Chapter 2 The Order Of Blue Moon

"I give up. I give up" Zarina, the order's second in command, laughs. They get up, "Not funny, Zee" Ria mutters. They pass through the entrance of the order. "Come on, why the long face? Are you worried about today's meeting?" Zee asks.

"Not really, just thinking. Are you going to the practice session?" Zee was 9th year. So she is in charge of physical combat training for the 1st years and 2nd years.

The age of getting inducted into the order is varied. Some get in at 12, some at 18. But most get inducted at 13-15. Not all she-wolves in combat get in either. It's a very close-knit society of highly-skilled she-wolves with combat and security as their number one priority. Right now the order is at number 85 with a little more than 50 reserve personnel. That's the problem with mating, we lose a lot of us that way.

"Yeah, in a few minutes. We're going a little easy since it's all festive" Zee replies. "Don't you think that's a little irresponsible?" Ria questions firmly. "Drills are a constant fixture in the order's activities. There shouldn't be leniency because there is a ball on the calendar. In fact, practice should be going harder in light of security issues". "Yes, captain. I apologize for the-"

"Why so salty about a few delayed practice sessions, sister, or is it the stress of the upcoming ball?" Says a joking tone.

They turn to look at Iris, who seemingly finished her practice "Iris Ashford, are you not aware that interrupting a conversation between superiors and inserting yourself unbidden is a violation of protocol?". Her smile dissappears, she corrects her posture and apologizes. "Leave to your respective class immediately. You are dismissed" Ria orders sternly.

"That was a little harsh, don't you think?" Zee asks after Iris leaves.

"You're not in a position to defend her right now, Zee. I'll talk to you later".

I go to my office. Files mount the table ready to be taken care of. Budget issues, new inductions. I get to work and before long an hour passes by. I look up to a knock on my door. "Yes, come in" I call out.

"Well, at least you clean up this room, it was nightmare in my time" in walks Dahlia, my mentor and the previous leader.

"Of course, that was the only reason I succeeded you. Because I was the only one who could clean it up" I call back.

"That was lame" she says but we both still laugh.

"Come sit. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

I ask.

"I wanted to talk to you before the meeting "

I sigh. Do you want some coffee, I get up from my chair.

"Sure". She sits on the armchair by the window.

"How are Julie and Jake doing?". "They are doing fine and excited for the ball, at least Jake is. How is Nora? I met Iris in the hallway. She grew up so fast, didn't she?".

"Yes, she did. Faster than I was ready for. Nora is doing good, although too busy right now". I pour the coffee in two mugs and her one.

"Did it have to be a lunch meeting today? I had plans".

"Now I'm offended. I thought nothing was more important to you than the order".

"It was. Now well, I have Julie, my pre-transition daughter who scares more than transitioning wolf on a full moon night".

"Fair enough". I laugh.

"Now that we are done with pleasantries and small talk, we need to discuss the upcoming event. Have you made a choice?".

I sit back and look down. As much I have the authority to take the decision myself, I could not have been more grateful for Dahlia's advice.

She was my mentor and more importantly someone who took care of me when my parents passed away. She was sensitive and concerned but never gave me a chance to slack because of that. And trained me harder than anyone else. She was also the one who put trust in me to be good leader when everyone else thought I was too unpredictable and better as a fighter instead.

But it didn't matter if she was good to me. Her advice mattered because she was wise and smart. Dahlia was a gamma wolf who became the leader of Order of the Blue Moon. It was rare for gamma wolf to rise to such a position. But she did it because she was strong and also because ranks do not matter in the order. Your experience and skill does.

"So how are you dealing with everything. There is a good chance you could leave right?" She asks me.

"Yes, a very good chance. I don't know how I feel though. It doesn't feel real, it hasn't sinked in yet I think".

"You'll be alright, I just fear for your new pack". She chuckles.

"That's the thing". I say. "This is my pack. This is all I know. To even think of calling another pack mine feels unnatural".

"It's common. It's understandable you feel that way now. But it will change once you be part of it".

"I don't think so. We'll see when it comes to that".

"What about the leadership decision. Do you have someone in mind?".

"Yes. No. I'm confused".

