Vixen

Chapter Twenty-One

Eleven more chapters and then the first unedited draft of Vixen is complete. WOW. :) 

Chapter Twenty-One - Unedited

I was beyond relieved to be back on familiar grounds. If it hadn't been for Cooper contacting me regarding my whereabouts, I would have been lost in the middle of the woods for who knows how long. I often reveled in being in my wolf form but after days of wandering aimlessly on all fours, my humanity was driving me crazy. I needed to stand upright on two legs again, and honestly, it was a refreshing feeling.

Cooper was guiding the pack alongside my word carefully manipulating them and gearing them for a full fledged battle. He understood all my troubles as soon as I stumbled home and tears began streaming down my face relentlessly. Cooper didn't snap at my throat when I revealed to him the master plan that all the other supernaturals had. He didn't threaten my existence when I explained how I was the most wanted abomination walking on the fact of the Earth. Instead, Cooper promised me that he would help get Raphael back even if it meant losing his own life.

And Raphael didn't think Cooper was a fitting Beta. 

 "Isn't your father stepping down and handing over the Argent kingdom to you?" Cooper asked for clarification. I nodded, not being able to bring myself to speak. I didn't even want to have to think about attempting to rule another pack let alone trying to rally Raphael's alone. 

"I'm glad you're back, and alive Luna, but you also have to be else where," Cooper's eyes shifted uneasily around the room. Again, I couldn't help but to agree even though I didn't want to. I had to merge the two very different, very rival packs into one working force if I had any hope of getting Raphael. When Duty calls, I must attend and sadly, my presence was being demanded in Argent territory. 

"I agree," I solemnly nodded and resigned my position from the table. Meredith escorted me kindly out of the grand room with tears still rimming her once sparkling blue eyes. I felt her pain, and engulfed the poor woman into a tight embrace. She let out a loud, shrill sob before formally collecting herself and bidding me the best of luck back home. 

if only I could call the Argent palace my home. Honestly, the place felt more like a burden to return to than a sacred place full of warmth and security. 

Home is where the heart is, my wolf cried out. Her heart was aching from longing and despair from not hearing a single peep from our mate. For all we knew he could be suffering or being tortured for all kinds of information. 

I exited the pack house and hugged myself tightly. The Autumn air was really starting to settle into a wintry feel and the chilled winds were only a beginning. Ellie and Jack were holding hands to my surprise and greeted me warmly. I could still see the sad, bleak look in Jack's mud brown irises whenever we locked eyes. I was proud of him for trying to move on from me, but my wolf and I both knew, unless he found his Fated other half, he never would. I felt like a terrible, horrible person for having him strung after me. 

"Luna," Ellie said in a sing song voice. She giggled slightly, trying to make the best out of a shitty situation. I groaned mentally to myself, hating how the word Luna sounded on her tongue. I might have been a Luna, but she was still my best friend and it felt ridiculous to be greeted with such formality. 

"Ellie, please, it's Cora, remember?" I attempted to joke back, but my voice sounded hoarse from the tears that have been choking me. 

"Cora, are you leaving now?" Jack asked with earnest concern lacing his voice. I nodded stiffly and wrapped my cloak around me tighter. 

"We'll join you," Jack insisted and Ellie nodded eagerly in approval. I didn't dare stop them because honestly, for once, I didn't want to be alone. I didn't know how walking into my new kingdon was going to go, especially since my father has me deemed as some sort of evil monster.