Awaken the Luna

Chapter 14: Aftershock

“Ezra.” His name felt like a curse on my tongue. It felt wrong to say out loud but even worse to hear it in my mind over and over. To see his smirk and the way he stared at me. Like a predator stalking its prey. 

Cal stood quickly and paced around the kitchen, he saw the backdoor still open from Ezra’s escape into the night. He stared at the door with a stone cold look, his mind was racing. He didn’t speak but I could see it. The guilty look that washed over him.

I grabbed the counter and pulled myself back onto my feet. Cal quickly came to my side and gently grabbed my arms to help me up. His touch sent electricity through me, and the feeling of being safe, excited, the want, and need I felt for him. I stood there with my back to him, my hands keeping me steady on the firm cold marble.  I could feel his heat on my back and neck, his hands were now slowly moving forwards to embrace me. He laid his head on the crook of my neck and his hot breath sending tingles down my spine and outward to my fingers. Oh to stay here in this feeling, not even thinking about who or what he is. 

“I thought you were hurt or worse. I can’t lose you. I… I am so sorry this happened.” His voice was deep and muffled. 

“I don’t want to lose…” I was cut off by the front door opening. Cal quickly kissed my neck and detached from me and walked to the other side of the kitchen. What was I thinking?! I don’t want to lose him? Wren do you hear yourself, you sound insane!

Alexis walked in followed by three other men. They were all in athletic clothes but their faces were bruised and scratched up. Alexis looked tired but still tough as nails. The man standing next to her was tall and strong, he had a lean build but he wasn’t as tall or muscular as Cal. His blue eyes were dark and intense. He was telling Cal about rouges? I had no idea what that meant but it seemed serious but I was more focused on Cal’s detachment from me and how he was making me feel than to listen closer. 

I turned to the stove where my dinner was still warm. I made so much food I wasn’t even measuring food portions. “Is anyone hungry? I made some dinner and I made a ton. It shouldn’t go to waste.” 

I turned to Cal’s smoldering gaze as it broke into a smile. He looked happy with my offer to his guys. “Go ahead guys dig in, there is no reason we can't talk and eat at the same time.”

They all passed along thank yous and cheerful smiles and fist bumps as they made their way to grab plates and food. Cal pulled me into a side hug and whispered into my ear, “That is exactly what a Luna would do. Take care of her pack.” He placed a tender kiss on my temple and began to make himself a plate. 

We gathered into the dining room and I was thankful for such a large space for this group of guys and two women. We ate and drank together, laughing over similar interests and embarrassing stories. I learned that the man speaking earlier was Cal’s beta James. The other two guys were pack warrior leaders of different parts of Cal’s “territory”. Alexis sat across from me and I caught her smiling in admiration towards me several times. I’m sure she was making sure I was taking everything well. A few times I felt myself lose track of who and what they were. They seemed so normal, human.

I cleared my throat when there was a small second of down time between stories. “So, who was that...wolf from earlier? Why did he come here?”

The faces around the room darkened and they all looked at Cal. “He’s an alpha from a bordering territory. He has obviously made it clear through the years he wants my pack to be under his rule...”

“And we sure as hell aren’t going to let that happen!” James jumped in to add. 

“No we aren’t. But he came very far into our territory tonight. He shouldn’t have been able to get to the house, or in it for that matter. I have a feeling we have a rogue wolf in our pack helping him.”

“Wouldn’t we know if we had a rouge in our pack? We can always smell them miles away?” Alexis interjected.

“Unless this wolf in particular is from our pack, never denounced pack ties, we would have no idea they were here under our nose.” James had a fire in his eyes, feelings of betrayal were underneath the flames. 

“Alright everyone I think that's enough for tonight. You should get home to your families and rest. Let’s investigate what happened tonight first thing in the morning.” Cal stood and the others followed his lead. Soon we were alone in the dining room. Watching me intently he sauntered slowly to my chair and held out his hand. “ Time for us to get some rest.”

I almost forgot about our new sleeping arrangement, almost being the key. I was not about to sleep in the same room or bed for that matter with him. He is crazy if he thinks I was going to let this go without another word. 

“ I imagine so but seeing as though I have been kicked out of my previous quarters and find my new ones already vacant I don’t see where I will be staying tonight.” I added a smirk on lips as I finished my prim and proper tone.

Cal stared at me for a moment before he threw his head back laughing, his hand going to hold his side from laughing so hard. My smirk was replaced with a furrowed brow as I tried my best to look intimidating and not budge. 

“Oh please no more,” Cal continued to laugh as he tried to breath through his words. “ I wish you could see how incredibly adorable you look right now.” 

“I’m sorry but I don’t sense anything about my demeanor that is “adorable” at the moment.” I pushed through gritted teeth.

“You’re right, this is a very serious matter that we should attend to at once.” Cal easily grabbed me by the waist and hoisted me up over his shoulder. 

“Put me down! You are horrible! How dare you!” I kicked my feet and my fist connected to his hard muscular back. Even though I knew it wouldn’t phase him I kept on anyway.

“Look there is no way you are going to be out of my sight tonight, not with the chance of a traitor in the pack. So we are going to be staying in the room together, end of discussion.” Cal set me down on the couch I had napped on earlier and strode off to the bathroom. Then I heard the shower turning on. “Would you like to shower first ?”  

Being naked in the same room or even adjoining rooms was not something I was interested in. How can he be so open and calm about me casually showering in here? I know he told me about this bond between us but I still don’t understand this war inside me. Wanting to want him and wanting him to leave me alone. 

“Wren, are you going to shower before bed?” Cal came through the bathroom door this time with more care in his tone. “ I know I said I wasn’t going to let you out of my sight but I think staying out here while you shower is safe enough.” He smiled a boyish grin that made my chest tighten with excitement? Want? Need? 

Slowly I stood and walked into the bathroom that was filling up with steam already from the shower. “I’ll be out here if you need anything, and I do mean anything.” He gave me a wink and closed the door as he left me alone. 

I have probably the hottest half man half beast on the other side of the door and I have to share a room with him all night. Last time we were alone in a room we had a very intense make out session. Oh please keep it together Wren.