Page 190 of Crystal Luna
She grinned up at Ash who held the door open for her. “You can ask me anything. Whether you get an answer or not is a different story.”
“Why didn’t you shift? Why use the gun?”
“Not everyone needs to know our deepest darkest secrets, don’t you think?”
“So, would you prefer our pack kept your wolf a secret?”
“If word spreads, it spreads. But lets keep it on more of a need-to-know basis.”
Vel had a grin on her face the entire walk. It was barely visible, but just enough to spark a sense of pride in Isaiah’s heart. Ash felt it too, loving that they were the ones to put that smile there.
They started to think that maybe, just maybe, they were beginning to know her better than she knew herself.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Velora
Five weeks later, Vel stood on the porch as the first drops of snow hit the ground. Asher and Isaiah stayed true to their word and executed any of the rogues still on their land after nightfall—they hadn’t been a problem since. For some, it even had been a merciful death. She was relieved she’d been able to stay behind. The simple thought of it haunted her weeks later.
The twins hadn’t shared what they experienced, nor had they made the warriors participate. Some warriors hunted down the remaining rogues, but no one was forced to locate the injured wolves who’d tried to escape. An icy shudder ran down her spine and she clung harder to the cup of hot chocolate in her hands.
Not only had they rid the territory of the rogues one by one—they’d killed their prisoner. Velora didn’t know specifics, but she knew that Isaiah and Asher spent days in the cell with him. With the information they’d been able to gather, they’d sent warriors to Swiftport to eradicate anything the rogues could use to rebuild. Velora saw news headlines of warehouses burned and businesses ransacked, but the humans hadn’t been able to find a cause for the crimes.
“You shouldn’t be out here dressed like that,” Isaiah scolded, wrapping her in a warm blanket before taking her in his arms.
“I had to witness the first snow.”
“We’re planning one last venture into Swiftport before the roads ice over.”
“Can I go?”
“Of course.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll come if you want me to, but we have lots of prep to do here. I can give you a list of things for you to pick up for us.”
Velora wasn’t even sure if she wanted them to tag along. As the weeks passed, she found herself getting along with them more and more. Life with the Crystal Wolves felt easier with each passing minute. Sure, she had times where she needed space and needed to get away for a day or two, but outside of those rare occasions things were going well.
“You need more pencils and sketchbooks,” Asher called from the living room. “You’ve been drawing nonstop lately.”
“I think Carrie and Luka will go,” Isaiah added. “They said something about meeting her family.”
Just days after the rogue ambush, Luka accepted his title as beta. Carrie had only one demand: she wanted to be able to visit her family for a few weeks each summer—with or without Luka. No one had any objections, and Velora even offered to go with her to ensure she stayed comfortable.
“Maybe I’ll get you two matching ugly Christmas sweaters,” she told them.
Wolves didn’t celebrate the human holiday, but Velora still loved the season, loved to see the decorations in the stores.
“I would much rather walk around naked but if it makes you happy…” Asher mumbled.
She laughed as she walked back inside, only for her smile to fade as she took in the dress bag sitting on the table. Silvia had brought it over once she heard that winter was officially coming. The first snowfall meant that her luna ceremony was approaching and that she’d be marked soon.
“When is Gemma coming over to fit it?”
“She said around nine.” After a pause, Isaiah added, “I’m sure we can find someone else to do it.”
Gemma wasn’t the problem. Velora dreaded the day because she didn’t want to wear that stupid dress. That gown had been passed down from luna to luna for generations.