Moonlit Refuge (The Moon series)

Chapter Forty-Seven

The bell dings loudly. Some humans who were talking quietly, went silent. Slowly, a waitress walks up to us with a smile. I glance up slightly, noticing that there were a group of teenagers in the corner staring at us curiously and a group of men just drinking quietly as they wait to see who we are. I guess everyone knows everyone around here.

"How may I help you?" The waitress asks with a huge smile, cheer in her wide brown eyes. I glance back down, inching closer to Ash.

"Hi, we're looking for a table. We've been driving all day and we decided to stop here for the night and we haven't had anything to eat since one." Mark grinned, her eyes widened before she tried to quickly usher us to the nearest table big enough to hold us. A man steps forward, his tag saying he's the manager.

"No hoods on in the restaurant. It's policy." He says, looking at me suspiciously. Kiko glances over at me in alarm. My face, out of all of us, would be the most recognizable. I shifted in front of a whole school. I attacked soldiers and threatened the President. But Ash would also be recognizable just the same. He was the Presidents grandson. And he was supposed to be in 'safety'.

"Shit." Blade muttered too softly for the humans to hear. I glanced at my family, slowly nodding. Kiko shook his head sharply, glaring at me.

"If they want to see our faces, let them." I say sharply, standing straight. In unison, Ash and I throw our hoods off. Gasps are heard around the room; our waitress and the manager take a step back with fear in their eyes. I roll my eyes, nudging Ash with a smile.

"Honestly, you'd think I was a killer with the way they react." I joke, Ash laughs.

"Definitely. But we all know you're as harmless as a marshmallow." He smiles, I kiss his cheek.

"Y-You're the werewolf!" The manager gasps, I give him a mocking bow.

"Well, yes... but I would never hurt anyone. You know, werewolves and vampires have been living amongst humans for... well forever!" I remark, leading the waitress and my family over to the largest table.

"What?" My waitress gasps, shaky on her feet. I gently ease myself into her mind, calming her slightly.

"Easy there. We're not monsters. I just want to get something to eat, find a place to sleep, and in the morning, I'm going to get home." Ash smiles gently, Blade snorts.

"Yeah, and they might think you mean the White House." He laughs, Ash glares at Blade.

"Of course not! My grandfather is a horrid person. I'd rather live in Antarctica naked!" Ash exclaims, I burst into giggles.

"Ash! We're in public!" I scold, he kisses my temple.

"So? I think I might just take your last name." Ash teases, I roll my eyes.

"Okay! Stop it you lovebirds! I'd like to get this over, so I can go and check in with my mate the second we get back to our other Pack." Matt pushes me into the seat. I fall over, falling onto the ground with laughter.

The three guards step up with snarls. "That's not how you treat our Luna!" They growl, I wave them off as I stand up.

"He's like my brother. He's fine. And I've told you, don't call me by my title unless I ask for it." I giggle, sitting at the table with ease. Ash chuckles, sitting next to me as my family file in with worried looks. The waitress quickly slaps the menus onto the table, scurrying away with a squeak. I sigh, shaking my head.

"I miss hiding." I murmur, Sam nods.

"Me too, Jay. Everyone didn't treat us like we were monsters." He agrees, Kiko sighs.

"I was going to make us leave so our covers wouldn't be blown you idiots. But no! You have to listen to Miss. Luna here." Kiko snorts, I wink.

"I'm in charge, Kiko. Haven't the last five years taught you anything?" I tease, he throws one of the menus at me.

"And your parents left me in charge of you! They said to keep you and the kids safe and away from the government. But you decided to attack one of the soldiers looking for you and instead of running for the hills you kept attacking!" Kiko exclaims, I roll my eyes.

"Details! Who needs them? I wasn't going to run when my Pack needs me. And besides, the soldier was pointing a gun at me while we were in the gym with the whole school watching!" I reply defiantly, he sighs.

"You shifted in front of a whole school. Your vampire friend saved you from a bullet. You snapped a gun in half. And you practically killed another wolf!" Mark exclaims, I wave my hand.

"He put us in this situation, Mark. He deserved to die. My parents gave him mercy, leaving him blind in one eye and scarred forever. I just finished the job!" I declare, Mark rolls his eyes.

"And that's why Max is hunting you down." Mark growls, but his eyes widen when he see's my hurt expression.

"Wait, Jaiyana? Asher? Is that you?" A deep voice asks, we glance over to see the group of teenagers staring at us. But one face is familiar.

"Wyatt?" I tilt my head, he nods with a grin. He's the same boy from Great Wolf Lodge. The same one who both irritated us and somehow became our friend afterwards. I never expected to see him again.

"So, I was friends with the werewolves, huh? Running from the government?" He laughs, winking. His friends look at him like he's crazy as I burst into laughter.

"Absolutely! Werewolves aren't even that different form humans Wyatt. And we were only running away from the government because of my powers." I exclaim, Wyatt tilts his head in confusion.

"I don't think he knows what you're talking about, Jay." Luca remarks, I perk up.

"Oh right! I can heal people, read minds, turn humans into werewolves, and I'm stronger, faster, and everything even more so than a werewolf." I say easily, glancing over the menu before I stop on chocolate pancakes. "Kiko, I want chocolate pancakes and bacon. Maybe I can even get a hot cocoa?" I ask hopefully, Kiko sighs but nods.

"Alright, but you better eat all of it. You've just woken up." He reminds me, I nod quickly.

"Of course." I agree.

"Wait, you can eat chocolate?" One of the teenagers asks, we all burst into laughter.

"Of course, silly! We're not dogs!" I laugh, leaning against Ash with a smile. The waitress comes back, asking for our drink order before racing away to give us our drinks.

"So, this one time at boarding school, Jay wanted to prank the teachers, so we snuck into the teachers lounge and..." Miles voice fades as my healing power flares. It spreads out around me, pulsating into everyone in this restaurant. I gritted my teeth, squeezing my eyes shut as it became unbearable. A headache formed, throbbing painfully as my energy was swiftly drained.

I vaguely felt someone grip my shoulders, shaking me. Muffled shouting met my ears, but I didn't process it. I placed a hand onto my head, hissing in pain. Echo started shouting in my head, trying to get me to do something but I couldn't hear her.

It felt like someone was attacking my mind. Draining me of all energy so I couldn't defend myself. Someone slapped me hard, shocking me long enough to reign in my healing energy. Black dots spotted my vision, but I could see Wyatt staring at me grimly as he shook his hand out.