Missy

After dinner, I helped clean and put away the dishes. Lyssa seemed distracted. Robert took the boys outside to play. It was getting late, and I needed an excuse to go to my room.

I dried the last plate. "I'm tired from school," I said, "I think I'll just go to bed."

"Sure, dear," Lyssa replied, seemingly snapping out of her thoughts. She gave me a tight smile, and I left for my room upstairs. Robert and Lyssa had two extra rooms. One had bunk beds for Junior and Leo; the other was mine. It was at the back of the house, with a small balcony. All I had to do was wait for Robert to bring the boys inside and then sneak out.

My phone buzzed. A text from V: "How much longer?"

I replied: "Not much. Just waiting for the coast to be clear."

I put on quiet music, grabbed extra pillows, and arranged them under my blankets to create a decoy. Once satisfied, I checked if anyone was outside. Another text from V: "Coast is clear. Let's go, princess!" I texted back: "So impatient!"

It was thrilling to sneak out, and even better to see V. I took a final look at my decoy, slipped onto the balcony, and closed the door almost completely. I climbed over the railing, carefully lowering myself to the ground. I crouched, ran through the side yard, and toward the neighboring house. Once past, I sprinted to the road where V was parked, sitting on his car trunk, using his phone.

He jumped down, smiling. I stopped, slightly breathless. "Hey," I panted.

"Hey, princess," he laughed. "Or should I say, rule-breaker?"

"Okay, I'm out. Let's go before anyone gets suspicious," I said. He grinned, and we got in his car. He quickly drove away. "Where are we going?" I asked after a few minutes.

"Into the city," he said, smiling charmingly. "I thought we could see a movie and grab dinner." He took my hand. I relaxed, ready for our date.

Azalea

When we arrived at the inn, Lemon was gone, sparing me business conversations. Liam tried to leave me behind with Felix, claiming he wouldn't bring his pregnant mate after the previous night's events. I refused to accept his patronizing behavior.

"Liam, I went with you last time! Nothing happened!" I argued.

"Azalea, you've barely slept," he said.

"I'm fine, Liam. I'm Luna, and I'm coming with you," I insisted. Felix stood behind him at the door to our cottage apartment. It had changed, but it still felt like home.

Liam shook his head. "I won't continually put you in harm's way because you're stubborn."

"Stubborn? Liam Blackfur, that's rich coming from you!" I yelled. Felix wisely left us alone.

"Azalea, I'm allowed to be concerned for my mate!" he retorted.

"And I'm allowed to accompany you on pack matters as your mate!" I argued. He ran a hand through his hair—a sign he was flustered. He took a deep breath, his shoulders slumped, but my anger remained. He closed the distance, gently cupping my face.

He sighed. "Why are you so adamant?" he asked softly.

"Because if I'm not, you won't let me do anything," I replied. His eyes searched mine.

"I hate putting you in danger," he said softly.

"I know. But this isn't as dangerous as you fear. I think these groups are telling the truth, and we need to help them," I reasoned. He leaned his forehead against mine, a small smile playing on his lips. "What?" I asked.

"After everything you've been through, you're still the most caring and selfless she-wolf. I love that about you," he whispered. My anger faded, my heart melting.

"Just let me help, please?" I asked, looking up at him.

"I'm not winning this one, am I?" he retorted. I shook my head. "Alright, fine. But you must promise to eat and sleep afterward," he bargained.

"Okay," I said. My victory felt less satisfying seeing his distress. I pulled his face to mine, kissing him gently. "I don't need to be locked up in a tower. And you're handling things better than you think," I said softly. "Will you feel better if I eat something now?"

"Yes," he murmured, his eyes closed.

"Okay," I agreed. I wasn't hungry, but I'd eat to reassure him.

After eating some of Marci's packed food, Liam, Felix, and I went into town. Axel and some warriors held the rogue group in a room at the Mayor's office. When Liam invested in town infrastructure and expanded the inn, he told the Mayor about werewolves. We generally don't reveal our existence to humans, but he needed his cooperation. Rumors after my abduction were also hard to overcome; I'd lived there for three years before Liam returned, then disappeared.

Liam and the Mayor had an amicable relationship. The Mayor didn't want unnecessary information. Liam followed a "don't ask, don't tell" policy, carefully informing the Mayor only when necessary. When we arrived, only our warriors were present.

"Alpha, Luna," Axel greeted us. Felix followed. He and Axel exchanged nods. "They're held in a room. Should we ask a representative to speak?"

