The Luna

Chapter Twenty: Special Surprise

      A week passed in the blink of an eye. Most of the alphas and lunas from the other packs had left, with only two remaining. They claimed they had some business to attend to with Austin, but Alex suspected something else. She didn't ask, though, and no one told her.

      She'd spent the last week doing the bare minimum as Luna. She was still trying to get used to it. Most of her days were spent in and out of doctor's appointments, getting advice on how to help her get and stay healthy. Her appetite was still infinitesimal, but "baby steps are key." According to her doctor, at least. Everyone had been slightly encouraging her, always hopeful. Even Silas, who was silent ninety percent of the time.

      She'd grown closer to them over the past few weeks, too. To Austin and his friends and family. She got to know them better than she ever thought she would, and only in a week's time. They were all accepting, all understanding. No one pushed her to do anything she didn't want to. Elysia even offered to teach her how to cook after she'd nearly burnt the older woman's house down.

      The pack had finally settled down after the Ceremony, especially after all the alphas left. Everyone visibly relaxed when Dean Browning left. No one liked that man.

      Austin and the rest of the inner circle relaxed only when Josh Rodriguez left the pack, which wasn't long after the Ceremony. The day after, to be precise. He had made up a poor excuse, saying that some "very important visitors were coming by" the next day. No one believed him, of course. They were just happy to get rid of him. Now, the only two alphas still around were Sebastian and his family and Raphael.

      "Hey, Red." Jason's voice tore her out of her reverie as he came back from training. It was constant training with him.

       "Hey, Jace." She replied, not even glancing up from her book.

      Using her distraction to his advantage, Jason snuck up on her, wrapping his arms around her small form.

      "Jason! Oh, my Goddess, get off me! You're sweaty, get off!" She squealed, writhing in his grip until he complied and released her. "Ugh, now I have to take a shower. What is wrong with you?" She scolded, smiling despite her annoyance. "You first, though. Go take a shower. Now." She pointed up the stairs.

      Her brother mock saluted. "Yes ma'am!" He shouted before high tailing it upstairs. Alex just rolled her eyes and laughed to herself. After a moment, she decided that she was done reading, but at the same time didn't want to get up off the couch. She was warm and comfortable and knew she'd be cold if she did get up.

      As a solution to her problem, she settled back into the couch and simply stared at the ceiling for a little while. But soon after, that got boring too. So, she decided to bother her mate.

      "Hey, Austin," she greeted through the bond that connected them.

      It took a moment for the blond boy to reply. "Yes, darling?"

      "Where are you?"

      "With Koda and the boys, why? Do you need me for something?"

      She hesitated for a moment. "No," she finally responded. "I was just wondering where you were. Oh, and do you know where Aidan is? I haven't seen him, and school let out an hour ago."

      Another long moment passed before Austin replied. "I've got Aidan here. Hey, could you do me a favor? I need you and Jason to meet me at the lake. You know, the one we had your Ceremony at?"