Page 44 of Unbelievable Faith
Chapter 19
“Where are you going?”
Luna paused mid-step at the sound of Michael’s voice. She hadn’t been sneaking out, per se, but she definitely hadn’t made a point of stopping by his office to let him know she was leaving the lodge. She’d thought his head would be buried in papers or else he’d be stuck in meetings and she hadn’t wanted to bother him. Of course, she also hadn’t wanted him to give her a lecture about staying on pack land or insist on sending someone withher.
It had been over two weeks since Leo returned to the Crescent pack. More than three weeks since Michael had saved her from Maddox and the living hell he’d put her through. The full moon was due tomorrow and she was feeling restless and trapped in thelodge.
She needed to run. Maddox keeping her chained during the last full moon had left her wolf nervous about what she would be put through this full moon. Luna wanted to shift and run, take in the fresh air and freedom and try to convince her wolf that all of that hurt was in the past. She didn’t want her wolf freaking out on Michael or any of the Moirae pack during their first full moon together so she’d been going for runs whenever she could manage to slipaway.
Unfortunately, those opportunities to do so alone were few and far between. Whenever Michael knew she was heading out for a run, he either insisted on going with her or sending one of the Enforcers. She loved the times he joined her. She did. But sometimes a girl also needed some space to breathe and put herself back together. She couldn’t lean on him for the rest of their lives no matter how strong he was. The Enforcers were worse. Quiet, solemn and serious, they trailed behind her, always in human form, always on the alert, causing her wolf to panic whenever she heard their footsteps at herback.
She wanted to run alone but had managed it only a few times in the past month. She’d thought she had a clean getaway today. Michael had been locked in his office all morning with her brother, Rafe, Darius and the other Enforcers. Zoey was at home with a stomach bug. Maya was busy training and Nova had started her schooling again. She’d thought she was home free until she heard that voice she loved so much behindher.
Turning slowly, she pasted a smile on her face, “Just out for arun.”
Michael’s lips instantly pursed, “Feelingrestless?”
She nodded and he opened his arms. She walked into them immediately. God she loved how he read her so easily and always offered her the comfort she needed. She nuzzled against his chest, breathing him in until some of the tension that had been riding her all day began to seepaway.
He brushed his lips over her hair, “Give me an hour and I’ll go withyou.”
“No, ” She winced as she pulled back and saw the crestfallen look on his face, “I mean, there’s no need. I’m already heading out and I know you’rebusy.”
“I’m never too busy for you, besides, after sitting at my desk all day I could use a runmyself.”
She softened when he rubbed at his neck, “Is everything okay? The mood around here has been tensetoday.”
“It’s nothing.” He started but when she pinned him with a glare he sighed, “It’s not nothing. It’s just… the scout teams that have been searching the woods for the last of the wolves loyal to Maddox are worried. They swear someone has been setting traps for them. A few of them have beeninjured.”
“Oh my God, Michael.” Shefrowned.
“None of the injuries have been serious. They’ll all recover. It’s just worrisome that nobody seems to have gotten a look at the person behind the attacks.” Michael swiped a hand over his face, “I don’t like the idea of you going out there alone while that kind of threat stillexists.”
Luna took a deep breath and let it out. She could feel his concern and his worry. She even understood it. But he couldn’t keep her caged here like a prisoner. That would’ve made him no better than Maddox and her beautiful, brave, kind, considerate mate was far, far better than that evil bastard had been. She knew he knew it and that was why he hadn’t told her that she couldn’t go, just that he didn’t want her to goalone.
Luna moved forward and cupped his hard jaw between her hands, “I know you’re worried but I promise that I’ll be safe. I won’t leave Moirae territory. I won’t even go near the border. I’ll take the path Zoey showed me and I’ll run straight to the lake andback.”
“Baby…” Michael shook his head but she cut himoff.
“I need to do this. I don’t know how to explain it. I just… I feel like I need to be out there right now. I need to feel the wind on my face and the grass under my paws. My wolf needs it and I think you need it too. You need to see that I can go but I’ll always come back to you. I’ll always come home to you, Michael. I promise. Just, havefaith.”
He stared down at her for a long moment and she could see the conflicting emotions on his handsome face. He didn’t like the idea. Not one bit. But he understood that this was something she needed and he’d vowed to give her whatever she needed. His dark brows knit together and finally, finally, when she was almost convinced he would cut his meeting short and insist on going with her, he dropped his forehead to hers and held herclose.
“You’ll besafe.”
It was an order, not a request, and she smiled, “Ipromise.”
“Straight to the lake and back, no stops inbetween.”
“Okay.” She nodded, “But I’d like to stop in at the cabin and check on Zoey. You know she’s had that stomach bug for a couple of daysnow.”
Michael snorted, “Stomach bug my ass. She’s pregnant. She’s just too damn stubborn to admit that Rafe is right and she’s carryingpups.”
Luna smiled knowingly, “She doesn’t want anyone talking about pregnancy until after the official mating ceremony on the new moon. She wants them to be married, legally, first. She was human for most of her life, Michael. If she wants to pretend it’s a virus until she says I do, then I think it’s best for all of us to lether.”
“So smart and kind and generous.” Michael brushed his lips over hers, “How did I end up with the perfectmate?”
“Just lucky I guess.” Luna grinned for him and then brushed his lips with her own before pulling away, “I’ll stop and check on her. I’ll even call you from the cabin so you know I made it and I’ll let you know before I head back. Is that enough checkpoints for you,Alpha?”
