Chapter Six - The Pack's Welcome
814 Words
Luna's POV
The next morning, I woke before sunrise.
Old habits.
At Ashwood, sleeping past dawn meant punishment.
Sometimes no breakfast.
Sometimes no dinner.
Sometimes worse.
My eyes flew open as panic rushed through me.
I'm late.
I threw the blankets aside and tried to stand.
The moment I put weight on my injured ankle, pain shot up my leg.
I cried out and caught myself on the bedside table before I could fall.
The door opened almost immediately.
"Luna?"
Elara hurried inside.
"What happened?"
"I-I'm sorry!" I blurted out. "I overslept!"
She blinked.
"...You woke up before the sun."
I froze.
"I did?"
She smiled gently.
"Yes."
I looked toward the window.
The sky was still painted in soft shades of purple and pink.
I wasn't late.
No one was angry.
No one was waiting to punish me.
My heart slowly settled.
---
After Elara helped wrap my ankle again, she brought me a simple blue dress.
It wasn't fancy.
But it was new.
Brand new.
I stared at it in disbelief.
"...Whose is this?"
"It's yours."
I looked at her, confused.
"...Mine?"
She nodded.
"The seamstress stayed up late making it."
"Why?"
"Because everyone wanted to help."
My throat tightened.
No one had ever made something just for me.
Back home, I wore clothes that others had thrown away when they became too torn to repair.
With shaky hands, I touched the soft fabric.
It was smooth.
It smelled of fresh linen and lavender.
I wanted to cry.
---
An hour later, Elara helped me walk outside.
The morning air was cool, carrying the scent of pine and fresh bread from the kitchens.
Blackthorn Pack was already awake.
Warriors sparred in the training grounds.
Children chased each other through the village, laughing.
A group of elders sat together drinking tea.
Everyone looked... happy.
No one was shouting.
No one looked afraid.
It felt like stepping into another world.
As we walked, people smiled at me.
"Good morning."
"I hope your ankle feels better."
"We're glad you're safe."
Every greeting made me more confused.
Why were they being nice?
They didn't even know me.
---
As we passed the kitchens, a little girl with curly brown hair ran toward us.
She couldn't have been older than six.
She stopped right in front of me.
I immediately stepped back.
Had I done something wrong?
The little girl looked up with wide golden eyes.
"Are you the Alpha's mate?"
Heat rushed to my face.
"I... I..."
Before I could answer, Elara smiled.
"Yes."
The little girl's face lit up.
She held out something behind her back.
A tiny flower crown.
Made from white daisies.
"I made it for you."
I stared at it.
"For... me?"
She nodded enthusiastically.
"I hope we're friends."
My vision blurred.
No one had ever given me a gift before.
Ever.
Slowly, I accepted the flower crown with trembling hands.
"...Thank you."
She beamed.
"My name is Rosie!"
"I'm Luna."
"I know!"
Then she waved and ran back toward her mother.
I looked down at the flower crown in my hands.
It wasn't perfect.
Some flowers were crooked.
Others were starting to wilt.
It was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever given me.
---
From across the courtyard...
Kael watched silently.
He had just finished speaking with Damon when he noticed Rosie talking to Luna.
He saw Luna's hesitant smile as she accepted the little crown.
His wolf rumbled with quiet satisfaction.
She smiled again.
"I saw."
Damon stepped beside him.
"Looks like the pack has already accepted her."
Kael nodded.
"They always judge people by their hearts."
"And what does your mate's heart tell you?"
Kael didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he watched as Luna carefully placed the flower crown on her head.
She smiled shyly at Rosie.
It was a small smile.
But it transformed her entire face.
"She's kind," Kael finally said.
"Even after everything she's been through."
Damon smiled.
"Then she'll fit in just fine."
---
Luna didn't notice Kael watching her.
She was too busy looking around the village.
For the first time in years...
She wasn't invisible.
She wasn't being yelled at.
She wasn't being ordered around.
Someone smiled at her.
Someone gave her flowers.
Someone asked if she'd eaten.
It all felt...
Impossible.
But not everyone shared the pack's warm welcome.
Standing on the balcony of the packhouse, a young she-wolf with long blonde hair watched Luna in silence.
Her name was Selene.
She had grown up beside Kael.
Many believed she would one day become his Luna.
She had believed it too.
Now...
An unknown omega had arrived.
And Kael couldn't seem to take his eyes off her.
Selene's fingers tightened around the wooden railing.
"So..."
She whispered bitterly.
"That's the girl who stole my future."
Her eyes remained fixed on Luna.
And for the first time...
Hatred took root in her heart.
- Writer
