3 A New Home

JULY

It was nearly a nineteen hour drive back to his home and pack. The girl had been carsick, and he found it annoying. It was just annoying. She talked too much, or she was too quiet. She slept a lot..

She even demanded that they stop for food once. His driver had been thankful, hell even he needed something. Not that he would admit it to her. Or anyone. He was too stubborn for that. Needless to say the big bad alpha devoured some food at a nice little diner before getting back on the road again.

They were half way through the long drive at that point. He just wanted to be home. Closer to his friends and pack. Back where he felt somewhat normal..

Jayce ran a hand through his hair. He looked over at Mika in the car. She wasn't bad looking. He had better in his pack though... So why didn't one of those girls get to mate with him? Not that he cared about it.

Well, maybe he didn't.. of course he didn't. She was beautiful. Her eyes were oceans he could drown and possibly die a happy man in. Yet he didn't see himself doing that so easily.

He ran things the way his father had taught him to, and he guessed it was alright. People needed to know he was alpha right? He had to fight, and demonstrate his power over them. He always had to be ready to prove that he was the alpha!

This girl... She didn't look scared when she looked at him. For some reason it pissed him off, and captivated his mind as well. His temper was already ticking down. His mind clearly trying hard not to let it's every fleeting thought go to the mysterious girl next to him.

So she wouldn't be such a mystery if he had just gotten to know her. Talked to her. Tried at all. . . On the other hand. .

She looked like she would run. She was going to run. Any girl in their right mind would run from ruthless packs like his. Many girls in his did, and they were caught and killed for it. Pack law and all.

His thoughts were interrupted yet again when a knock came from the other side of the window. Jayce didn't realize they had already stopped. The ride from Arkansas was so long, but it was finally over. Thank. God. Or The Goddess. Whatever you wanted to call it.

Had he even slept? Honestly he wasn't sure if he had or not, though he had glanced over to see that his mate had fallen asleep on and off the whole trip. She even had a cute little red mark on her cheek from the seatbelt.

It took nearly a day to get back to North Dakota after all. She had given up on trying to talk to him at some point, and that had pleased him. He was used to the quiet.

His friend and Beta was standing there knocking at him. Sike was an interesting guy. He was softer than Jayce. Much softer. He found him comical though. A childhood friend, and his most trusted pack member.

Even Sike's name translated to something funny. It meant Eagle that sits at home, and that was what he did. Often. Sike was mainly in charge of the pack, because Jayce just didn't care most of the time. He was a strong alpha, but he only showed it when he had to or wanted to.

He sighed, and got out of the car. " See you later. " he muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets. He sulked away from them both, and went to the pack house. He stifled a yawn, and stretched, he needed a nap..

Sike was confused until he smelled another scent coming from the car. His eyes widened, and he started to act like a puppy wagging its tail. " Wait.. He found a Luna?!" he asked excitedly looking in the car. That explained a lot. Jayce had never come back in that bad of a mood.

She waved at him looking confused and a little more than annoyed.

" Welcome Home Luna. " he said softly. It was so unexpected. Honestly it put him in an awkward position. Jayce just left him alone with her. He didn't even help her out or anything. " Uhh.. I.. What is your name I guess? "

" Mika Shenandoah." She answered looking after her mate. " Asshat.. " she muttered with a huff. " Sorry.. Who are you? " she asked scooting out of the car as well. She grabbed her bag, and swung it over her shoulder. The other was in the trunk, though it sounded like someone was already getting it.

He raised an eyebrow at her questioningly. " Sike.. I'm Jayce's beta.. You'll have to forgive me.. Well and probably most of us. You are the first Luna of this tribe in about four generations I believe? We're going to be a bit rough around the edges. " he explained feeling out of place. He was. No one knew how to react to a Luna. Moonwater just never really had that woman's touch it needed.

A pack member was taking her things to the pack house. He guessed Jayce had ordered him to do so on his way in. The jerk could have taken her with him. At least introduced him to her. Something! Sike would love to meet him mate. He was just as old as Jayce and hadn't found her yet. Nor was he looking to take on a random girl as one.

" I understand. I've heard a lot about it. Stories really, but hopefully you guys aren't as bad as the stories. "

He rubbed the back of his head ruffling his spiky hair, " You'd be surprised.. We are probably worse since most don't make it in or out of here without permission. No permission, and you get caught, you are pretty much a dead wolf. So far every single trespasser has been caught. " he shrugged.

