Renegade luna

nightmares

ARLO POV.

"how's nova?" Lucas roused me from my thoughts.

"the same. won't leave the bedroom." I sighed pushing away my paperwork. I had been ducking out to check on Nova, bring her food and tea, then returning to work and working late once she was asleep to make up for how little I was actually getting done. Nova was consuming my entire brain, and the mate bond was eating me alive.

"Give her time, she will come around", Lucas reassured me, but I couldn't believe it. She was utterly terrified and broken by the idea of becoming who she was born to be, I just wish she would tell me why.

"any updates on the exlir?" I had Lucas send out scouts, to scope out information from witches and warlocks about the exlir, to see what information we could gather about nova. It felt like a betrayal, but I was desperate to help her.

"Nothing, they refuse to talk or the few that do, none of them have met Nova", Lucas groaned. He seemed as frustrated by it as me.

“I just need her to trust me.. and open up to me.. I can protect her” I rubbed my temples. It was maddening.. but I had to respect her, or she would never trust me. That’s the thing with the mate bond, it can cause the unending desire to be close to someone but it will never make you trust them. Trust is always earnt.

“How long until the elixir wears off completely?”

“Doc has no idea.. hopefully by the next full moon or nova will be in trouble”

he nodded, I know he had had some nightmares from the night we found her. The way she contorted in pain unable to change. It was enough to scar even the most battle harden guy.

As I tried to shake the memory from my mind I was hit with a sense of panic, and urgency tugging at me.

“what is it?" Lucas asked, rising to his feet. As my Beta, he was always ready to go and could sense my change.

“Nova" I breathed, bolting out the door.

I raced back up the stairs to my suite. I could sense her before I heard her. the sheer terror and panic. When I returned, she wasn't in the lounge. I could hear her screaming from the bedroom. I raced in, borderline kicking the door in. To my relief, she was in bed asleep, but thrashing, covered in sweat and screaming. She was having a nightmare.

I carefully approached the bed and slipped in under the covers, gently pulling her to me, and holding her tight. She continued to scream and cry, but slowly as I breathed gently she regulated and calmed.

" No mum..." she whimpered.

"shhh," I cooed, stroking her hair.

What had this poor girl been through?.

NOVA POV.

It was a shitty sleep. I hadn't had a nightmare for a while, but I guess being here amongst the wolves and being bitten had brought everything to the surface. My eyes were dry, and I was exhausted when I roused.

I was overcome by Arlos scent. I breathed deep in, I couldn't get enough of it. It was warm and comforting. I smiled instinctively as I inhaled until I realized my actions and my eyes bolted open as I sat upright.

I had been curled up against him, my head on his chest. He looked at me with a sleepy smile.

"I'm sorry" I panted.

"what for?"

" Sleeping on you." He raised an eyebrow and sat up, closing the space between us.

" Sleep on me, anytime." his voice was low, it did something to me I'd not experienced. I shivered and moved back slightly.

" You had a nightmare, you were screaming, so I cuddled you" he shrugged.

"Yeah. They happen sometimes."

"You said, Mum."

"My mother is dead." I swallowed the lump rising in my throat.

"I can cancel my day and stay here with you if you like?"

"No. you do your work. I'll be okay."

"Nova, you haven't left this room in four days. Eventually, you will need some sunlight and fresh air."

"I... there are other wolves here."

"They all know to stay away from you, not even speak to you unless you speak to them first. Promise."

"I can't see them," I said, unable to meet his eyes.

" You mean... in wolf form?" I just nodded.

"I can do my best.. but I cannot promise that. I'm sorry."

I shrugged. I guess I’d have to face the wolves eventually. We stayed in silence, as we had the last few mornings, arlo bought me tea and eggs and bacon in bed and sat and waited while I ate before getting ready for work.

He did his awkward goodbyes and, as it had been the last four days, he left me alone in his apartment.

