The Hunted Luna

Chapter 1 - Blink and you'll miss it

SOLANA

Thursday, two days before the Luna Ceremony

I walk around my office, tweaking my decorations. The large picture I was given on my birthday of Ama and I hangs on the wall behind where I sit. On the opposite wall I have a long, low, white oak cupboard, where my red moonstone orb sits happily. Above the cupboard I want to hang three portraits, but I need Willows help with two of them, and I will need to wait until Saturday at my Luna Ceremony for the central one to be taken.

A small knock interrupts my musings. "Come in!" I call out, sitting back down in my chair. Blair and Maria enter, shutting the door behind them.

"Morning Sol, how are you?" Maria asks, smiling warmly at me.

"I'm good, thank you. Yourself?"

"I'm good. I just want you to know, I am genuinely so happy for you and Ama. I've never seen her this happy before," Maria says, her eyes getting teary.

"Thank you, that means a lot," I say with a smile. "How can I help you today?"

"We're planning your Luna Ceremony," Blair says with a smile. "What kind of decorations were you thinking of?"

"Oh, of course! Well, I really loved the decorations on the night Ama announced me as her Mate, so something like that? The red roses were a really nice touch, I would like that representation again, if possible. With some thistles, to represent Scotland," I say, thinking out loud. "Would that be possible?"

"We can definitely make it happen," Willow says, smiling at me. "Any thoughts of what food you would like?"

"How about a mash up of Norwegian and Scottish cuisine? Lots of fish, leek and potato soup, shortbread, and then some Norwegian dishes as well? As we will have a Pack lead by a Scottish and Norwegian. Does that sound good?"

"That sounds amazing! I know nana will want to be here for that," Blair says with a smile.

"Oh! Speaking of Willow, would she be able to create a copy of the portraits at the cottage? I want the one of me, mum, and mammy, and the one of my nana. They're going to go on that wall," I say, pointing at the wall behind Blair and Maria.

"I'll ask her today, she will make them for Saturday for you," Blair replies.

"Perfect! Is there anything else that needs my input?"

"What are you doing about your dress?" Maria asks.

"Blair, would your nana know what my mum wore? I would like a replica of that, if possible."

"I'll ask nana to come here the night before, she will be delighted to make your dress and it won't take long. She was at her Ceremony, I believe, so she should know what it looks like."

"Thank you!" I say, beaming at her.

"Well I think that's it," Maria says with a smile. "Also, pay no attention to Alex. He is as happy as I am about you and Ama, he was just worried about how people would react. He isn't worried anymore, not since... last night," she finishes.

"Yes... last night was certainly illuminating," I reply.

"I guess what I am saying is, don't judge him for his initial reaction. It does come from a place of love and protection, even if it comes across as brash and cold. He just has the Alpha mentality. Don't show emotions, always be on the defense. Please, don't allow Ama to go down that path. The Pack could do with an Alpha with a softer side, to compliment the Luna, you."

"I will bear what you have said in mind, Maria," I reply warmly.

"I had better head off, far too much to plan for Saturday. You coming Blair?"

"Yes, Maria," Blair says, smiling at her. "We will be going shopping in Oslo tomorrow, Sol. You still need some bits and pieces for your ceremony that can't just be magicked up. We'll, they can, but then all the fun is taken out of it," she says, smirking at me. See you later on."

Blair and Maria leave my office, closing the door behind them. I recline in my chair, chewing my thumb. Ama was currently next door in her own office, working through her notes on the Hunters. The Hunters... the rogue in the dungeon! I stand up, my head filled with the thought of getting to Ama as quickly as possible, we needed to seriously discuss the rogue in the dungeon. They had been waiting for the Council Members to make a decision, and she was now one half of the current council. I stand up, ready to start walking around my desk, when I suddenly blink into her office.

Ama looks up at me, shock written clearly on her face, as I look around, confused.

"Did... Did I just appear here?" I ask, completely bemused.

"Yes... yes you did..." Ama replies, walking around her desk to me.

"Huh." I had been thinking about Ama, and then I appeared in her office. I thought back to my first Pack run, when I had been trying to see how fast I could travel, and I suddenly appeared 500 feet away, before looking up at her with wide eyes. "I'm just going to test something..." I say as I picture our bedroom, focusing on our bed. There is a hazy half a second blink, and I am stood on our bed in out bedroom.

"Sol?!" I hear Ama cry out, causing a small smile to spread across my lips. I think of her office again, and blink back to where I was. "Sol?! Where did you go? What's happening?"

"Go into the bedroom," I say, grinning at her. Ama looks at me confused, before heading out of the door. I wait a few minutes before focusing on our bed again, with one blink I end up stood on top of it.

I sit down abruptly, my head swimming. Ama runs over to me, holding my shoulders as she looks at me. "Sol? What is going on? Are you... teleporting?"

"I feel really... tired..." I stutter, the words falling over themselves as I collapse onto the bed fully, my eyes fluttering closed.