Her Own Luna

Chapter 9

Finally, training had come to an end. Christian was at the packhouse most of the time and Anna was soaking it all in. She felt like she had her husband back.

They sat together before bed on the balcony of their living area of the packhouse. Summer was in full swing.

"I think we should try for a baby," Christian said.

Anna practically choked. "What?"

"I want to have pups," he said. "I think we're ready."

"Oh do you?"

"Look, we've been married awhile. We're secure financially and within our pack. I think it's time."

"I haven't even thought about this in awhile," she replied.

"Because of the bear threat?"

"That's part of it."

"What's the other part?"

"Vera."

Christian sighed. "She hasn't been around since I told her off."

"There's still rumors and she still gets on my nerves."

"You'll have to let that go. She lives here now. You don't have to see her."

"I know, but there's still gossip and rumors. I can't just get over that."

"People latch onto news that's exciting. It'll pass," he tried to assure her.

"When it passes, I'll consider trying for a baby."

"You're not being reasonable."

"I think I am. Another woman is pushing into our relationship and we have a threat at our borders. I don't feel safe having a baby right now. When both of those issues are handled, we can revisit having a baby. What if another man was flirting with me, trying to kiss me and hanging around?"

"I'd make him disappear."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Yet I'm supposed to just accept Vera?"

"She's a little fox, she isn't a threat."

"Then it won't be an issue and you won't have to wait long for a baby."

Frustrated, Christian got up and went inside.

They changed for bed and went to sleep in silence.

When Anna woke the next morning, Christian was already gone. He hadn't gotten up before her since training had ended. She knew he was upset. Should she have given in to keep the peace? She couldn't see herself pregnant with his child while Vera was still trying to make moves. Not to mention the bears.

She got up and dressed. She went downstairs. Thankfully Vera wasn't in the packhouse. Christianwas having coffee with his beta, Trent.

Anna sat down at a far table, giving him space. She was served her breakfast and she picked at it, not feeling hungry. She wished she could go back to before Vera. Back to simpler times.

Suddenly, a piercing scream rang out. It was soon joined by another. Annalept out of her seat and ran out the door. She yanked it open and stepped outside. A little girl and boy were running toward the packhouse, a smaller girl trailing behind them.

Anna met them in the yard and pulled them into her arms. "What happened?" she asked.

Through tears and gasps for air the boy struggled to tell her.

"There's a dead man in the woods!" one of the girls cried.

"Where?" Anna asked.

A little finger pointed toward the path that went from the packhouses to the gym. The path Anna frequently ran on.

Anna held the children and looked back at the packhouse toward Christian. He and Trent were already walking toward the woods, a somber look on his face. His shoulders squared and his body tense. A surge of emotion ran through Anna. Her husband, the protector of this pack was doing his duty and she just loved him so much for it.

They went into the treeline, but emerged quickly moments later. Christian was clearly mind linking.

Anna went into action, dispersing the crowd. She assured everyone they would be informed of what was going on, but for now they needed to go home. She got the children taken home to their parents.

Once the crowd was gone, Anna searched for Christian. She'd seen him head toward the gym, so she went that direction. She hadn't gone far when he met her on the path.

"What is going on?" she asked.

He looked at her with a neutral expression. "One of our warriors is dead in the woods. He was attacked by a bear, it was quite obvious.

She gasped. "No... in our pack grounds?"

He nodded. "Probably slipped in sometime last night."

"How though? That should be impossible?"

"It should be..."

"Christian, do we have an inside job?" she asked quietly.

He looked at her intensely. "It's possible. We will investigate. This cannot get out, do you understand?"

"Of course..."

Christian walked passed her without another word. Anna was left on the path, wondering what to do and what to think. A little voice in her head told her to keep an eye on Vera, but she knew she couldn't let Christian find out. Not unless she had concrete evidence.

Slowly, she returned to the packhouse to write a letter to the warrior's family and to formulate a plan of her own.