The Luna

7

Maybe I am overreacting, crying over pictures that were left behind, but I can't help it. There's an ache in my chest where I keep my mom, and I think anyone who has lost a parent can understand that.

It's like the more I think about her, the more I question if I'm remembering the right shade of blonde in her hair. Were her eyes blue like the sky or dark like the ocean? The pictured silenced the questions and stilled my mind. For a brief moment, a quick breath of a glance, the ache is gone, and it's like she'll walk through the door at any moment.

My tears quieted during our walk, but not completely stopped. The slow fat drops running down my cheek, dripping on my shirt with nothing but a quiet sniffle. I had hoped that Caspian would change his mind and take me back, despite the risks. But deep down I knew he wouldn't and, as much as I hated it, I understood.

That car was stolen. Driving it now on the highway would be like a red flag around bulls.

I haven't said a word to him, even worse, I am purposefully trying to frustrate him. I can tell that I am causing Caspian to walk at a much slower pace than he is used too, and I am secretly wishing that he steps on a sharp stick or something since he is still walking barefoot.

That's another frustrating aspect to me, that the rocky ground doesn't seem to faze him at all.

"See that line of trees up ahead?" Caspian's voice breaks the silence of the surrounding woods, his eyes lighting up as he looks ahead.

He reaches for my hand, pulling me gently into his side and I don't fight it, I just slow my pace a little. His arm wraps around my shoulder as I squint, trying to see what is beyond the trees. I had been trying to imagine it, a wolf pack, but all I kept coming up with was a large cave with wolves lounging around.

Now all I see are trees, trees, and surprisingly, more trees surrounding us.

"That's the borderline for the Lotus pack," pride radiates off him and I can tell he is waiting for my reaction.

I'm not sure how I'm meant to react. I mean, all I still see is a line of trees. Even if I did see the town, the pack, there was something uneasy swirling in my stomach. I pull myself from his arm, running my hand through my hair, cringing when my fingers get caught in a small knot.

"What if they don't like me, you know, because I'm human?" wow, that feels silly to say out loud, especially to Caspian, but I need to get it out and the distraction will be a welcome reprieve from the hurt.

Plus, it's a valid fear. I mean it's probably not a far leap to assume that these wolf people are far superior to mere humans. Take Caspian for example. Just looking at him is hypnotizing, and his body is... well that's off-topic. Plus, we've been walking for I don't even know how long, and he's not even winded.

Whereas I feel like my heart is pounding against my chest and that my legs are going to give out on me any second. Not to mention, I probably look all gross considering that's how I feel.

"Mia," Caspian's fingers skim along my cheek and I have to hide my cringe hoping I'm not nearly as sweaty as I feel, "They will love you. Besides, all Luna's are human," his hands move down my arm to link his fingers with mine.

My eyebrows squint together at his words. I should find it reassuring that all humans are Luna's, but it raises a few more questions about this whole thing.

"Why would all Luna's be human?" I ask carefully, wondering what exactly it is that I'm getting myself into.

"That's another question for later," he says and I nod slowly, not really feeling like another argument right now.

But it seems like with Caspian, it's always later. Later he will tell me. Later we will talk about it. Later someone will go back for my worldly possessions. But why does it feel like later will never come?

He's just in a hurry to get home, I remind myself. Once everything settles, then it will be a good time to talk.

"Come on, We don't want to be late," He smiles a megawatt smile as he starts to pull me towards the tree line, but I put up some resistance.

I know he's excited to be so close and frankly, I'm ready to be there as well but I'm tired and we've been walking for a while. I just want to rest for a few minutes.

"Can we just take a break for a little bit, Please," I slow to stop, my shoulders sagging and my feet aching.

"People are waiting for us," Caspian says with a sigh, looking at me as if he could make me not tired just with his eyes. He runs his hands through his hair as he looks towards the trees he had pointed out. I can see indecision clear on his face.

Finally, he turns his back to me with another sigh and kneels down.

"Hop on," I stare at his back for a minute, wondering if what I think he's asking me is what he actually is asking me, "Come on, Mia, I'll carry you," he says a bit impatiently, making me jump a little from his tone.

I take a deep breath and a hesitant step forward. I have some reservations about being carried, I mean on top of everything, I don't want to be seen as weak in any capacity because I'm tired. But I also don't want to upset Caspian and I definitely didn't like being on the receiving end of that tone.

Maybe I'll just let him carry me until we are closer to the pack, just to rest my feet for a little bit.

My arms wrap securely around his neck and his hands come around to grip my thighs that are wrapped around his waist. He stands so easily, not off balance or anything. His pace even seems faster than when I was walking, as if my extra weight doesn't affect him at all. I know there is much that I will learn about him and a part of me wonders if I should be fearful of how much more he is.

I shouldn't be as surprised as I am when we break through the trees and the skyline of a city comes into view.

This is definitely not what I was expecting.

The pack is nestled in a valley, surrounded on all sides by trees. Sunlight filters through the canopy with enough space that the sky can be clearly seen from anyone on the ground. But to anyone flying over, they would just see the trees and not the treasure hidden just below.

"Welcome home, My Luna," I can feel Caspian's smile as he begins to descend the hill.

It is so picturesque and cozy that I'm literally stunned speechless as I take it in. No building looks higher than two-stories and the streets aren't paved but they are defined and smooth enough to walk on barefoot.

Utopia.

