Rise of the Broken Luna

8 The Run

Derek POV

I knew running after her first shift was a risk, but I didn't have much choice. That a**hole would want proof that the pup was gone soon. It wouldn't take long for him to realize I hadn't followed his command. As if a pathetic piss-ant like him could alpha command me. I still have yet to tell my mother everything. I know her temper. I told her enough to enlist my brother's help. I needed to make sure that Fawn and her pup were out of the pack before that ba**ard is dealt with.

My brother has been linking me since the moment we stepped out of the pack lands. Besides telling him quickly to keep that pr*ck busy for as long as he could, I haven't answered his questions. I know he was quite irritated that I reached out to my mother and not to him directly. He hasn't even taken his position yet, and already he thinks he is in charge. Bruno, my wolf, looks back, and I notice Fawn's wolf's strides are starting to slow. We have been running for a couple of hours straight.

We will need to find shelter and rest for a few hours before we finish the run. We should be far enough from the pack that he and his dips*t Beta can't catch her scent. A thought runs through my mind. I haven't really been able to scent Fawn since the moment she came to the pack hospital. I smile realizing not only was her wolf hiding herself, but she was protecting Fawn. She was giving Seth a chance to prove he was worthy of Fawn and he failed miserably.

It took all my control not to snap his neck the minute he suggested harming his pup and Luna. The cheating ba**ard deserves everything that is coming for him. Anna was right about Fawn's wolf. Her fur is unique. She is special but that id**t couldn't see it. Her wolf almost looked ethereal as the moonlight made her fur shimmer.

Bruno starts to slow until we come to a complete stop. The two wolves behind us do the same. Anna immediately shifts after dropping a bag I didn't even notice her wolf was carrying in her mouth. I smile when she places clothes on the ground in front of Fawn's feet. Nudity isn't a big deal among wolves, but I imagine Fawn has never stood naked in front of anyone other than her mate. Bruno turns to give her privacy. After a few seconds, a hand on our side has Bruno turning around .

Before he can shift, Fawn reaches up, running her hand down his snout. "Thank you for leading us away from that place. You are magnificent," she says. I roll my eyes because my wolf will be insufferable now. He already thinks he is great. "You are just jealous that she thinks I'm magnificent," he says. "I'm the one that got her out of the pack. All you did was run. That doesn't make you so special." "Oh, I'm sure she likes you too, Derek. Don't be pissy the pretty girl thinks I'm amazing," he says.

"Shut up wolf. Just shift so we can find shelter for a few hours." He nudges Fawn with his nose and she steps back. She must realize we intend to shift because she turns away from us. Once we shift, Anna throws me a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. "Let's see if we can find some place to rest. Your wolf is getting tired, Fawn." She opens her mouth to protest, but I raise my hand to silence her. "Your wolf is amazing. Most wolves wouldn't have been able to run half that distance after their first shift. We also need to think about your pup."

"She needs to rest. We still have a couple more hours before we reach my home pack. What is your wolf's name, Fawn?" "Juniper and she wants me to tell you thank you. She knows she is awesome," Fawn says. Her cheeks blush and I throw my head back and laugh. "I can't wait for you to meet my brother. His wolf's name is Atticus. I think that he and Juniper will get along well. He thinks he is the best thing since the goddess created mates."

Both Fawn and Anna laugh this time. It's good to see that she can still smile and laugh after all she has been through. I turn, and they follow me through some dense trees. As if the goddess is guiding us, a stone cave comes into view a short distance from where we are standing. "Stay here while I check for animals. I don't want to take the chance that we might surprise a beast that has made that place their home." Anna looks like she wants to argue, but thankfully she doesn't. I know she is a warrior, but right now I need her to stay with Fawn.

I move quietly toward the mouth of the cave. Bruno pushes forward, allowing my eyes to pull in moonlight. The cave is damp but thankfully it is empty. It isn't deep, but it's enough space even if the three of us need to shift for warmth. Just as I turn to motion to them that its clear, a growl has my body stiffening. Irritation quickly replaces fear when I realize the scent is my brother's. Thorn steps out of the trees smiling like the a** he is, followed by four other warriors.

"Why the hell are you here? I thought I told you to distract him for as long as possible." "Calm down little brother. You should know that my wolf is faster than yours. These are my elite men. They are the fastest in the pack. Atticus had no problem catching up to Bruno even after we f**ked with that pathetic alpha," he says. Bruno growls and my brother chuckles. "I know you weren't running at full speed Bruno. I meant no disrespect," he says, and I roll my eyes.

"Where are your charges," he asks. "Can you talk like a normal person? Fawn and Anna are just over there, out of sight," I say, pointing near a group of larger trees. "Fawn needs to rest. She shifted for the first time today. Besides that, her wolf is protecting their pup." His eyes darken. "You allowed a pregnant she-wolf to shift. I thought you were a doctor. Dad would kick your a** if he knew you let her do that," he says. I roll my eyes and he growls.

"She is special, Thorn. I can't tell you everything right now, but when we reach the pack I'll tell you what I know. Right now she needs to rest. She can't run anymore." "No, she can ride Atticus. It is better if we reach the pack before morning. The more distance you put between her and the pack, the better. Whatever happened must be pretty bad for mom to allow you to take a Luna from her fated Alpha," he says. Movement out of the corner of my eye has my head turning toward Fawn and Anna who have stepped into the open.

My brother's eyes follow mine and I notice him stiffen. Before I can ask what his problem is, he looks back at me. "Which one is the pregnant Luna," he asks. "Fawn and Anna, this is my brother and his men. Thorn this is Fawn, the former Luna of the Fire Moon Pack, and Anna, her personal guard," I say, pointing to each. A smile spreads across Anna's face. "Thank you for helping me escape, Thorn," Fawn says.

"We need to move. Arden is going to carry you so we can reach the pack quicker. Arden, you keep her safe. She is your priority if we run into problems," he says. "Of course, Thorn," he says before he shifts. Arden's wolf is almost as big as Atticus. He lays flat, and I help Fawn climb onto his back. His back is broad, and she immediately snuggles down into his fur and her eyes flutter closed. "Do you need one of my men to carry you," Thorn asks Anna through gritted teeth. What the hell is his problem?

"Absolutely not. I am a warrior. I will be running next to your man to make sure my Luna remains safe," she says. Thorn bristles but doesn't say anything, which is surprising. Anna and I quickly strip and shift. Thorn takes the lead and the rest of us follow closely behind him. As much of a pain in the a**as my brother can be, I love him. I'm grateful that he is here to help Fawn.