The Hidden Luna

Chapter Twenty-Five

Scarlett was already laying in bed when Asher came up for the night. She glanced up at him, noting his troubled expression. "What's wrong?"

Asher looked at her pointedly. "You're going to work with Lilith?"

"Why not?" Scarlett said with a shrug. She knew they didn't get off on the best foot, and she also knew Asher didn't particularly like Lilith, but Scarlett needed something to do, anything to do while they continued to search for her father and puzzle together what pack he was the alpha of.

Asher got undressed, quickly disposing of his dirty clothing in the hamper and changed into his sweatpants. He crawled into bed, placing a kiss on Scarlett's forehead. "She wasn't very nice to you."

Scarlett leaned into him, loving the warmth, the comfort of him. She sighed. "I'm tired of feeling like I'm not doing anything and Carter suggested it."

"Carter is a robot, he doesn't see how poorly she treats people," Asher scoffed. "And you're not doing nothing, you're healing from trauma after trauma. Every time things start to settle, something awful happens to you, Scar. You need to take care of yourself first. Recovering from all the crap you've been through doesn't make you lazy or useless."

Scarlett closed her eyes, taking a deep breath in. She knew his words were true, that he wouldn't hold any judgment if she continued to merely train or read records with Carter while she found a way to cope with what happened in the span of nearly two months. Yet, there was a voice inside her head saying she couldn't heal if she didn't keep herself busy. She exhaled. "I know. I'll give tomorrow a shot and if it isn't a good fit, I'll go back to focusing on training."

"Sounds good to me," Asher kissed her temple.

They snuggled close together and Asher turned off the light. Shortly after, Scarlett fell into a deep sleep.

#

The next morning Scarlett inched her way closer to the backyard, her nerves getting to the better of her. She couldn't tell if she was more nervous because she was working with Lilith or with kids. It seemed foolish to be scared of children, but one summer when Scarlett was fifteen, she was a camp counselor. The children were horrible, one cutting her hair as she slept. Needless to say, Scarlett didn't particularly like children after that experience.

She stepped out onto the porch, it was already fairly hot outside, the late summer heat humid. In the furthest corner of the backyard, closest to the forest line, Lilith was seated with two children.

Scarlett had to tell herself over and over none of them would cut her hair in her sleep.

When she reached the table, Lilith placed a smile on her face, a similar smile Scarlett would use when she interacted with costumers at the diner. "Guys, this is Scarlett. She'll be helping us out."

When the kids said nothing Lilith continued, gesturing to the child on her right. A little boy with dark skin and hazel eyes. "Scarlett, this is Hero. Can you say hello to Scarlett?"

Hero eyed Scarlett suspiciously. She couldn't blame him for being hesitant, he looked no older than ten years old at the oldest. The fact he was brought here because he was either rejected for being half human or being bitten must've been hard for him. His eyes landed on the scar on Scarlett's shoulder from when she got bit, it peaking out from neckline of her v-neck shirt. He jerked his up, a small nod. "Hi."

"It's nice to meet you, Hero," Scarlett said softly.

She turned her attention to the girl, who looked older than Hero, maybe twelve or thirteen, with stunningly blonde hair, so blonde it looked white, and grey eyes. Lilith did not need to introduce her, as the girl had no problems introducing herself. "I'm Nell. Well, my name is actually Eleanor, but I prefer Nell."

Scarlett nodded her head as she sat down on the iron garden chair. She wasn't entirely certain what to say or what to do. Luckily, Nell seemed to pick up on that. She tossed her hair behind her shoulder. "So what's your story, Scarlett?"

Lilith nearly choked on her orange juice, even looking slightly apologetic that Nell was so bold. Scarlett shrugged it off, knowing the girl was merely curious. "I was bit two months ago. Asher found me and brought me here."

Nell's eyes widened, a blush raising to her cheeks. "You mean, the next alpha found you?" She looked around to see if anyone besides those at the table were within an earshot and then her eyes settled on Scarlett's. "Isn't Alpha Asher hot?"

This time, Lilith did choke on her orange juice. After a couple of coughs, she placed the glass on the table. "Nell, Asher and Scarlett are mates."

Nell didn't seemed bothered by the revelation and simply shrugged. "I hope my mate is as fine as yours."

Despite Lilith's warning look, Scarlett couldn't suppress the laughter that bubbled up in her throat.

Lilith shook her head. "All right, let's get started."

Wordlessly, the group of them got up from the table and ventured into the forest, Lilith leading them to a clearing near a small pond.

Lilith opened a small crate that was resting near a large boulder, picking out clothes for Hero and Nell. She plopped them down onto of the now closed crate. "The next full moon is in a couple of days. So, today I want to go through some exercises on how to make your shifting more bearable."

Lilith began to dive into various breathing and disassociation techniques. As she spoke, Nell and Hero put some distance in between one another while the closed their eyes and focused on their shifting. Once Lilith was done providing them with various ways on how to shift and how to shift without experiencing dire pain, she looked to Scarlett. "You can join them, if you'd like."

Scarlett felt her heart beat abnormally fast at the suggestion. "I haven't shifted since my first time last month."

Lilith's eyes widened ever-so-slightly, but regained their normal size almost instantly. "I can help you, if you'd like. In private, if that makes you most comfortable."

Scarlett hated the thought of shifting again, but with the full moon approaching once again, she'd have no choice. Zion had trained her well in hand to hand combat, yet she knew little about how to shift or fight while being in her other form. She knew she would be an idiot if she declined Lilith's offer.

She watched Nell and Hero attempt their shift. Nell was the furthest along, her bones contortings at odd angles and patches of fur sprouting. Hero, on the other hand, was on his way but it seemed he was struggling to fully shift. Scarlett looked back to Lilith and with a small nod she said, "I'd like that."