*Riley POV*
I have been at Blood Moon for a couple of months now, and I love it here. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming. Melian, the current Luna, and Maddix's mom, has been so helpful in helping me learn the ins and outs of being a Luna. I didn't realize there was so much to learn, but I am up for the challenge. She emphasizes a lot about keeping an open mind and open heart. She says that it is most important to remember that they are people just like us, we aren't any better than anyone else. "We are all equals, some of us just have more responsibility in the pack." she says. I have been shadowing her while she carries out her daily Luna duties, and she practices what she preaches. She is one of the most honest people I know, and I am blessed that she will be my mother-in-law.
Today we are visiting Nick's Place, the pack's group home for abandoned children. I love it there, all the little ones are so cute, and I love spending time with them. We are making cookies with the older kids today, and tomorrow we are going to do small crafts with the younger ones. Henry and his mate Celeste will be taking over the running of Nick's place once Rico and Grace retire. Celeste was so happy that she was blessed to be given this opportunity. She and I have become really close, and she has taught me a lot about "wolf life". Apparently, I am the first Luna of Blood Moon that doesn't have a wolf. I was told by Grandma Gretchen that it would be possible for me to be turned, but it is extremely painful. As long as Maddix is fine with me not having a wolf, then I'm fine either way. I would endure the pain if it was something he wanted me to do. However, I truly believe he doesn't care whether I have a wolf or not.
"Earth to Riley!" Melian chuckled. "Are you still with us sweetie?" She asked. I nodded my head and apologized. "Yes, I'm sorry. Was just thinking," I explained. "Well, you must have had something good on your mind because you have had that cheezy smile for a hot minute," she continued. I started to laugh and told her she was right. I explained what I was thinking about, and a look of concern came over her. "Sweetheart, Maddix will adore you no matter if you were a wolf, bunny or bear. No matter if you are human or an alien. My son loves you with all he has. We love you too. I'm not 100% wolf, and my mates worship the ground I walk on, and I do the same to them. It's not about what you are, but who you are that matters," she said. I knew that she was right, and I thanked her for reminding me. We finished with the kids, and she took me over to the pack seamstress. My dress was finished, and we wanted to make sure it fit.
"Hello Luna! Hello future Luna! It's good to see you again!" Kate the seamstress yelled out. She was a short, heavy-set woman with crazy red hair. She had a booming voice and a bubbly personality. She smelled like peanut butter cookies, and just being around her made you feel good. "Hello Kate! I'm happy to see you too!" I yelled back. She came out of the kitchen with a plate of sliced banana bread, and a kettle of vanilla tea. "Before we do the last fitting, please, sit, have a small snack with me," she said. Mel spoke up and said, "How can we resist fresh banana bread and vanilla tea?" A smile spread across Kate's face, and she served each of us a slice. I took a bite, and thought I had just died and went to heaven. "Oh my goddess, Kate, this is amazing. It's so moist. Thank you for this," I exclaimed. I didn't realize I needed a snack until I was eating what she offered. It definitely hit the spot.
We made small talk, and she asked a lot of questions about the ceremony. I insisted that she attend, and she assured me she would be there. She took the tray with our dishes back to her kitchen, and came back out with a black dress bag. She hung it on a hanger, and unzipped it. Removing the bag revealed the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. It was an Emerald Green backless dress, with silver star beading. The straps were made of silvery crystals, with a silver chain draping across my back. They were going to be paired with a pair of silver heels with beaded straps, and some family jewelry from Melian's personal collection. Mel bought rhinestone hair jewelry for my hair, and I felt more like a princess than a Luna. I had mentioned that to my mother-in-law, and she said that I might as well have been, because Maddix's bloodline was from Royalty on her mother's side. Somehow I could never picture Gretchen as royalty.
We left Kate's shop, and walked back towards the pack house. "Luna! Luna! Please wait," we heard a small voice call. We turned around and there was a small boy, maybe 6 years old, running towards us in a panic. "Luna, please! It's my momma! She fell on the kitchen floor and wouldn't wake up!" Mel and I started running towards the boy's cottage. I learned his name was Lucas, and it was just him and his mom at that moment. Her mate was a questionable man, who had been spending 3 years in the cell house for armed robbery. He was currently beginning his second year, and refused to see his mate or their son. Mel ran straight to the kitchen, and tried to revive her. It wasn't working, so she checked her vitals and started CPR. She instructed me to call the hospital and have them send medics. I did as she asked, and I tried to comfort Lucas the best I knew how. The medics arrived, and they were able to get her stable enough to move to the hospital. We told her that we would take Lucas to the group home to be looked after until she was well enough to do it herself, and she nodded her head, acknowledging we were looking out for them. I helped gather a few things for Lucas, and locked up their cottage.
As I walked him to Nick's place, he asked me a lot of questions. Where did I live before here? Was I happy to be living here now? Did the future Alpha Maddix like bubble gum? Does Alpha Loki always act like a goofball around little kids? I think there were more questions asked than I had answers for, because I surely didn't know the answer to the last question. Will Miss Alette's mate be mad that she kisses a lot of boys? How do I answer that one??