The Luna's Justice

Chapter Two : A Clean Slate

***Lisa's POV***

Before I fell into darkness, I thought I saw someone. My mind is a jumbled mess right now. It's pitch black and empty here, but my body feels like it's on fire. But that doesn't make sense because there's nothing physically touching me. I can't even see my own hands in front of me. What is this strange sensation? It's agonizing.

I try to scream, but no sound comes out. It's as though hundreds of hot needles are piercing every inch of my skin, muscles, and bones. All I can hear is the sound of bones cracking and a loud thumping in my ears.

And just as suddenly as it began, it stopped. A soft voice spoke to me from the darkness.

"Lisa, it's alright. You're safe. I am here for you."

"Who's there? Where am I?" My voice echoes into the void.

"I am the Moon Goddess, and I have a gift for you."

"Where is this place? And what exactly is a Moon Goddess?"

"A Moon Goddess is akin to humans' God. I am the embodiment of the moon, and I am responsible for creating werewolves. My world exists separately from yours. Lisa, you are currently in a deep sleep. And as part of your transformation into a werewolf, I have given you a special gift - your werewolf counterpart named Raven. She will always be with you. Show her love and kindness, and she will do the same for you."

"Hello Lisa, I'm Raven," said a gentle voice.

As odd as all of this may seem while I'm floating in an endless expanse of darkness, it's comforting not to be alone.

"You'll never be alone again, Lisa," reassured Raven.

"You can hear my thoughts?" I ask curiously, not feeling afraid despite the surreal situation.

"Yes, we share a connection through our minds. All werewolves possess this ability. I am you, and you are me."

"That's quite fascinating," I reply, intrigued by this new information.

"Yes, it is. When you awaken, you will gain more knowledge. Eventually, you will even have the chance to witness my entire appearance. However, for now, you need to wake up."

Suddenly, two gentle and radiant pink eyes materialized in front of me. They were mesmerizing and seemed to radiate warmth and kindness. I instinctively reached out to them.

***

***Anderson aka Stranger’s POV***

"How's Lisa doing, Kyleen?" I asked as I took a seat next to Lisa's unconscious body. I absentmindedly ran my fingers through my dark, messy hair as I reached over and held Lisa's small hand.

"She's doing better, Anderson. If you hadn't given her your wolf venom, she may not have made it. Her wounds are healing nicely, but we can't predict when she'll wake up. Keep talking to her though; it helps stimulate brain activity. I need to fill out some paperwork for the Alpha. When is he returning from his work convention?" Kyleen replied with a comforting smile.

I observed as Kyleen checked Lisa's vitals and recorded them. She was a beautiful she-wolf with piercing blue eyes and magenta hair. Despite being a Beta in the pack, she chose to work as a nurse rather than a warrior. And while she had the heart of an angel, no one dared question or challenge her.

As I sat back in my chair, I watched Lisa's chest rise and fall peacefully as she slept.

"I think he'll be back tomorrow. This whole situation has been a mess to cover up, but thankfully the Elders have assured us that everything has been taken care of. Depending on when Lisa wakes up, they said we could talk to her about what happened and explain things to her. Do you think she'll remember anything?" I asked as I gently brushed away Lisa's wispy hair to reveal a star-shaped scar on the side of her right temple.

Kyleen walked over to her desk across from Lisa and sat down, rubbing her tired eyes. She had been personally taking care of Lisa since she arrived two weeks ago.

"I'm not sure, that gunshot wound was serious. The fact that she was barely alive when you found her is nothing short of a miracle. And then surviving your venom on top of that is incredible. She has the strongest spirit I've ever seen in a human," Kyleen said as she wrote notes on her pad.

"There's something special about her, I know it. And I can't help but feel guilty that I couldn't save all of them. I thought by reporting and testifying for them, I could keep them safe. But now this is where Lisa is and part of me is scared for when she does wake up. After everything she's been through, I should have done more," I confessed, feeling frustrated and putting my head in my hands.

The guilt hanging over me was overwhelming.

Kyleen got up from her desk and walked over to me, placing her small hands on my shoulders. The calming scent of her wolf wafted over me. Kyleen and I had yet to find our mates, but we had a close bond. We both knew that if we ever found our true mates, it would only cause pain and heartache to separate. So instead, we agreed to remain close friends and nothing more. Whoever her mate may be, they would be lucky to have her as their mate.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You're a great man. You did everything you could to save them. No one could have predicted Terry's actions. And let's not forget, the council doesn't approve of us getting involved with humans. Your hands were tied. We can't change what happened, but we can help her now. The haircut you gave her suits her small face perfectly," she said, giving me a reassuring smile.

