I did not expect this to happen. I thought it would be an ordinary day without anything happening. I judged it wrong. It's the same as when I left my pack for this vacation. Sterling Pack was outside the mansion waiting for us. Precisely, to send me off, their Luna.
Arabella took four days to regain her consciousness. She was disoriented and confused when she woke up. When I began to explain to her my plan of bringing her along, she didn't let me finish and jumped at the offer right away. Atlas was present that time, although we hardly spoke to each other anymore after I confessed to him.
When Arabella says yes to my offer, it visibly pains Atlas to let her go along with Dion. I let them have some time alone to talk as Atlas asked for forgiveness and Arabella her goodbye. The day after Arabella woke up, she was packed and ready to go.
Arabella also formalized her rejection oath with Derrick who bawled his eyes out. It wasn't a pretty sight. It also hurts to see him cry. But he has to face the consequences of his doings.
However, Derrick, just like Atlas, didn't give the Assent. I don't know the extent of their talk, but there's an understanding between them. It seems like Arabella agreed to Derrick delaying the Assent for the last time.
The mark won't disappear if the Assent will not be given. So, Arabella would have to wear it for an indefinite time. I almost got mad at Derrick again because of it, but Arabella told me it was fine. I let it go. After all, it was their business to handle. There's a limit to my meddling.
And now, I'm currently gaping at the pack scattered around the driveway. The face of the pack was remorseful and apologetic.
My eyes found Nana and Dillion on the left side of the group. Nana was giving me a grateful smile. The twinkle in her pale eyes affirmed my decisions.
"Luna... " that was Pablo. I shook my head in answer, and the whole pack fell into different stages of acceptance. They understood that I wouldn't be staying.
"Talk and listen to your Alpha," I addressed the whole crowd, the first and the last time as their Luna.
"Let's go," I said to Kalix whose beside me all the time. Kalix did not ask me about what was happening. Maybe he knew, or I'll just explain it to him some other day. I left my pack for vacation and came back with two fragile souls. Arabella was already inside the car, in the backseat.
Dion was already sitting in the driver's seat, ready to leave. It's going to be a long ride. We can alternate with the wheel. I would have to sit shotgun since Kalix doesn't have a driving license. It was a shocker to know that Kalix couldn't drive.
We are using Dion's car. It's a black sedan. Atlas would be riding his ranger alone since Luke decided to stay. It was another shocker to me. We haven't talked since I've broken the deal with him. All I know is that he got some job to do back here. That's why he can't go back with Atlas for the Pack Summit.
Before I went inside the car, I hugged Nana and Dillion goodbye. Dillion hugged me so tight that he almost wouldn't let me go if Nana didn't interfere.
"Don't be reckless, Luna. Please, don't be reckless," after Dion whispered those words to me. I watched his solemn blank face. His glimmering electric silver eyes give me goosebumps.
"I will. Please take care of Nana for me, Dillion." I cupped his face gently and hugged him one last time. I glanced to the side and waved bye to Vienna, who averted her gaze in response. That was not the reply I expected, but I went on. Also, I did not see Luke among the crowd. I bowed at everyone in the pack. After that, I clambered in the car and kicked off my journey way back home.
~
The snow-covered road is now familiar to me. I know we're already halfway to the drive. We were currently following after Atlas's car when he made a turn. I looked at Dion in question. I find his glossy eyes right at that moment.
"What is it?" I asked, confused. I'm sure we're not there yet. We followed his car and led us to a fast-food chain. My head bobbed in understanding.
"Alpha wanted us to eat. We didn't exactly eat a proper breakfast." Dion doesn't blush around me anymore. It's sad and pleasing at the same time because it means he is now comfortable around me. Maybe, being his Luna helped.
Dion went out first and opened the door for me. I murmured my thanks and waited for Arabella to alight from the car. She doesn't talk much. I'll make sure she'll be comfortable when we arrive back at the pack. The same goes with Dion too.
The four of us venture in the chain's direction. Atlas already chose a table for us, and they proceeded to order. I'm okay with everything since I'm not that hungry. The three men stole the attention of the diners. They were in awe and almost borderline drooling. Who wouldn't if the three men were like walking candies? Anyone would want to covet them and have a taste.
I shook myself out of my reverie and turned to a smirking Arabella. She was having fun at the attention the men were getting.
"Are you hanging there alright?" I gently asked her. Arabella nods at me.
"I want to apologize for my rudeness last time, Luna. I want to also thank you for saving me after what I did." she gave me a tight smile. I'm not really sure how to treat her, but I'll try my best to listen.
"It's already in the past. Don't push yourself. There's only one thing I want to say, Arabella. Talk to me when you feel like it's too much, please. Doesn't care if you're awkward with me, even if I'm busy. Don't hesitate to talk to me. I mean it. Please. If you feel like your life got no purpose anymore, make me your purpose." I gather her cold hands in mine. "I don't care if I sound selfish to you. For now, I'm your responsibility just like how you are mine. So, think of me first." I added and hugged her tight.
Arabella's eyes shone with unshed tears as she hugged me back. I patted her back as her harsh breathing echoed in my ears.
"I truly regretted what I did back there, Luna. I was terrified. Thank you." she gives me one last squeeze and pulls away from the hug.
