My Only Luna

Chapter 10: Luna

Owen's POV

In the air, I feel the essence of the enemy wolves floating. I know that they are not part of us, that they do not belong to my pack. The problem, however, is that I do not recognize this scent either, which should belong to one of the other six packs living within our protected zone, but it does not correspond to any of them, which makes me think of intruders.

Along the land beyond the gardens of my property stretches a grove through which Patrick and Sebastian have lost their way while following the enemy wolves. Others have joined us on this hunt, but after too short a time I realize that we won't be able to find them. Somehow, they got lost.

“What has happened here?" Patrick asks, inside my thoughts. Wolves, once we transform, we possess a mind that naturally connects with those of the rest of our pack. It's not so much that we can read our thoughts as that we can intuit them, but sometimes I find it impossible not to translate their feelings into words.

“I don't know," I reply in frustration, and Sebastian joins the thread of our conversation. “But I think we've suffered an attack."

“Who would be so bold, or such an i***t, as to penetrate our defenses?" Sebastian asks, annoyed, and trying to track the scent of wolves through the forest.

“I don't know, but I intend to find out."

We decide to turn back and Sebastian and Patrick follow me, while other wolves within the pack continue to patrol the forest, but without success. In the next few hours, they will make their rounds and alert the rest of the Alphas in the neighboring packs, as is their duty, for we have a law to look out for each other. I suppose I will soon receive a few calls from the other Alphas, and in the morning we will have a meeting, which sours my expectations a bit.

We return to the house then, and I notice that the scent of the intruders mixes with the scent of Hailey's blood. Why, of all the inhabitants of this house, did they have to run into her? She, who does not yet possess her wolf, and is therefore defenseless. It was fortunate that we could hear her in the distance. Otherwise, I don't even want to think about the possibilities.

Upon returning, Sebastian, Patrick and I phase out. Nudity is a normal facet of shapeshifters, so we are used to naked bodies. That doesn't mean we don't maintain certain standards of modesty, and as soon as we convert back to our human form, we look for clothes in the foyer, which is always kept well stocked for cases like these. We change into simple garments, and then begin to walk around the room.

“In a few minutes we will have calls from at least four or five Alphas," I tell Sebastian, who sighs in frustration. “Go to my study and get their messages. Tell them what happened. They'll send out their wolves and make sure to keep up the rounds throughout the estate and along the beach, to make sure there are no new attacks in the night."

“We're going to be the talk of the town all week." Sebastian, who hates being the center of attention in these matters, comments frustrated.

“I know. I'm not thrilled about the situation either, believe me." I then look at Patrick, who is waiting for his orders, and whose gaze meets mine immediately. “Patrick, organize our troops and see to it that they fix that power failure. Find out if the cameras can see what the hell happened."

He nods and prepares to go in search of the guards.

“We'll meet in my study in twenty minutes," I assure him, and they both leave.

I then cross the room, going down the stairs that lead from the house to a secluded section of the courtyard in which about six houses of a smaller size than the mansion are organized, and in which part of the maintenance staff of the house resides.

The gardener, the housekeeper, the head of security, among others, and of course, the cook, and therefore, Hailey. The residence is organized and mimics the original look of the mansion, with Spanish-style mud walls and red tile roofs. Small manicured gardens and a general walkway connects all the cottages together and leads to the main house.

Originally all the staff had their residence in the main mansion, but, as their families grew and required more independence and privacy, my father thought of doing this construction, in the hope that everyone would be more comfortable.

Hailey's house is one of the first, so I approach it. I find the sliding doors on one side of the house open, and I enter without asking permission, rushing through the small but pretty and organized living room, and following the hallway to the kitchen, where I immediately find Hailey, along with her father and Sabrina.

The three of them immediately look at me, and their expressions are so different they almost make me laugh. Hailey's face is one of resignation, while Sabrina's is painted with suspicion. Hailey's father, a much calmer and gentler man, retains the usual respect in his scowl that I always get.

“Alpha Owen," the man greets me, and I nod toward him, noticing the first aid kit on the kitchen table, lying next to Hailey.

“Hals, how are you feeling?" I ask.

She shrugs, downplaying the matter, and I notice that doing so hurts. She has a few scratches on her arms, and her blouse is torn at one of her ribs; except for a bruise I notice is starting to form on the right side of her body, she doesn't seem to have anything serious.

“It was nothing. Basically, some bruises," she confirms, and I sigh with relief.

“Owen, do they have any idea what happened?" The familiarity with which Sabrina treats me is much more usual, since Alpha or not, she sees me as her friend, or rather, as a relative. Therefore, she can't help the wariness in her eyes, a product of her desire to protect her best friend.

“For now we have no idea who it was, but we are investigating." I then step into the kitchen and look Hailey straight in the eye. “May I have a moment with Hailey, please? We need to talk."

She averts her gaze, and I notice how Sabrina's jaw locks in a snap of frustration identical to that of her twin brother. She's about to retort when Hailey's father puts a hand on her shoulder and nods. “Of course, sir. We'll be outside if you need us."

He kisses Hailey on the crown of her head and pulls Sabrina, who reluctantly leaves, as they both walk out of the room.

Only then, when I stop hearing their footsteps, and I know that they can't hear me, do I lean down, bringing my body close to hers and taking a cotton swab that I spread with disinfectant to clean the scratches that furrow her skin.

“May I?" I ask her cautiously.

Hailey nods and I take her hand as I clean the scratches. She holds back a small gasp, but her expression barely mutates.

“Did you decide to roll in the rose bushes, by any chance?" I ask her loosely, as if to lighten the mood.

“Yes, I did. I thought roses and wolves go together. Maybe their scent would distract that wolf from attacking me, you know?" I smile at her usual humor and let my hands go up, cleaning other scratches on her skin.

I look up at her then, into her big, deep hazel and honey eyes, and I can't stop my hand from reaching up to her face, stroking her smooth skin gently.

“Are you all right, Hals?" I ask her in a soft voice, and her lips twist into a pout.

“It hasn't been the homecoming I was hoping for," she admits.

“I know, and I'm sorry for that."

She sighs and her face turns away from my touch, as she turns her face away.

“This can't go on, Owen. This game between us. I need some peace if I'm going to stick around."

“I understand," I affirm. “Unfortunately, there's more at stake than you think, Hals. And I doubt I'll be able to leave you alone, no matter how hard I try."

“Why is that?" She then confronts me.

“Because you are my Luna," I admit, freed at last from the weight of that confession, as soon as the words leave my mouth. “And there is nothing I can, or want to do to stay away from you. Not when I've discovered that I'm destined to love you."