Kyleen leaned down and wrapped her arms around me. I touched her arm, grateful for her comfort. When we brought Lisa here, it was a race against time to heal her injuries. She had been shot in the head, which should have been fatal. Both her legs were broken, along with her hand and ribs. She was unrecognizable. In a desperate decision and with the Alpha's approval, I bit into her arm and injected my venom into her body. It took all of my strength and energy to do so. Luckily, as a werewolf, I can heal quickly. But this time, it took me two days to fully recover. At first, we weren't sure if the venom was working; Lisa was stuck in a state between life and death. After what felt like an eternity, we heard the sound of bones cracking and saw them shifting back into place as they healed. The gunshot wound on her head began to close up, but it took three days for it to completely disappear, leaving behind a star-shaped scar. Her bruises faded away and her skin returned to its natural pale color with freckles sprinkled over it.

I had to trim her hair because it was tangled and difficult to tend to while she healed. Her hair had grown since then, showing signs that she was healing at an incredibly fast rate compared to regular werewolves. There was something about Lisa that seemed powerful yet intimidating at the same time; it was hard to pinpoint exactly.

I let out a heavy sigh and stood up to stretch my sore muscles. I leaned down to get a better look at her small, freckled face and couldn't help but smile. She was so beautiful yet adorable at the same time. Suddenly, her hazel eyes opened and burned into mine.

I let out a startled gasp and stumbled backward.

"What is it?" Kyleen exclaimed.

"She's awake!"

"No way!"

Kyleen rushed to Lisa's side to check her vitals barely able to contain her excitement.

Lisa slowly blinked her radiant hazel eyes, we couldn't help but notice something different about her. As a human, her eyes always showed fear, and her body emitted a strong scent of it. But now, looking back at us were eyes filled with determination and strength.

***

***Noah's POV***

This business conference seemed to be dragging on forever. Meanwhile, back in my pack, so much was happening. We were a highly respected and feared pack, always ranked at the top. Our warriors were the strongest, and we prided ourselves on our integrity and generosity. I ran things with an old-school mentality; respect had to be earned, not given. Every member of my pack had a vital role to play, and no one was above or below anyone else.

I am Noah, Alpha of The Crystal Lake pack. Unmated and known for my good moral character as well as my position as Alpha, there are both advantages and disadvantages to being in this role. Right now, having to attend regular human jobs and events falls into the latter category.

My Omega Anderson, who also worked as a police officer in the human world, had shared information about a woman he was trying to help. Due to his job restrictions, I had never met this woman or even learned her name, but I trusted Anderson's judgment. He kept me updated on her situation, which seemed to involve more than meets the eye with the County Board, Courthouse, and Social Workers.

For months, we had been investigating this case but every time we got close to uncovering something, it would slip through our fingers. It was beyond frustrating. Anderson had a theory that those involved may not even be human; he claimed he could smell it on them but there was some kind of spell preventing him from identifying what they truly were. Even our most skilled members who hunted down rogue creatures like vampires, wizards, witches, and elves struggled to detect anything unusual besides the dark magic that seemed to surround these individuals.

On the night of the shooting incident involving this woman's abuser, Anderson called me with an update. The abuser had vanished after last being seen carrying a large black duffle bag from his home. Unfortunately, Anderson had to take another call to avoid suspicion from humans. Our Elders were also hesitant to interfere in human affairs, but upon further discussion about the potential involvement of dark magic and the woman's safety, they eventually agreed for our guards and medics to assist Anderson. However, it was too late.

The abuser had taken the lives of two young children, ages 8 and 10, as well as their two dogs brutally. He then turned the gun on himself, showing his cowardice. However, the woman who had also been shot miraculously survived and was barely holding on. Despite her injuries, she was still alive, which amazed me. My beta Kyleen had informed me of the situation and I needed to return to help with the necessary paperwork for our Elders. I also wanted to be there for my pack members Anderson and Kyleen.

As the convention came to an end, the old man who should have retired long ago thanked us all for our hard work and hoped to see us again next year.

In my human job, I dealt with banking for large corporations and ran a line of personal banks. My father had been a banker as well but not independent like me. He was exceptional at his job and taught me everything I know. When he turned 45, he passed down the Alpha position to me. Now at 38 years old, I am successful and run a thriving pack that never has to worry about finances. Many of my pack members work for me and we even provide allowances for orphaned pups once they turn ten, setting up trust funds for them until they are eighteen.

After saying goodbye to everyone and hearing Paulette's request to say hi to Barbra for her, I quickly made my escape before getting caught up in the small talk.

