The New Luna

Chapter Thirteen (Violet's POV)

"Have you ever had regrets that Azure turned you?" I asked Alice as we approached an empty clearing.

"Only the day I first turned, I won't lie to you, it hurts like a bitch," she whispered, giving me an almost apologetic smile. I began to think about her words, mulling them over more and more as I attempted to fall on a decision. On the one hand, the ability to protect me and those I care about would be amazing. On the other hand, my body has already been beaten and abused and this just sounded like more of that which didn't sit well in my stomach.

"Take your time, there is no reason to decide right now," she gave me a half smile this time and I could tell she was lying. I was a liability as a human, as an easy target, and could easily be killed, but unfortunately, I didn't seem too worried about those things.

"We should think about heading back soon," Alice spoke once more catching my attention as I gave her a nod. "One final parameter check and we can go," she said as we took off around the border once again.

As Azure was hauling his kills to the clearing where they had all split up into groups, his ears picked up the ballad of the woods. Each sound is a different part of the symphony, with animals moving about in their daily lives or trees stretching and shaking as if trying to get the most sunlight.

Suddenly he heard what sounded like a startled scream in the distance before he then started to hear the sounds of a fight as it seemed to get closer. The scent of copper hit his nose first

"Blood," he said softly to himself as he moved stealthily through the trees toward the fighting. Suddenly he recognized Mason, Dylan, and Cylan's scents which only spurred him on further. Coming upon a small clearing, he found Mason helping Dylan to his feet with the help of Cylan, two bodies lay on the clearing floor.

"What about Greg?" Azure demanded, taking it hard as this was the first pack member he had ever lost to another pack. "Let's get home, for now, we'll figure out our plan once there."

As Alice and I thought about making our way home, she must have gotten in contact with Mason as she held a hand over her mouth and a small gasp left her lips.

"What is it Alice, what's wrong?" I asked, instantly on high alert.

"There was a fight on the south quadrant and we lost a member," she explained and I returned her shocked gasp.

"He is missing?" With a short nod as an answer, she grabbed my hand.

"We need to go meet back up with the boys at the Village." I quickly followed her lead and we returned home as quickly as our legs would carry us. I found Azure with Mason, both of them looking both angry and worried. I instantly ran up to Azure and hugged him as tightly as I could muster.

"Thank God you are alright, what do we do now?" I asked, looking up at him through large worried eyes.

"Now we train, prepare, and FIGHT! No one else is getting taken and I promise, if they left Greg alive then we will rescue him and turn the tables on them. Mason, get the gear sets out of storage. Lan twins set up the trials, and run preliminary walkthroughs. Alice, get the girls and run them through all basic treatments then take them through some training trials. And everyone sharpen those claws, I'm not taking any prisoners!" Azure shouted, his eyes shifting from blue to red, the whites of his eyes suddenly fading to black making him look almost demonic.

"As for you, Violet, you are not to leave Alice, Mason, or I's sight until such actions as your change have begun," he spoke blatantly giving no place for argument as he turned his gaze upon me.

I listened to his words in terror and the look in his eyes shook me to my core, I had never seen him like this, it was a new experience for me. Instead of reaching to hug him I immediately looked down and nodded my head quickly.

"Yes, Alpha," I spoke softly, before turning my attention to Alice, attempting to steady my voice.

"Let's go," my voice betraying me and coming out barely above a whisper. As we began to walk away Alice turned her head, looking back at Azure.

'Nice work keeping things calm for her.'

We quickly made our way into the largest cabin at the front of the village where many of the female members began to travel while the male's headed into the training rink. Alice began taking lead as she was the woman in charge until I changed and she was doing a damn good job.

She had all of the women split into groups, some began working on making herbal antibiotics from the woods around us. Others practiced splinting and all things first aid while Alice and I joined the group working on setting traps.

I made my way from each group, familiarizing myself with every job and every detail because I wanted to be as helpful as I possibly could, even though I felt completely useless in my current form.

My mind idly drifted to Azure and I ached to be near him and touch him, calming him as no one else could. They say humans can't feel the mate's bond, but I also couldn't deny the fact that the way I felt about him was, simply put, inhumane.

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End of Chapter