Page 92 of Crystal Luna
“Why haven’t they marked you yet?” Keelan asked, a little concerned.
“The Crystal Luna is only marked during her luna ceremony,” Velora explained.
“Poor guys! I could barely keep my hands off Rena when I finally met her.” Keelan laughed. “I wouldn’t have lasted a day without marking her.”
Her heart began to race, and she didn’t have to look to know they were close. “It’s supposed to strengthen their character and show their patience,” she explained further, remembering what her father had told her.
“When are you leaving?” Marvin asked. His tone remained neutral, but she heard the sadness there.
“In two days.”
“We should all do something together,” Leroy suggested.
“Alpha Heath has arranged for the whole pack to get together tomorrow evening so we can wish Velora farewell,” Wayne announced from somewhere behind her. “Evelyne has started preparing and I’m sure she’ll reach out if she needs help.”
They all nodded in agreement and Marvin helped her to her feet, pulling her into a hug. “I’m going to miss you but I’m so happy for you! Let us know if you need help packing or anything, okay?”
She nodded, soaking in her mentor’s hug before separating. “Okay.”
Leroy then did the same. “Promise you’ll come visit us?”
“As often as I can,” she promised.
Then, he nudged her towards the twins.
The last thing she wanted to do was raise suspicion, so she walked to where they stood at the edge of the training field. As soon as she was close enough, Asher reached his hand out and stroked her cheek.
“Have you eaten yet?”
She shook her head and quickly walked past them to get out of his touch. They both followed her closely as she walked through the village.
“Beta Wayne has invited us to dinner tonight,” Isaiah revealed.
Her only response was a nod—she didn’t feel inclined to make conversation.
“He said you get along with his mate very well,” Asher continued, seeming to have forgotten what she’d told him that morning.
“Asher…” she warned.
He caught her wrist and spun her around. “You can’t just expect us not to talk to you.”
“I can because that’s exactly what you expected of me for so long.” She growled the last word and wrenched her arm out of his grip.
“And I said I was sorry. How are we going to move on if you won’t let us talk to you?”
“We don’t,” she said through clenched teeth before storming inside the cabin and slamming the door behind her.
She made herself a simple lunch, then curled up in bed and fell asleep.
She only woke up when she heard Mia call out for her. “Velora?”
“Bedroom,” she responded in a yawn.
A moment later Mia stepped in and rushed over to the bed. Velora lifted the blanket and let her slide under, cuddling up to her side.
“The twins said you were tired.”
“I was.”