As I packed my things in my hotel room, I received a call from Anderson.

"Hello Anderson, good timing," I said as I answered the phone while bustling around my room.

"Alpha..." Anderson hesitated before continuing.

"Yes? What is it?" I asked as I closed my hotel room door behind me.

"I can tell you her name now. It's Lisa... she's awake."

I came to an abrupt halt and let everything I was carrying fall to the ground.

"Alpha? Are you alright? Did you hear what I said?" Anderson asked.

Stunned, I shook my head and retrieved my phone from the floor.

"Yes, I'll be there tomorrow at the latest. I won't stop driving."

"Yes, Alpha," replied Anderson quickly.

After ending the call, I stuffed my phone into my pocket, gathered my things, and rushed over to the valet stand. So, her name is Lisa.

***

***Lisa's POV***

The room was filled with bright light, and I could see cherry trees blooming outside the windows. The sounds of birds singing, wind blowing, water trickling, machines beeping, and people breathing surrounded me. As I looked around, I noticed I was hooked up to IVs and various wires and leads. Confusion flooded my mind as I tried to piece together where I was and why I was here.

Two individuals stood next to me, their faces filled with shock and emotion. One was a tall woman with short magenta hair and striking blue eyes; her tears seemed to be a mix of happiness and relief. The other was a tall man with black hair, blue eyes, and a beard; his tears were also streaming down his face.

"Why are you crying? Where am I?" My voice came out hoarse as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings.

But as hard as I tried to remember, my mind drew a blank and sent sharp pains through my head instead. In agony, I screamed and grasped at my head.

"It hurts! Why?"

The woman with vibrant magenta hair rushed over, hastily grabbing a syringe and injecting it into my IV. Slowly, the searing pain in my body started to dissipate, and I couldn't help but let out tears of relief. The man knelt beside me and reached out cautiously. Instinctively, I flinched away from him.

"I mean you no harm. We're all on the same side here. This is Kyleen, your nurse, and I am Anderson. We're your friends here," he spoke softly.

"You were in a terrible accident and just woke up; We didn't know when you would regain consciousness," Anderson explained, clasping his hands together and placing his fingers against his lips. He was remarkably attractive.

I glanced at Kyleen, who was seated on the bed beside me. I gave her a questioning look. If these individuals had any intention of causing harm, they would have acted by now.

Raven's words eased my fears as she reassured me, "You can trust these people, Lisa. They are safe. You are safe."

I know she can feel my pain, and it hurts me to cause her suffering.

Kyleen, with genuine concern and curiosity on her face, asked if I knew my name.

"My name is Lisa," I replied, fidgeting with the blanket around me. "But that's all I know, sorry."

"No need to apologize, Hun. We just want to understand what you remember or know. Try not to strain yourself; you had a rough head injury. Anderson saved you," Kyleen said, smiling at Anderson with love in her eyes.

I could sense a strong bond between them.

"I am a werewolf because of Anderson?" I asked, looking at him.

"Yes. I turned you to save your life. I hope you don't hate me for it. I couldn't let you die. The Moon Goddess told me you needed to be protected at all costs," Anderson explained, reaching out to hold my hand again.

This time, I allowed him to take it. His hands were so much larger than mine, making mine look like a doll's hand in comparison.

"The Moon Goddess..." I whispered in awe.

"Yes, we are all werewolves here, Lisa. This is our pack, Crystal Lake. You don't need to worry about anything now that you're here. The Moon Goddess is like our deity," Kyleen explained.

"I know she appeared to me when she gave me Raven, my wolf," I confirmed.

"She spoke directly to you?" They both gasped in amazement.

I confirmed, "Yes, when I was in a dark and lonely place, she reached out to me. She was kind and explained who she was and what I was. And she introduced Raven to me."

Feeling self-conscious, I shifted my feet under the blanket that covered me.

"She has her wolf too? That's incredible!" Kyleen exclaimed with excitement.

Both Anderson and Kyleen looked astonished but pleased.

"Is that not normal?" I asked curiously.

"Not usually this soon. It usually takes about a month for everything to change after being bitten. But you have healed quickly and already have your wolf. The Moon Goddess must favor you greatly," Kyleen gushed with admiration.

"How do you feel Lisa?" Anderson asked kindly.

I rubbed my head, trying to think despite the pain. "I'm feeling alright. Raven and I are both starving," I replied, running my fingers through my short hair. Was it always this short?

"I sent a mind link to Nicky to bring us some food," Kyleen informed me with a smile. "She's excited to meet you."

Suddenly, the doors flew open and someone came charging into the room. I jumped and instinctively grabbed onto Anderson for support.

