The Once Rejected Luna

The Search Begins

Running. Why was I running?

A loud thunderous roar sounded behind me. The hair on the back of my neck stood tall and I picked up speed.

Who was that? Why am I being chased? I could hear Verena yelling but I couldn’t make out what she was saying. Was she trying to take over?

I continued to run and push myself harder as I ran pass the trees in a blur. The pounding of large paws slapping against the ground echoed behind me as I heard them pick up pace.

My feet came to a halt as I reached the cliffs edge. I turned to face the predator who had claimed me as his prey. A large dark brown grizzly lazily lumbered out of the woods knowing I had no where to go. He raised himself high on his hide legs and let out his thunderous roar again in my face. He slammed down on his front legs and let out a lazy huff. I stood there frozen staring into the eyes of the beast.

The next thing I knew I was being ripped from the cliffs edge as a gently voice reached my ears. “My child. You can’t be afraid when you meet him. The human is nicer then the bear.” And with those words the dream faded to black.

When I woke up I sat in my bed running my fingers through the tangle mess of hair. I knew I couldn’t be afraid when I met Ryder. Everything had to go well for not only my family’s sake but for that of my future pups. I got out of bed and walked to the living room where I found my father sitting on the couch.

He looked up at me a bit shocked. “Everything okay princess?” I went to nod my head but my shoulder sank in defeat “no, dad I don’t know how I’m going to go about this once I begin looking for Ryder. How am I not suppose to be afraid of someone who has vowed to destroy the founding families?” He sighed softly and patted the couch cushion beside him. “Come here.” I went a sat down next to him laying my head on his shoulder as he spoke “I can’t tell you to not be scared. Everyone has a right to be afraid, especially when trying to do something they have never done before.” He wrapped his arms around me and I once again felt like that little pup I use to be. That little pup that didn’t have a care in the world. “All I can say is let that fear fuel you and be what drives you to make those changes you want.” I knew he was right that if I just continued to give into my fear and not control it I’ll end up drowning in it and it could cost not only me but hundreds of lives.

I don’t know how much time had past as I kept my head on my father’s shoulder. I enjoyed the moment as I knew once dawn broke the surface I would have to begin my search and try and find Ryder. I had to keep my head up high, but for now I just wanted to feel like that little pup who didn’t care and just wanted her father attention.

The sun broke just over the horizon as my family home became more lively. Knox was the first to wake up as he came walking from one of the guest room, Lydia had been in my room sleeping on a spare bed as she was the next to wake up. Once my mother woke up she started to work on breakfast as my brother was the last to get up.

After we walked away with full bellies and helped cleaned up. Knox, Lydia, my brother, and I all went outside making our way to my families training grounds. We had a map in hand with a marker as well.

Once we got there we started setting everything up and going over what we already know.

Knox spoke up “If I remember correctly Luna, that scout came from the north side of the Blue mist pack.” I looked at the map that showed the pack boarders. “Here’s the thing, he could be there or he could just want us to think that.” I circled the North and the East side of the packs boarder. “If you look here both North and East side of the packs boarder is big enough to home a large rouge pack. The only problem is that on the east side of the pack’s boarder is a small town.” I sat there trying to think as my brother chimed in “But would you really want to hide a rouge pack within a town?” I knew he was right but maybe that’s what Ryder wanted us to think. He gave us coordinates but they gave just a vague point on the map which sat right at the boarder of the blue mist pack.

I bit the end of the marker in my hand. “We should check the outside of the town first. He could be there. We’ll see if anyone has seen anyone unusual.” If there was one things we could count on it was that people in small towns talked.

Once the plan was set in stone we loaded up and headed just east of the packs boarders. After almost an hour drive we came up to the small town and parked at the local diner. We climbed out and began walking on foot using our extremely good hearing to listen to what they had to say. We acted as if we were here from shopping and enjoying a day out when we heard a group of little old ladies. “At least this group isn’t as scary looking. They look like a bunch of young adults.”

Mhmm scary looking group? Something tells me that would be Ryder’s little rouge pack. We continued walking when Knox nudged me. “You smell that?” I took in a deep breath and just faintly I can make out two rouges and a large bear shifter. They had been through just a few days ago it seemed. I looked to knox “Yea. It’s faint but there. We are in the right area it seems. Let’s head back to the car then we can check the woods surrounding the area.” We got a good hold on where he could be now it was just finding him all together and if Mark is with him it could be difficult to get Ryder on our side. Little does mark know we have an ace up our sleeve. I looked at Lydia and smiled. Everything has been going well up to this point. I can’t and won’t fail now. I’ll take Mark down if I have to. He thinks I’m still a small little girl who needs daddy to fight her battles. Boy will he be wrong.

As I was lost in thought a familiar scent hit my nose. I looked around trying to pin point it as my eyes landed just on the out skirts of the woods. Our eyes locking together. Next I knew they vanished right as I blinked.

All I knew was everything was just getting started.