His Reluctant Luna novel Chapter 19

Alice (POV) -

We moved slowly to a table in the middle of the wall at the other end of the hall, those we passed all bowed their heads. I noticed that after we had gone by, most of them raised their noses and scented the air. Realizing everyone we walked past knew what Lucian and I had just done upstairs was embarrassing. I was blushing deeply by the time we reached our table.

The conversation at our table was pleasant. I was seated with Katherine and Savannah; several other girls and ladies were sitting with me alongside the long table. 

The dinner was terrific, steaks, roasted chicken, vegetables, pasta, salads, literally everything one could wish for, and I consumed them with gusto.

Lucian was busy talking to some other people on the other side of the room, so I was quite on my own. Except for the fact that I was being interrogated by curious girls. The one sitting opposite me was barely 18, and she was staring at me with awe. As if I was some celebrity. I smiled at her politely. She beamed.

"Madam Alpha, I heard you are from England. I have never been there, what kind of place is it?" She asked.

I could sense, Lucian, glancing at us. Of course! He could hear us.

"Wet and cold mostly if you mean the weather. Otherwise, it is a great place, with many old manors and castles." I smiled.

"Wow! Have you met the queen?" The girl asked, her eyes wider with winder.

I nearly choked on my drink.

"No, the queen is not very approachable, I am afraid. But I did see the royal wedding," I winked at her.

The girl nearly fell off her chair," Wow!  Was it fun?" She asked.

"I don't think so because I wasn't invited." I joked.

The girl giggled along.

"How many years have you lived there? And are there any wolf packs there?" Another girl asked. By now, the entire table was looking at me curiously. I guess they all wanted to know about their Luna.

"Well, I was in Australia until I shifted for the first time, I was 13 then, my aunt immediately left for Europe after my first shift."

"Why is that?" The girl asked.

"Because, Australia does not have any wolves, the nearest thing they have are dingoes, so when I shifted for the first time, and I was small then, the local papers carried the news about someone spotting a dingo in the town. A wolf roaming in Sydney would be hard to explain." I laughed along with others.

"And in Australia, everyone will be your mate," I added.

"Why so?" They asked.

"Mate is a slang term for a buddy or a friend. So if any Australian calls you a mate, don't assume that he or she is your real mate." The table burst into laughter.

I stole a glance at Lucian, the hint of a smile on his face indicated he was pleased.

"How did you live in England all by yourself? I mean there are no wolves, right?" Savannah asked.

"My aunt owns a giant estate, so I could shift and let my wolf run around. There are a few lone wolves there, but no wolf packs. Mainland Europe has a few wolf packs, but it's mostly full of vampires," I stated.

"Have you met a vampire?" The young girl sitting opposite me asked.

I contemplated my answer, "yes, a few times, they don't like us."

"Madam Alpha, have you travelled like.... everywhere?" Another girl asked. I was enjoying this, no one had ever asked me about my adventures, not that I had many.

I knew her history in parts, they were war was devastating for many, including me. I felt a surge of sympathy for her.

"How unfortunate, but you could have returned earlier, I mean why did you continue to stay away?" Katherine asked.

Even I was curious about it.

"My brother wanted to call me back after I shifted for the first time, but Aunt Flora is very fond of me, she didn't let me go," Alice explained with a smile. 

"I just continued to live with her, and that's how I liked it." She added.

Something was missing, Rick and I might not be on good terms, but I respect him as an Alpha. He would not leave his sister alone unless there was a reason. I needed to find out why.

"That's somewhat unfair, had you stayed here you would have met Alpha Lucian earlier, and we would have got you as our Luna much earlier." One of the juvenile girls commented.

I could not help smiling, the kid was right, had I known my mate was a continent away I would have searched the world for her. I looked at the watch, it was about time to break the party. But before I could interrupt, Eliza had fired another query.

"If you don't mind, can I ask you how did your father die?" 

My head snapped towards her and I glared at her. She took the hint and bowed, but it was already too late. Alice was upset, I could tell. Her breathing had become short. I placed my hand on her shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze.

"I don't remember much; I was in New York with my father before.... when the war started. Somehow, I had run out of my room, and I was found unconscious under a pile of rubble, protected by a table. I do not remember anything else. "Alice said while I looked on in shock!

That little girl was Alice! She was there, we had met before, but she did not remember me. She had no idea that we had hidden under the table in a conference room trying to survive in that mayhem, I often wondered what happened to that little girl. I looked at Alice in a new light. That girl was all grown up, and she was my mate.