That's all I can think of as we reach the first row of buildings. It definitely is bigger than it appeared from up on the hill, but Caspian moves through the labyrinth of streets with ease. The knowledge of someone who has lived on these streets their entire lfe.

"Where is everyone?" it's like a ghost town. Even the business that we are walking by are just closed. No signs explaining why or times that state when they'll open again.

"They're gathering in the meeting hall,"

"How many people live here?" I can't hide the awe in my voice as we pass another row of houses. Just when I think we've come to the end of the city, another row of buildings appears.

"Currently, the pack has a little over five hundred members," I yelp as he adjusts me on his back with a small toss-up, "but that fluctuates with births and deaths. oh, do you see that house there?" His hand shoots out to point out a large home at the end of the street.

From here, all I can see is a dark roof poking out behind a large wall of bushes. Whatever it is, looks large and takes up more space than any of the other buildings that I have seen and a part of me wants to see it up close.

"That's my house. And that," He points to a large building that looks like a school building, "That is the meeting hall. Everyone is waiting to meet you,"

"What?" I start squirming until Caspian gets the hint and sets me down on my feet, "I thought you meant like your family and maybe a close friend or two!"

"I never said that,"

"No, but you certainly didn't tell me that the entire freaking city would be there either!" I wring my hands together in front of me as I start to pace in front of Caspian.

Is this a panic attack? Oh my gosh, I'm having a panic attack, I can't breathe or am I breathing? Oh no, I can't tell if I'm breathing. I press a hand to my chest, willing my heartbeat to calm me. If my heart is beating then I'm breathing and I'm okay.

"Mia," Caspian gently grabs my shoulders and forces me to look at him, "it's okay. Deep breath, calm down,"

"Maybe today isn't the best day for a meet and greet, Caspian. I mean I'm not presentable," I gesture to my clothes which are rumpled and dirty from a combination of sleep and the hike through the woods. I don't even want to think about what my hair looks like.

"Finding you is a big deal. You are very important to my pack, Mia," Caspian runs his hands through his hair, his eyes roaming over my outfit, "I'm sorry I didn't elaborate, I assumed that it was implied,"

He smiles and moves closer to me. I'm surprised he doesn't smell sweaty, hell he doesn't even look like he had sweat at all during the walk. My eyes are focused on the tan skin of his chest and I don't see him reaching for me until his fingers have cupped my chin, tilting my head back with a smug smile.

"I promise, it's not a big deal though okay? A few introductions, a wave to the community so they can see you, and then I'll show you where you'll be staying," he searches my face for any sign of disagreement, but how can I argue when he makes everything sound so...easy.

A wide smile spreads over his face before he leans forward and presses a quick kiss to my forehead. His hand takes mine and with one last grin, he leads me towards the meeting hall.

The second he opens the door, I can hear the voices from the crowd. Nerves begin to twirl and dance wildly in my stomach and right when I think I'm about to throw up, an eerie silence surrounds us. My heart pounds agasint my chest and my breath stutters. They know we're here. I don't know how I know, but I do.

I can sense Caspian's excitement and I try to pull from it. He doesn't seem worried, why should I be? Then again, he already knows these people, he isn't the new kid who is about to be paraded around and judged.

Caspian doesn't hesitate, doesn't even give me one last chance to take a calming breath before we're in front of literally hundreds of people and walking towards a stage.

I can feel I don't even know how many eyes on me and the heat rising in my cheeks. I focus very hard on not tripping in front of all these people.

Left foot, right foot. Stairs one at a time. Keep breathing.

Caspian let's go of my hand and I almost whimper at the loss of contact. I was trying to use him as a shield. Pathetic maybe, but it had been working.

He steps into an older woman's arms, who judging by the tender look of affection on her face, has to be his mother. When her green eyes meet mine, I offer a timid smile that is no match for her overly excited one.

"it's nice to meet you," Her green eyes are warm and so similar to her sons that I relax a little, "I'm Caspian's mother, Adelaide and this is my husband, Caspian's father, Atticus."

"We're excited you're here. We've waited so long for you," his words are innocent enough, and yet there is something about him that gives me the chills.

I'm about to apologize for the trip taking so long but he moves past me, taking his wife in his arms to stand at the front of the stage.

"Members of Lotus pack," I jump when Caspian starts speaking loud and clear from beside me. I hadn't even seen him move closer to me, "It is my great pleasure to introduce to you, our Luna!"

The silence breaks in a heartbeat as Caspian takes my wrist in his hand and thrusts them both in the air. Cheers and whistles fill the air as Caspian looks on like the cat that ate the canary.

Atticus steps forward and puts his hand up and I'm shocked how the crowd can go from celebrating to deathly silent so quickly.

"Friends, this is truly a blessing as the full moon is only days away!" he pauses to allow the crowd to cheer but like before as soon as he raises his hand, it goes silent.

"We will have the Luna ceremony on the night of the Full moon and Caspian will take his rightful place as Alpha of Lotus pack!"

Pandemonium unlike anything before breaks out around us and I swear the stage is shaking. Caspian and his parents don't seem concerned at all as they smile pridefully at the crowd.

All around us, people are cheering, clapping, waving, and I'm pretty sure I hear howling, all while I look like a deer in headlights.

Atticus and Adelaide bow slightly to the crowd before making their way to the stairs. Not knowing what else to do, I follow Caspian's lead of bowing (albeit mine was a little more awkward than his) and allow him to lead me after his parents and out of the meeting hall.