Luna Revealed

Chapter Four

I run for what feels like half a day before I finally stop to catch my breath. I listen closely for the sounds of footsteps, but the forest around me is completely silent. I look around, realizing that I don't recognize any of my surroundings. My sharp, amber eyes whip around, taking in the unfamiliar pack house in the distance. I've run into Artem territory. How had I not noticed? And why was I allowed to get this far?

I don't realize I'm not alone anymore until I hear a smooth, deep voice mere steps behind me. "Why are you here?"

Startled, I turn, taking in the beautiful man standing there. It's Phoenix. My wolf howls inwardly at the sound of his voice, and then starts a low, soft purr. I lower my upper half quickly into a submissive bow, praying that he doesn't perceive my presence as a threat.

I hear him chuckle softly from above me. "You don't have to bow, my love." My heart thumps at the soft note of affection in his voice. I am used to the coldness of my father's voice and the vicious sarcasm in Viktor's. I haven't heard such pure love in a voice, especially directed at me, since I was a child.

Phoenix's expression changes as he takes in my unmoving silence. The soft smile on his lips shifts into a frown and his eyebrows pull together slightly. My love-stricken wolf whimpers in response to this change.

When he speaks again, the softness is still there, but accompanied by a hint of steeliness. "There should be some clothes that fit you behind that line of trees. Feel free to come inside after you change." With that, he turns and walks back towards the pack house. My wolf continues to whimper, getting louder as he moves further away, begging me to follow him.

I walk slowly to where he said and spot a small, airtight box attached to a fir tree. It takes a moment to shift back to human form, my wolf fighting me. Once I am back to myself, I open the box to find multiple sets of clothing in a variety of sizes. I pick out a pair of sweatpants and a shirt in the smallest sizes and change quickly, leaving my feet bare. I step back out into the open and head in the direction Phoenix did, watching the forest floor for sharp rocks.

When I get to the front door of the pack house, I see that it has been left wide open. I hesitantly walk into the foyer, taking in the space around me. The walls of the foyer are lightly decorated with pack photos and various ornaments. A rack by the door contains dozens of pairs of shoes, indicating that the pack house is filled with people. I spot the entrance to the front room and hesitantly walk in, gaining the attention of the dozen or so people inside. Most of them are adults who regard me with quiet respect. The rest of them are children who pull on their parents' sleeves, whispering questions about who I am.

As I pass by the people closest to me, they bow their heads, muttering polite greetings. I give them all a hesitant smile, knowing the reason for their kindness. In a pack, the Luna is the most beloved female. Pack members crave the attention of their Alpha's mate almost as much as their own mates. Despite being young – only 21 – these people respect and care for me.

As kind as these people seem, I can't help but feel like this is a trap. What will they think when Phoenix inevitably rejects me as his mate? Will they hate me? I shake the thoughts from my head and nod at the few around me with their heads still bowed. I can't be in this room any longer.

I follow the distinct scent of my mate towards the back of the pack house and into the impossibly large kitchen. He is leaned back against a counter with a cup of coffee and his cell phone. Another dark-haired man is sitting at the bar counter, and by the looks of the tattoo proudly displayed along his collar, he is the Beta. He regards me in polite silence before giving me a warm smile. I attempt a smile in return, but know I only look confused.