I laid in bed for a little while before, getting up. I crept into the bathroom and looked in the mirror, I had avoided looking when I’d ducked in to relieve myself, I guess I wasn’t ready.

To my amazement my bite mark was healed, a faint pink scar remained, if I pulled my hair down I could hide it, and at least pretend I was still unchanged. i bathed as I had done every day, it was when I’d cry but today I felt tapped out.

Rather than crawl back into the same T-shirt and sweats I’d claimed that first night, I decided to see what clothes arlo had bought for me, that second day. i remember the awkwardness as he returned with piles of bags of clothing, unsure of what I’d like. He meticulously put everything away on “my” side of the wardrobe and told me to help myself. I hadn’t really known what to say so I just said okay. Yet I hadn’t touched anything, I hadn’t even looked.

I guess part of me worried, like what if my so called soul mate is totally off the mark of what I like or even scarier what if he nailed my taste exactly?

I gingerly walked in and ran my fingers over the racks. There were a few dresses I wouldn’t normally go for, but for the most part he had me figured out well. i settled on some mom jeans, Docs, and a cosy knit jumper. I felt a bit more like myself.

I couldn’t help but look at arlos side of the wardrobe, he had a mix of fine suits, active wear but his casual stuff seemed to almost match mine. i found a deep hazel brown knife jumper and bought it too my nose inhaling his scent. Sending butterflies in my stomach. it both loathed that this my reality but also couldn’t help but enjoy the sensations.

finally, I explored Arlos apartment a little more.

His bookshelf held all my favorites, not that he had known that. A worn copy of pride and prejudice took my eye and I pulled it from the shelf. I found a thick tartan blanket in the cupboard and readied myself. If sunlight and fresh air are all he was expecting... that couldn't be so bad. I grabbed the key he’d left for me on the counter, the book and blanket and headed out.

I wasn’t entirely sure which way to go but I figured I’d get there, surely enough, as I walked downstairs, any wolves in passing averted their gaze and turned away, ducking into the closest rooms, making themselves scarce just as arlo had promised.

After going down four flights of stairs, I landed in a huge entry hall, I wandered out the front doors into a beautiful stone courtyard, a waterfountain was in the centre with two wolves featured in the middle.

I continued walking out from the courtyard and into the valley, the hill slide dipped where it met the trees. the sound of water, caught my ear and i wandered down the hill. The creeks soothing trickle bought back so many memories of nights id parked my van off grid. at least here in the trees, I felt a world away from where I was. I laid out the blanket and began reading.

I had almost finished pride and presjuice when i finally checked my watch, 4.30. I should head back, i packed up and made my way back up wolves dashed out of the way as i did. i followed the way i came, Arlo greeted me as I reached his apartment door. a big smile on his angelic face.

"You've been out?"

"I found the creek. It's a nice spot to read."

something had shifted, perhaps he was right, the fresh air and sunlight. i felt more relaxed. he smiled as he held open his apartment door. i put the book and blanker away then took my docs off and put away in the wardrobe. the smell of italian drew me back to kitchen, i sat at the bench. arlo wqs cooking, smiling.

Arlo laughed as he told me stories of his childhood and books he had read whilst he cooked us bolognese and too my suprise it was easy to chat back with him. i even disagreed and debated with him over if mr darcy was an i***t or not.. as he dished up, i began to scoff it down, a sudden new ravenous appetite. arlo sat down next to me and started eating, but paused to dish me up more. i paused suddenly embarressed

"its okay, eat up. its just part of the transition" he reassured me. i nodded but still slowed down, my happiness bubble burst from the reminder of whats to come. . "how big is the pack lands?" i asked before i felt a lump rise in my throat.

"oh here, ill show you" he pulled out his phone and opened the map,

he places the phone between us and showed me the boundary line of the packs compound, It lined straight up with the main highway. it dawned on me then. I didn't know how or when, but soon I would get myself to that highway. hopefully before the next full moon.