Page 185 of Crystal Luna
“Of course!”
“Very well, but don’t tell them I’m coming. I’d prefer not to be luna for a few hours.”
“As you wish.”
Velora entered Luka’s house behind Mitchel, seeing everyone gathered in the living room and passing around a bottle of what looked like whiskey as they all laughed at something said before she’d walked in.
“Luna!” they called, scrambling to sit up straight while the whiskey bottle disappeared right away.
“For the next few hours, this is Velora—not our luna,” Mitchel explained, letting everyone sit back down.
With a smile on her face, she sat on the floor next to Adam. Kenneth was the first to break the ice by offering the bottle. She took it and eyed it sceptically.
“We have lighter stuff too,” Luka offered.
Velora grinned, feeling every man in the room watch as she tipped the bottle to her mouth. The smooth, amber liquid heated her body—along with the memory of tasting it off Heath’s lips. She passed the bottle to Adam and everyone relaxed, slowly continuing where they left off.
Velora closed her eyes and listened to their mindless banter, letting it take her mind off the upcoming battle. Just before midnight, Asher’s and Isaiah’s minds opened to hers. They didn’t speak, but let her be a part of what they were seeing.
“The rogues have passed the border and are approaching through the cliffs,” she announced to everyone, her eyes still closed as she submerged herself in the twins’ minds.
The air around her seemed to cool, fear and relief prickling her skin. The wait was over—this was it. Velora watched through her mates’ eyes as they prepared for the arrival of the rogues. They checked the traps and waited. She came and went in their minds like they were her own, giving updates to the warriors as needed.
As they’d established, the warriors switched out with their teammates without needing to be reminded. She stayed in her spot on the floor with her eyes closed and her head leaned back. She was still deep in Isaiah’s and Asher’s mind, though fully aware of her own surroundings. When the morning sun peeked through the windows, Carrie began to hand out breakfast plates.
‘You should eat,’ Isaiah encouraged her. ‘At least a little. They’re close and knowing you, you won’t eat during the fight.’
Velora sighed and opened her eyes. Carrie hesitantly approached her and handed her a plate with fruit and a breakfast sandwich. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Luna.”
Velora then turned to Luka. “I want to walk the village and make sure everyone is alright and knows to stay inside.”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
They made it halfway around the village just as Asher’s attention snapped and his mind shifted. ‘They’re here.’
As predicted, the rogues had split up into three groups. The first arrived at the ridge where Asher and his men waited for them. Velora halted her step, watching through Asher’s eyes as he jumped out of the hiding, knocking the first rogue to the ground. His men followed and she had to pull out of his mind in order not to feel his pain as a claw ripped his ribcage.
‘It has begun,’ she announced to everyone—the pack as well as the warriors. She didn’t want the unknown to eat at them.
Velora took a deep breath and tried to focus on the task at hand. She wanted to experience everything along with Asher, but she also knew that her presence could serve as a distraction.
“Would you like me to give you something else to think about?” Luka asked, clearly sensing her struggle.
“Yes, please.”
He flashed a bright smile and squared his shoulders. “Carrie and I are expecting our first child.”
She stared at him, thrilled for the both of them but she couldn’t help but feel a little guilty as well.
“We haven’t told anyone. We’re still trying to wrap our own minds around it.”
“And here we idiots come along asking you to change your lives even more.”
He laughed and shrugged off her concern while they continued their path through the village. “It does feel like too much at times, but I think it’s best this way.”
“How far along is she?”