Page 150 of Crystal Luna

Font Size:

Page 150 of Crystal Luna

She only awoke when the rays of the morning sun warmed her fur.

Velora stretched her muscles, shifted, and ate breakfast before repacking one of the bags for a hike. She wanted to return to those faults, maybe even find a way to climb down and explore them. She was feeling risky, as if a push of adrenaline would wipe away all her worries—at least for a while.

The morning sun kept her nice and warm as she shifted by the first deep crater and tied her hiking boots. She’d never seen anything like them in person. She was surprised she never even knew they were there. Probably because when she got to the age where the boys were discovering them, she was busy slaving away in her alpha’s home. The twins hadn’t mentioned them either, likely not wanting to clue their parents in on their new discovery.

After some time, she discovered a steep path that led to a rock ledge below. Steep, but doable. She made sure her boots were secure and tightened her backpack straps before starting her descent. The rocks beneath her soles had turned into gravel, making it rather difficult to find steady footing. Her heart raced and her stomach tightened but her mind was high on adrenaline, focusing hard on each step.

The second Velora made footfall on the rock ledge, the knot in her stomach loosened and she took in a deep breath. The ledge opened up into a small cave, and though it was high enough to hide a wolf, it wasn’t very steep. The rocks surrounding her were intimidating, though it was also calming. There was barely any sound, not even the leaves’ song or the birds’ tweets could reach down here. She perched on the edge, staring into the deep, dark cave. The sun could hardly breach the canopy to reach that far down. She imagined the place covered in snow and ice, the bottom of it likely the last to thaw in the summer.

Velora dug through her bag, pulling out a cardigan along with a snack and her water bottle. With her senses focused on the massive formations around her she ate and blended everything else in her mind out. She could easily see the place becoming her new safe space—just like the cliff on the Howler’s territory.

Though she didn’t want to, she had to leave by mid afternoon. Even with the sun out, it couldn’t reach that far down. The last thing she wanted to do was get stuck. The climb up was so much more strenuous than she’d anticipated, putting her on all fours for stretches of it.

By the time she pulled her aching body over the last rock, the sun was beginning to set and she was fighting for each breath. She dropped to the ground, searching for her water. She hadn’t dared to set her bag down on the climb up, afraid she would misplace it and send all her resources hurling hundreds of feet into the abyss.

Her blood rushed so loud through her ears she found herself looking around for a waterfall.

“There she is,” a deep melodic voice hummed. “I thought I lost you down there.”

Velora’s eyes shot up to a man sitting on mossy rock just a few feet away, his figure hiding in the shade of a massive old tree. She shot to her feet, much to the dismay of her wobbly legs.

“You look so much like her—more than I could’ve ever dream of.”

The figure stood, stepping out of the dark and into the low rays of sunlight. He was tall and lanky, looking to be in his fifties. His hair was ragged, eyes so dark they appeared like black holes. The stench of rogue poured off him in waves so strong, she didn’t need to be wolf to smell it.

“The only thing left of your father are those hideous eyes,” he sneered.

Her mind reached for the twins without second thought. ‘Rogues.’

She didn’t need a verbal response to know they were dropping everything to be by her side—literally.

Instinctively, she knew she needed to buy herself time—but she was curious how the man knew who she was. “Who are you?”

The man leisurely strutted closer, his face relaxed and his hands hiding in his pockets. “So tell me, Velora—that is the name you grew up with right?” he asked, ignoring her question.

“Yes.”

“Where did you grow up?”

“Here.”

Surprise lit up his face—though his eyes remained dark as night. “Really? I never thought they would take you in.”

“What do you mean?”

The rogue laughed, an ominous sound that chilled her to the bone. “So, you are as clueless as a child.”

Velora only became more clueless with each word that came out of his mouth. He clearly knew something about her past that she didn’t, and she wanted to find out. But before she could open her mouth, two rogue wolves crept out of the woods behind him. Just like she’d learned from Marvin and Rayan, she kept her mind open to Asher and Isaiah so they could see what was happening. In return, they made sure to quietly observe while they rushed to her side, organising their warriors to do the same.

“How did you know my parents?”

“Your useless father stole your mother from me,” he spat, his tone edged with a hate that brought goosebumps to her skin. “She was a rogue, you know? But even with the bond pulling her closer to him, she still loved me—she spied on your pack for me.” He took a step with each word he spoke until he stopped just before her. With his head tilted and his eyes distant, he reached his hand out and tugged on her hair tie. “Aida never wore her hair up. She loved having it flow in the wind when we drove down to Swiftport.”

Asher’s mind growled in hers, disapproving of another man touching what was his. But just as quick as it sounded, he quieted so he didn’t distract her.

“You look just like her,” he repeated, cupping her cheek while his thumb brushed her lips.

Velora fought the urge to cringe away from his touch. Rather, she froze like a deer in headlights. She hung onto his every word, needing to hear more about her birth parents.




Top Books !
More Top Books

Treanding Books !
More Treanding Books