Full Moon's Luna

Who is Luna?

Shylah

After a few pep talks with Khalil, I finally dropped him off at school. He had been quiet during the drive, fiddling with the straps of his backpack, and stealing quick glances at the towering school building. Seeing him like that was surprising—Khalil was usually fearless, a natural-born leader. He had a bravery and confidence that belied his age, yet he was still the kind of boy who made sure no one ever felt left out.

As I watched him walk inside New Moon Elementary, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of anxiety. What if the other kids didn’t see him for who he was? What if the teasing he’d endured back home followed him here? But then I reminded myself that Khalil had a way of winning people over, his kindness shining through even in the toughest moments. And the school staff seemed warm, welcoming—even protective. Each classroom even had a safe room, a precaution I hadn’t expected but deeply appreciated. That reassurance made leaving a little easier, but as I drove away, the silence in the car felt too heavy.

I decided to take the week off from work to get things in order. While I owned a trucking company and managed several rental properties, I still liked staying as hands-on as possible. But right now, settling into Full Moon and creating a sense of normalcy for Khalil had to come first.

My first stop was the grocery store. On the way, I noticed several parks and trails clustered together, alive with children’s laughter and chatter. The playground equipment was a kaleidoscope of color, every swing and slide in use. Watching the kids play tugged at my heartstrings. It reminded me of Khalil, his endless energy and the way he used to run wild, his laughter ringing out like music.

When I reached the supermarket, I was stunned. The photos I’d seen online hadn’t done it justice. It wasn’t just a grocery store; it was an open-air market, bustling with life. The air was thick with the mingling scents of fresh herbs, ripe fruit, and salty seafood. Vendors called out cheerfully, advertising handmade jewelry, clothes, and bouquets of vibrant flowers.

I headed straight to the fruit stand, knowing how much Khalil loved strawberries, grapes, and pineapple. The colors were so vivid I could almost taste the sweetness. After loading up on fresh produce, herbs, and meats, I paid for everything and carefully stowed the bags in my trunk.

But I wasn’t ready to head home just yet. As I wandered through the market, I found myself drawn to the flowers, selecting a bouquet of soft white lilies and pairing it with a vintage vase that seemed to match my home perfectly. Then I stumbled upon a jewelry stall, its display glittering under the sunlight.

Two bracelets caught my eye. Both had thick leather straps with charms—one of a wolf howling and the other of a full moon. I couldn’t decide which one Khalil would like more. I was still debating when a soft, polite voice broke through my thoughts.

“Excuse me, Luna.”

I glanced up, expecting someone to call for someone else. But when I looked around, no one responded.

“Excuse me, Luna.”

It came again, and this time I looked up in confusion. The voice belonged to a petite older woman with silver hair and warm, mischievous eyes.

“Excuse me, Luna,” she said once more, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

I blinked at her. "I’m sorry, ma’am. I think you may have me confused with someone else. My name is Shylah, and I don’t know anyone named Luna."

“Oh, but you are our Luna,” she replied, bowing slightly, her eyes twinkling with a knowing look.

Her words sent a shiver down my spine.

“I was just wondering if you needed any help,” she continued. “I’m Josephine, one of the elders of New Moon… town.”

Something about the way she hesitated made me uneasy, but I forced a polite smile. “Hi, Josephine. Nice to meet you. I was just deciding between these bracelets, but I think I’ll get both. Oh, and this necklace.”

I picked up a necklace with an intricate design—a curvy woman standing beside a wolf that towered over her yet sat protectively at her side.

“Wise choice, Luna,” Josephine said, her smile deepening. She winked at me before walking away, leaving me with a strange sense of déjà vu.

Alpha Quinn

As I drove toward the supermarket, my thoughts were in turmoil. I needed to speak with Elder Josephine about the human who had somehow moved onto our pack’s territory. This situation was baffling. Humans were allowed to live near Full Moon, but always at least forty minutes away from the pack grounds. We rented and sold properties beyond that boundary, keeping our territory discreet.

Yet here she was. A human woman living within pack borders. She’d signed a year-long lease, and we couldn’t exactly throw her out without raising legal complications—or worse, exposing our kind. Damone’ had been unusually adamant this morning.

“Leave it alone,” he’d growled, pacing in my mind.

“What’s with you? You’ve been restless for days.”

Damone’ didn’t answer, his golden eyes dimmed as he curled up in the back of my mind. And then, in a voice so soft it was almost a whimper, he said, “Promise me you won’t reject her.”

“Reject who?” I asked, alarmed.

“Our mate.”

The words hit me like a lightning bolt. My chest tightened as I gripped the wheel. “Damone’, why would I reject her? We’ve waited for this moment for years.”

But he didn’t answer.

By the time I pulled into the supermarket, I felt on edge. My head pounded, a sharp pain radiating behind my eyes. I stepped out of the car, hoping fresh air would help, but dizziness overtook me. Leaning against the vehicle for support, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.

And then I smelled it.

The most intoxicating scent I had ever experienced—rich, dark chocolate mingled with the freshness of rain. It wrapped around me, pulling me forward like a thread I couldn’t resist. I opened my eyes and scanned the crowd. Humans gave me strange looks as I instinctively started sniffing the air, but my pack members began to smile, their excitement tangible.Their Alpha had found his Luna.