"Anyway, start calling me Mavis. I haven't told my pack about Atlas yet. I wanted to tell them after the Summit run." I smiled at her. It would also be the last time that I'll be their Luna because I planned on asking the Assent in front of all the Alpha's if Atlas wouldn't still give it to me. I wouldn't mind the interference if it could keep things rolling.
"I'll try," a genuine smile bloomed on Arabella's lips. It's an accomplishment to me.
"What's taking them so long?" I muttered and looked in the direction the men went to earlier. My jaw dropped in astonishment to find them surrounded by young and old humans asking for their numbers and pictures.
I can tell Kalix's enjoying the attention because of the huge smile he was wearing. The other was currently matching shade with an apple while politely excusing himself. My gaze lastly landed on Atlas's annoyed face. He was glaring at the women. Understandable. They were each holding trays full of food and in danger of spilling over.
"Should we go help?" there's glee in Arabella's voice.
"Nah, Atlas can handle it just fine, watch," I uttered when I remember how we first talked at Bean. A popcorn would've been preferred right now as I keep looking at the trio.
One of the women, brunette, cling onto Atlas's arm. If glares were lethal weapons, then the woman would've toppled lifeless on the fast-food chain's floor in an instant. It's sad to watch that the woman wasn't getting the hint.
The trio looked gorgeous and superior together, but with Atlas being an Alpha, there's a unique aura around him that would really attract a lot of attention. The majority of the women were flocking to him.
"Ladies, careful with the drinks," Kalix's voice caught my attention when one of the girls slightly jostled the drinks on his tray.
"We don't swing your way. We're gay, alright? Back the fuck off," I heard Atlas bellow at the clinging woman on his arm. The whole room zaps into complete silence. All eyes were on the trio as the only sounds that could be heard were the sizzling of food being cooked behind the counter. The ding of the oven echoed across the room.
One by one, the woman took a step away from the men. Atlas, with his grumpy face, marches in our direction. He slammed his tray down on the table. Good thing that there were no drinks on it. He sat beside me with his rumpled face and started eating one of the burgers in big bites.
I glanced at Dion and Kalix's reaction, and I ended up giggling. The two of them were like statues gaping in surprise. Dion was flustered with Atlas, but he was the first to break away from it and timidly followed Atlas. He sat beside Arabella and placed the tray safely on the table.
'Kalix,' I linked the surprised man, and his eyes blinked in quick succession. He looks at the already retreating back of the women and walks to our table. He sat between Arabella and me around the round table.
"That was effective," Kalix uttered and started munching on his own burger. Arabella was wearing an amused smile too.
Since Atlas was in a cranky mood, the meal was taken without much talk. We were done with our food in a blink of an eye. Every one of us piled out of the establishment after making a quick stop at the restroom. The diners followed us out with their bummed stares.
~
"Mavy!" I covered my sensitive ear at that shout. My heart thudded in alarm when Sally went into her tippy toes, preparing for a jump. She's still stupid and pregnant.
Two strong arms snake from behind her and grab her hips. Sally pouted, looking at her husband. Their mating mark glinted on their necks when the sun reflected on them.
"She's getting worse, Mavy," Chris told me like a stressed child tattling to their parents.
"What the hell are you two doing here?" the people behind me were watching the scene quietly. I need to introduce them first.
"This woman is bored and wanted to visit Luna. She was busy, though," Chris answered, pinching Sally's puffed cheeks. The latter swiped his hand away from her cheeks and elbowed him. Chris grunted in pain.
"Sally, Chris, meet Dion and Arabella," I gestured to the two behind my back. Atlas went straight for the Alpha's office, so it's just us three. We will follow him after his talk with Alpha Cedric first.
Sally eyed Arabella and Dion suspiciously. Dion's eyes had not stopped blushing the moment we arrived in the pack. The new faces collected polite stares from the pack members scattered along the way to Alpha Cedric's office.
"Why is he blushing?" Sally curiously asked. Chris gathers the curious woman into his arms possessively while sizing Dion. Dion waves his hand nervously in return. A frown forehead on Chris's forehead.
"Are you okay, man?" Chris asked confusingly. Arabella snigger in mirth beside me. Dion looked at her aghast. He looked like Arabella betrayed him with his expression.
"He's shy around strangers." That is all I've said, and Chris nodded in understanding.
"Don't worry pal, you'll get along with everyone here just fine," Chris approached Dion to shake hands. The same thing with Arabella. It went smoothly. Dion has no problem with shaking Chris's hands. But when it was Sally's turn, he took several steps back. He hides behind Arabella without much thought. It was funny to watch him hide behind someone smaller.
Sally, being pregnant, did not take it too kindly. Her smile downturns, and her lips startled to wobble. Chris was alerted to his wife's sudden emotional change. He squinted his eyes at the innocent man.
"Oh, don't mind him. He's shy around strangers, precisely around girls." Arabella smiled at Sally. Werewolf senses are keener than that of humans. They are aware that she's expecting. That's why the newcomers were extra cautious dealing with Sally.
"Sorry," Dion's small voice behind Arabella. His face is almost apple red. I still don't understand how he comforted me manageably before when he's so skittish around girls.
Chris smirked while Sally stopped her tantrum midway. I bet they're planning something again.
"Let's just go," I ushered the two in the direction of Alpha's office while waving bye at Sally and Chris.