Forever Luna

encounter

verb ~ unexpectedly be faced with or experience

NOVA

The house was quiet when Phoenix returned, the twins and Aelia tucked into their beds and finally still. I was perched on the sofa, a blanket around my shoulders, Aelia nestled against me as we both lingered in the calm after the chaos. The smell of dinner still clung faintly to the air, though I hadn't eaten more than enough all day. Not since the vision.

Phoenix padded into the room, shedding his jumper and shaking the chill from his hair. His presence was steady, grounding. I smiled at him, exhausted but relieved as he bent down to kiss me.

"How was your day?" I asked softly, already guessing from the crease in his brow that it hadn't been simple.

He sank beside me, running a hand through his hair. I knew he'd want a shower, so I'd try to keep this part short and sweet.

"Same old pack politics, same old nonsense." He muttered with a faint scowl. "Tried to get hold of Aldren. No luck. Avani knew nothing either."

My chest tightened slightly. "And then...?"

"I left messages. Sent a few through the link. He'll be fine. He's capable. You know him, Nova. He'll see the way forward." Phoenix brushed a strand of hair behind my ear and squeezed my hand. "I promise he'll manage, and I told Avani the same."

I let myself relax against him, letting the tension in my shoulders ease just a little. "I hope you're right. I don't... I don't like all of this. There are too many dangers at the moment."

Even the pack didn't feel completely safe anymore.

"I know," he murmured. "But right now, the children need us. We'll find him and Cors. And when we do, he'll be ready, and we'll have the others."

We climbed into bed soon after he showered, the weight of the day pressing into quiet exhaustion. Even as I drifted off, my thoughts lingered on the vision. I clutched Phoenix's hand on my waist, letting his warmth anchor me.

***

A few days later, life had shifted again. In that time, as a distraction, we'd introduced Aelia to the pack. Wolves sniffed her carefully, curious but respectful, bowing gently as she stared and waved tiny fists at them. Sean had been especially attentive, his grin broad as she didn't wail in his hold. The twins toddled through the pack house, squealing with joy at being in a new environment.

But it also meant I could leave the bubble more too. And thanks to Rose and Molly, I knew I had help with babysitting.

Honestly, pack life was amazing when you had little ones. Everyone was so eager to help out with the twins, and Rose was more than eager to have some one-on-one with Aelia. Like today, she offered to babysit so I could train properly with the pack.

Today, Sean led the session, guiding our group through speed drills and agility exercises, letting me push myself without holding back. I noticed they put me in the average group, and I glared at Sean the entire time. This group's training differed from the strongest. It was more focused, precise, and adaptive; less attacking and more about how to defend.

However, I relished the control it gave me, even if it left my muscles sore. Rose promised to keep Aelia in one place, quietly fussing over her so I could concentrate.

We were mid-run when the border alert came. Sean stiffened immediately, a low growl rumbling in his chest.

"Border. Someone's approaching," he said, voice tight. "Class dismissed!"

I nodded, wiping sweat from my brow. The pack might be distracted by routine, but Charlie's absence had left a sharp edge to every training session. Sean was good, but Charlie had eyes that could clock even the faintest of wrong movements.