Chapter 3: Best Friends

A year had passed since then, and here I was at Jace's inauguration as the new Alpha of Luna Nueva. That same day, he proclaimed Elaine as his Luna, telling everyone she was his fated mate and that they had decided to keep it secret until today. Only I knew that wasn't true, but I said nothing. My brother took my hand and we stepped forward. Today we would swear loyalty to Jace as his Betas. He looked so happy — a grin from ear to ear that faltered the moment he saw me, as it always did during the rare times we crossed paths at training.

Elliot stood beside my brother, and the three of us knelt.

"I, Jace Stronghold, Alpha of the Luna Nueva pack, name you, Aron Rosseltod, First Beta of the Luna Nueva pack. Do you swear your loyalty?"

"I, Aron Rosseltod, swear loyalty to my Alpha, Jace Stronghold, and my Luna, Elaine Wood, of the Luna Nueva pack, and accept my charge as First Beta."

Jace looked at me, and for a moment his gaze shifted to his wolf's, softening. I heard his wolf's voice in my head, and it made me falter.

My Luna.

I felt Luz stirring inside me, surging toward the surface, when Jace shoved his wolf back. His eyes locked on mine with resolve, and he spoke.

"I, Jace Stronghold, Alpha of the Luna Nueva pack, name you, Azula Rosseltod, Second Beta of the Luna Nueva pack. Swear loyalty to your Alpha and Luna."

Those words were a reminder. I was not his Luna. I never would be.

"I, Azula Rosseltod, swear loyalty to my Alpha, Jace Stronghold, and my Luna, Elaine Wood, of the Luna Nueva pack, and accept my charge as Second Beta."

I felt the weight of the Beta title merging with me. My brother squeezed my hand, and I looked into his eyes — always watching me with that protective gaze.

"I love you, Aron."

I slipped into his mind to say those words I hadn't spoken in a year. His eyes glistened. He smiled, and I heard him in my head.

"I love you more, my little Azula."

We turned back to face forward, his hand locked in mine like a lifeline.

Elliot had sworn his loyalty to Jace, and the celebration had begun. I stayed in a corner drinking punch while everyone celebrated, until midnight came. It was tradition for the new Alpha and his Luna to run under the moonlight with their Beta and Gamma, so we got ready. In front of the entire pack, Jace shifted first — his wolf was dark brown with yellow eyes. Elaine shifted next — her wolf was gray with blue eyes. Then Aron. Aeron appeared and came to me, licking my hands in a show of affection. I smiled and let my shift take over. My wolf emerged, cloaked in that disguise of black fur. Luz hurried to lick Aeron's face while Elliot shifted — his wolf was gray too, very similar to Elaine's but a little bigger. Jace howled and the race began. We ran behind him and Elaine. I already knew where this path would lead — we were heading to the river, the damn Red River I never wanted to go back to.

We reached the river and howled together at the moon, giving thanks for our new roles and — stupidly — for the new union of our Alpha and his Luna.

Jace took off running back to rejoin the pack. Aron and Elliot followed. Elaine stayed behind, watching me. I couldn't leave my Luna here alone, so I stayed. She approached me, and I heard her in my head.

"Azula."

"Luna." I bared my neck in submission, and she stepped back. "We should follow the Alpha."

"Alright..."

She ran and I followed behind her. When we arrived, everyone was already there, shifted back and waiting for us. Aron came to me with clothes and a blanket. He covered me, I shifted, and I got dressed.

The party lasted until dawn, and as Beta, I had to stay — even though I didn't want to be there.

After that day, the days flew by. I threw myself into my role as Beta — training the pack's children, managing the night patrols. My brother was the one always at the Alpha's side as First Beta. Occasionally I had to accompany the Luna when she went out, which was almost never, thank the Goddess.

Five years had passed in the blink of an eye. Jace and Elaine had two children — Eliam and Azuma, five and four years old. They were two sweet, loving kids, smart and at the top of all their classes, and my favorite students. It was crazy that my mate's children loved me the way they did, and that I loved them right back. They weren't to blame for what had happened years ago. Really, nobody was. It was simply fate. And no matter how things had played out, they were my best friends' children.

I was wrapping up training when I felt Jace in my head — one of the few things I hated about being his Beta. Hearing his voice, forcing its way into my mind, into my personal sanctuary.

"Azula, when you're done, come to the pack house and bring my kids, please."

"Yes, Alpha."

The connection cut off and I finished up the session. When it ended, everyone hugged me and said goodbye.

"Eliam, Azuma — wait for me. The Alpha wants me to take you to the pack house."

"Why do you always call my father 'the Alpha'?"

"Because that's what he is. Your father is the Alpha of this pack, Eliam, and as his Beta, I owe him respect."

"But Uncle Aron is his Beta too, and he calls him by his name. Doesn't he respect him?"

Always so sweet.

I knelt down and took his little hands in mine. "No, sweetheart. Of course he respects him. He calls him by his name because they're best friends, and best friends can call each other by name."

"But my father told me once that you were his best friend too."

His words left me speechless. What could I say to these sweet little children to make them forget this uncomfortable conversation?

"Aren't you his best friend anymore, Miss Azula?"

"Was my daddy mean to you?"

"No, no. The Alpha has never been mean to me. Your father is a good Alpha. He's good to the whole pack, and one day you'll be Alpha too — a good Alpha who takes care of all of us."

"And will you be my best friend, Miss Azula?"

I smiled, touched. "If that's what you want, of course. I'll be your best friend, Eliam."

They both hugged me tight, and I welcomed them gladly. Those children had won my heart. It didn't matter who their parents were, or the story behind it all. All that mattered was them — and me.

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