"I'm sorry! She startled me. I didn't mean to grab you," I apologized.

"It's okay, Lisa. Nicky can be quite energetic at times, but she means no harm," Kyleen reassured me.

Anderson chuckled and rubbed my back as I surveyed the tall girl who had just barged in. She had long black hair that cascaded down past her waist, dark-framed glasses, and a nose piercing. Her tight white t-shirt and leggings accentuated her curves perfectly.

"My apologies for startling you. I was cooking when the mind-link came through and I just grabbed whatever food was ready. My cooking skills are lacking, but I like to help prepare meals for those in the clinic," Nicky explained as she set a large tray on my lap. "And wow, your eyes are stunning! They have specks of green, yellow, and brown that seem to glow. And your freckles are adorable!"

She leaned in closer to inspect my face, adjusting her glasses as she did so. I held onto Anderson tighter as he laughed at my reaction.

"Nicky can be quite intense sometimes, can't she? But she means well. Please excuse her excitement; she forgot herself for a moment," Kyleen said, trying to calm Nicky down.

"You are so beautiful! Your eyes and freckles are unique and gorgeous," Nicky exclaimed, still in awe of my appearance.

I sat frozen for a moment before letting go of Anderson. Nicky's boldness and curiosity were endearing and harmless.

"My eyes have always been hazel, and my freckles have always been there. I've never had anyone get this excited over them before," I replied with a small smile.

He placed his hand on my back.

"They sure are unique, aren't they?" they whispered to each other.

"But we didn't come here to talk about your fascinating eyes. You must be starving. I can't go a day without eating. That's why my figure is so good. I swear all I do is eat, sleep, and worry," chuckled Nicky.

"You're beautiful, and you have a great sense of humor too," I giggled.

It felt strange to laugh. I couldn't pinpoint why, but it just felt odd.

"Aww, thanks. Mike says the same thing. He's not the brightest bulb, all brawn, and no brains, but I love him. Look, I brought pancakes, waffles, French toast, scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, and fruit. The syrup is amazing. Barbra makes the best maple syrup. She's the mother of the Alpha, and she does most of the cooking - it's delicious."

Nicky grabbed a sausage and started eating it. I reached for a piece of kiwi.

"Thank you, Nicky. It looks incredible and smells heavenly. You and Kyleen should eat too. There's plenty, and you all look exhausted. I can hear your stomachs growling," I said as I passed Anderson a piece of toast.

"I am famished! Ha-ha, I can't believe you heard my stomach growling. Thanks for the toast, I'll have some," Anderson happily replied, taking a bite.

He leaned back in his chair but stayed close to me.

"Who's Mike?" I asked Nicky.

"He's one of our top warriors here. He trains the men and is almost as skilled as Kyleen, who trains the she-wolves. He's also my mate," Nicky replied, pulling her shirt collar down to reveal a scar on her chest.

"When we find our mate, we mark them as ours. It's a way of showing others that we're taken and it creates an unbreakable bond between us. We can even communicate telepathically through mind linking. At first, Mike didn't want a mate because he saw it as a weakness. But I won him over with my charm and persistence. One kiss from these lips and he was hooked. Then we f****d like wild animals," Nicky said passionately.

"Okay, that's enough details," Kyleen interjected with a blush.

I stopped eating and looked around at everyone. A strange scent lingered in the air and no one would meet my gaze as Nicky happily ate her breakfast.

"I smell.. arousal?"

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the strong, musky scent in the room. Everyone seemed to be blushing and avoiding eye contact with me.

"Raven already told me what this smell means," I said, not wanting to beat around the bush.

Anderson chuckled awkwardly, shifting his weight from one foot to another. "Yeah, werewolves are known for their intense s****l drive. When they find their mates, it's like they go into a frenzy. And that usually leads to mating marks."

"But you and Kyleen don't have any marks, yet I can sense there's something between you two," I observed, looking back and forth between them.

Anderson scratched the back of his neck nervously before explaining, "We've chosen not to mark each other because we're saving ourselves for our true mates. It would be too painful to lose each other if we did find our mates later on. But we believe they're out there somewhere."

"How do you find your mate? Will I have one? What if he doesn't want me?" I asked eagerly, curious about this whole concept of mates within the werewolf community.

"Any wolf foolish enough to reject you as their destined mate is a fool. You are not only stunning, but I can sense your inner beauty as well. Trust me, I'm never wrong about these things. Rejection is rare and not tolerated in our pack; our Alpha does not allow it. We hold great respect for The Moon Goddess and trust in her decisions. Sometimes finding your true mate takes time, while others find them quickly. But with plenty of attractive werewolves in our pack, and even more options outside of it, there will be no shortage of suitable mates when you're ready," explained Nicky, taking a sip of orange juice.

