Practice

When the sun starts shining through my windows and the birds start chirping, I decide I need to get out of bed. Ever since the attack I've felt stronger. Like I could run forever and not get tired. As I get up my brother Ray materializes beside me. He was just 17 when he died. He still has his boyish features, but somehow it looks as if he's aged with me.

"So are you ready to start practicing your magic?" he asks enthusiastically.

"How exactly does it work?" I ask.

"Well you have to focus. You have to feel the wind and the ground below you, or focus on the fire burning within you. Whatever you want to do, you just focus on it and you can make it happen. You can also focus on us 'ghosts' and make your enemies be able to see us. When you do that it's almost like you resurrect us. We become more physical beings and we can attack your enemies. But you'll have to learn to control your power or you can drain yourself. Then you'll be as much a 'ghost' as the rest of us." he explains while picking at his nails as if it's no big deal. Dr. Martinez walks in with Xavier, and he walks over and pulls me into a tight hug.

"I missed you, Hales." he whispers. I smile when he uses my old nickname.

"Can we go outside yet? I want to practice controlling my power." I say.

"Of course... But first we should deal with your assailants. Taylor died from his injuries. But Koda, Lacy, Lauren, and Maya are in the dungeons." he looks outside the door. "Beta Adam, please escort the prisoners to the throneroom. The Luna and I will be there shortly." I'm surprised when I hear him refer to me as the Luna. We haven't had the formal ceremony yet, or the mating ceremony for that matter. As I think this the spot above my collar bone on my neck begins to tingle. I glance at Xavier as my face turns red and I feel my panties become slightly wet. I hurriedly walk in front of him to head to the throneroom.

When we arrive Xavier walks me up to the thrones. We turn towards the prisoners who are on their knees, and sit on our thrones.

"What do you have to say for yourselves? After directly disobeying my order? Haley is your Luna. And you almost killed her. Please do tell me why I shouldn't make good on my word and rip you to shreds." Xavier says harshly.

"Please Lacy made us! She said if we didn't she would have Taylor and Koda hurt us too!" Lauren cries while hanging on to Maya. They had become mates a few months ago. Maya's parents had kicked her out when they found out her mate was a girl. I felt sorry for them, remembering how Lacy had bullied Rebecca into being her friend too. I knew that Taylor and Koda had probably done it by choice. Lacy liked to 'have fun' with them both. At the same time. She also bullied other girls into letting the 2 boys have their way with them. They all let Lacy get away with it because her father is none other than Beta Adam. I looked over at Beta Adam and could tell he was trying not to become emotional. His daughter may be a shameful slut but he still loved her.

"They hurt you, love. So you decide." Xavier looks at me with his beautiful eyes, showing me his support. He takes my hand as I focus my attention on the people in front of me.

"Lauren and Maya, you will be on a probation of sorts. The next offense you make will be your last." Both girls immediately start crying and holding each other. "You may go." I say. "As for Koda. What you did is unforgivable. You tried to defile your Luna. You are banished." With those words he screams in agony as his connection with the pack is severed.

"As for you." I turn my cold gaze to Lacy. As I stare at her the force makes her begin to bow more and she whimpers. "You may be the Beta's daughter. But you aren't needed. He has a son who can one day take his place as Beta. You overestimated your importance. From this moment henceforth you are also banished from the Red Fang Pack." As soon as the words leave my lips she screams as the connection is torn from her. Her father staggers but tries to compose himself.

"Lead them out of our territory." Xavier says to Calliope, the daughter of the pack doctor, and Dean, the Beta's son. They bow to us and turn and drag the prisoners away. I look to Xavier and he takes my hand and squeezes.

"Are you ready to go use your magic?" he asks. I smile and nod at him and we make our way to the garden. Rebecca is sitting in the garden waiting for us with Avery. Her eyes light up when she sees us.

"There you are! I'm so excited to see what you can do!" she says. Xavier sits down with them and I walk a little away. My mother appears in front of me.

"Ready?" she asks. I nod with a determined look on my face. "Okay, lift your right hand with your palm up. Then close your eyes and imagine a burning flame appearing in your hand." I do as I'm told and begin to concentrate. I begin to feel the wind shifting around me and my hair swirling.

"Focus, Haley. You're only trying to conjure flames, not everything else too." she says.

I take a deep breathe and focus more. Slowly the wind calms down and I feel something warm in my hand. I hear Rebecca gasps and hear someone clapping their hands.

"Open your eyes." my mother says. I slowly open my eyes, and find a small flame flickering in the palm of my hand. I stare at it in awe and make it grow a little bigger. Xavier comes to stand beside me.

"You are incredible." he says. I look at my mother and she is smiling proudly back.

"I want you to meet my teacher." I whisper to Xavier.

"Who is your teacher?" he says with a confused look on his face. I focus on my mother and before my eyes she becomes less see through. She looks shocked at first, and then she looks amazed. When she becomes fully visible Rebecca and Xavier just stare.

"You're even stronger than the Moon Goddess said!" she laughs and throws her arms around me in a cold hug. My brothers decide to show up then too so I make them visible as well. I have my family again.