Fleeing Moon

The Ross Estate

Lena sat quietly on one of the benches in the garden of the Pack Estate, her gaze sweeping over the familiar scene. The estate, nestled within the heart of the city, was a quiet oasis amidst the bustling urban chaos.

Tall stone walls surrounded the expansive property, sheltering it from the world outside. It was a place of refuge, a sanctuary for the Ross werewolves.

The sun was beginning to dip beneath the horizon, casting long shadows across the well-kept garden. Tall trees with thick, green canopies swayed gently in the evening breeze. Flower beds, carefully tended to, bloomed in vibrant bursts of color, bringing the garden to life.

Lena never really bonded with any of her pack members. Everyone respected her, but none really made an effort to get to know her.

The rest of the warriors and other members of the pack moved around, dressed in casual clothes, a rare moment.

Most of them were laughing, talking, or simply enjoying the brief pause in their busy lives. It was a small but precious chance for them to relax, to be human for a little while.

Though she was one of them, Lena didn’t quite belong in moments like this. She had been trained her entire life to fight, to survive, to be strong, not to relax and enjoy the small things.

Her fingers brushed against the cool stone of the garden’s bench, the only thing grounding her at the moment.

“You should make a friend…” Nyx spoke inside her mind.

Lena smiled, her wolf was always there, a comfort.

“Maybe, Marcus?” Lena thought back sarcastically.

She couldn’t stop thinking about the sparring session from the day before—about Marcus.

Her wolf stirred beneath the surface, restless. “We should keep our distance as Dante had ordered,” Nyx answered.

A soft rustle of footsteps interrupted her thoughts, and Lena turned slightly, just enough to see one of the younger pack members approach her. He smiled, a friendly, if slightly nervous, smile. It was Frank, one of her fellow warriors. Frank had a youthful, almost boyish quality to him. His hair was a light, sandy blond that he often wore, slightly tousled, as if he had just run his fingers through it. His blue eyes were full of life and always had a sincere quality to them.

“Lena, are you… okay? You’ve been sitting here for a while. You should join the others. It’s rare we get this time to unwind.”

Lena gave him a small smile, her gaze flickering back toward the group of pack members nearby.

“I’m fine,” she said, her voice steady, though there was a trace of sadness in her tone. “Just needed some time to think.”

Frank nodded, sensing that Lena wasn’t in the mood for company, but he didn’t push. He offered a quick nod before turning and heading back to the others. Lena watched him go, then turned her attention back to the quiet, peaceful garden.

“I like him…” Nyx said softly.

Lena’s gaze shifted to Frank, a thoughtful look crossing her face. She knew he was on track to join the Elite next year, once he turned twenty-one. He had the talent—there was no doubt about that. The speed, the strength, the instincts. He would make a fine addition to their ranks.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, letting the warmth of the sun wash over her skin, allowing her to share in the rare peace that had settled over the garden.

“Maybe one day, Dante will let us try for a spot in the Elite,” she mused, but the thought felt hollow as soon as it left her. She knew the truth deep down.

Dante would never let her—He always said that real strength was in loyalty, not rank— no matter how much potential she had. Her place, as he saw it, was to be a warrior.

Lena’s wolf rumbled in frustration, but she suppressed it, focusing on the peaceful garden once more.

Footsteps approached, again. She could feel something inside her ignite like a flicker of a flame—she knew who it was immediately. Marcus. Her eyes locked on the man that stopped in front of her.

His tall frame cast a shadow over her, his expression neutral but curious as he stood before her. His clothes were simple, yet they suited him effortlessly, giving him a rugged, approachable charm that made him look effortlessly handsome.

He wore a fitted black T-shirt, the fabric hugging his muscular build, highlighting the strength in his broad shoulders and toned chest. His dark jeans, faded in all the right places, were worn low on his hips, giving him a relaxed, casual vibe, but they still carried the weight of someone who could move fast and strike hard if needed.

He hadn’t said anything yet, but his presence alone was enough to make her wolf stir uneasily.

“Lena,” Marcus greeted, his voice soft.

“I was wondering where you’d gone off to. It’s rare to see you sitting still.”

Lena gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug. “Just needed a moment,” she replied, trying to keep her tone light, though a small part of her was aware of how he lingered over her.

She glanced up at him, a playful glint in her eyes. “And how can you say it’s rare for me to sit still? You never really acknowledge me anyway.”

There was amusement in her tone. She saw him raise an eyebrow, caught off guard for a split second by her comment. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, though he quickly masked it.

“You know, you are a perfect fighter. Why aren’t you with the Elite?”

Marcus said casually, as though it were a simple question.

Lena’s heart skipped a beat. She straightened slightly, her gaze shifting away from him, toward the flower beds nearby.

