Page 5 of Crystal Luna

“What brings you to us, Velora?”

“I-I didn’t know…” she stammered nervously, her hands beginning to shake in her lap. “I was just hunting, and the deer ran this way.”

“Hunting for food?”

She nodded.

“Are you alone?”

Another nod.

“How old are you?”

She looked up, slightly confused. A flush crept over her cheeks when she took in his naked form. Her eyes looked daunting, their deep blue clouded by exhaustion and fear. “What month is it?” she asked and dropped her head again, unable to hold his gaze.

“March.”

“Eighteen.”

‘We found her bag,’ Wayne said within the link, so Velora couldn’t hear. ‘No money, just clothes, a compass, and a map.’

‘No trace of anyone else?’

‘No, it seems she is alone,’ Wayne confirmed.

“If food is what you were searching for, how about you come to our village and eat?”

Slowly, her gaze met his again. He’d expected to see relief or maybe gratitude or excitement, but the fear only deepened.

“We won’t hurt you,” he assured her.

Still, she seemed hesitant. She looked around to the wolves that surrounded them.

“You don’t have to stay. Have something to eat, get some rest, and you can continue your journey.”

Timidly, she nodded.

Now that it was clear that she was no danger to the pack, the warriors left. Some went back home, others to the border just in case she’d been followed.

Heath stood up and gave her some space. “You can shift and follow myself and Beta Wayne.”

She didn’t move, her eyes jumping between him and Wayne. “Are you the alpha?”

“Yes—Alpha Heath.”

“This is the Howler Territory?”

“Yes.”

After a few more moments of debating with herself, Velora’s body began to vibrate as she shifted into an ash grey wolf. Her fur was matted and dirty, but he could see how gorgeous she would be once she regained her strength. She wasn’t as broadly built as the wolves he knew, but then again, he’d never seen a female wolf and had only heard stories of them.

He shifted himself and led the way with Wayne next to him.

‘Evelyne knows we’re coming, and Curtis and Mia just showed up. She offered to have breakfast together. Unless you don’t wish her to be close to the kids.’

‘I don’t think she is a threat. Or what do you think?’

‘She simply seems to be a starving wolf. I don’t think she will do any harm. And if she does, we’ll be there to stop her,’ Wayne agreed.