Eight

I paced around my room as I awaited the arrival of my mate and the warriors I guarantee he brought. I nibbled on my fingernails which were now stubs out of nerves. Aura was ecstatic and wouldn't shut up and I was just trying to stop myself from throwing up. The support of all my fellow pack members is what is keeping me from throwing myself out of the window.

Last night after Layton returned he shared my story with the pack. Of course there are the people who think I need to go be with him, but the majority are on my side.

We should surrender. It'd be poetic you know? Aura said. I scoffed. I'm not about to do that. He's an asshole. I will fight him. She groaned in frustration, Channing come on! I will take over if I have to. I froze in my place. No you won't. We'd steer in two different directions. Not happening. Rolling her eyes she started to retreat to the back of my mind but stopped.

My eyes widened as I felt it.

He's here.

Aura ran around happily, but I stayed standing in the middle of the room with my shoulders slumped. I gazed out the window and watched as 3 black SUV's pulled up the drive. My heart dropped when I saw Tate sitting in the passenger seat of the first black Tahoe. 

"Channing!" I heard from behind me.

I spun around quickly to see Blaine with a nervous expression. 

"I know," was all I said, my face probably emotionless.

She relaxed slightly but still stood stiffly. 

"You don't have to go," she said quietly. 

I took a deep breath. 

"He'll declare war Blaine. I can't let that happen." She nodded but that didn't stop her from coming up and hugging me. 

I was stunned at first because I'm not used to this kind of compassion, but eventually I hugged her back.

"Channing! He's here," Lainee interrupted our moment from the hall way. 

Blaine and I pulled apart as Lainee ran in. As soon as she spotted me she engulfed me in her arms like her friend. 

"I don't want you to leave. We didn't get to have our ball," she sniffled. 

I chuckled through my cries and so did my two friends. Blaine joined our hug and soon we were all huddled together, crying and standing in the middle of my room looking like idiots.

I faintly heard the downstairs door opening and his scent infected my nostrils. My whines stopped and I pulled back from the girls and wiped my tears. 

"Thank yo-"

I started but was cut off from a low, dangerous growl from downstairs. 

"She's here!" He yelled. 

Blaine froze from the power those simple words let out but Lainee and I stayed still. The sound of his feet clambering up the stairs had Aura doing somersaults. 

How could you forget what he did so easily? I asked her harshly. 

She calmed down and I felt her mood dampen. 

I just...I-I- he's our mate. 

My demeanor softened. All she wants is to be loved.

The footsteps were now barreling through the hallway. 

"Alpha Tate!" I faintly heard Allen yell. 

"Tate slow down, son," another voice said with more authority, sounding as close as the approaching footsteps.

I shared a nervous look with Blaine and Lainee when he was only a few feet away, but immediately put on an emotionless facade when he stared at me through the doorway. He looked a wreck; his brown hair disheveled, his face unshaven, he looks as though he hasn't showered for weeks but yet he still smells fresh and piney- the masculine scent I love. His face brightened at the sight of me and he stepped forward but was stopped when Blaine and Lainee stepped in front of me defensively.

Tate looked taken a back. 

"What's going on?" He asked lowly. 

Lainee flashed him her teeth and her 'Beta' followed suit. Tate's father appeared next to his son with a tired face. He looked from me to his son, his expression becoming amused when he saw the she-wolves shielding me. I stayed frozen with my arms crossed across my chest, not daring to give him the satisfaction of hearing me speak.

"Channing I'm so sorry I-" he was cut off by a growl coming from Allen who joined us along with Alpha Layton. 

Alpha Cristian looked back at the two men, silently communicating. They seemed to relax a bit but still stayed on guard.

"I didn't want to hurt you. I-I swear I even banished her. Lisa is gone," Tate continued after glaring at Allen. 

He scoffed. Aura stayed silent surprisingly, hopefully thinking about what I just said. She's been too forgiving and she needs to really review what happened.

Her mate cheated.

He defended the bitch he cheated with.

Noticing I wasn't saying anything he sighed. 

"Channing please come back with me," he pleaded, his eyes silently begging me as well. 

I stood my ground because I know I'm stronger than this. This week may have been short but I've come to myself, I've opened up. Since that moment I walked out of his pack house I was not the same scared little girl.

I was Channing Stevens, daughter of the Alpha of The Black Moon Warrior. I am strong.

Tate stepped forward again and Blaine still growled. Back down, I linked her. She looked back at me and I nodded reassuringly and watched as she moved out of the way as well as Lainee. I soon found my mate nose to nose with me, his scent making my nose tingle, his proximity making me heat up, however, I hid all signs of arousal well. I was not about to let this ass get what he wants.

His hand reached up to touch my face but I jerked back, my face full of disgust. I didn't want the hands he was using to feel all over that slut to touch me. Aura agreed with me miraculously and I instantly felt a new surge of confidence. Hers. I inwardly smirked to her. That took you long enough to realize how fucked up this is. She yipped and narrowed her eyes at the male in front of us.

"Channing you can't go wth him!" Allen yelled. 

Tate flashed him his canines, effectively shutting him up. 

"You're mine. Mine only. Channing I'm so sorry. Please give me another chance," he pleaded. 

My jaw clenched and I heard Lainee scoff. 

"Asshole," she muttered.

"Our pack needs a Luna," Cristian spoke out. 

I looked at him with disbelief. His son cheated on me, his mate! He can't possibly be trying to help him. 

Cristian I can't. I can't mate with him. I was with him for a little over a day and he already cheated, I mind linked him. 

His eyes flashed to mine and he just looked so worn out.

I'm not saying to mate. I'm simply telling you to come back and just be there. Tate's been a lousy Alpha and if he doesn't get his act together I'll have to find a replacement, he said quickly. 

I sighed and looked at everyone around the room.

