Finding Their Way: The Children of Blood Moon

Feelings Told

*ASTERIA POV*

I have sat patiently listening to everyone, and finally, after remembering the abandoned pack that my uncle and aunt owned, my sister has a safe place to stay.

Alette and I have gotten much closer since I moved to Ruby Meadows. If it wasn't for her, I probably would have run to the hills when Donavon arrived home from his mission he was on with my brother and Damian.

For months my wolf stood on edge, and I was constantly drawn to his cottage. I would sometimes walk around the perimeter of the cottage just for the scent coming from within it. After a while, the scent of fresh rain and coffee started to fade.

The day he came home, Akira went haywire. She kept yelling at me that 'Mate was home'. The word mate had me choking on air. "No, we can't go through that again, Akira," I would tell her, causing her to whine.

I called Alette to talk to her about the situation, because with him working with and for Damian and Maddix, I figured she would know more about him. However, after she said she didn't know much, she suggested I talk to Maddix, and I did.

Maddix came to visit me, and he filled me in on everything about Donavon. What kind of person he was, where he came from, everything. When he told me that Donavon had been kicked out of his pack against his will, and why he was banished, my heart broke for him.

My brother encouraged me to get to know him, and I am glad I did. He has his little quirks, but those little quirks are what I find most attractive. He smokes a tobacco pipe, and loves to read and have a cup of coffee while he smokes. He is strong-minded, but has a sweet and sincere heart. He is so patient with me, and never forces me into anything I'm not ready for.

He asked me to move in with him just a couple of days after we met. To my surprise, I was more than willing. His place was plenty big enough, and I adored his cabin. It had 3 bedrooms, a large living room and kitchen, a small office and a wrap-around porch. He had built a safe room in the basement that was hidden with a false door that looked like canning shelves.

Another thing I learned about my mate is that he can cook. He even cans vegetables and other things to last through the winter. He is so self-sufficient, that I catch myself wondering what he would even need me for.

We marked each other pretty early on, and I knew in my heart that I would never reject him. I just need to find the courage to allow us to mate. He isn't pressuring me in any way, but I want him so badly. I think once we are home, I will make it a point to mate with him, and finally be completely bonded to Donavon.

"Thank you," I heard my mom say. I turned to look at her, and she sat down beside me. "Thank you for finding a solution. I spoke with Jason, and he said he would make sure everything would be fully ready for them when they got there. Maddix and Addie are also sending extra security to help with patrols and guard duty. We will transport them all in different cars to arrive at different times, just in case," she explained.

"Mom, no one needs to thank me. I want them safe just like everyone else does. I don't know what I would do if something happened to her, or my nephews. I love Damian, but they outrank him," I laughed.

"I heard that," Damian laughed as he sat next to me. I gave a chuckle and told him he knew what I meant. "Damian, I would be heartbroken if anything happened to you too, you are pretty special to Addie and me too, ya know," I informed him. He slowly nodded his head, and gave me a small side hug.

"Asteria, he loves you. He speaks to me often about you, just for advice to make sure he is doing the right things. He is worried that you won't ever fully bond with him because of your trauma," he said. He was right. I know he is.

"I love him too, Damian. I am just so afraid to confess that to him. What if he, you know..." I admitted to my brother-in-law.

"Girl, I do not confess to knowing everything there is to know about mate bonds, relationships, women, none of that, but what I do know is this, every single person worries about the 'you know what's'. However, if we let those what ifs control us, we will never find true happiness. To find your happiness now, you have to let go of the nastiness of the past," he explained.

"How did you get so smart?" I asked. He just laughed and shook his head. He said he learned everything he knows from my sister and Maddix. I guess that explains a lot.

Donavon and I finally excused ourselves and retired to our room. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day, and I wanted to make sure I was fully rested for it.

As we made ourselves comfortable, I snuggled into Donavon. I must have caught him by surprise because his whole body tensed.

"I love you, Donavon," I whispered. He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer, and said, "I love you too, my moon. More than you can imagine." He kissed the top of my head, and wrapped both arms around me. We both quickly fell asleep, and it was the best sleep I have had in a really long time.

We were awakened by Maddix pounding on the door and yelling, "D! Asteria! We need to get moving now! We have to get them to safety quickly! Spirit Mountain was attacked again. This time they found Buck, Micah, and Aisling."

I dashed to the door and flung it open. He came rushing in and started to fill us in on the details. "There is almost nothing left of Spirit Mountain in the forms of buildings. They didn't hurt anyone this time except for Buck. They beat him nearly to death in front of his mate and child. River is the only one there to lead at the moment. Caleb's wolf has healed him about 85% of the way, and other than some burn scars that are slowly healing, River is alright. Buck's wolf isn't healing him at all as of right now. That is how badly he was beaten. We have decided to evacuate Spirit Mountain and move what's left of the pack to Silver Howl," he explained.

"No, it's too risky to move people where Asteria and Damian will be hiding. Send them to Ruby Meadows. There is plenty of room, and with all the healers there, we can take care of Buck and Caleb. It makes more sense," I begged Maddix.

He agreed, and left to speak to the others about it. Donavon came and took my hand and pulled me towards the sofa. He sat down and I sat on his lap. He held onto me tightly and whispered, "You did a good thing, mentioning having the others come into our pack. It was most definitely not safe for them to go to the Silver Howl. It would draw too much attention."

"You aren't going to like what I have to talk to you about right now, little moon, but I want to go undercover again to help them. Try and find out who is after them this time. I was "arrested" with the other assholes at the port so that my cover wouldn't get blown, so I think I could find a way on the inside," he said.

"Please, don't, I need you with me," I cried into his chest.

"He's right though, sis," Addie said from the doorway. "He could find out everything we need to know."

Why are they like this? Why is everyone in my family so eager about running into danger?