MY LUNA

PACK

Of all the bad things that could happen to me, this was by far the worst.

“Hello Asher!” Asher doesn't even look at Hazel or bat an eyelash at her cheerful greeting. He keeps those honey eyes trained on me, scrutiny evident in their depths. “Came to see me win the Archery championship?” His mouth twitches and–finally! a bloody reaction from him– “I heard you're no longer participating. Tough competition. My condolences on your loss” Hazel snickers next to me and i want to wipe the smug look off Asher's face when I notice the championship pin on his left breast pocket. The bastard had won of course. “I didn't drop out because I was scared of you winning.”

I narrow my eyes at him. He raises an eyebrow, “Who said anything about you being scared?” Clenching my teeth hard, I open my mouth to give a scathing retort but Hazel suddenly appears betwen us, “Okay guys, enough. Back up.” She fans her face, “Geez, all this tension and you could light a fireplace with it.” “Is that why you ratted me out yesterday? So you could get me out of your way to the winning poll today?” Asher narrows his eyes, “If we're still going to talk-” “No we're not!” Hazel claps her hands, “Please guys, it's tournament day.

Can we not have your little beef overshadow the good spirit?” Both Asher and I turn to look at her questioningly and she shrugs, “What? I missed my best friends.” Scrunching my face I say, “Careful, Hazel. This one here has an affinity for betrayal” Asher ignores my comment and pins me with a hard stare, “Why are you going into town when you know that it's forbidden?” “Why is that any of your business?” “Because when a member of the pack breaks the Alpha's rule, it is my business.”

“Add that to my tally then.” Asher walks forward and I see a few veins popping behind the curls, “Do you absolutely have no sense of obedience? Your father is doing all he can to keep this pack safe and all you want to do is keep bringing chaos?” “Asher-” Hazel starts warningly but I cut her off, “I didn't realise you wanted to be him so badly.” “Enough with the bullshit, Ciara. You can't go and keep doing this rebellious s**t for long.

That's not who you're supposed to be” “And who the hell do you think you are to know anything about me?” The venom in my words and the fire in my eyes isn't hard to miss considering how close Asher and I are now standing to each other. My chest heaves with how angry I am at his insinuation that there's even a semblance of friendship remaining between us after all his betrayal. His breaths have gone ragged like mine and for a split second his eyes drop down before they recover and come back up.

Asher looks away from me immediately and takes two steps back. Too late. I've already seen it. My own heart had betrayed me by rushing in excitement–of what, I don't know. Grabbing my bag, I turn to a concerned Hazel who looks between I and Asher, her blue eyes concerned. I had even forgotten she was there. “Come on, Hazel. We're late for our waxing appointment.” She looks at me confused, “But you don't wax.”

Dragging her hand with me I make for the tents flaps but Asher hijacks my escape, “Whatever you're thinking about Ciara, don't you dare go into town.” “I don't respond kindly to commands Asher, and you know it.” With that parting remark, I drag Hazel along with me and we leave the tent together. The lively chatter of the tournament is still very much in the air.

Hazel and I make our way to the salon in silence that I'm grateful for. She types away on her phone and I could bet my whole inheritance that it's her sister–who's half away across the world– she's talking to. “I'm sorry.” Hazel looks up abruptly, “What for?” “I know you guys are still friends. Its just, he's just so aggravating.” “Both of you are.” I turn to face Hazel but her annoyed face morphs into a smile, “But I still love you both.” “I love you too.” I say sincerely and we lock our arms as we keep walking.

“So you're not waxing are you?” “Of course not.” I shudder at the possibility of even considering that activity. “I just needed to get him off our tail.” Hazel sighs, “You're still meeting up with him?” I nod, “Yep. Alex and I are going to start at the records office. Maybe we could find something that links us to my mother's family.”

“Did you tell him why you're searching?” “No.” I bite my lip, “I couldn't even.” Sighing, I kick at a pebble and smile when a pup kicks it back. He looks to be around six. I ruffle his hair and he giggles before running away with the pebble.

“Awww he wants to play catch.” Hazel swoons “Yeah well, I doubt his mother would be happy to see who he plays with.” “Ciara. Your people love you. Stormclaw pack loves you.” “I know. That's why I'm doing this for them. Because I want to be a good wolf.” Hazel smiles brightly, “And a better Luna.” I scrunch my nose, “Let's not get ahead of ourselves.”

We reach our designated meeting place. A dried up pond. Hazel stands in the direction of the pack's salon and I to the human town. She squeezes my finger, “Come back early okay? I can only cover for you for a little while. And if Alpha Jones uses his Alpha command, well then, I'm useless.” “Don't worry. I will. Thanks Hazel.” We exchange a quick hug, “Anytime. Be careful of patrol.” I watch her figure disappear, her blonde waves iridescent in the sunlight. Before turning and heading for the high trees with lightning speed.

A power I've kept away from everyone. Because of its rarity. I didn't tell Hazel the full reason why I'm searching for my late mother’s family.Because then I could place answers to my many questions. As I jump from tree to tree, crossing the border and entering town, they roam rent free in my head. Like how I can move faster than my father, one of the most powerful werewolves in the world.

Or how I can heat up any liquid with a thought. And yet, I still can't wolf out. I land onto the dried leaves in the town's park. Dusting my hands against my jeans, I free my hair from a bun and quickly pinch my cheeks for some colour. Scanning the park's benches, I find him sitting, the sunlight streaming in through the leaves and casting a warm colour on his honey skin. My heart clenches at the sight of the bouquet of white roses in his hands.

Walking towards him, a sense of guilt pushes at me. Because despite defying every rule of my father, nothing is as grave as this one. Alex sees me and a smile lits up his face. I return the smile and he stands. The moment I reach him, he envelops me in a hug and kisses my cheek, “Hey babe.” Consorting with a human.