Shadow Luna

CH.5 Clarification

Annabelle POV

I felt a light, like the normal darkness that is in my room just disappeared. It was calming and warm. Then I felt a warm hand crease my face leaving sparks along its trail. It felt different. I enjoyed this feeling and wanted more. I knew I moved my head towards the warmth. I hear a lite chuckle and that’s when I suddenly opened my eyes. Instantly fear gripped me as I look to the hand touching me. Then I look to the owner of the hand and slightly calmed down seeing the same beautiful man standing next to me. I felt a small wave of calm come over me, although I was still fearful of this stranger. We were just starring at each other silent for a few moments until I heard someone clear their throat and I turn to see two more people in the room. They both looked like they were in their late forties. The woman was beautiful and elegant, she radiated this motherly vibe with her soft clear grey eyes just like my mate and light brown hair. The man next to her looked almost like my mate with the same build and color hair but with dark brown eyes. If I would know better, they look more like my mate’s parents. I scan my surrounds and see that I am in a hospital room with open windows letting in the sun. It must be morning. I look back at the people in the room and even though I do not feel threatened by them I am still on guard. I sit up and bring my knees to my chest keeping an eye on them. I guess they saw my reaction because they were giving me sad looks.

“What is your name little one?” My mate said and I look at him. I was hesitant to answer, could I trust them? I was so confused and scared, yet calm. I don’t know what came over me but I finally had the energy to whisper, “Annabelle”. My throat was raspy. He gave me the biggest warmest smile that I swore would split his face in two. It looked genuine and when I looked to the other two, they had an equally genuine grin.

“Do you need some water dear” The lady said. I just nod. My mate goes over to the side table where there was a pitcher with cups. He pours the water and handed me a glass. I took it, but when I barely touched his skin sparks erupted, I jumped, and I lost my grip on the cup making it fall to the ground. I screech and heard my mate chuckle.

“Its ok little one, I will just grab you another one.” This time when he gave it to me, I made sure to avoid the skin contact. His eyes should a small bit of hurt before looking back up to me. I felt bad suddenly for hurting him, but then again, he is a stranger, how can I feel bad? I gulped down the water and passed the cup back to him.

“Annabelle, welcome to the Shadow pack, if you are up for it, would you like to talk about what happened?” the lady spoke. I stayed silent just weighing my options.

‘Ebony can I trust them? I need you right now’

‘I sense nothing bad, and our mate is here, I think we should’ she said. It was a good enough answer from her. I guess I could take a chance.

“Who are you?” I ask, I at least need names before I spill my story.

“I am Dorthey Summers, former Luna of this pack. This is my husband and mate, Former Alpha Rick Summers. And Right next to you is my son, current Alpha Colton.” She said and I look up at Colton and he smiles down on me.

“There is more than one Alpha?” I ask and they all look at me confused. I can tell from their scent that they are wolves, and my mates scent is a little overpowering.

“Yes dear, every pack has an Alpha, and there are many packs out there.”

“Was the one that did this to you an Alpha?” Rick asked and I nod.

“Do you mind telling us what happened little one, I promise you no one will hurt you here. You are safe.” Colton says which makes me relax instantly from the sound of his voice. What is happening to me to make me feel trusting towards him.

‘It’s the mate bond’ Ebony remarks.

“Alpha Jason, that’s what they call him… He and his goons killed my fiancé and abducted me.” I let a tear fall from the flashback. “I woke up in an exam room where he, his father, and a scientist were present. They all talked about what a catch I was, how I would be the perfect Luna for Jason when I finished my transition. Then the scientist injected me with a serum.” I hugged my knees closer as the memory of that pain came flooding in. I buried my head into my knees and cried. I heard footsteps coming to me and sensed Dorthey sit next to me and rub my back. It was warm and motherly, exactly what I needed to continue.

“Its ok dear, what else happened?” Her voice held sympathy and care. I look up at her and nodded wiping my tears away with my hands.

