#Chapter 82: Return of the Luna
We’re greeted by the whole freaking pack!
Apparently, Jeaoul and Lenor had already spread the word about what was going on. I’m sure the other pack members didn’t quite believe them, but they must certainly have been curious because a lot of them are standing
at the entrance to the base.
As we approach, I fall behind the others. I don’t exactly want to be the first to be questioned or interrogated.
Plus, I’m sure they can tell I’m different now.
Jeaoul approaches us with his wife and a couple of other pack Elders. “Where is Ryan?”
“Defeated,” Charles calls out, his voice booming. “Our Alpha was defeated and now lies dead and in dishonor.”
There are high–pitched murmurs among the group.
I grow a little concerned at first, because I remember Jeaoul saying that no one believed them when they suspected Ryan’s treachery.
Charles steps aside, still under Alex’s shoulder, revealing me. “Here is our long–lost Luna, Dyanthiana.”
And the one who killed your Alpha.
The murmurs grow to a loud clatter. Several drop to one knee, bowing their heads before me. All the attention sets me on edge. It makes me uncomfortable.
“Please, stand…all of you!”
But others fall to their knees like a chain reaction.
Lenor approaches me, her soft, strong face…. She takes my hands and kisses them. “Our Luna has returned to us.”
Then she kneels on both knees, still gripping my hands.
My anxiety disappears. My heart is so full of love right now. That’s the only way I know how to describe it. To go from a single–parent home to an entire village of family. It’s overwhelming in a good way.
But it also reminds me that one can be a foreigner among their own people. Maybe I am their Luna; that’s yet to be seen. Maybe I am a long–lost werewolf princess, though that doesn’t seem possible.
But right now, I have a family again.
Lenor leads us to their home, where she prepares some food and water for us. We are able to sit and lick our wounds, so to speak.
She sits across from me as I eat some cheese and beef jerky Lots of beef jerky…I’m famished and I want meat!
Alex sits beside me, apparently afraid to let me out of his sight.
“I wish you had known your mother, Ylfa. She was the most beautiful being I have ever met. Your family was noble and greatly respected among all the packs. They were from the old blood.”
I’m grateful to hear this. I need to know more about my past because my present is such an enigma.
“She and your father were young. They were so happy…” she adds, her eyes growing distant and reminiscent. When they return to me, there is a smile in them. “You were their first and only. They loved you so much.”
“Why did they not have more?”
1/3
#Chapter 82: Return of the Luna
+25 BONUS.
Her eyes grow sad. “I’m certain they would have, dear. Their lives were cut short. You see, Ryan was only two years younger than your father, who was the second son to become Alpha. Had he lived a long and prosperous life, Ryan would have never come to power.”
“Which is why he did what he did.”
She nods. A tear falls down her cheek. “There is so much lost time…. But no need to think about what could have been. You were such a lovely baby, and now you look a lot like your mother. I’m sure she is watching over you.”
23
The thought of having another mother is hard to grasp. I’ve only ever known my human mother, the woman who has raised me tried to help me back from the abuse we suffered together. Now I realize why I don’t look like her, though, or why she doesn’t ever talk about our extended family. We don’t have any together.
But I want to hear more about my real parents. “Do you liave any pictures of them?”
Lenor’s face lights up. “I’m sure I still do…somewhere. Give me a moment,” she says patting my hand. Lenor stands and looks around the room. “I’m sure I can find you something.”
She leaves the room for a moment and Alex touches my leg under the table. His touch brings a tingling sensation to my body.
“I still can’t believe it,” he says, his voice just above a whisper. “You’re a werewolf–a Luna…” His words hang between us. His eyes are large and soft and study my face with intensity.
I just want to melt into him and forget about all about what happened, only looking to our future. Is it possible we have one? If I’m Malkeye and he’s Ayzena…
But I can’t think about that right now. Right now, I want to bask in his gaze with the knowledge that my life was once so different and held so much potential.
“Can we spend time alone? Later?”
His hand squeezes my thigh playfully, and his smile is mischievous, sexy. “Ohhh…I plan to.”
He nods at my plate. “You’re really putting away that meat,” he says with a laugh.
I giggle. “I can’t help it! I’m so hungry!”
Lenor returns with two pictures; one is black and white, and the other is in color. Both are worn from years of handling.
She sits back down and hands me the pictures, pointing to the black and white one first. “These are your parents when they first mated.”
They looked so regal…but so content. “Your father and your mother were lucky–they were in love before they even know they were fated.”
“That hardly ever happens,” Alex says, awe in his voice.
But we look at each other and we understand: That’s us.
“They’re so lovely,” I say. There’s so much more I want to say, but I can’t find the words.
Then she points to the other picture. It is in color and is more recent, but still several years old, and I understand why.
“This is you with your parents. You were almost a year old when everything…happened. And you were small for your age, but very bright, very curious.”
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#Chapter 82: Return of the Luna
+25 BONUS
I study the picture. I’m sitting up in my mother’s lap, gazing into her face. My father is behind her and we are nothing but smiles. Only…more than smiles. I can sense the adoration. My parents really did love me…and I lived
them.
I purse my lips together to keep from crying. “Can I keep these?” I ask when I’ve gained a little composure.
“Of course, dear. They’re yours.”
Alex puts an arm around my shoulders and kisses me on the head. Lenor gazes at us fondly. Perhaps there is hope after all.
