The Royal Alpha, & Loyal Luna

39. Royal By Blood . Rogue By Choice .

Daylight broke. And with it, came a message.. but not from Minette. Not yet at least, but there was bound to be one soon, and with it.. a bounty like Bowmen.

And hopefully stronger. The three of us need a challenge, we need to see what we can do.

The voice nearly purred, feeling as though it had the upper hand. Little did it know, I already felt the push back with the touch of what the Moon Goddess gave me. It may have still been there, but I knew it would not win.

"It's Alpha Grey." Gio handed me the inscribed card, Kale's handwriting lined across the middle. A simple message. 'We're coming.'

"Where is Gabriel?" I flicked the card from between my fingers. Irritation creased my brows, was I ready to face him yet? Grey..

Calm, my child.

"Talking to the zombie." He replied hastily.

I eyed him.

"You know I meant you no offense, My Goddess." Gio bowed his head. He was acting different, was it because.. I was different? Yet again?

"Collect him. He's going to wait outside our perimeter and will alert us when Alpha Grey and his Beta arrive. I'm sure there'll be no less than fifty wolves spread about, we'll see how good his eyes and ears are, and just how fast he is."

He nodded. "I see, a trial before we have him guard the royal house while we're inside. I will let him know immediately." He turned to go.

"Gio.."

When his eyes met mine, he smiled softly. "It's good to have you back. Even if it's you.. two-point-oh."

"You can.. see me?" As dumb as the question was, it was the only thing that felt appropriate. The only thing I felt could give me a real answer. Was I different? Or was I.. me again?

"You're in there." He answered back, formality leaving his tone.

"How can you tell?"

"Because.. now you see me." He turned to leave the room, a smile still on his face.

I closed my eyes, eyes that showed the battle within me that I could physically feel happening. But one thing I was grateful for.. it didn't hurt anymore.

"Thank you, Moon Goddess.. I won't let us down." I whispered.

I heard a knock at my door just moments after Gio had left through it.

"Enter."

When our eyes met, I thought him to be mad at me. His eyes held something I couldn't quite place a finger on, but oddly felt familiar. But when he didn't hesitate to embrace me, I knew.. he seen me too.

"It's good to feel you again."

I stammered in response.

"Not like that, of course." Gabe chuckled. "Your aura. It feels different, but it feels like you."

There was still something about him that seemed irresistibly gravitating ever since I'd had the wulphed in me, but I felt more in control of it. Was it the Goddess's soul in me now, working against it? "I think I'm still adjusting." I settled with.

He pulled away from me. "To what exactly?" Sniffing the air, "You're the only wolf I know who changes scent like they change their underwear."

I laughed. And Goddess, did it feel good to laugh.

"I will guard you with my life, Luna Nova."

"No need for that right now. This time, I just need you to guard my trust in you. I'm not trying to keep them out." I told him honestly.