“I don’t know how long it took, but it hurt so much. There was no getting away from the immense pain and burning. Then one night after passing out from baring the pain I was visited in my dreams by the moon goddess. She gave me a wolf, when I woke that same wolf was talking in my head. That is when Jason came to visit me daily. Since my transition was completed, he would take me outside of the compound to the forest and force me to shift. He told me that he needed to see how strong my wolf was to determine to keep me as his Luna or sell me.” I paused and took a deep breath. “He would beat me to a pulp daily when I did not shift.” I heard an aggressive growl coming from Colten and I stiffened. I look up saw Colten clench his jaw and ball up his fists. His father came up to him and squeezed his shoulder.

“Calm down son, she is still weary of us.” Rick whispered to his son. Colten nodded and looked at me with sorrow.

“I am sorry little one, please continue.” He said and I look to his mom and she smiles and nods.

“The day you came was the day he beat me the worst. When Alpha Jason brought me back to the room his scientist was there. He asked him why I was not shifting or healing fast enough. The scientist was sure that I had a wolf and just thought that I was a weak wolf to not be able to shift this early. That is when Alpha Jason decided to give me another day to try and shift naturally and then the next day he would use the accelerator.”

“can you shift dear?” Dorthey asked.

“I am sure I can, I just didn’t. I also asked my wolf not to heal me when he finished beating me. I knew that my fate would be determined the minute I shifted. I wanted him to assume that I was weak. I was trying to buy my time to figure out a way to escape.” I let another tear fall from my eyes. “What will happen to me now?” I ask no one in particular.

“Now that you are one of us, I am afraid that you can not go back to your old life.” Dorthey said I look down to my lap and sigh.

“I don’t have anything to go back to.” I softly said. “He killed my future the day he kidnapped me.” I look to Colten. “Thank you for taking me out of that place.” I say to him.  He smiles and nods. Then there was a nock on the door and a nurse came in holding a tray of food. She placed it on the roller tray and left with a soft smile.

“Annabelle, why don’t you eat and rest. You are home now, and we will be your family.” Dorthey says, I smile softly and whisper a thank you. Colten rolls the tray to me as I situate myself on my bed.

“We will leave you alone for now.” Dorthey says and begins to walk out with Rick and Colten right behind them.

“Alpha Colten!” I suddenly blurt out. I don’t know what I was doing but I didn’t want him to leave. “Can you stay… please?” I saw a flash of surprise and glee flash in his eyes.

“Of course.” He turns to his parents and motions for them to continue. After the door closes behind them, he comes and sits on the chair next to my bed. I just stares at me while I remain motionless in my bed.

“What is the date?” I ask him.

“Its Monday, July 12.” He said. It has only been a month since I was taken. I look off to the distance and realize that what felt like a year really was only a month. Then I feel Colten take my hands and sparks erupt. It was intense and I just look over to him not letting go. He cups both his hand onto mine and looks at me with so much love.

“I am sorry I did not get to you sooner.” He says and I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

“What do you mean, you got there in the nick of time.” He sighs keeping my hand in his. We kept quiet for a moment as we starred at each other. I was now wondering what my future holds now that my life as completely changed. “What will happen to me now?” I ask.

“You are staying here where I will take care of you and protect you little one.” He says so gently. I was having such strong feelings for him, more intense then felt with Greg. “Do you feel it?” He asks and I look at him even more confused. As if reading my mind, he continues, “Do you feel the sparks?”

“Yes” I whisper but I knew he heard it. “Is this the mate bond?” I ask and he nods.

“You are my mate, my most precious gift given to me by the moon goddess. I will not let anything bad happen to you ever again.” He says with so much sincerity.

“I believe you.” I say back, it felt right to trust him despite knowing him for only less than a day. “Now what do we do?” I ask. I was so beyond the norms of this supernatural world. Ebony can only tell me so much.

