Always Luna

ash

noun ~ the powdery residue left after the burning of a substance

Leo was the first to react, snickering. "This is how all the horror movies begin, you know."

I glared at him, crossing my arms. "Then you'll know the funny, sarcastic ones are the first to die."

He surrendered. "Perhaps they'll take Pollux first. You should protect him."

I held back my grin as Pollux's face contorted with disgust. Aldren suddenly tapping my knee had me drawing my attention to him.

"Are you sure you want to go there again?" He wondered.

I nodded. "I'm sure. It was the first place I thought of when I started thinking about the vampire attacks."

He frowned, shaking his head. "The land is still enchanted, your family are just ash in the ground."

"Trust me." I patted his knee. "I need to go there."

Moving to climb from Phoenix's lap, I grunted when he suddenly pulled me back into him. Looks like someone wasn't paying attention.

"I just want to stand so we can get ready." I soothed him, happy when he let me stand.

"Let's move then." Aldren rose to his feet beside me.

"Back into the cold, I assume." Pollux groaned.

"Yes. It's quite a trek too. Are you sure you are up for it?" Aldren smirked.

Pollux's eyes blazed with the torment but Phoenix cut in before he could retaliate.

"Where is it?" He asked.

Aldren met his gaze, inhaling deeply after sharing a look with me. We both knew that Phoenix was over-protective, even more so in the past few months. I barely had time to breathe sometimes, his wolf wanting to keep me and the babies safe all the time.

"Back at the Terra residence," Aldren answered.

I watched as Phoenix's scowl deepened, the bond humming for me to pay attention. I turned to face him, taking his hand in my own. He was worried and unsure, the last time we were both there wasn't good for either of us.

"It'll be okay," I told him. "You're with me this time."

He grumbled an okay, his eyes hard with determination. Turning to face Aldren, I ignored Leo's complaint about exercise by chiding him. Phoenix pulled me close to him as we left the dome and I happily sought out his warmth. After a moment of hesitation from my brothers, I turned as they soon realised we would be shifting for the hour-long trek.

"My love, are you sure you want to go that far in this weather?" Phoenix wondered.

I huffed, not enjoying the fact we would have to hike through all of the snow and cold for so long.

"I need to." I nodded.

"Positive?" He asked. "It's a long, cold trip and you cannot shift. You would have to piggyback ride and that can't be warm."

I grinned, shrugging him off. Even better for me, I didn't have to run the hour-long trek myself.

"So, I will lay down on your back. I have a hood and a hat. I will be okay."

He grumbled at me, eyes flaming with emotion. "Stubborn wolf."

'Yes. We are.' Celimene snorted.

"I agree with Leo though, in the garden dome for now." He chided, tapping my butt to get me moving.

I cursed at him, running back into the dome. I huffed, falling back into the bench and crossing my arms as I waited for everyone to shift. Phoenix suddenly started stripping before me and my eyes greedily took in his every muscle. He was, sure enough, putting on a show, his shoulders shifting, arms bulging... Damn, just thinking about the things that body could do to me...