"Yes," Liam said, tense. He was in Alpha mode. I didn't touch him, knowing my presence might add to his stress.

Two warriors retrieved a representative while Liam, Felix, and I went to an interrogation room. Liam had renovations done with the Mayor's permission. We also had holding cells in a secret basement, but we'd never needed them.

The warriors led in a thin, scraggly man with long, dirty hair. He bowed. "Alpha, Luna," he greeted quietly.

"What is your name?" Liam asked.

"Ralph," the wolf replied.

"What pack are you from?"

Ralph's eyes were sad. "We no longer have a pack," he said.

"Why?" Liam asked.

"Our pack was attacked and decimated. It was burned to the ground, and our Alpha and Luna were killed in front of us," he explained, his voice choked.

"Axel, how many are in the group?" Liam asked.

"Three men, three women, and ten children," Axel reported.

"Are they all related?" Liam asked Ralph.

Ralph shook his head. "No. My pup is with me, and one she-wolf has her mate and two pups. Otherwise, we found each other after escaping. We couldn't leave our pack members behind," he explained.

"Have you sought acceptance into other packs?" I asked. He held my gaze confidently.

"Yes, Luna, and we've been denied," he admitted.

"What will you do if we deny your request?" I asked.

"We will leave peacefully. We are not rogues; we wish no harm. We never dreamed of leaving our pack," he said. I looked at Liam.

"Liam, they're exactly like the others…" I mentally linked him. He remained silent, weighing our options.

"Felix, is there open accommodation at the inn?" Liam finally asked.

"Yes, Alpha," Felix replied.

"Ralph, will you cooperate fully until we determine you're not a threat?" Liam asked.

"Yes, Alpha," Ralph said quickly.

"I want the name and location of your former pack, the names of your Alpha and Luna, and the names and birthdays of your group members," Liam demanded. Ralph nodded.

"Axel, get him paper," I asked.

"We will accommodate you until we verify your claims. We'll provide rooms, meals, and clothes," Liam told Ralph.

"Thank you, Alpha," Ralph said, tears in his eyes.

"If we corroborate your claims, we'll consider making you pack members. We'll help you find jobs and lodging," Liam said. He turned to me.

"Ralph, does anyone need assistance?" I asked, breaking Liam's gaze.

"One child is hurt. We believe his arm is broken, but he won't let us help. He's an orphan," Ralph said.

"Azalea, no," Liam warned mentally. I ignored him. Axel returned with paper and a pen.

"Axel, take me to the others," I said. Liam's glare sent chills down my spine. Axel looked panicked, unsure who to obey.

"There's a hurt member. I want to examine the boy before leaving," I said sternly.

"Goddess, Azalea, you're pregnant!" Liam threatened. Axel nodded, swallowing hard, and left, followed by me and Felix. Axel led me to a room with warriors. He opened the door.

"Good evening. I'm Azalea, Luna of Blood Eclipse. Ralph mentioned a young man with a possible broken arm," I said gently. One woman stood.

"Yes, Luna. Maddox," she said, pointing. I smiled warmly at him.

"Maddox, please come here?" I asked gently. He was around sixteen or seventeen. A male pushed him toward me.

"Sorry, Luna. He doesn't mean disrespect," the woman said.

"That's alright," I said, smiling. "I'll examine his arm, then my men will escort your group to the inn. We'll provide food and clothes."

The woman gasped, tears welling up. "Thank you, Goddess," she whispered. I turned to Maddox, who had a surly look.

"Maddox, I have a gift that may help. Can I see your arm? I won't hurt you. If I can't help, I'll get a doctor," I said gently. He clicked his tongue, but finally turned, holding up his arm. I felt Felix move behind me.

I gently ran my hand down his arm. He winced at a bruised area. "I'm fine," he grumbled. I ignored him and laid one hand over the bruise, the other supporting his arm. His face paled. I closed my eyes, focusing on his injury, letting my gift work. My body grew heavy as warmth flowed to him. He relaxed. I stopped prematurely, feeling dizzy.

"That should help. I'll arrange for a doctor in the morning," I said, trying to hide my exhaustion. My abilities were stifled by pregnancy. Maddox looked astonished; awe was on the others' faces.

"Excuse me, I have arrangements to make," I said, keeping my voice level. I walked slowly, trying to stay conscious until out of sight.

"Luna," Felix growled. Darkness swept over me before I could respond.