Page 106 of Crystal Luna

“She has to go with them,” Wayne said softly, not wanting to wake her.

“Just let her go rogue. They won’t find her.”

“Likely not but we’d be held accountable for it—not just us but the whole pack.”

“Fuck, Wayne. Just look at her! She’s a trainwreck and she’s only been with them for a few days. Just think of what this will do to her.”

“She’s not just their mate. She’s the pack’s luna now.”

“They can fucking rot, those pieces of shit.”

Wayne sighed, a tender hand grazing her cheek. “She was chosen for this. Isis has chosen for her to walk this path and all we can do is trust that She knows what is best for us. She doesn’t pick our mates easily, she creates us for each other and there is a reason why the twins were made for Velora. But we won’t know why unless she goes with them.”

His hand then moved to her hair.

“Maybe the goddess saw that she needed to get stronger. She knew we would help her grow and now it is time for her to use what we have taught her.”

There was a deep rumble before something splintered not too far away. “She doesn’t deserve this,” Rayan protested. “They could ruin everything she’s worked so hard for.”

“They are her mates. You and I both know that she’ll use her training to make them pay.”

She wasn’t ready to face them. Velora begged for the darkness of unconsciousness to sweep over her once again. Instead, she drifted off into a dream world filled with memories she’d tried to bury.

She wasn’t sure how long she slept, but the sun hadn’t risen when she opened her eyes. Her gaze met Rayan’s, his hand tenderlybrushing her cheek.

“Hey little warrior.”

“Hey.”

He held her against his bare chest while she discovered she was wearing his shirt. Turning her head, she found Wayne in his wolf lying on the grass, big puppy eyes resting on her.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t Velora,” Rayan stopped her. “We’re here for you: the good, the bad and the ugly, remember?”

She nodded and slipped out of his hold.

“What time are you leaving?”

“Between six and seven.”

He nodded and stood up, helping her to her feet. “Why don’t we help you get packed and have some breakfast first?”

“Sounds fair.”

She watched him shift with a heavy heart, knowing she wouldn’t be able to link with him. She didn’t want to talk, but also didn’t like the feeling of running alone when they were right next to her. The way back was far too silent, with no joking or teasing as she returned home one last time.

She made a final pass through her cabin before sitting down with them and having a small breakfast. She wasn’t really hungry but ate anyway because Rayan would have a fit if she didn’t.

By the time the clock struck six, she threw the gym bag over one shoulder and her backpack over the other. She reached for the twins’ minds as she walked to the garage, not fully connecting with them. She kept her mind as far away from theirs as she could, just like they’d used to do. She dropped her bags by their SUV and leaned against it with Rayan by her side. It didn’t take long for them to show up, Asher carrying nothing but a small backpack. Their hair was intentionally messy and they were dressed in all black from their V-neck shirts to their boots.

Before anyone could say a word, Rayan separated from the SUV and used himself to build a barrier between the twins and her.

“You will worship her like she’s the goddess herself. You will kiss the ground she walks on and if I ever hear you abused her like you have before I will come up there and personally rip you apart, if it’s the last thing I do. Have I made myself clear?”

Rayan had balls to speak to two alphas that way, but they still nodded. It was as if they knew his threat wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

Rayan then turned around, giving Velora his undivided attention. Cupping her face in both hands, he rested his forehead against hers. “I’m so, so proud of you and all you’ve accomplished in so little time. Be strong, be fierce, and be the one no one wants to fuck with.”