Always Luna

sanctuary

noun ~ a place of refuge or safety

"I have never been so excited to be home." Charlie sighed.

My lips quirked into a smile as Phoenix pulled me from the car. I agreed, wholeheartedly. I was looking forward to getting back to normality; to my own home and bed.

Turning to my Beta, I found him bent over and touching his toes. I couldn't help but laugh as Pollux came by and pushed him, causing Charlie to almost fall on his face. Pollux slyly smirked, darting out of the way as Charlie went to trip him up.

"Those two will never learn." Phoenix muttered.

I turned to him, grinning at his frown. "It will be nice to have some normality."

He smiled softly, agreeing. After a well-needed sleep in the Cyrus mansion, I woke to find Phoenix had arranged our journey home. Whereas most of the pack would travel by foot, we had asked Gaia if she could teleport us, but she was exhausted and locked herself away. Luckily, Aldren let us use his car, and after hours on the road, we finally arrived home.

Phoenix had muttered that witches could create portals, and I suggested it could be something that we looked into, so it was easier to get to the Cyrus mansion. But for now, I was just grateful to be somewhere warmer. It may still be winter, but at least there was no snow here, and the air wasn't freezing my eyelashes. My foot still ached with every step, but it was healing slowly thanks to Celimene giving me her energy.

Oh, and I do not recommend driving with Pollux, Charlie and Leo in one vehicle. Sean got lucky going by foot, I tell you. When the two most talkative people are stuck in a vehicle with brief attention span... I don't know how many bottles on the wall we even counted.

"You will not live to see twenty-two." Charlie snarled as Pollux escaped his grasp again.

"Oh, so next month?" Pollux teased. "Not got a lot of time to plan."

"Wait, your birthday is in February?" Charlie cocked his head. "Does that mean Nova's is too?"

Pollux blinked, remaining quiet until Charlie realised what he said and cursed.

"Twins." He groaned, rubbing his fingers across his eyes. "I need a coffee."

"Make it two." Pollux snickered.

It had completely slipped my mind that my actual birthday was February. The whole, you're not how old you think you are thing, never really settled as truth. Phoenix was twenty-eight now, so being twenty-two made it not seem so far apart.

I wrapped my arm around Phoenix's lower back as he pulled me closer. Staring up at the gigantic pack house, we went in and greet the wolves that stayed behind. I was determined to seek my parents and friends and make sure they were okay.

"Glad to be back." I breathed once we were in the hallway.

The warmth of the pack house warmed my cheeks, and I smiled as the familiar scents washed over me. I could smell fresh tea and coffee being brewed; the wolves that travelled by foot had beaten us here. I suppose being able to run as fast as a car with more agility paid off.

Charlie and my brothers piled in behind me. Leo, the tallest of the three, suddenly became on high alert when his nostrils flared, and his wolf became alert. The faint stomping of heavy footfalls met my ears, and I smirked when I realised what had gotten his wolf so high alert.

"Leo!" Molly screeched.

I winced at the threatening tone of voice, side-stepping away from the trio as Molly appeared from the end hallway. The others were quick to copy my actions, leaving Leo exposed as Molly marched herself up to him. My eyes drifted to her stomach, amazed at how much she had seemed to explode. It was lower too, and definitely looked like it itch.