Eden
As Cassian walked beside me, the air seemed to hum with a quiet intensity. His steady and commanding presence sent a thrill through me, making every step feel charged. The eyes of the pack followed us, whispers swirling like autumn leaves caught in a gentle breeze. I kept my gaze down, wishing I could melt into the ground beneath their curious stares. Cassian isn't exactly the approachable type, so seeing him walk someone home probably caught them all off guard.
"Don't let them bother you," Cassian murmured, his voice like velvet. His eyes, those intense dark-green pools that always left me breathless, met mine briefly. The warmth in his gaze did little to ease the flush of heat creeping up my neck. "I—I know," I stuttered, managing a small smile as I glanced away.
Ahead, my house came into view, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. Aunt Mira was sitting on the porch, her golden-brown eyes twinkling in the late afternoon light as she watched the pack's children play in the yard. She looked up when she saw us, a smile spreading across her face, bright and warm like the day itself.
"Well, look who's here!" she called out, her voice lilting with joy. "You two make quite the pair!"
Cassian let out a soft chuckle, and I felt a flutter in my chest at her words. Embarrassed, I whispered back, "Mira, please—keep it down. No one knows yet..." My cheeks flamed, and I shot a nervous glance toward the nearby pack members. The weight of their gazes bore down on me, and I could almost feel their thoughts—how could I be the luna? I wasn't what they imagined—especially compared to Cassian's mother, the previous luna, who had been everything I wasn't: poised, powerful, and endlessly graceful.
Well, Eden, you could be like that too if you'd stop hiding, Emrys whispered in my mind, her voice teasing. I rolled my eyes internally. Easier said than done.
Cassian glanced at me, the corners of his mouth curving into a playful smirk. Just then, the children noticed me, their excited voices ringing out as they rushed toward me.
"Eden!" they cried, their small forms barreling into me before they quickly turned toward Cassian, bowing their heads in a gesture of respect. "Alpha."
Cassian stood tall, exuding an effortless authority that made people stand at attention. He had that undeniable presence, one that filled any space he stepped into. Me? I was... well, not that.
Oh, please, Eden. Emrys sighed dramatically in my mind, clearly unimpressed.
I knelt to hug the children, their infectious laughter wrapping around me like a warm blanket. When I glanced back at Cassian, he was watching with that amused glint in his eyes, his usual intensity softened by the scene before him.
"What have you all been up to?" I asked with a knowing smile, suspecting Aunt Mira had, as usual, roped them into one of her schemes.
"We're counting steps!" one of the kids announced, beaming up at me. "Mira says whoever has the most steps today gets loads of chocolate!"
I laughed. "Well then, I guess I'll have to help you all rack up those steps!" I winked, then turned to the group, pretending to be a strict drill sergeant. "But first, since the Alpha's here, what do we say?"
The children quickly straightened up, their voices deepening into exaggerated growls as they chanted in unison, "Alpha Cassian! We are proud members of the Crescent Moon pack. We vow to behave and listen to our parents and elders!"
I couldn't help but smile as I watched them recite their little pledge. Cassian tried to maintain his stoic expression, but the corners of his mouth twitched, a smile breaking through. He cleared his throat, attempting to sound serious.
"Well, soldiers, I heard there's a monster lurking around," he said, his voice dropping into a mock-grave tone. "What if a big, scary creature starts chasing you?"
With that, he crouched low, mimicking a predator, his movements playful yet graceful. The kids shrieked in delight, scattering as he began to chase them. Their squeals of laughter echoed through the yard, and I stood on the sidelines, grinning as I watched Cassian—the ever-serious Alpha—give chase like a mischievous older brother.
The sight warmed me to the core. To see him like this, so carefree and lighthearted, made my chest tighten with something more than admiration.
I hope he's like this with our children someday, Emrys teased, sending a jolt of heat straight to my face. I quickly looked away, hiding my blush, when I felt one of the kids hide behind me.
"Eden! Pretend you're a tree!" Ethan, one of the youngest, whispered urgently, clutching my jeans with both hands. I stiffened my body, lifting my arms and bending them like branches, playing along with his game.
