Unraveling Rogue

Chapter 8 - A Day of Surprises

For the next few weeks after being formally introduced as the pack's new Luna, Alphas from other packs close by were coming to meet me.

By now, I had met four. They came, introduced themselves, mingled with the pack, then left after a day or two. 

By now, I had accepted my role of authority. Although this life is new to me, and very unfamiliar, I have to get used to it.

I've accepted the fact that I'm not able to run away, no matter how much I've wanted to.

I've phoned Holly a few times since arriving here, telling her about the pack, the town, and Luke. I offered her a position in the pack, but she seemed very hesitant before politely declining the offer, which I totally understand and support. It was hard for me, too. It still is, but it's becoming easier.

I've met most of the pack and get along great with them. They love me as they love their own, which I'm grateful for. I didn't think they'd be thrilled that their new Luna was an ex-rogue that has no sense of leadership, but they don't seem to mind.

Luke has been slowly going over pack information with me; showing my the territory, telling me who our allies are, and who we don't get along with very well. I've went out on patrol a few times to learn what it's like, but I'm not very good at it. I always get side tracked or just simply make a fool out of myself.

Besides the pack stuff, I haven't been doing much of anything these past few weeks. I just lounge around the house, playing with Mittens the Cat, watching TV, reading, or cooking. Since I've made myself at home, Luke seems less troubled than when I first met him. One of my new friends in the pack, Gemma, has confirmed this. She said that I've made him a better person - how, I have no idea. All I did for the first two weeks was complain and bicker with him every chance I could.

I guess he really does love me, because I don't think he could have put up with me if he didn't.

***

"A little higher on the left. No, that's too far. It's still crooked." I said, watching Luke as he put a painting up on the kitchen's wall. A member of the pack had painted it - three wolves running through the forest at night. It was beautiful; we had a lot of talented members in our pack.

"Are you sure?" Luke asked, stepping back to look at it. 

"Positive."

"Alright then." Luke shifted it more to the right, then stepped back again.

"I think it's good there." I said, tilting my head to size it up.

"That's where I had it the first time." Luke said with a slight frown.

"No, it isn't. Anyway, I'm going to make some dinner. Get out of the kitchen." I demanded, gently pushing his shoulders. Luke chuckled as he walked down the hall, towards the living room.

I pulled out a frying pan and turned on the stove before getting some boneless chicken out of the freezer. I defrosted it in the microwave before setting it in the hot pan. While it was frying, I took stuff out of the fridge to make wraps and set it on the counter.

Once the chicken was done, I went to get Luke, who I found laying on the couch with his arms under his head, watching TV. His green and black flannel shirt had rose up, bearing a small patch of pale skin above the waistline of his dark jeans. I silently crept up behind him and touched my hand - cold due to rinsing lettuce in cold water - to the exposed skin. He jumped and recoiled.

"God, that's cold." He exclaimed as he pulled his shirt down to cover the skin. I giggled and waved my fingers. 

"Dinner's ready."