It was a fact that they were normally very proud of. Hearing it now though. . It made him sort of second guess it. It sounded brutish.

She was pretty now that she was out in the open. The moon shined down on her pale skin. It was breathtaking. Jayce landed himself a nice Luna.. She also seemed open to people and kind. Maybe a little sprinkle of attitude as well? Jayce was going to have his hands full. Sike kind of snickered. Good. He needed a challenge.

She shuddered a little. It seemed like things were pretty bad after all. She could find some sort of silver lining right? " I guess I should get settled.. Umm does he want me with him or just somewhere else I wonder? " Mika shifted uncomfortably on her feet. She could find an inn or hotel she guessed. It shouldn't be too hard. Surely the rough alpha had a town nearby right?

" I have no clue. I'll have to go find out. I'll run ahead, and see what he's doing. " Sike went off on his own, leaving her once again alone.

He jogged into the house, upstairs, and knocked on his door. " Hey man.. umm Alpha.. the Luna wants to know where she needs to be.. if you want her with you or..."

The door burst open. " I'm trying to take a nap...." he muttered with a death glare. He sighed and grumbled something to himself, " I'll deal with her. " he said, annoyed that she hadn't decided to leave. Though, part of him was grateful.

~~~

" Gee.. Thanks. " she rolled her eyes at Sike, and took in the small village. The Moonwater pack... It was a genuine village. Small little structures dotted the landscape, rock paths, bikes, and walking people.. Hardly any vehicles. That was fine by her as well. She liked walking over riding in a car. Or running as her wolf. That was the best.

A few buildings looked to be stores and shops, a few small schools, and the rest were crumbling houses. It was actually nicer than stories let on though in need of some tlc... But, no inn. No hotels.

Great.

Lovely.

To the pack house! Or wherever the boys disappeared to!

Mika started laughing herself off in the direction they went in.

Some people fabled his territory to be a dark and scary hellhole. Heads on spikes, bodies in the streets, bones and stuff. It certainly wasn't welcoming, but it wasn't a medieval horror town either.

More like a small backwoods town just like her own. Just in the north instead of the south, so colder rather than humid and hot.

She rubbed her hand up and down her arms. Maybe she should get him to take her somewhere to get a few light jackets or long sleeved shirts? Hmm.. maybe not yet.. Mika needed to warm up to him a bit first. Then maybe he would get her a few. Or she could just get them on her own. She glanced at the pack house.

It was your typical large house. Seriously who needs that large of a house with no kids? Servants, butlers, chefs... They seemed like overkill.

"Go inside dummy..It's your house now too. " Nina barked playfully.

She was stalling. Eventually she would have to go inside.

She sighed, Mika felt homesick already. She missed her parents, and what few huntress friends she had. The bordering Alpha even had a special place in her heart. For a special reason.

Well, at any rate, she was here now. She was a Luna. Time to.. do what Lunas did.. What did she need to do here? It was nothing new that this pack lacked a Luna.

It needed work.

Maybe the doctor could use some help? They had herbs all around. She could smell them in the air. The kids might like to play. Maybe the women needed some help with something? Where were they though?

They had power poles all around, so they had power. They should be able to do laundry and such. They probably didn't need her for that. She chewed on her lip nervously. What did this town need in a Luna?

Whatever it was the moon goddess saw it fit that she could do it. Even if it did mean taming a stubborn Alpha. She could be stubborn though, and if that's what it took, that is what she would do. As long as her nerves didn't crash the party.

They were so going to. She just knew it.

Mika took in a deep breath, and exhaled. The fresh air was lovely tonight. Not to mention his deliciously wonderful scent was everywhere.. he must have been in the village a lot.

She smiled and stretched as she walked up to the house. Why he needed a driveway to separate himself away from people she didn't know. It could have served a purpose.. Sometimes Alpha families had large properties to welcome people, hold parties and such. Maybe that was why.

The pack house was large enough to hold up to its normal purposes. Gatherings, meetings for strategies and such things.. She still didn't really feel welcomed though. Why should she? There was barely a female around. At least not outside, or they may have all ran off doing whatever they were assigned to do in the pack.

This was her new life.. her new house. So she had to go in at some point. She settled the butterflies in her stomach, took a deep breath, and entered the house.

