Page 14 of Crystal Luna

She followed him across the widespread room, her eyes trying to take everything in. He opened another door and let her step past him once again. This room reminded her of the Crystal Pack’s weapon room. She’d only seen it once but this one was identical: stacked with guns, daggers, knives, and ammunition.

“If you like, we can train you to use these too. Maybe knowing how to use a knife will come in handy at some point.”

She thought of a few times where she’d been close to getting hurt, luck being the only thing on her side. “I’d like that,” she admitted, her words brightening his smile even more.

He led her from the room, and she couldn’t help but notice he didn’t lock it—even after finding out she’d stolen from her previous pack. Outside, he turned to the men that were still sparring.

“Marvin!”

A broad man with black long hair tied into a bun lifted his head. He let go of the man he had in a chokehold and approached the two of them. “Yes, Beta?”

“Have you met Velora yet?”

“We have not been introduced.” Marvin offered her a hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Velora.”

Hesitantly she shook it, his grip tight around her fingers before he let her go.

“I thought it would be good if Velora could train with her wolf since they haven’t had much time to get to know each other.”

“That’s where I come in.”

“Yes.”

“I can come up with a few things we can do.” Marvin turned his attention to Velora, studying her with a quick scan of her body. It was nothing but a quick assessment, not a single undertone of anything degrading or sexual. “How about we meet up tomorrow? Are you an early bird or a night owl?”

“I like mornings,” she quickly said, remembering Beta Wayne’s comments from a few moments ago.

“We’ll meet here at sunrise then.” He gave his beta a courteous nod before returning to his warriors.

“Now how about that run we had planned?”

Beta Wayne led her to the small path that she’d discovered that very morning. As soon as the trees covered them, he turned his back and pulled his shirt over his head, following by taking off his jeans. She quickly undressed too and though her back was to his, she still flushed with heat. As she pictured herself in that mirror, her bones began to break and her skin ripped until her paws sunk into the dirt beneath her.

With a deep breath, she took in her surroundings using her heightened wolf senses. Her wolf hadn’t come out since she’d arrived. She was too afraid to break any rules.

Beta Wayne’s ash-coloured wolf led her through the woods around the village and to a beautiful natural well just a few minutes away. As promised, they didn’t go far nor did they stay very long. They returned to the village just a little while later.

Just like before, he stopped within the shadow of the trees and shifted, keeping his back turned to her. She did the same and they both dressed before facing each other.

“I hope you enjoyed it at least a little.”

“I did very much,” she admitted, unable to hide her smile. “Thank you.”

He walked with her to the village before they parted ways.

She spent the afternoon in her cabin, dwelling on what to do: stay with the Howlers or wander the world.

Her heart leaned towards the Howlers but she worried that it seemed too easy, too good to be true. She would definitely take the offer to learn as much about her wolf as possible, but she wasn’t sure yet if that place was her forever home.

A quiet knock pulled her out of her thoughts. Fearing this was the big bang she was afraid of, she only slowly moved towards the door. When her eyes fell on Curtis and Mia with their warm, curious faces she instantly relaxed.

“We haven’t seen you in forever and wanted to make sure you are okay,” Curtis explained, trying to hide his excitement behind a respectful façade. He reminded her a lot of his father.

“We brought you food,” Mia chirped as she pointed at the plate her brother was holding for her.

“That is very sweet of you both.” Velora knelt before them and took the plate. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“Father said you had a long journey before you came here.”

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