Page 30 of Under A New Moon

He shrugged, looking outside the window. He frowned, speaking up in a gentle tone, "It's been a long time since I've even thought about doing this."

"Going back to your pack?" She scooted closer towards him, brushing their legs together.

He nodded, "I thought about it a lot at first, but I knew it wasn't the right step for me. But...I never thought this was how I would go back." He rubbed the back of his neck, "I never thought I'd go back."

Darla felt bad for him, hating to see someone she cared about hurting at all. She could tell he was struggling with his emotions, and for someone that had put them aside for so long, it was understandable.

"We have a line at least." She was trying to ease the moment. "We can get our bearings and figure out a plan. Or something close to a plan."

He nodded, "I know." They fell silent once more.

Darla looked at the big city, never seeing it from this angle. It made her think of all the glitz and glamour, but you never saw the scary horrifying parts. This was a different side to Los Angeles and sunny Southern California. She took in the strippers that lined the wall of the businesses and the men smoking cigars staring at girls in tight short dresses. This certainly wasn't her world.

"We won't be here long." Galen reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I promise."

Somehow, she didn't think that was how this was going to go. She knew that there was going to be more than just a few words that needed to be said. They might be here a while.

"I trust you." She replied and gave his hand a squeeze back. "It's just different over here. I'm used to the little cafe and talking to you." Her world wasn't like this, and she couldn't imagine him living in this either.

He gave her a faint smile before looking outside his window. She worried what they spoke about earlier was getting to him.

Galen had told her he was pretty sure that the reason they were after him was that he was a rogue wolf. Even when he said it, he sounded like he was trying to convince himself. It didn't calm her nerves, much less ease her mind about what could possibly go wrong.

"You said that even if you are a rogue, they could take you back?"

He nodded, "Yes, a rogue can be taken back in." She could tell he was hiding something, and she was sure it was that it was hard. That it wasn't easy to be pulled back into the pack after being gone, and Galen's been gone a long time.

She swallowed, tightening her grip on his hand. He scooted closer to her, pulling her into his arms. "If I have to, I'll beg on my knees, Darla. I promise I won't let anything happen to you. We will figure this out."

As worried about herself as she was, she was more worried about Galen. What would he have to do to get placed back into the pack? The thought frightened her.

The taxi pulled forward, and they got closer to the line. Galen swallowed, clenching his jaw. She watched his body go ridge, and she bit her lip.

"Are you sure about this?" She spoke up softly, "We can think of something else. If you aren't sure about this..."

He shook his head, not allowing her to finish, "No." He handed some cash to the driver and pulled the door open. "We can do this."

They both stepped out onto the sidewalk taking in the line of people and the crowd that waited. As soon as they stepped out, they could tell they were being watched. A guard narrowed their eyes on them, and Galen tightened his hand around hers. She leaned closer to him, pulling herself against his side tightly.

The atmosphere was different here. Not because of the whores that lined the streets or the drunk thugs that waited for a fight. People were staring at Galen, taking in his frame and face. Did they know who he was?

Was his photo up somewhere? Was everyone told to keep a look for Galen in case he showed up? Darla watched as a guard leaned over towards another, speaking to him. His eyes were glued on them as he spoke before the other turned, walking off.

Galen spoke up in a deep tone, "Just stay by my side."

Darla nodded, looking around as they walked towards the private entrance of the building. Three security guards stand, allowing people in, and sending people away.

Galen didn't even have to speak up before one opened the door, allowing them entrance. The thought turned Darla's stomach. She took in the faces of the three men.

They stepped in, the door slamming shut behind them. She tightened her grip, feeling her nails digging into his skin. She was starting to think this was a really dumb idea. A really, really bad idea.

Twenty-Five

Galen

Galen ignored the party that was going on and headed upstairs. He remembered some of the right directions to get into the main offices on the fourth floor. He had been here a few times with his father when he was younger.

Darla had been holding onto his arm with a death grip since they first walked in.

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