Call me Luna

10 - Safe

He was looking for me. People got hurt and a wolf was killed all because of me. His words wash over me and run through me and still, I must repeat them to myself until it sinks in. I can feel the blood drain from my face and shiver after shiver runs through me until I am only a trembling mess. In less than a second Mason is by my side and his arms around me. I do not know if I am just used to him now or because I am too much in shock, but I do not pull away or freak out. I just stand there shivering uncontrollably in his warm embrace.

“I swear, no one will lay a finger on you. As long as you’re with us, you’ll be safe,” he whispers as his hand presses my head to his hard chest.

I feel more than hear his heartbeat against my cheek. He smells salty like the ocean, and I take a deep breath, instantly calming my nerves. His arms are strong and firm around me and I start to feel safe just as I did with Alpha.

“Are you sure he’s looking for her?” Cora gets out of the chair and starts pacing up and down.

“Unfortunately, yes,” he answers, and his arms go an inch tighter around me like he wants to protect me even against Cora’s words.

I inhale Mason’s scent a few more times until I am certain I can hold my own before I pull away from his embrace.

“But you caught him, right?” I look hopefully up at Mason. “Now we can ask him why he’s looking for me. Maybe he can help us figure out who I am.”

For a second there I had the idea that he might help me, that he is looking for me to rescue me. But I squashed that thought. If he were looking for me to help, he would not kill. Not even an animal.

“Believe me, Luna, I have every intention to interrogate him,” Mason more growls than speaks the words. “But first, I need to get you to safety.”

“Packhouse?” Cora asks from the side.

“No,” Mason shakes his head. “Too many people, it will freak her out.”

“What’s a pack house?” I frown taking turns looking at them.

“It’s living quarters,” Mason smiles. “It’s mostly occupied by single men and women from our security. Each has a room, but they share the living quarters and kitchen. There are guestrooms as well.”

What a peculiar name. But I guess it makes sense since everyone has a wolf and wolves travel in packs. Now that I think of it, it is rather cute.

“I’m taking you to my house,” he looks at me intensely. His eyes are all icy blue and serious. “And as an added precaution, you will have female bodyguards and an Ome … I mean servant.”

“A servant?” I squeak. Which century are we living in? I was thinking more like a safe house and a police officer in a car in front of the house. Now it is a servant and bodyguards like I am a princess in a castle.

“Just someone to keep you company and assist you if you need anything and I’m not there,” he explains with a sheepish grin.

I just stare at him. A million things running through my mind. That is the thing about lying and deceiving others. There are so many loose ends that need to be tied up and keep in mind in order not to lie yourself into a corner.

“Let me get this right,” I finally manage to find my voice. “I have to pretend to be your fiancé and live in your house. Surrounded by bodyguards and servants. Without any baggage. And you think that they won’t figure out we’re pretending?”

“She’s got a point,” Cora grins at Mason and his face pulls into one of consternation. “Not to mention Lauren.”

“Lauren?” Questioning I look at Cora and Mason. “Who’s Lauren?”

“Just the woman that already prepared her wedding vows for her marriage to Mason,” Cora giggles and gives Mason a devilish grin. For reasons unknown to me, my heart pulls together in an ache.

“For the hundredth time, I’m not interested,” Mason groans and he looks like someone stabbed him in the gut.

“Yeah, Lauren is not going to like me,” I play along even though I have this urge to go scratch this Lauren’s eyes out. Why do I feel like this? Have I always been so territorial? Better still, why do I feel like this toward Mason?

“Joking aside, ladies,” Mason definitely does not want to play this game. “We have to get Luna out of here.”

“Fine,” Cora rolls her eyes at him. “I’ll bring some clothes over and stay with Luna while you and Ezra talk to the hunter. That way, all security and servants will give us privacy.”

“Thank you,” Mason smiles at her. “Now, let’s get moving.”

***

I look at the stars as we exit the clinic. It is bright and beautiful. Have I ever seen stars like this? Obviously, I was too preoccupied last night to notice it. It is hard to believe that it is a mere twenty-four hours since I woke up in the shed. Things could have been so different, and I am grateful that I am standing here and not laying in a ditch somewhere.

