Page 34 of Crystal Luna

Her cheeks blushed, but she couldn’t hide her grin. “I guess that makes you cool kids now too.”

“Heck yes we are!” Dan cheered.

“I’ve been waiting all my life for this,” Leroy added with a nudge to her shoulder.

Slowly, Velora felt comfortable enough to join in their conversation. Her nerves seemed to stay quiet until Alpha Heath approached her again. “Would you all mind if I stole Velora for a moment?”

“Of course not!” Evelyne then turned to Velora and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I’ll wait here for you, okay?”

“Okay.” Though she was a little shy, Velora followed her soon to be alpha to the edge of the clearing.

“I just wanted to make sure you are alright and still want to go through with this.”

“I do.” Joining his pack felt more natural than anything she’d ever done.

“Have the guys treated you right? They can be a little pushy.”

“They’ve been more than friendly.”

He grinned down at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. “I haven’t told anyone that you wish to join the warriors, but I have a feeling they’re trying to push you to do it anyway. If you like, I will let Marvin know tonight and you can speak with him in the morning.”

“Will we still have our lessons?”

He sighed, shuffling on the spot. “Even though I would like to, I think it is best that Marvin takes over again. I know he pushed you too far last time, but I believe he’s learned his lesson.”

His brows narrowed as she must have been wearing her emotions on her face.

“Velora, this isn’t because I don’t enjoy our meetings. But I have to think of the line of duty. Marvin is the first warrior and therefore he is responsible for you. I can’t interfere with that. It’s just the hierarchy we have to follow.”

“I understand. I just… Well, I liked it.”

“Me too.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what, Velora?”

“For disturbing the hierarchy.”

“You have done no such thing.”

“Okay.”

“Would you like me to walk you back to Evelyne?”

“Sure.”

He led her through the crowd again to where Evelyne sat, cradling her baby girl in her arms.

“I’ll gather everyone and speak to the pack before calling you forward, okay?” Alpha Heath softly explained.

“I’ll keep you company until it’s time,” Evelyne assured her.

With her anxiety slowly rising, Velora could only nod.

Alpha Heath found a place in the middle of the pack where he spoke to Curtis and Mia before stepping up to where the whole pack could see him.

The crowd hushed and Velora felt as if she couldn’t breathe, panting as her lungs barely filled with air.