna, but if it makes you feel any better, you can just have them call you by name.”
Cherum must just be trying to make me feel better by saying that. Lachlan would never think like that. A man that referred to me as a whore would never want it to be known that his unwanted whore wife is Luna, but I’m tired of arguing that point.
“Okay,” I grinned, but didn’t feel as excited as before. I feel uncertain and scared of what will happen tonight when I return to the castle.
Cherum must sense my unease, because he doesn’t smile back. He just continues to rub comforting circles on my back, and I actually feel the soothing effects from his touch. Strange. I know deltas have special abilities to protect their Luna, but he shouldn't have those right now. Not without my bond solidifying with Lachlan, and that sure as all get out is not happening any time soon. I'm notmatingwith him, and we will not be marking one another.
“I’m ready,” I said, stepping away from his touch, not wanting to feel less worthy of being Luna than I already do. Cherum's generosity and protectiveness when I'm thinking about leaving the pack makes me feel guilty. “I’m really fine,” I lie, “I just wasn’t sure what to address myself as, but that’s silly. I’m just here to play with the kids.” I don’t have to be Luna or Lachlan’s mate to do that.
“Okay, lass,” Cherum sighs, “Let’s go play with some kiddos.”
~~
The kids were excited about meeting us; all of us. Yasmin was in heaven with two little girls on her lap, tracing the freckles on her face. Percy looked like he was in heaven himself watching her.
Maurice was reading a book to a group of kids, all enraptured by his storytelling as he used a different voice for each character and talked not just with words, but his whole body. It was almost like watching a live play with his ability to bring the story of a wolf saving three little kids building houses out of different materials from a wild boar with a taste for human flesh. It sounded kind of gorey for a children’s book, but the kids were not complaining.
Cherum had a group of older boys teaming up against him, trying to tackle him to the ground. It was enduring seeing him act like a living piece of play equipment, having multiple boys hanging from each of his arms. His roars of laughter mixed with theirs, making everyone join in periodically each time the boys almost succeeded in pulling him to the ground. I think he was letting them think they had a chance of winning against the Goliath red-headed man, when they truly did not.
I had a little boy named Westley with eyes as blue as the ocean sitting beside me, telling me all about his rock and shell collection he had hidden under his bed from his visits to the beach.
“Do you think we could go look for more rocks and shells now, Miss Ela? The teachers keep saying they will take us, but then they forget. I haven’t been down in two whole days.”
“Oh, no!” I tried to keep from giggling, “So many shells could have washed to shore during that time.”
“I know! If I don’t get down there soon, the townie kids might take all the good ones.”
“We can’t have that now, can we?” I asked. He shook his head urgently. “Well,” I looked at the three warriors, all busy with their own business with the kids. Well….all but Percy, who is busy watching Yasmin with hearts in his eyes. I don’t want to disturb them. I should be fine on my own. You can see the beach from here. “Okay. Let’s go,” I said, smiling at Westley as I stood at my feet.
He bounces on his feet in excitement, making me laugh more. The short walk to the shoreline is filled with bubbly talk about different types of shells, where they come from, and what his favorites are.
I wish so much I still had my fins and tail. I could bring him so many wonderful treasures if I could get to the bottom of the ocean floor. I could just picture the face he would make when I brought him a giant oyster or a clam. A bit of coral would have him jumping for joy.
When we get to the dry, warm sand, I slip off my shoes, hike my skirts up, pin them to my sides, and let the wind caress my skin. I can’t stop myself from tilting my face up towards the wind, letting the fragrant salty ocean air blow through my hair.
