Renegade luna

visit

NOVA.

My hair wasn't as dark as we hoped when the color was done. Still, it was better than nothing. Holly did my makeup and fake eyelashes. I played dressed up in her clothes. She even gave me some fake designer reading glasses.

"They are going to know" I shrugged, staring at myself in the mirror.

"Perhaps, perhaps not. You're a wolf now, you'll smell different."

"I hope like hell you're right" I sighed.

"Sorry, your date was ruined." Holly changed the subject.

"Well, it was dawn, so I guess the date was already over." She flicked my hair back over my shoulder, exposing my pink, freshly healing bite mark.

"or was it just beginning..?"

"We didn't. I didn't. not yet." Holly let out an exasperated groan.

"Look, I know you have some PTSD and things to work through, no one here will discredit that, since everyone here kinda does. But seriously, I'm not being dramatic. If you do not do it by choice, soon the mate bond will literally force you."

"I will when I'm ready," I reassured her. She went to argue but I shushed her. Mate bond or not, I was going to do this on my terms. "What do you mean, by the way, that everyone here has PTSD?"

"I mean, this pack is made up of runaways and rogues, wolves that fled the horrors of other packs. We came together united to be a different pack. Everyone here carries scars from their past lives, Nova. Spend some time, get to know us, you'll find you're not so alone."

We met Arlo and Lucas at the front of the packhouse. The patrol had let us know the scouts had entered the territory, driving seemingly meaning just to visit. Still, the air was tense.

"Care to explain?" Arlo twisted a lock of my now dark brown hair in his fingers. His tone was tense, his face stoic.

"Don't ask", I looked down. The look in his eyes crushed me. We had just spent a night together. I let my guard down, as did he, and I felt... not entirely sure what I had felt, but it was good. better than good. But now, I felt small, beneath this towering stranger. I wanted to talk to him, but his words failed me. I guess I wanted reassurance that last night had been real.

As the black SUVs rounded the corner, I shuffled closer to Arlo. Here's hoping Holly was right.

ARLO

Nova looked at me and shrugged. She said don't ask but I wanted to. Whilst I was running around stressed as hell, she was having a makeover. It took all of me to fight the rage.

Three dark SUVs pulled up the driveway, parked one by one in a line in front of us. Part of me wanted to change, here and now, to be ready, but I didn't want to start trouble if I could avoid it.

Doors opened and shut, murmurs rustled amongst us. I felt Nova shift behind me, just a little. The scout party approached, casually, as if they hadn't just killed 3 of my pack members. The leader came before me and smiled, holding out his hand.

"Alpha Arlo I presume". I waited just for a moment, then shook his hand. "And this must be your Luna". He smiled at Nova. I looked down at her, the color had drained from her face, but she bit her lip and nodded.

"Yes, Nova is still getting accustomed to her position, so please excuse her quietness."

"Not to worry Alpha, a quiet, observant Luna is a good Luna, is it not?" he smirked. I tensed, I knew he was testing me, hoping for a rise, but I didn't let on, I needed to show them we upheld our values, and that we prided ourselves on not being like them.

"I would argue that being quiet and observant is a good trait in anyone, not just a Luna," I said calmly. "You haven't told me your name."

"I am Scott, one of the high alphas betas."

"So what brings you here?"

"Well, we were in the area and met some of your endearing youth and we realized that we had not yet had an opportunity to inspect your pack and meet you... how about a tour?" my stomach churned. How little care they have for life. To show up here, to exchange formalities, to ask for a tour. I couldn't refuse and risk more bloodshed.

"Sure, we will give you a tour."

I led the way, Lucas and a few of my men following. Nova stood right by my side, head down, always down, avoiding the gazes of the scouts.

The foyer floor was barely dry as we crossed the hall. I made that part brief. I showed them through the boardroom, medical wing, gathering hall, and kitchens, then through to the common area, where pack members stood at attention. Each took their turns greeting Beta Scott. Who nodded accordingly, before his eyes caught sight of Candice.

Scott eyed Candice up and down. For the first time, knowing Candice, I saw her nervous. She shuffled awkwardly on the spot.

"Tell me... goddess... how do you find your alpha and Luna?" Scott questioned. Candice's gaze flicked to me and Nova. I nodded, letting her know she could respond.

"Alpha Arlo is firm but fair. Luna Nova is... not to be underestimated." I nodded in approval. Nova, for the first time, looked up in surprise. Scott seemed pleased by Candice's response.

"not to be underestimated, eh? how so?" She swallowed the lump in her throat.

"The Luna, well, she... will not stand for... disloyalty."

"go on?" he cooed.

"She can throw a good right hook" she admitted, defeated. Scott was beaming.

"Very good, very good, shall we proceed? Alpha? I've seen enough here."

The only real place of value left to show them was the garage. I led them to row after row of motorcycles, 4WD, snowmobiles, and, of course, Nova's recent addition of a sprinter van at the end. Scott and the scouts wandered through taking it all in. He stopped at the van and looked at me.

"nice van. Do a lot of camping then, Alpha?"

"Actually my luna does". I felt Nova stiffen next to me. I sensed the sickness rising in her stomach, and the cold running through her. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze but she didn't squeeze back.

Exiting the garage, we returned to the scout's car. Perhaps we will survive this visit after all.

"Well, everything seems in order here. I'm sure the high alpha will be pleased." he shook my hand before turning to Nova.

"And... you, Luna. What a pleasure to meet you... Nova" He winked at her before turning and leaving. As they left the main courtyard and faded into the distance, I turned to Nova, just in time to catch her, before she hit the ground.