The Hidden Luna

Chapter Fourteen

Lilith’s POV

The morning sun filtered through the trees as James and I stepped outside the pack house.

I paused at the top of the porch steps.

The place looked nothing like I had imagined. It was.. Beautiful, there were many, many homes surrounding the main pack house.

The pack house was also extremely gorgeous, it was like a mansion. So many people going in and out. James explained that majority of the people I saw were omegas they are lower ranked wolves, they usually help out with cleaning and honestly being the back bone of the pack. but in his pack all wolves are respected no matter what rank.

Children chased one another across an open field, their laughter echoing through the crisp morning air. There were guards walking along the side of the pack walls. A few pack members lounged in the sunlight in their wolf forms while others walked by as they talked with friends.

The scent of fresh bread drifted from a nearby home, mixing with the smell of pine and earth.

It felt… Normal. Like a small town.

Not like the terrifying stories I’d imagined in books after learning werewolves were real.

James glanced over at me.

“You okay?”

I nodded slowly.

“It’s just…”

I looked around again.

“I expected something… scarier.”

He laughed.

“We’re still people, Lilith. Just a little hairier.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

—

We walked slowly through the pack grounds, mostly because of my leg, but I didn’t mind.

Honestly It had been one of the best days I’d had in a long time.

As we wandered through the pack, James showed me everything. The training grounds where the warriors sparred, the gardens that supplied fresh vegetables for the pack, and the school where the younger pups learned about both the human and werewolf worlds.

Everywhere we went, James patiently answered every question I had.

By lunchtime, we returned to the pack house.

One of the omegas had prepared an incredible meal of stuffed chicken, seasoned rice, and fresh vegetables.

It was, without a doubt, one of the most delicious meals I had ever eaten.

Later that evening, James led me farther from the center of the pack.

The air grew quieter until we reached a peaceful clearing.

Rows of carefully carved headstones stretched before us.

At the center stood a large stone memorial engraved with the names of wolves who had lost their lives protecting the pack.

Others nearby honored those who had lived long, full lives.

James slowed to a stop.

His smile faded.

He knelt beside one of the graves, gently brushing a few fallen leaves from the headstone.

“This one…”

His voice was quiet.

“…is my father.”

I stepped beside him.

“I’m so sorry.”

He gave me a small nod.

“He died protecting my mother during a rogue attack.”

I frowned.

“Rogues?”

James stood, his eyes still fixed on the headstone.

“Rogues are wolves without a pack. Some were cast out for breaking pack laws… They may have murdered or attacked another pack member. Others abandoned their packs and chose to live outside our laws.” His jaw tightened. “But the most dangerous rogues don’t just live alone.”

“They form groups… and prey on innocent packs.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“So they’re dangerous?”

James finally looked at me.

“Very.”

“I’m sorry your pack had to go through that.”

He looked at me with soft eyes “thank you”

By the time we made our way back to the pack house, it was already dark out.

By the time we made our way back to the pack house, the sun had disappeared beneath the trees, leaving the grounds bathed in soft moonlight.

Somehow, throughout our walk, James and I had drifted closer together.

I didn’t mind it.

In fact…

I found myself wanting to close the small distance between us even more.

My fingers twitched at my side.

Would it be weird if I held his hand?

Just as I started reaching toward him—

“Hey, big bro!”

The familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I looked up to see the girl from the elevator walking toward us.

The moment she noticed me, her smile disappeared.

Her eyes narrowed. “Human.”

The word dripped with disgust.

I crossed my arms. “Excuse me?”

James let out a tired sigh.

“Adeline.” His voice carried a warning. “If you’re just here to cause trouble, you need to leave.”

She rolled her eyes. “I actually came to ask if you wanted to go out with Serena and me.”

A woman stepped out from behind the nearby tree.

She was stunning.

Long blonde hair fell past her waist, and her emerald-green eyes sparkled beneath the moonlight.

For a brief second I suddenly became painfully aware of my own appearance.

She’s gorgeous.

She walked over with a bright smile.

“Hi! I’m Serena.” She held out her hand. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I bet we’re going to be best friends.”

I forced a polite smile as I shook her hand.

“Yeah… That would be nice.”

But something about her smile…

It never reached her eyes.

She’s fake.

Serena turned her attention back to James.

Without hesitation, she slipped her hand around his arm.

“So…” she said sweetly, looking up at him. “Adeline and I were planning a little trip for a few days. I thought it would be the perfect chance for us to spend some time together.”

A strange feeling twisted inside my chest.

My stomach tightened.

Every instinct screamed at me to pull her arm off her body for touching him”

What is this feeling?

Before I could talk myself out of it I reached over and intertwined my fingers with James’s. Sparks flew up my arm. His warm hand instinctively squeezed mine.

I lifted my chin and met Serena’s eyes.

“I’m sorry.” I smiled sweetly. “He already has plans with me for the next few days.”

I gave her a playful wink.

Serena’s smile vanished.

For just a moment The mask slipped.

If looks could kill I’d already be dead.

“You heard my mate,” James said proudly.

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

Mate.

Hearing him say it out loud for others to hear made my heart race.

Without another word, we walked away hand in hand.

It just felt right being this close to him.

“Well, look who’s getting all lovey-dovey.”

A familiar voice called from the steps of the pack house.

Quinn.

She stood there with her arms crossed, a teasing grin spreading across her face.

James chuckled. “Couldn’t help yourself, could you?”

“Not a chance,” Quinn replied with a laugh before turning her attention to me.

“Come on, Lilith. We need to get you back to the clinic for one last checkup.”

She looked at James knowingly.

“If everything looks good tonight, we can move you into the pack house tomorrow.”

I blinked.

“Wait…” I looked between the two of them. “I’m moving in here? When was this decided?”

James rubbed the back of his neck, looking almost sheepish.

“I made the decision. For your protection.”

My smile faded and pulled away from him

“What do you mean?”

His expression grew serious. “The people who attacked you… They were rogues.”