Moonlit Refuge (The Moon series)

Chapter Twenty-Five

For the next week, we wait for the mark to heal so Ash can go back to school. It should be healed today since I've had plenty of rest and it was finishing its new shape and what it would look like last night. Coincidentally, today's Friday and Ash has a game today. Thankfully, he didn't miss any practices because their coach has much to do this week.

Ember and everyone else went back home the next day, and from what I heard they were all given detentions for sneaking off school grounds.

I sigh, leaning back on the couch as I keep my mark hidden. Ash is asleep, so I'm thinking of moving away to see if I burn. It's not like I can't stop the burning, what's there to lose? I shrug, standing up. I smile, not feeling any burning. I run to the bathroom, locking the door and looking into the mirror. It's completely healed, my mark looks like a flower is blooming out of the pale moon with writing in a different language surrounding it. I tilt my head curiously, wondering what the words mean. I skip out of the bathroom, grinning.

"ASH! WAKE UP!" I yell, pouncing on top of him giggling. He shouts in surprise, falling off the couch with me on him.

"What? Are you okay? Do you need anything?" He exclaims, worrying right away. I laugh, smiling as I shake my head.

"The mark's healed! And it's beautiful!" I exclaim, standing up and jumping up and down with excitement. He stares at me for a few moments, before leaping to his feet and hugging me tight.

"I'm happy for you!" He breathes, nuzzling his face into my hair. I smile, leaning into him for a few moments before leaping away from him.

"I'm going to take a nice, long shower and then we're going to surprise everyone when they get home from school and work." I grin, skipping back into the bathroom. Once I'm dressed, I make lunch and do some exercises to get rid of my energy. We watch a couple of movies but end up talking before him and Adonis decide they should go train and get better at being in wolf form.

We hear the cars come up the driveway, we turn to each other grinning and I hop onto his back. His white fur soft beneath me, he races out to the driveway and we wait for the cars to come up. But then we smell humans, their voices loud and energetic. Ash bursts into a run, racing into the trees and peering out from around a tree. Uncle Cody's truck pulls to a stop outside, him and his friends pouring out and jumping out of the very back while laughing. Aunt Khloe peers out of the car, hopping out with Uncle Cody's help and glances around curiously.

Usually, we're outside waiting for them. I gently hop off Ash's back, patting his white fur and jogging out of the trees as pretending to be out of breath. "Uncle Cody! You're home!" I holler, waving my arms with a grin as he turns to me. He smiles, his eyes lighting up in joy when he sees that I'm alone.

"Are you feeling better, Jay?" He asks, I nod and jump into his arms.

"Obviously, doofus." I laugh, smiling when Ash races out of the trees and skids to a stop beside us. Uncle Cody narrows his eyes at Ash, still angry that he marked me. I glare at Uncle Cody, hopping out of his arms and hugging Aunt Khloe. "Calm your mate before I beat him." I whisper under my breath, she giggles and kisses Uncle Cody's cheek.

"Where are the boys? I want to go for another run and maybe I can get Kiko to let us go down into town. I need to buy myself some more books before you send me back to boarding school." I ask, Ash huffs at the thought.

"They all had detention. Something about starting a fight with that boy who likes you." Uncle Cody laughs, Ash tenses and wraps his arms around me.

"No. I hope he can't walk." He growls, hiding his face in my hair. I elbow Ash with a scowl.

"As much as I hate Alistair, you need to be nice Asher." I scowl, Uncle Cody's friends peer at me in confusion. I turn to them with a sweet smile. "Hello, I'm Jaiyana. I'm his niece, but he's more like a brother since we're only six years apart. Who are you?" I ask pleasantly, leading us inside. All four of them exchange confused glances.