"We all know Iris is the right one for this". "Do we?"

"She is the most skilled out of the 4th years. To be fair, out of even 7th years. You trained her personally until last year. She's got the skills, she is smart, responsible. Perhaps some youthful unpredictability but so did you. In fact, you were worse".

"Wow, thanks. But I trained kendra too, and Eugene is a good candidate too".

"Eugene is not half the warrior Iris is. And Kendra is good, yes but she's no leader. What's the real issue here, Ariana?".

"I don't want her to be a succeed me just because she is an Ashford. She is going to become the Beta if Nora refuses it. Which she will. But the order is different. You don't get here because of the privilege".

"That is as much an insult to Iris as it is to your family name, Ria. No Ashford has ever taken advantage of their privilege to get where they wanted nor did they justify the presence of it".

"Would you say the same thing if you weren't married to my cousin?"

"I would. Maybe you forgot but your mother was my mentor when you weren't even done with your transition". She answers coolly.

"I am sorry. That was wrong of me to say something like that".

"It's alright. But I will advice you this. The leader of the order is expected of certain exacting standards of discipline, dedication and diligence. Think of your decision without any preconceived notion or prejudice. Even if it's your family".

I nod. Before I could thank her, there are three sharp knocks on the wooden door.

"Yes come in". I answer.

Iris walks in. Her face taut and emotionless.

"Yes?"

"I was asked to give this to you" she sets a file down on my table.

"Oh yes, the perimeter patrol schedule. Thank you". I say, opening the file.

She doesn't say anything. I look up to see her lost in thought.

"You may go" I tell her and go back to the file.

"Nothing I said went to your head, clearly". Dahlia sighs as the door closes.

"Fine. I get it. I'll think about it carefully".

I text Zee asking where is. I'm heading towards your office she texts back.

"You must be excited about the ball. Your wolf must be getting antsy about meeting her mate".

"Of course if only I could actually meet him".

"It's not that odd to mate at 21 Ria"

"If I find him this time. If Dahlia. Maybe I should give up".

She laughs "You don't give up on mates, Ria, you wait. Until they find you".

"I have news". Zee walks in without warning.

"What is it?" I ask, standing up.

"Pack meeting in an hour" she answers.

"What? There was no notice".

"Because it's an impromptu one. Duh"

I raise an eyebrow at her.

"I don't know why there's one too" she shuffles. "What about the lunch meeting?".

"We have to reschedule. Of course". Pack obligations come first, I think with relief.

"Well then. I looked these up and made a few adjustments. Can you post this up for me?" I give the file to Zee. "Yeah sure. I'm heading to the headquarters anyway".

"I'm heading home" Dahlia gets up. "Me too. Give Paul and the kids my love". I nod at her and we leave.

Back at home, lunch is uneventful. I eat alone, both of my sisters are absent, probably too busy to even think of food. I don't know why but I'm suddenly reminded of my parents, how before they were gone, I was always rushing through the door, never spending enough time with me. How our mom would always complain that I was spending more time at the training centre than at home. How our dad would joke that I was being too eager to surpass his own achievements as the beta.

I get up from the table, regret tugging at my heart, of the time I didn't have with them, now lost forever.

I lock the door and start out the pack house. Like most bigger and older packs, our pack house and the alpha's house are different.

Pack house is for meetings, administration stuff and my favorite, the Armoury.

Our weapons are pretty cool, although most of us prefer to fight in our wolf forms.

"How unfortunate we have to resort to such measly human tactics. Wolves are truly regressing". Asena grunts.

"It's just back up Asena. It's not like we started it. It's always good to have options".

If it comes to that. I've been in little skirmishes over our borders but never in an actual battle. Not like the west side.

"How disappointing. Peace is overrated".

"You did not just say that". I think incredulously.

As much as I love the thrum in my blood and the power and adrenaline coursing through my blood in a fight, I value the safety of my loved ones and my pack more than that.

I almost reach the pack house, when I feel someone falling in step with me.

This is second time someone's surprised me today, I note with annoyance".

"If I didn't sense that you've been avoiding me these days I would've assumed that Beta Ashford's excellent intuition is slipping".