Moonlit Refuge (The Moon series)

Chapter Thirty

"Jay, calm down!" Luca shouts as I jump up and down in barely contained excitement. Today is the day we're finally going home, and the boys are slightly nervous for their upcoming shift this upcoming week once I change them.

"No! I'm finally going home!" I exclaim, hopping up and down the sidewalk for all the neighbors to see. Miles just laughs, stuffing my bags in the back of his silver truck and handing me my latest Ash sweatshirt.

Mate! Mate! Mate! Echo chanted in my head, since we shifted really late last night she has some renewed strength; plus, the thought of seeing our mate and never leaving again has her excited.

"Goddess, I love you guys! Strictly friends, of course." I add once my mark and Echo goes off on me, the mark burning and Echo growling. They both calm down, the mark stinging in anticipation and Echo paces across the walls of my mind.

"You miss him that much?" Erik asks, they all have been very interested in the whole mate thing. I smile, looking back on my memories of him a tad sadly but mostly longingly.

"Always." I murmur sadly, pulling on Ash's grey sweatshirt and straddling my muddy motorcycle. Luca smiles softly, handing me my black helmet that's always shiny. "We'll call your parents later tonight to tell them we left early to surprise my family and for you to settle into your house." I change the subject, waving as my motorcycle roars to life and I kick off towards the highway.

Soon, they catch up to me and I lead them the whole four hours back to my home. They followed me into the high school's parking lot, parking next to me. I pull out my phone, calling Ash as the boys get out and lean against the truck while they wait.

"Hey! What are you doing?" I ask happily, hearing chatter and laughter in the background.

"Eating lunch and talking to my teammates. What about you?" He answers lovingly, and from his voice I can tell he's smiling.

"Parked outside the school since it's time for class." I sigh, only half lying. He groans, sad that I have to go.

"Damn. Call me when schools over?" He asks hopefully, I giggle.

"Of course, my love! I'll call you later! I love you!" I hang up before he can reply, giggling giddily. The boys watch with smirks, and I can already see myself being taunted and teased later.

"My love?" Miles chuckles, teasing me. I stick my tongue out at him, fixing my hair and getting off my bike.

"Go to the office and get us registered. I'm going to the cafeteria!" I order cheerfully, ignoring Miles comment. They laugh as I bolt inside the school. I just flip them off, following the strong scents of food to two closed doors that look into the cafeteria. I peek into the windows, scanning the loud and crowded cafeteria for my mate. I smirk when I see his back turned to me, standing in the middle of the cafeteria and talking to a group of boys with a couple girls trying to get his attention.

Oh hell no. They aren't taking my man.

I grin, flinging the doors open with a loud bang. Everyone pauses and stares, but Ash doesn't pay any mind. I run and jump onto his back, wrapping my arms and legs around him and sticking my head into his neck. "I'm home." I laugh, breathing in his scent subtly. He swiftly turns me around, holding me up off the ground when he realizes I won't let go of him. He studies my face in disbelief, love in his eyes as they slightly flicker gold.

"You lied to me on the phone!" He accuses finally, my laugh filters throughout the whole silent cafeteria.

"Then it wouldn't be a surprise!" I retort childishly, he rolls his eyes and kisses me softly.