Cora and I follow Mason to his black RAM pickup truck where he holds the door open for me. Hesitantly I get into the truck and watch Mason walk around to his side and Cora to her own truck. The thought of being alone with Mason in a confined space makes me nervous. It was easier to be with him when Cora was around.

Think happy thoughts, I encourage myself. I may have lost myself with my memories, but at least I am not lost. I have people helping me and going out of their way to keep me safe. I must just learn how to deal with men. Getting a panic attack whenever I encounter one will definitely draw attention to me.

“Tell me about this place,” I invite Mason as he steers the truck down the road in the direction of a hill. A conversation might mask my discomfort.

“As I’ve said, it’s called Silver Shadow,” he smiles, and I can sense that he is proud of the village. “My great, great grandfather was the first one to claim a piece of land here. He hated being surrounded by people, so he moved out of town and settled. Few things in life gave him as much pleasure as a good beer so he started his own brewery. It saved him a trip into town to buy some. His beer soon became legendary amongst his friends, and they started buying from him. Word got around and the demand greater. So, he started to employ people and they ended up staying. From there the business grew and so did the village and here we are.”

“So, everyone here works for you?” Skeptical I look at him.

“No,” he laughs at me. “There’s a variety of independent shops providing necessities and as you know, we have a clinic. There’s also a school. And I don’t run this town, there’s a town council.”

“Let me guess, you’re the head of the council,” I roll my eyes at him.

“Guilty,” he smirks.

“Yeah, that basically puts you in charge of the town,” I shake my head laughing and he looks at me in surprise.

“I love it when you laugh,” he says softly, and I squirm in my seat, looking out of the window. The tension is suddenly back between us.

“What?” He raises his eyebrows at me. “Don’t compliment you? It’s true. You seemed fine when Cora called you pretty.”

“Cora is not a man,” I say bluntly. Also, Cora does not create havoc with my feelings, but I do not say them aloud. I’m still trying to figure myself out. Trying to place these butterfly feelings in the right boxes, are just impossible.

“Okay,” he nods and pulls into a driveway. “Duly noted, I will not compliment you or give you any form of attention that might make you uncomfortable.”

His words sting a bit and I look at him to try and figure out if he is mad at me.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” I say softly and place my hand on his. He looks down at our hands before he looks at me.

Screw it, I'm just going to admit it, I decide.

“Mason, for some odd reason I don’t freak out when I see you. I did the first time, but now I feel like I can trust you. And I don’t understand how my feelings could flip like that in mere seconds.”

“You have all the time in the world to figure it out,” he smiles reassuringly at me.

With a smile, I nod at him before I retract my hand.

“Oh, my word,” I whisper as I stare at the house in front of me. Our conversation was completely forgotten. The double-story log cabin has big windows and is illuminated in a yellow glow. “I thought you said you’re not living in a mansion?”

“Well, it’s not a mansion per se,” he shrugs. “My ancestors just use to have many, many children.”

Still, in awe, I get out of the truck even before Mason could come around to open the door for me and help me out.

“Hey,” he protests and sprints to my side. “If you get dizzy and fall, Cora will skin me.”

“I haven’t, so you’re safe,” I grin as I make my way to the house without an invitation. This looks more like a lodge than a house. I absolutely love it. Pictures of a crackling fire with hot chocolate and marshmallows fill my mind.

“Does it ever snow here?” I ask eagerly. Snow will round off this picture perfectly. I turn around and look at the flickering lights of the town at the bottom of the hill. It feels like I'm in a holiday brochure for an exclusive resort.

“Every year,” he grins.

“Awesome,” I sigh as I enter the place. I am not disappointed. It is really not that cold, but there is a crackling fire. With a shriek, I run to the fireplace and make myself comfortable on the couch.

“Can I interest you in a cup of hot chocolate?” Mason asks as he closes the front door.

“With mini marshmallows?” I ask excitedly, looking at him over the couch.

“With mini marshmallows,” he confirms laughing as he disappears to what I presume is the kitchen.