Moonlit Refuge (The Moon series)

Chapter Forty-Nine

We shuffle into Wyatt's house, scanning around the small living room. "My parents are out of town this weekend, so I'll let you guys stay the night." Wyatt smiles, his friends awkwardly standing beside him. I smile, jumping up and down.

"Thank you so much!" I squeal, hugging him tight. Ash growls softly but keeps himself grounded. Wyatt chuckles, taking a step back. Smiling widely, I turn to my family. 

"Okay people, I want you all to rest. We have about three hours of running to do tomorrow, and I plan on making a huge breakfast. Wyatt, don't worry. I'll go buy everything I'll need early in the morning." I wink at Wyatt, Ash snarls. We all turn to him and he goes quiet, gently clearing his throat.

"I'm going for a small run. Don't worry. I won't go into another Alpha's territory again." Ash states stiffly, turning and running out of the house. Leaving the door wide open, he shifts in the front yard and bolts into the forest.

I sigh, my smile disappearing. "What was that about?" One of Wyatt's friends asks, I think her name is Gwen. I shake my head sadly.

"Just adverse effects of the mark. He get's jealous easy and he's fighting every primal instinct of his to fully..." I trail off, going pink. The girl holds back a giggle.

"Sorry for asking." She giggles softly, I slightly smile. With a gentle nod, I sit down with a sigh. My guards stand behind me, straightening up and watching everything around me stiffly. Everyone else sit close together near me, since there was very little room in here.

"Are you sure we can stay here? There is a lot of us." I ask worriedly, Wyatt nods.

"Of course, you can. It may be a tight fit, but we also have a huge garage that was turned into an apartment. So, you guys can split up. Or if you feel more comfortable outside, my parent's just finished a huge patio of a place to sit around a bonfire in the back yard." Wyatt informs me assuredly. I nod, sighing.

"Thank you. And boys, you three can sit and relax." I offer to my bodyguards, they shake their heads.

"Sorry, Luna. Alpha ordered us to watch you while he was gone." The most scarred of the three replies. I sigh, growling softly.

"Fine." I growl, knowing my eyes were turning a glowing silver. I hear kissing to my right, I snap my head towards the sound glaring harshly. Blade and Sam were kissing on the side, not even realizing where they were. "Blade." I scold. No reply, they keep shoving their tongues down each other's throats. I roll my eyes, sending my Luna Dominance out in every direction.

"Beta Blade!" I snarl, they flinch away and bow their heads at me. "Be respectful." I order. He nods, his face screwed up in pain. I back down, reigning in all my power. "Thank you." I whisper, yawning tiredly.

Go to sleep, Love. Or I'll come back and hit Wyatt for touching what's mine. Adonis growled in my head, I mentally scoff.

I was the one who hugged him! So don't even Adonis or I'll make you and Ash wait until we're fifty to fully mate!

You wouldn't!

Try. Me.

I blocked them from my mind, turning to the humans. "I would love to continue to chat, but I think I pushed my mate far enough tonight. Is there any questions or requests before I head in for the night?" I ask kindly, Blade and Sam still recovering from the full direct contact of my Dominance.

"Yeah, could you show us how you shift without a full moon?" One of the teenagers speaks up. I nod, smiling gently.

"Of course. But we will have to come outside. I don't have enough room to shift and not hurt anyone." I reply, leading everyone outside and into the backyard. I breathe slowly, relaxing my shoulders as I allow myself to shift.

I fell onto all fours, naturally standing tall. I hear Ash howl in the distance, letting all his jealousy and rage out of his body. I howl back, lifting my head up high, letting him know I was listening and was here. I pant, my tongue lolling out of my mouth as the human's stare at me in shock. I sit down, yawning widely.

"Don't look too shocked. When we saw her shift for the first time we screamed. So far, you guys are doing good." Miles chuckles, I laugh some sort of wolfly bark. I lay down, looking up at the starry sky. Ash leaps into the yard, panting as Rouges surround us. Everyone shifts, standing around the humans as I leap to my feet. I attack the crazy wolves, their eyes bright red and their fur dirty and mangled. They had no reason. Just pure instinct.

Within minutes, the Rouges were either sent running or dead. I grab a blanket off the patio couch, throwing it over my body as I shift, keeping myself covered.

"Kiko! Blade! Grab the bodies and bury them in the forest. It's sad that they were Rouges, but we had to protect the humans. Guards, sweep the forest and make sure they don't come back. Sam, go with them. Matt and Mark, take the humans inside and protect them. Ash, do whatever you need to do. I'll make a quick snack for us as well as call my other Pack to send some warriors up to protect the humans." I order, racing inside and running to my backpack.

I grab some clothes, rushing to the bathroom and changing. I come back out, washing my hands in the kitchen sink and taking out some chips as I brew some coffee and tea. I need to keep these humans calm. Ash comes in, panting with his hair wet. "Went for a swim?" I ask, smiling softly. He nods, coming to me and wrapping his arms around me tightly. I lean into his embrace, tears starting to fall from my eyes as I sniffle.

He gently rubs my back, holding me close. I pull away, finishing up the snack as I mindlink Jace for more warriors to help protect these humans for a while. Walking out, I set up the snacks on the coffee table and settle down as I wait for their questions.

We race through the woods. Excitement racing through our blood. We ran and ran. Endless and free. Searching for our Pack. I was in the lead, leading everyone in the direction my instincts were telling me to. Birds sung above us. Singing their lovely melodies as we let ourselves go.

A whiff of the smell of a border crossed my nose. I speed up. Knowing the smell. My Pack. Almost home at last! We slow down once we reach the border, standing in a line. I glanced at my family, slowly raising my head, and squaring my shoulders.

I walked elegantly across the border, immediately hearing wolves pound through the forest to come defend the Pack. Howls from the distance, warning us to stay away or they would attack.

Careful. Just trust me. I mindlinked my family, they nodded. My guards spread out behind us, understanding that they were only to act if it was necessary.

I led the way calmly through the forest, hearing the wolves come snarling towards me. I walked slowly, purposefully through the trees until we met with the warriors. I just rolled my eyes at them, shouldering past them. They try snapping at me and attacking me but Kiko growled warningly.

With surprise in their eyes, they watched as I led the group straight into the heart of the Pack. Already seeing people I used to know waiting with anger on their faces. My mother glared down at us as we walked into her territory in wolf form, until she noticed who we were. I shifted, standing up as Ash quickly shifts and throws one of his shirts over my naked form.

The Pack gasps as Mom and Dad relax, grinning. I raced towards them, jumping into their arms. "McHanner's dead." I gasp in their ears, squeezing them tight.

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And that's a wrap, Folks! I'm already working on the second book, and I'll let you know when I think of title names and make a cover and all of that. Then i'll let you know when I have the first few chapters posted. 

I love you all so much and I thank you for reading my book. I loved writing this book and I promise you the Jay and Ash relationship and story is not done yet. I'm sure you're going to be surprised in the next book!

See you in the next book! 

xoxo

Adelaide