Moonlit Refuge (The Moon series)

Chapter Twenty

"I want you three boys to make a couple bags of food, blankets, and clothes in case you have to stay in the bathroom for longer than we anticipate. Make sure you put plenty of medical supplies in there as well. Don't let anyone inside, not even me. We'll let you out when it's time." I order, they nod. 

I turn to Sam, Matt, and Max. "Sam, I want you and three Rogue wolves to guard the humans. You will be in charge and I expect you to do a great job and not let anyone get harmed." I say, my face now stone cold as Asher starts screaming creative threats. 

"JAIYANA! I'LL KILL MYSELF IF YOU DON'T LET ME OUT OF HERE!" He screams, I whine softly. 

"Matt, I want you and Max to lead separate patrols along the borders. You two and Blade can figure all that out. I'm going to check in on Ember and Autumn." I say, getting to my feet and hurriedly walking out. 

"JAIYANA! YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE ME IN HERE!" Ash yells, banging on the door. I ignore him, peeking inside the living room. Autumn is sobbing and screaming as Ember tries to get closer to her. I sigh, walking inside and going straight to Autumn. She screeches as I throw her over my shoulder and walk outside. 

"Hey! What are you doing with my mate?" Ember calls after me, running to keep up with me. I set Autumn down onto the ground, I try to smile warmly but I can tell it's fake. She sobs, staring at me with fear. 

"I am done with humans having a mental breakdown. Ember is a vampire, yes, but she won't hurt you because you're her soulmate. She loves you and will never let anyone hurt you. I am a werewolf, and I swore to protect your life. So, if you'd stop throwing a fit it would be much appreciated. We will tell you more later, but right now, we have to prepare to save your life which is putting my own soulmate in danger." I say quickly, sighing when she flinches. 

"Ember doesn't drink human blood, Autumn. She drinks animal blood, which is much better because she isn't hurting a human. She will never make you do something you don't want to do, and she will always protect you. I won't hurt you, and I have never once acted like I was someone I wasn't in your presence. Have we kept secrets from you? Yes. Was it to keep you safe? Yes." I say more gently, swiftly standing up. 

"Ember, put her in the bathroom with Asher." I order, turning to the stunned werewolves. "I want three wolves to protect those humans inside. Sam, my Beta's mate, will be in charge. Those three wolves will listen to him and protect those humans and any who are too injured to fight." I order, they look around tensely to see who will volunteer. I sigh, crossing my arms. 

I glance around, seeing everyone avoid my gaze. Murmuring breaks out, someone twisting around the crowd and standing in front of me with her head bowed. "I'd be honored to protect the humans." A girl says loudly, I smile warmly at her. Her black hair is dirty and twisted, and she looks malnourished. 

"Thank you. What is your name?" I ask kindly, she glances up at me in shock. Her wide brown eyes stare at me. 

"I'm Isabella, Luna." She introduces, bowing her head quickly. I stride towards her, frowning when she flinches. 

"Please, call me Jaiyana. I'm very glad you'll help protect my mate, Asher, and the other four humans. But, if you don't mind me asking, why are you a Rogue?" I ask gently, she looks over her shoulder with a scowl. 

"My mother was kicked out of her Pack when she was fifteen. She killed a human because her mate had decided to reject her for the human girl. He had every right to reject her, but her fragile ego couldn't take it. Now, here I am. Seventeen with no Pack, training, or reason to be out here as a Rogue except for mistakes my mother made." She snarls, I nod understandingly. 

"I understand many of you don't trust me or understand why I'm so young. But, my Pack and parents decided to... make me leave for my safety. That is why you see me here so young, yet so powerful. So, I understand not being with a true Pack. I'm the only hope for my friends, my Beta, and my family for not going Rogue because I am technically a Luna. We weren't kicked out, but we were told to leave. It's been three and a half years on our own, and my younger siblings caught my parents arguing about me a few nights ago. You see, we staged our deaths two years ago and we changed our last names and pretended to be from California." I say quietly, looking around the intrigued group of wolves.