Moonlit Refuge (The Moon series)

Chapter Forty-Three

I punched the punching bag, the Rogues now keeping away from me respectfully. The whole room was dark, the walls a disgusting brown, the floors cement, and no windows. The room smelled of sweat, blood, and Rogues.

I was really sweaty, and I wanted to take a shower. I stopped, letting myself catch a break as I breathed heavily. "Luna! I have a proposition for you." Dr. Sanchez called, I turned towards him as I breathed heavily and walked over.

"Yes?" I asked breathlessly, sweat dripping down my brow. He sat back, seeming to relax with my presence.

"You may be with Asher for one week, uninterrupted, as long as you tell me one thing truthfully." He promises, I narrow my eyes at him.

"What do you want me to answer?" I quirk an eyebrow up, he chuckles.

"What exactly happens with your heat?" He asks, I uncomfortably shift on my feet. Looking down, I sigh.

"I have a huge fever; my entire body feels like it's burning. I have major mood swings. I feel intense pain. The only thing that soothes your heat is your mate's touch. But, your mate is also being controlled by the most primal part of his wolf. This long-buried part of our wolves come out, trying to mate. It takes a lot of self-control on his part to wait for me. Because we'd like to finish the mating process on our own time. My scent and everything I do appeals to every unmated wolf male, making them want to mate with me." I tell him, he nods and clears his throat.

"Would you like to shower and change your clothes?" He asks, I nod quickly. He smiles, holding his hand out for me to grab. I slowly take it, letting him lead me down the hall and into the cleanest bathroom I've ever seen.

"I'll send a woman in with clean clothes." He tells me, turning and walking out. I lock the door behind him, gazing around the white bathroom in awe. I stripped my toiled and dirty clothes, turning on the water and jumping in despite the freezing temperature. I relaxed under the comforting water as it slowly heats up against my skin, dirt and blood mixing as they shed from my body. Sweat was cleaned away with some vanilla smelling soap and washing every last bit of dirt and oil from my long hair.

I wrap myself in a towel, seeing clothes folded on the counter. Grey sweatpants and a black tank top with undergarments. I smile when I see a grey knitted sweater as well, a hairbrush, and a toothbrush. I quickly get dressed, brushing through my tangled hair and brushed my foul teeth. Happy with my appearance, I open the door and see Dr. Sanchez calmly waiting for me.

He smiles when he sees me, holding his hand out. "Come, Luna. Let's surprise your mate." He chuckles, I giggle happily and skip along beside him. He chuckles every now and then, his eyes amused as he watches me bounce on my feet beside him. We stop outside a normal door, although it looks reinforced to make sure no one can break down the door.

Dr. Sanchez takes out a ring of keys, slowly twisting a bronze one into the door. I hear it click and the door swings open, I launch myself inside and into Ash's unexpecting arms. I smash my lips against his, feeling myself strengthen within seconds of being near him.

Dr. Sanchez chuckles. "Bye for now, Luna. Have a good week." He closes the door just as Ash practically jumps onto his bed. He nuzzles my neck and mark, growling possessively.

"Never leave me again." Adonis growls, I sigh softly.

"I don't want to, but I'm only here for a week." I whisper, looking up into Adonis's golden eyes as I gently stroke his cheek with my thumb.

"You're in heat." He practically snarls, tightening his grip on me in panic.

"I'm fine, Adonis. It's almost over." I smile softly, relaxing under his grip as my eyes become heavy. He strokes my hair, pulling a blanket over us as he lets me lay on his chest.

"Good. Sleep, love." He smiles warmly, running his hands through my wet hair and letting my exhaustion take me.

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"So, she almost died, and you marked her and then you became a wolf like her?" A hear a feminine voice ask, Ash nods slowly as he still runs his fingers through my now dry hair.

"Yes. She's awake, so if she'd like to stop hiding maybe she can answer your questions too." Ash says teasingly, I groan and further hide my face into his warm chest. He chuckles, his body vibrating with each booming laugh as I try to hide myself under the blankets as well.

"You need to wake up. My parents want to talk to you, love." He pokes my cheek making me glare up at him as I huff.

"What I need is sleep. I am warm and comfortable, and I can answer any questions you want as I try to fall back asleep. You try being in heat for three days and having to wake up because you need to answer questions to keep your Pack alive." I mutter, he tenses.

"What do you mean?" He growls lowly, tightening his hold on me but making us sit up anyway.

I look up into his dark blue eyes, gold flickering inside as Adonis rears up to protect me and his Pack. "I answer questions and I earn benefits. I got a real bed with a blanket and pillow where before I was chained to a flat table. I get clothes and showers, and I even got to meet all the Rogues they kidnapped in a training room. I get extra food, candy, snacks. I also got a monitored tablet that shows me live feeds of our Pack, just not you. I even got a few books." I tell him quietly, brushing my thumb across his cheek.

"I once saw Sam getting beaten, so that's why I asked for live feeds of the boys." I inform him, he snarls loudly.

"I'll kill them if they dare hurt them again!" He snarls, growling deeply under his breath. I let him calm down, turning in my seat on his lap to look at his worried parents.

"How have you been doing?" I ask with a small, sad smile. Ana smiles motherly, sighing after a moment.

"I've been better, but I'm glad my children are somewhat safe. They can't exactly kill you." She answers, I sigh and slump my shoulders.

"I'm doing everything I can to keep everyone alive and well." I whisper, she nods and gently leans over to kiss the top of my head in a motherly fashion.

"I know, Jay. And we all appreciate it." She gently pats my hand, sitting back in one of the multiple chairs they have. I lean back into Ash's chest, relaxing into his warm heat.

"Thank you. I would love to keep talking, but I'd like to sleep my heat off so I'm not in any more pain." I say, offering an apologetic smile. She nods quickly, her eyes wide.

"Of course! Sleep as long as you like!" Sheagrees, I give her husband a quick smile before turning over and allowing sleepto claim me once again. This week is going to go by too fast.