“Well… I know that this is all new for you… but you will live with me and we begin to get to know each other. As much as I really would like to finish the mating process and mark you, I want you to feel comfortable first. We can go slow and take things one step at a time.” He says with a hopeful look. He was irresistible, I could not say no to him, I already felt like I can trust him with my life. But what if he is just saying that to hurt me? I was so confused with my head and heart clashing. I had to take a deep breath and let go. Whatever comes my way I know that I am strong enough to bare it, I will survive. I nod to him deciding to take a risk. He was gleaming like he just won the lottery.

“So are you going to eat or watch me all day, honestly I don’t mind you looking. But you should eat to recover.” He says. I blush and turn towards my food. Why am I acting shy and timid suddenly? This man is doing things to me. I glance at the tray in front of me an see a hemp of different items. I cannot finish all this. There were scrambles eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fruit, toast, and yogurt. I turn to Colten.

“I can not possible finish all this. Have you eaten? Would you like to share?” I ask. He nods and takes a piece of bacon still smiling at me. He hasn’t stopped smiling this whole time. I just try and focus on eating and failing at concealing my blush. We eat in silence and I am stuffed.

“So Annabelle, tell me more about yourself.” He starts. I am speechless and don’t know what to tell him. “How bout we start with where are you from?” I guess he understood my reaction and am grateful again that he is taking it easy with me.

“Um, I am from Chico.” I begin to say, “Can I ask a question?” I ask. He looks at me puzzled.

“Yea go ahead ask me anything you like little one.” He says. I nod glade that he is being nice with me.

“Where are we exactly?”

“Well we are still in California if that is what you mean. Closer to the Oregon border.”

“Ok. Good to know I never left the state.” I sigh.

“Do you have any family back in Chico?” He asked I look down with my eyes blurry and shake my head.

“My parents died two years ago; I am an only child. And the person I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with and start a new family was killed in front of me. I have no one left.” I say and let a single tear drop. I feel his hand take mine. Looking up to see his face I could tell that he held so much sorrow. He took his free hand and wiped away the lone tear from my face. An overwhelming feeling of comfort went through me as tingles from his touch.

“I am sorry you suffered so much. But I am here now. We are your new family. And I promise you that your future will be filled with happiness. It will take you some time to understand, I just hope you give me the chance to prove myself. You are my future now, the moon goddess blessed me with you, my precious gift.” He says with so much conviction. I just stare deep into his eyes lost in the light it brings.

“Please,… please don’t hurt me… is all I ask in return,… I will give you this chance.” I say softly my eyes not wavering from his.

“Thank you, Annabelle” he brings my hand up to kiss it. “I promise you; you will never be hurt again.”

The doctor comes in moments later and checks on my condition. According to him I am recovering well, but to stay overnight for further monitoring. I can be free my morning. I just nod and glance at Colten from time to time. When the Doctor left, he called me Luna. I was shocked and confused until I remember what Ebony told me.

“Luna?” I ask Colten.

“Yes, well since I am the current Alpha of the pack, the Alphas mate becomes the Luna. Essentially the Father and Mother role of the entire pack. You being my mate make you automatically Luna. We will need to perform a Luna ceremony making you part of the pack. That is after we have mark and mated each other.” He says with a grin. I turn and blush again, I have not stopped blushing around him. “But of course, we are going at your pace. I will wait until you are ready.” I smile and nod at him. With how he is treating me and the way I am reacting to him so far, I know that it will not take long to get to that point. “Rest now little one. Let us get you well first.”

“Will you be staying while I sleep?” I could not believe I said that. I just have this overwhelming need to keep him close. It might be the bond or the fear I have, I just need him around to feel safe. After all he did save me from the hell hole Jason had me in.

“If it makes you feel better and sleep more peaceful then yes, I will stay.” He smiles at me. I know that he is over the moon with how I am responding to him. I am not rejecting him, but I have not fully accepted him yet either. I slide my body down and lay on my side facing Colten. He takes a seat next to my bed and we just stare at each other. I love the color of his eyes; I just get lost in them. It seems that I have an equal reaction from him as he stares right back at me. “Sleep I am not going anywhere.” He says and I oblige. I close my eyes and let the sleep take over.