Chapter 21 Mona #3
Finally, she releases me. Sort of. One hand stays wrapped around my arm. And that same serene look passes her face, nostrils flaring.
Her wolf accepts us as her omega. This is precious. Be patient, Beep tells me.
I am being patient, I argue, though I'm still trying to casually tug out of Hilde's grip. I like all the hugs and the touching, but I'm just not used to it.
You are cringing. Relax. Our presence, our omega nature, means a lot to other wolves. These are not the same people we met on the road. Allow us to provide for our people.
I try to relax while Hilde finishes commanding her kitchen army, never letting go of my arm. The workers leave to do her bidding—cooking, cleaning, prepping—but not before saying hello, reaching out to touch me, giving me awkward smiles, before returning to their work.
"Well, since you're here, might as well take some bags with you."
"Bags?" I squeak.
She pulls out a few empty bags, opens them on a table, then digs into an industrial-sized fridge. Her head pops out, and she tosses things in, periodically eyeing me like she's telling my food-fortune, before putting some things back and grabbing more.
With her head practically buried in the fruit-crisper, she calls out, "I do this for the Ashland Pack. But since you're our new omega, I'm adding you to the list. You're welcome."
"Ashland Pack?"
She pulls out of the fridge, a giant stick of cured pork in her hand. "Lune's pack."
"Oh. So, it's Grayson and Orion Ashland?"
She nods slowly. I look at Doc and smirk, "So does that make me Mona Ashland?"
Doc's mouth drops open, widening with his eyes before he glances at Hilde. She stands there for a moment, stunned. I try to think of what I said wrong.
"Is-is she…"
"No one else knows, Hilde."
"Knows what?" I ask dumbly.
"She'll be our Luna and our omega?"
"What's a Luna?"
Doc turns his warm smile back on me. "The Lune's mate becomes the clan's Luna. It's a political position, but the seat has long since been empty."
"Uhh… I just learned what the word mate meant. I'm not about to get involved in clan politics."
"Yes, of course. Don't worry about that right now.
And you don't need to keep it to yourself, but Grayson and Orion have not shared with anyone your status as their mate.
They were concerned once people found out it would make your transition into our clan even more…
dramatic. It's already enough for you to be our new omega. "
It's funny how yesterday he was begging me to give this all a chance, and today it's a foregone conclusion. I don't bother denying I want to stay here, not with all this free food. But still… a Luna?
"I'll keep it to myself," I agree.
"It's not that you need to, Mona. You can tell anyone, your mates would be happy to share the news. It's just to give you a little more time to adapt before you're bombarded."
"I'm not even going to ask what a Luna is supposed to do," I mumble.
"That's probably for the best," he says ominously. Then he turns back to Hilde, who's been silently watching our exchange. "Are you alright, Hilde?"
She sniffs, then nods succinctly. "I'm fine. So, where were we?"
"Ashland Pack," I remind her.
Then she resumes stuffing food until both bags are full.
"I'm head cook because I know what people like. I have a sense for these things. For Ashland Pack, and now, for our new omega, I will prep lunch and grocery bags for you. I can send someone to deliver them once a week, or—"
"She's staying in the main cabin, Hilde."
"Oh, yes, of course. That makes sense. Well, then, I'll just add—"
I interrupt, "I can pick them up. No need to trouble anyone. And Hilde, you don't need to make special bags. I'm more than capable of coming down to the cafeteria like everyone else."
She smiles softly. "Since you're staying in the main cabin, your kitchen will always be stocked.
Wolves are always in and out of there for disputes, work, clan business, that kind of thing, so it's one of the things I provide for Lune's pack.
It's just easier for all of us. You'll take this—" Hilde picks up one of the brown bags and plops it in Doc's arms, "and once I get a better feel for what you like, I'll add it into their deliveries. "
She shoves the second bag into my arms, then she steps back, observing me, before adding, "Even if you weren't Gray and Orion's new mate, you're still an omega.
It will be exhausting for you to come here all the time.
The wolves, especially once they get comfortable with you, will want your attention.
Couples seeking children, lonely single wolves for affection, hormonal and out-of-control children, all of them will want to stand next to you and hold your hand.
Until you feel comfortable enough to set some boundaries, Doc and I, and your alphas, will do that for you.
So, for now, come to the cafeteria when you want to socialize, but it's okay to stay away, too. "
Someone calls Hilde's name. She winks before rushing off to the other side of the kitchen. Doc and I turn to leave—me, a little stunned—but we pass everyone without interruption, though I swear at least two people reach out and graze my arm as I walk by.
We exit the opposite side of the barn where we entered and amble around until we get to the truck, tucking both bags by my feet while Doc starts the engine.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, totally," I assure him. "This is all a lot, yes.
But that's the thing… it's weird how good I feel.
I mean, physically, sure. Being a wolf feels amazing.
I told you, I used to be sick a lot when I was younger.
But being here, I feel like it's the first time since the change that I've been able to enjoy it. Beep and I—"
"This is the second time you've mentioned this Beep person. Who is that?"
"My wolf."
"Ah. You've named her. Interesting."
"Is it?"
Doc shrugs, shifting into gear as we rumble forward. "We have a symbiotic relationship with our wolf. It's not common to name them, as they are a part of us, but there's nothing wrong with that."
"What do you call them when you're talking to each other, if they don't have a name?"
"Hmm?" He tilts an ear toward me. "What do you mean?"
"You know, like, when you're having a conversation?"
The truck lurches and my hand whips out on the dashboard. Fortunately, there's zero traffic, but we sit idling in the middle of the road for a good thirty seconds.
"Conversation?" he finally sputters.
"Uhh… yeah. Like, if you're discussing something? You know… having a conversation. Like you say something, then they say something, then you get annoyed and want to bitch-slap them…"
"You have conversations with your wolf? As in, your wolf speaks back to you?"
I open my mouth. Then close it.
Beep? I hiss in my head. Is it not normal for us to talk?
She just yawns and ignores me.