“Are you asking me because I made you fall on your backside?” she said with a soft chuckle.

Marcus’s lips twitched upward in a half-smile, but he didn’t laugh. His eyes held a flicker of something more serious, more probing. “No, that’s not it,” he replied. “I’ve seen you fight, and you’re more than capable. You’ve got what it takes to be Elite. But you’re not, so I’m curious why.”

Lena’s smile faded slightly, and she lowered her gaze, her fingers absently tracing the edge of the bench beneath her. “It’s not that simple,” she said quietly, almost to herself. “Not for me.”

There was a brief silence between them, filled only with the distant hum of the city beyond the estate walls. Marcus stood still, waiting for her to continue. When she didn’t, he took a slow step forward, his voice softer now.

“I think you could be…”

“I don’t think Dante would ever let me,” she said, her voice quieter than she intended.

Marcus tilted his head, as though considering her response. His expression softened, just slightly, but it was enough for Lena to feel the shift in the air.

“Well,” Marcus said, stepping a little closer, “you don’t have to follow Dante’s rules forever.” He glanced over his shoulder, as if checking to see if anyone was nearby, before turning back to her. “I’ve got a mission tonight. It’s a sensitive one, and I could really use someone with your skills. If you’re up for it, of course. You can see how we operate and then decide for yourself?”

Lena blinked, surprised by the offer. Her eyes searched his face, trying to figure out if he was being serious. He looked genuine enough, but she still couldn’t shake the cautious feeling building in her chest.

Marcus seemed to sense her hesitation. He leaned forward slightly, his expression sincere, even a little encouraging.

“I get it. But I think you can handle it.”

Her heart fluttered unexpectedly, the intensity of his gaze making it hard to focus. Her wolf was alive in his presence.

Lena took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, to quiet the pulse of excitement that was starting to form in her chest. “What’s the mission?” she asked, her voice firmer now, despite the way her pulse quickened.

“Simple one,” he said. "But trust me, it’ll be a good test of everything you’ve learned. And, I promise, you’ll be ready.”

Lena hesitated for a long moment, her mind running through all the possibilities.

She knew Dante wouldn’t approve. She knew the risks, and she knew what it could mean for her position in the pack if she was accepted.

“Dante won’t like this,” Nyx said unsure in her mind. Lena heard her wolf’s warning, but she could also feel her excitement.

Finally, she nodded.

“I’ll join you,” Lena said, her voice steady.

Marcus’s smile widened. “Good! But you need to come with me now so we can get you fitted for gear.”

Lena nodded and stood up, pushing her loose hair behind her back. Marcus started to walk toward the Pack house, his long strides making it hard for her to keep up.

As she walked, Lena’s mind raced. What was she getting herself into? And why did it feel like the mission was the least of her worries?

The Pack house loomed ahead, its imposing structure a reminder of the strength and unity that bound the werewolves together. She could hear the low hum of voices and the occasional bark of laughter filtering through the open windows.

“Don’t worry,” Marcus said, glancing back at her. “It’s just fitting. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll love the gear. It’s comfortable and designed for mobility.”

Inside the Pack house, there was a section that stood apart from the others—a heavy door at the end of a dimly lit hallway marked the entrance to the armory. Lena was familiar with it; Dante had always let her accompany him whenever he needed to retrieve something for Alpha Anton.

She’d spent countless hours in that room.

The armory was a place of business, a room filled with the tools that kept the pack’s warriors prepared. Though werewolves didn’t typically rely on weapons, the gear stored inside was essential for the rare times they were needed.

The Pack’s protective force had to be ready for anything, especially since they were not allowed to shift in public spaces. It was a necessary restriction to maintain the secrecy of their existence, but it also meant they had to rely on these tools when protecting the pack or enforcing their territory.

The walls were lined with racks and shelves, meticulously organized, showcasing an array of weapons—sleek, silver-tipped knives for close combat, sturdy crossbows for precision attacks, and various blades and spears for hand-to-hand and long-range use.

There were sets of armor as well: reinforced leather jackets, padded chest plates, and sleek combat boots designed for agility.

A few members of the Elite looked up as they entered, their gazes curious but friendly.

“Marcus, your early.” a tall woman with silver-streaked hair asked, leaning against the wall with easy confidence.

“Yes, Carly, I just need a few items for Lena”, Marcus said as he gestured towards Lena. “She will be joining me tonight.”

“Lena? Aren’t you Dante’s pup?” Carly said with a raised brow.

Lena’s heart fluttered for a few seconds. “I am.”

“Let’s get her fitted,” Marcus said, cutting off their conversation. Gesturing towards the racks of gear.

Lena nodded, her wolf’s excitement urging her forward.