Free Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack (Siren Publishing Classic) by Siobhan Muir Page B

recounting the news, not the when or why. She shook her head and took a deep breath. It didn’t matter. She had to focus on the here and now.
    “If this party is for Luna candidate selection, what does it have to do with me? I mean I was just invited a few days ago. I don’t know very much about pack politics or traditions.”
    “You’ve been invited here tonight, daughter, for two very specific reasons. The first being you’re a Moon Singer who has recently settled into the Callowwood Pack’s territory. You must swear to uphold their rules and protocols while living here.”
    “I have to what?” Julianna’s chin rose with her indignation.
    “It is for your protection as well as the protection of the pack. Should you be injured by anyone while here, the packmembers will defend and/or avenge you, bringing restitution to your family. The pack will also take responsibility for any injuries you cause and punish you accordingly.”
    Julianna clenched her teeth around a snarl. “What kinds of punishments?”
    “House arrest, wounding, banishment from the pack’s territory. Even death.”
    Julianna’s nails dug into her palms. How dare they tell her how to live? Callowwood was her home. No one had the right to drive her out if she didn’t swear to follow the rules of the pack. Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes and told herself to calm down. She was new to this world of werewolves and just because she was ignorant of the rules didn’t mean she wasn’t bound by them. Or that the others wouldn’t enforce them.
    “Fine. I’ll abide by the rules. What’s the second reason I’m here tonight?”
    Sebrina’s smile showed satisfaction and anticipation.
    “The second reason is you’re one of the most powerful alpha females to be born in the last two hundred years in the Basin and Range, making you a prime candidate for the Successor’s Luna. You’ll be presented as a Luna candidate tonight.”
    Amazement slammed into Julianna and dread thundered after it. She couldn’t be a Luna candidate. She knew nothing about being a Moon Singer.
    “ I’m going to be presented as a candidate? Why? I know nothing of politics, much less protocols governing a Moon Singer pack. I’m too inexperienced to be a viable candidate!”
    Sebrina laid a warm hand on Julianna’s arm. “You’re not as inexperienced as you might think, though you may not know the specifics of the Callowwood Pack. Follow your heart. It speaks to you with the voice of the Lady Moon.”
    The only thing my heart is telling me is I’m ignorant and a nobody.
    Jeff is your Mate and you must fight for him! Ah, yes, how could she forget her Sister?
    “You already love Jefferson Lightfoot, don’t you?”
    “What?” Julianna focused her startled gaze on Sebrina’s smug face.
    “Jeff.” The Paiute woman gestured toward the small podium where several people were gathered around Richard and his son. “What does your heart say about him?”
    Let me jump his bones and ride him till he’s breathless?
    Julianna cleared her throat and tried to look thoughtful.
    “I get mixed messages about Jeff,” she admitted. Half of her wanted to throw herself into his arms, rub her body against his as hard as she could, and sink her teeth into his shoulder, never letting him go. The other half of her was furious at his ignorance all those years earlier. If she hadn’t been good enough for him then, what made her good enough now?
    Sebrina made a rude sound of disgust. “Stop letting your mind get in the way of the truth!”
    “This is the first time I’ve seen him since I left. I was infatuated with him when I was a girl, but now…I don’t know. I don’t know him well enough yet.”
    “Rabbit turds!” Sebrina waved dismissively. “You’ve known him in your heart for decades, daughter! Your infatuation , as you call it, was nothing more than the recognition of your True Mate!”
    “If that’s true, why didn’t he recognize me then?” Julianna snorted and