Moonlit Refuge (The Moon series)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Jay's POV

"Luna's home!" I hear someone whisper excitedly. Ash nuzzles my neck, his nose gently brushing my mark and sending sparks through my body. I shiver, smiling as he murmurs something under his breath with a content sigh. I blink open my eyes, kissing Ash's temple as I look over to see a group of wolves in the living room murmuring excitedly with each other. A few kids stand beside them, staring at me curiously in awe and wonder.

"Hi, everyone! I'm so happy to be home!" I grin, trying to stay quiet for my mate. They pause, glancing to me quickly with fear and bowing their heads out of respect.

"I'm so sorry to wake you, Luna." An older woman who reminds me of grandpa Leo murmurs fearfully. Ah, one of the newest members. I smile kindly.

"There's no need to apologize. Nor is there need to bow to me. I treat everyone in my Pack like family." I giggle when they all glance at me in shock, but also relief and a bit of happiness. Smiles grace their faces, before a familiar boy pushes forward with a grin.

"Luna! Do you remember me and Ellie?" Caleb asks, his hazel eyes shining with hope. I smile, watching as little Ellie peeks out from around his tall figure.

"Of course, I do! It's nice to see you, Caleb. Ellie, I'm not sure you remember me, but I was there to accept you into the Pack." I smile kindly, she giggles and hides behind Caleb again with a blush. Ash stirs, tightening his grip on me.

"Who are you talking to, my love?" Ash murmurs, not opening his eyes just yet.

"Our Pack came inside. We were just chatting about being family." I reply, yawning. Ash buries his head further into my neck as I giggle from the sparks dancing across my skin everywhere his skin meets mine.

"Okay." He yawns, placing a kiss on his mark before sitting up. He gives them a tired smile as he makes his way into the kitchen. "Anyone want a coffee? Hot cocoa for the kids?" He calls, I grin as I stand up with a huge stretch. A murmur of agreement ripples across the group as I grin. "Jay? What do you want?" He calls before a loud crash is heard in the kitchen, I giggle.

"Hot cocoa! And if you break anything I'll make sure to break your nose!" I call, I hear his booming laugh as I crouch down in front of the kids. "Why don't we go play outside as your parents take showers and Alpha Asher takes care of getting something warm into our bodies? We can play one of my favorite games, and maybe I'll teach you some of my favorite defensive moves." I wink up at the parents as they smile. They all cheer, running outside as I laugh quietly. I grab a blanket, shivering.

"Thank you, Luna." Ellie's mother bows her head, I pull her into a hug.

"No, thank you. I love playing with the children! And no more bowing your heads. We're a family, not just a Pack. And once you're comfortable, you can just call me by my name. I don't mind it unless I'm angry, then you give me respect so my wolf doesn't try to harm you." I wink, she smiles shyly.

"Okay, Luna." She replies, tucking a strand of her own blonde hair behind her ear as a blush coats her cheeks. I giggle, waving as I bounce outside. We play predator and prey, a game my father taught me when I was little. One person was the wolf, the rest deer. You had to try to kill all the deer within five minutes, if you didn't you had to do twenty pushups. It was a way to teach the kids discipline, fighting tactics, and all that. We played until Ash brings out the hot cocoa for us, so then we sit down in a circle and sip hot cocoa as the sun rises over head.

A group of five wolves run out of the woods, pausing when they catch sight of me. A patrol by the looks of it. I grin, waving at them. They head back into the forest, and in seconds they are beside me and I see my beta.