Kyleen gently ran her fingers through my hair and spoke up. "You will know when you have found your mate, whether they be male or female. But don't worry too much about it right now. Let's focus on getting you some food, a shower, and getting dressed. Nicky, could you help her pick out some clothes?"

"Oh my goddess, can I take her shopping please?! I know it's probably soon, but maybe she needs it!" Nicky exclaimed excitedly as she squeezed Kyleen tightly.

"Um, I don't see why not, but you'll have to go to the nearest mall. The smaller one. And remember to keep an eye on her and take Anderson with you. If Lisa starts feeling overwhelmed, just let them know and come back. No one will be upset. And Lisa, you're 95% healed so just take things slow," Kyleen instructed.

"Awesome! Can I also shower with her? We can both get cleaned up and look fabulous together," Nicky asked with a mischievous grin.

I glanced at Anderson who blushed and looked away shyly.

"Alright, ladies, I'll be in the game room waiting for you. This isn't exactly my area of expertise...I'll see you down there when you're finished. And Kyleen, join us. You could use a break," Anderson said before walking away.

"Let's all shower together! It'll be a fun girls' day," Nicky exclaimed, grabbing my hand to help me out of bed. Walking was a bit difficult at first, but with Kyleen and Nicky's assistance, I managed.

They directed me to Nicky's room, where we found her spacious bathroom. It could easily fit twenty people in its large shower. We undressed and I caught sight of myself in the mirror for the first time since waking up. My body was pale and thin, with slightly longer brown hair than before. Looking into my own eyes, I felt a sense of determination staring back at me. Raven echoed my thoughts with excitement.

"This will be great! A girl's day so soon and with some food in you, you'll fill out in no time," she chirped optimistically. And she was right; I still had room to grow and improve before figuring out my true identity and what had happened to me.

Nicky let out a loud shout of "BOOBIES!" and flung her arms around me, playfully squeezing my breasts. Surprisingly, I was okay with all this nudity; Nicky seemed comfortable with it, and I didn't feel awkward or self-conscious at all.

"Come on, Nicky. Let's get cleaned up and leave. We don't want to overwhelm her," Kyleen pleaded, attempting to hold back Nicky.

"Don't be a party pooper. You're just jealous because no one's grabbing your boobs like Anderson," Nicky joked.

I couldn't help but laugh as I watched them playfully teasing each other. Three girls, completely bare, having a good time.

We finally finished showering and I managed to get through it without too much exhaustion. But for some reason, my hair seemed longer afterward. Or maybe I was simply losing my mind. Whatever was left of it, at least.

Nicky guided us through her closet, which was filled with an abundance of clothing options. She ultimately chose a low-cut white blouse, paired with a leather jacket, skin-tight black leather pants, and stilettos. Her hair was styled in a high ponytail, completing her trendy look. Kyleen opted for a casual outfit, pairing a crop top band t-shirt with a white tank top underneath and cut-off shorts, finished off with Vans high tops.

I decided to wear one of Nicky's sundresses: a pale pink garment that hugged my upper body perfectly and flowed down to my ankles, revealing my legs through its side slit. I completed the look with white gladiator sandals and kept my hair wavy while keeping my makeup simple. As I gazed at myself in the mirror, I felt confident and pleased with my appearance. Even Raven seemed enthusiastic about this outing.

"Are you all ready to hit the shops, ladies?" Nicky asked as she put on her sunglasses.

Kyleen ran her fingers through her hair and placed her sunglasses on top of her head. "Hell yeah!"

"This is such an exciting new beginning," Raven said happily.

"Yeah, but what are we starting fresh from exactly?" I questioned.

"Don't worry about it right now. Everything will fall into place in due time. Let's just focus on having fun."

I nodded in agreement with Raven. Before following the girls, I adorned a rose quartz stone necklace around my neck.

"Were you talking to Raven again?" Kyleen asked curiously.

"Yes, she was just trying to reassure me," I replied.

"I can't wait to meet her. My wolf is thrilled to have you and Raven as part of our pack!" exclaimed Nicky, opening the door to the bedroom.

"Mine too. Oh, the trouble we can get into with these girls!" laughed Kyleen.

We met up with Anderson and made our way to the front of the house.

"Remember to behave, girls. She's still recovering," Anderson reminded us sternly.

Nicky replied with a joking tone, "Yes, Dad."

"I'm so excited to finally meet Raven and your wolves," I exclaimed.