"Fine. Do not expect me to love you, to speak to you, to even look at you! Got it?!" I said through my gritted teeth. 

He nodded vigorously and stepped back. 

"I'll get you to love me. I promise," he said. 

I scoffed. 

He won't be forgiven so easily. 

"Babe can you help Chan pack?" Layton asked his mate. 

Lainee relaxed and nodded before walking over to my closet. Tate came forward again to try and hug me but I backed up. 

"Don't even think about fucking touching me," I growled, letting my animalistic side surface and flashing my dark eyes.

He gulped and nodded, retreating back into the hallway. Cristian shot me a thankful glance and I just nodded. Allen smiled weakly at me while him and the other men turned and left. As soon as they were out of the way Blaine ran over and hugged me like she was before they interrupted. 

"I know it's only been a week since you've been here, but Channing, please, if you need anything call us," she whispered. 

I pulled away and nodded, my face still void of my emotions. I can't let them break through. I'd completely break down and I want to be as cold to Tate as possible. I hate him.

"Yea don't hesitate," Lainee added. 

I nodded to her too and then turned to the closet. 

"Do you guys have a bag I can use?" I asked quietly. 

Blaine nodded. 

"I have an old suitcase you can use. I'll be right back," she said running out of the room.

It was just me and Lainee. Two Luna's.

"Channing you're not fine," she said as soon as the she wolf was out of earshot. 

I sighed and turned to face her. "I have to be. I'm not weak anymore. I don't care what happens. My wolf is finally on the train of doubt with Tate. It'll be easier to resist the asshole without Aura's pestering all the time." 

Not all the time...she muttered defensively.

"I understand. I'm serious though, if you need anything at all you know how to get here and I can give you the number to the pack house as well. If he...stands out of line, punish him. You're so much better than he is," she said through gritted teeth. 

I gave a light smile. 

"Thanks so much for all of this. For letting me join the pack this week, for being my friend, for letting me call you..." I trailed off starting to get choked up.

She nodded and enveloped me in a bone crushing hug. 

"I wouldn't have it any other way. Also you're an Alpha. You dominate that pack as much as he does. Get your wolf to realize her power and push it out sometimes. He needs to respect you as his equal,  not his subordinate." I nodded into her shoulder and pulled away when I heard Blaine get closer.

The suitcase she had in her grasp was a plain black one with wheels. It was a large size so I know it will fit all my clothes I bought yesterday. 

"You can just keep it. I have plenty," Blaine said, throwing it open on the bed. 

"Thanks," I replied. 

She smiled and started helping Lainee and I fold clothes in silence.

Once we were finished, I rolled my bag down the hall and stairs until I was standing in front of four men sitting on the couches. I noticed a couple pack members peak out from the kitchen curiously but looked away quickly when they caught my gaze. I stifled a chuckle and made my face stone. "I'm ready," I declared to Tate who looked uncomfortable in front of me. He nodded and stood up along with his father.

"Thank you Alpha Layton for taking care of my mate," he said gruffly shaking Layton's hand.

Allen rolled his eyes and came over to me. 

"You don't have to leave you know," he whispered. 

I shook my head. 

"I do. He'd cause a war over me. I may hate his guts but I don't hate his pack. I know how an Alpha can get when he's so enveloped in something else other than the pack," I replied in the same hushed tone, thinking back to the time Alpha Greg and Luna Rachel had a fight and she ran off. 

Alpha was a mess and the pack was out of wack for a month before that bitch finally returned.

Allen looked down, slightly disappointed. 

"Just know you're always welcome," he said. 

I smiled and hugged him warning a growl from Tate. I simply ignored him and pecked Allen on the cheek before going over to Layton. Tate had backed up closer to Cristian, clenching and unclenching his fists. I took a deep breath and hugged Layton. 

"It was a pleasure being a part of your pack, Alpha Layton," I said. 

He pulled back and smiled sadly. 

"The pleasure is all mine Alpha Channing," he said through his grin.

Aura perked at our title and puffed out her chest proudly.

Tate cleared his throat breaking Layton and I's eye contact. 

"We need to go," he said. 

I could tell he wanted to say more. I'm sure we both did. There's some things I want to scream in his face while others I prefer to not be said at all. I'm going to be mature, however, and wait until we're alone.

Without saying anything I hugged Lainee and felt her slip something in the back pocket of my boyfriend cut skinny jeans. The phone number. 

"Thank you," I whispered as quiet as possible. 

She nodded and pulled away and soon Blaine was attacking me. I giggled and embraced her.

"I'm going to miss you," I said.

"Don't miss me too much, gosh, I know I'm great but for real," she said dramatically. 

Layton, Lainee, and I broke out in a fit of laughter while Allen just rolled his eyes.

A throats cleared and I looked over to an amused Cristian. 

"Channing we really must go. Alpha Layton, Beta Allen," he said, nodding his head in the direction of the two leaders. 

I waved one last time before heading outside to the Tahoe's.

Jacob and Ryan were in the first one, Blondie in the front and Red in the back. Tate tried to grab my suitcase to put on the back but I moved it away from him. 

"I can do it," I muttered coldly. 

He gulped and backed away, letting me put up my own suitcase. I walked around to the passenger side of the car and Tate was holding open the back door for me.

I completely ignored him and opened up the front door and got in next to Jacob. 

"It's nice to have you back again Luna," he greeted kindly. 

I gave him my best have smile and nodded. 

"I can't really say it's good to be back Jacob," I said, still bearing the smile. 

He coughed awkwardly and turned away just as Tate slid into the back seat by Ryan while his dad was directly behind Jacob.

Tell me everything, I ordered Blondie through our mind link. 

He looked at me from the corner of his eye as the vehicle started moving ahead of the others, leading them.

It's not good Chan....