Luna Reborn by Juliet Swanson Chapter 34

Chapter 34 
Elder Tom got up and approached me while placing a book. next to me that, unexpectedly, appeared to contain details on Goddess marks. The content was far more thorough than every single book I had previously viewed on the topic. 
I had chosen an outfit with a zipper in the back, anticipating he would want to view my back that day. He patiently waited while I swept my hair to the side and slowly unzipped the dress’ back, so that he could see it but not until I felt totally exposed. I was pleased that he wasn’t forcing me as much as was required, then let me maintain my composure as I handled everything. 
He then gently pulled the dress a bit, so that he could see the mark clearly. Something I hadn’t considered before, but was he uncomfortable in this circumstance? 
A fourteen-year-old girl was showing her back to him when we were alone together. Even yet, he didn’t display any signs of discomfort. He didn’t even hesitate, as he carefully began to match the silver double crescent mark to the book beside 
After a while, he eventually took a step back and let out a little sigh of astonishment. 
“Well, I doubt it’s actually genuine.” he turned around and remarked. 
As he continued, I arranged my hair to fall about my 
shoulders once again and zipped my dress back up. “You 
sounded so hesitant to complete the confirmation that I wondered if your family had created the whole story.”” 
I grimaced. Did every Elder share the same opinion? 
“But I think I can tell that this is definitely the real thing,” he said. “The Goddess herself has marked you. I must admit that I never quite believed she was genuine. But it’s a little difficult to argue that, when you’re here right now and have that mark.” 
I was shocked to learn that an Elder, of all people, questioned the veracity of the Goddess that our species had revered since the origins of history. Elder Tom, though, was generally a little unique and relied more on reason than belief. 
“So, what are you going to do with this?” he questioned lastly. 
“What should we do about it?” I rephrased, puzzled. 
“Now that I know it’s real, I can only presume that you put off getting this confirmation completed because you were aware of the consequences.” 
I wondered whether or not to tell him my secrets. He might not agree with my intentions to resign from my prospective Luna position since he is an Elder, but I realized he had repeatedly shown his ability to set judgment aside. 
“Honestly, I’m not sure,” I began, deciding to put my faith in him, “I don’t intend to take over the pack’s leadership to take the place of Benjamin. However, I also understand that I have no desire to become Luna. I’m conscious that this limits my options, though. If I appear to be a danger, they will pursue me from the shadows, so I’m certain nobody will have faith in me when I declare I have no ambition to be Luna, even if I 
swear to act without the title.” 
In deep concentration, he leaned back and crossed his arms. within his chest. 
“I think it a little odd that you don’t want to accept the invitation to settle into Luna. Whether or not you and 
Benjamin end up being fate mates, you’ll have no trouble getting the position,” he explained. “But I am aware by the look in your gaze that your choice is a highly personal and current decision. I won’t press the issue any further.” 
For this reason, I decided on Elder Tom. He wouldn’t impose his desires on me, and despite my age, he chatted with me on an equal footing. 
“Elder Tom,” I cautiously said, “I like you to realize how much I appreciate you, so… when you become like me, what might you undertake?” 
He furrowed his eyebrows once again, as if the query stimulated his desire to solve challenging issues. 
“What a fascinating topic to pose. How would I react?” he thought. “Well, it is my responsibility as an Elder to always make comments while keeping the pack’s future in mind. So, making you as our Luna will be the best option.” 
I was lost. He obviously wouldn’t be willing to assist me. Being unfaithful, to the prophecy that his other Elders had made, would go against his status. 
“But,” he added, “If we’re just talking informally, from one academic to another, there’s a solution that I’m sure you haven’t come up with yet.” 
Was the solution really so evident the entire time? I twisted my thoughts, in an effort to rapidly understand what he saw, something that was seemingly so obvious to him. 
“What…?” 
He moved in closer and gave me a really serious look. 
“You are, after all, the Beta’s daughter, aren’t you?” 
I just glanced at him, since I couldn’t see where he was heading with this. 
“Simply swear loyalty to Benjamin and be his Beta.”