Cassian paused, narrowing his eyes in mock suspicion. "Hmm... I think I see someone hiding behind a tree," he said, stepping closer. Ethan stifled a giggle, squeezing my leg tighter as Cassian approached.
My pulse quickened as Cassian's gaze locked on mine. He closed the distance between us with deliberate slowness, his eyes never leaving mine, until he was mere inches away. My breath hitched, my heart pounding in my chest as the heat of his proximity enveloped me. He leaned in, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, "I have to go."
His sudden words broke the moment. "Leo linked me," he continued, his voice barely above a murmur. "There's something important we need to handle."
I nodded, unable to fully mask the disappointment that flared up, and met his dark green eyes. The teasing smirk returned to his lips as he gently tapped Ethan's shoulder. "Tag—you're it," he declared with a playful wink, before stepping around me.
But before I could fully process his departure, he surprised me again by pulling me into a quick hug from behind, his arms wrapping around me in a fleeting but tender embrace. My heart skipped a beat, and when he pulled back, I was left standing there, dazed.
"You really need to work on your reactions," he teased, his voice low and laced with amusement. "You're adorable when you blush."
"Shut up," I mumbled, swatting at him halfheartedly, though my cheeks flamed even brighter.
Before leaving, Cassian glanced over his shoulder, his smirk still firmly in place. "Take care of the troops while I'm gone."
I rolled my eyes, turning back to the kids to hide my smile. "Alright, soldiers, let's get moving! We've got steps to earn!" I called out, diving into their cheerful energy to distract myself from the lingering warmth of Cassian's touch.
The afternoon passed in a blur of laughter, games, and stories. The sound of the children's laughter was a balm to my soul, and for a while, I managed to push the ever-present thoughts of Cassian from my mind.
As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows over the yard, I joined Aunt Mira in the kitchen to help with dinner. The rhythmic chopping of vegetables and the scent of simmering stew filled the space, wrapping us in a comfortable silence.
Mira broke it first, glancing at me with a knowing smile. "You and Cassian... have you been talking more?"
I hesitated, a smile tugging at my lips as I thought of him. "Yeah, he's... different than I thought. He's more than just the Alpha. He's... kind. And funny."
Mira's smile softened. "I've been telling you that for years, Eden. You've just got to let people in, let them see the real you."
"I know, but it's... hard. People scare me, and I never know what to say," I admitted quietly, focusing on the task at hand.
Mira chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You're overthinking, as always. Just be yourself. You're doing fine with Cassian—and with Leo."
At the mention of Leo, a nostalgic warmth filled my chest. We had been close as kids, but things changed when he shifted early at thirteen, joining the older pack boys on their runs. By the time I had shifted at fifteen, I had already felt out of place. Too late to join in their world.
Just then, the kitchen door burst open, Leo's boisterous laughter filling the room. "There you are, Eden! I knew I'd find you hiding in here," he teased, ruffling my hair playfully. "Guess who's come to steal you away?"
Cassian strolled in behind him, rolling his eyes. "You're ridiculous, Leo."
"Oh, Aunt Mira, what are we going to do with these lovebirds?" Leo waggled his eyebrows dramatically, earning a chuckle from Mira.
"Are you here for dinner, Leo?" Mira asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Yup! Mom and Dad are on pack duty with Cassian's parents, so I thought I'd crash here," Leo grinned, settling into a chair.
Cassian shrugged, his casual demeanor betraying none of the weight on his shoulders. "If there's not enough food, I'll just grab something at home."
Leo snorted. "Like hell, Alpha. You're staying for dinner."
With that, Mira dished up steaming bowls of stew, and we all gathered around the table. The evening passed in easy conversation, filled with laughter, teasing, and the comfortable warmth of family.
But as the stars began to peek through the sky, the pack's joyous atmosphere was shattered by a distant, haunting sound.
A howl.
Not a cry of triumph or joy—but a howl laced with pain, filled with anguish.
Cassian's body tensed immediately, his gaze snapping toward the source of the sound, and Leo's laughter died in his throat.
Something was wrong.