Always Luna

guard

verb ~ watch over in order to protect or control

Have you ever seen a pack of wolves following a human before? It's quite the picture, I must say.

Everyone except Cors and Gaia was in their furs, following us as we walked higher up the mountain. My cheeks were freezing, my nose stuffy and sore from the bite of the colder air. I kept my hands deep in my pockets as the snow grew thicker, almost pooling over the sides of my boots. I heard Charlie huff a few times and I couldn't hide my amusement at his displeasure. I knew the brown ol' wolf hated the white stuff.

'I never thought I'd be back in the snow again.' He huffed after I giggled at his fifth groan.

I'll make sure the next adventure is in a desert for you. I teased through the mind-link.

He snorted, shaking out his fur in response. I turned back around, keeping my eyes on Cors as he crept behind a tree. I hesitated, slowing my pace and the pack followed. They matched my every step and each time I paid attention to them, I felt my heart warm with familiarity. They were ready to save their Alpha.

What is it? I wondered, directly to Cors.

He glanced at me, his hair casting down the side of his face. His fingers were digging into the bark of the thick tree as he peered around it.

'It's just past here.'

Are you sure? I asked and he nodded.

I looked to Charlie, jerking my head. He gave a slight growl and began to walk forward. He and four other wolves slinked forward in a crouch, passing myself and Cors. They were to scout the area and report back to us. We had a rough plan, but without seeing the place, we were blind.

I shifted on my feet, uncomfortable standing in one place. The twins were calm despite my growing nerves and I rested my hand on my stomach to try and calm myself. Eventually, my ears picked up on the return of my pack mates, the small bond growing as they neared.

Charlie's wolf came first, his ears flat to his crouched head. 'No guards.'

My eyebrows furrowed, glancing nervously at Sean's grey wolf who came up beside me. None?

Charlie shook his head once and I let out a low breath. If there were no guards, then what did that mean? Did it mean they were unprepared, or we were?

Swallowing, I nodded, speaking aloud. "We go with the second plan."

Wolves huffed and grumbled in response and slowly began to split up into three groups of fifteen. I had Charlie by my side, Leo had his own group, and Sean was the other. My group was to go through the front, the most obvious, Sean the back entrance, and Leo was to stay in the trees. Cors, I decided to keep with me. I trusted him and needed to see his commitment first-hand. Charlie was sceptical but had no choice but to accept when I told him to. I was his Luna, and he had to listen. I hated doing it to him,  but it was what I felt was right, not him.

Gaia came up behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Are you alright, dear?"

I nodded, giving her a tight smile. "I'm okay, just nervous. I want them back."

"It'll be okay. You'll find him, I know you will." She smiled, rubbing my shoulder.

I smiled in thanks, before turning back to my Beta. He watched the exchange silently, his ears pricked upright and swivelling at every noise. I chuckled at his outward behaviour, stepping closer to settle my hand in his fur. My fingers ran up his snout and jaw, before settling behind his ears.  He watched me through those dark chocolate eyes as I scratched at his skin. He started to twitch and stretch his neck when I found a particular spot and I grinned with realisation.