~~~~~~

She suddenly wished she had never entered the pack house. Mika wanted to bolt right back out. This place felt like a prison already. Jayce was coming down stairs and he spotted her. For a moment he had a smirk settling on his lips.

Oh, wow. That smirk set off a new wave of butterflies in her stomach. Even if it was a seemingly smug looking....

Did he want her to want to leave the house?

Well. That settled it then. No way in hell was he going to get her to leave the pack house on her own right now.

Nope.

This prison wasn't so bad. Caged birds still liked to sing. She forced a smile, " Where should i put my things? " she asked with a chipper smile plastered onto her face.

His smirk dropped pretty damn quick at that.

The pack house smelled awful like dirty clothes and mildew?

Ugh..

She wrinkled her nose at it. This place really needed a woman's touch. The curtains were all drawn shut, and it didn't appear that they were ever opened. It was dusty, smelly, and just plain gross. She imagined this place could be pretty nice if it were cleaned often.

Glancing back to Jayce she saw his smirk had been replaced with a glare. She actually gulped, and felt her knees want to give. He had a way with his inner alpha... and her inner woman. A smirk and that glare both made her want to squirm in the best possible way.

" Come on, I'll show you.." he barked before turning and marching off. She had to just about sprint to catch up to him before he vanished at the top of the stairs. He had gone back to the second floor, and stopped just short of the end of a hall. " You can stay in here. Get settled. Don't run away. " he brushed past her sending shivers through her body.

Mika guessed he felt them to, because he paused before hurrying away.

Jayce shuddered at her touch. It had been his fault. He got too close to her. Whatever... he stalked away, and went to take a nap in his room. He was only a door down from her. He still almost hoped she would run.

~~~~~~

A FEW HOURS LATER

She huffed. This room was nice, but he had no intention of sharing it with her. His scent radiated from the last door on the hall. This one was almost scentless. " I'm his mate.. the least he could do is share a damn room. Isn't that every little girl's dream? ..I guess maybe not every little girl...."

Clearly he had no interest in her. She wondered if he... well if he was going to reject her. That would hurt. It would hurt a lot from what she heard. People had wanted to end everything just pining from the loss of a mate. Intentional or tragically lost either one was bad.

She wasn't as weak though. She could manage If he did so. Mika was going to try to break into his heart if it was the last thing she did. She would make it work if he allowed it to, but he had to want to as well. .

This wasn't off to a good start.

She sighed, " Well.. it's still early enough. I'm not tired yet. No use is lazing around when I could be straightening this place up.. " Maybe people would come by later or something. If they ever actually did come to the pack house.

She changed into something more comfy, a simple black tank top and some stretch pants, and hopped downstairs. She'd left her things in her bags. It was all she really had, and she had no intention of being in that room forever.

Mika did not intend to play the part of an actual caged bird. Not for long.

She had no clue where anything was in this place, and from the look of it she doubted that they really had a washer in this house. Not with that laundry pile at least.

Mika had smelled the river close by. " There is a river not too far away.. I guess I could wash them myself. I used to do it at home for a while with the other girls before they brought in the new power grid. " she shrugged. It was a nice enough night as well. A little chilly, but nothing she couldn't handle.

Her village had been rather closed off for a long time. It wasn't that they didn't want power, they had just settled where they were comfortable, and it took a while to get set up right.

Mika smiled softly, remembering the simple lifestyle she was used to. Even after the power grid was installed people used old ways and methods. Something was just serene about hand washing clothes... you know.. besides the blisters if you weren't careful. Clothes could really hurt when you rung them out by hand. It was peaceful though, and kept you busy when you had nothing else to do. " Better get started. " She chirped, happy to be doing anything really.

It took forever, but she made her way outside with a large basket in tow. Stubborn ass hadn't bothered to show her anything. He was caught up trying to take a nap. But, she could find things on her own. She was confident about that. The woods were her domain back home.

Not to mention at least rinsing the clothes would help their stench and clean them a bit. The house would smell better without them there. To dry them she would hang them over the railings.

Simple.

She took a deep breath in again. She could smell the water, and if she listened, she could hear it rushing. It sounded heavenly. Mika smiled and a small harmonious laugh escaped as she thought of letting her feet dangle in the cool water. She wouldn't mind being all the way in really, but it was colder here than she was used to. So that wasn't a smart idea.

What she didn't know is that the river was just out of his territory. She didn't know where any territory lines were in this area. He was going to know as soon as she stepped up next to it. No doubts about it.