The Last Crescent

Chapter 26

Neoma

It's strange... 

I've been living in this house for over a week, and this is the first time I'm waking up in my intended bedroom, across from my roommate. It feels strange not waking up to Greyson's face staring back at me in the morning. I gaze at the ceiling, missing the feeling of his warmth next to me, his sleeping silhouette. As Ava snores loudly, I think about sneaking into his room. It's funny how life works. One minute, you feel invisible to the world, thinking you'd never make any connection to anyone, especially not a mate.

It's only a matter of time before Ava wakes up and wants to shop for costumes for tonight's party. She's a fantastic person, but sometimes she can be a lot to handle, especially in the morning. If I want to go to Greyson's, I must go before she wakes up and asks questions. I check my phone for the time: "5:15 am." I quietly toss my blanket aside and slowly rise out of bed so the mattress doesn't squeak too loud. I put on my slippers, grab my phone, and sneak out of the room, quietly closing the door behind me.

"Sneaking out?" I jump and turn around. "holyshit, Greyson, could you not give me a heart attack?" He chuckles. "Sorry, I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd surprise you." He hands me a sunflower, and I can feel my cheeks warming. "Thanks." I close my eyes and take in its scent.

"Where are you heading off to anyway?" he asks.

"Um... nowhere special." He raises his eyebrow. "I see. Well, I will head back to my room. Are you coming?"

"What makes you think I wanted to go with you?" He grins wolfishly and leans back on the wall. "Are you saying you don't?"

"No, but I don't like assumptions about me." He leans off the wall and walks toward me, causing me to step back until I'm pinned against the wall. I can feel his breath radiating on my neck. I close my eyes as the sensation sends my body yearning for his touch. "When it comes to you..." he whispers sweetly in my ear and gently glides his finger down my neck to the top of my sternum, sending shivers down my spine. He licks his lips and kisses my neck. I feel the wet warmth forming between my legs. "...I'll never have to guess."

He pulls away from me and starts to walk down the hall, leaving me flustered. I hesitate for a second but then follow shortly behind him. I swear I can feel him smiling... is that even possible?

We walk down two flights past the boys' corridor. "Where are we going?" He looks back and grins. "It's a surprise." We continue to walk to the first floor.

There are only a few packmates awake at this time for morning shifts. A few omegas are cleaning the foyer. As we walk past, they avoid eye contact. We walk toward the kitchen, and the smell of bacon fills my nose. "What are we doing here?" I whisper. Greyson presses his finger to his mouth. "Shh." We walk to the kitchen door and squat down. I see three female packmates conversing.

"Can you believe a rogue is our new Luna?" says the girl frying the bacon.

"Honestly, that's the last thing I expected. I always assumed Anais would be, but the new girl is pretty," says another, prepping the French toast.

"Yeah, pretty basic. Did you see how she dressed the other day? If I were Luna, I'd put more effort into my everyday appearance," says the third, cutting up strawberries.

"Shut up, Briona. You're just jealous you aren't Greyson's mate. We all know you've had a crush on him since middle school," says the bacon girl.

"So what? I think I'd be an amazing Luna. I'm confident and can be a leader and..." Briona smirks and bites into a strawberry. "I'd turn Greyson out every night." My blood begins to boil. I look over at Greyson, who is trying to avoid eye contact.