SILVER BLOOD

: Luna's Visit

Hannah

"Quite a surprise, yes," the Luna laughed a bit. "May I come in?" She asked, even though she had the power to waltz into anywhere she wanted.

"Sure, please come in," I heard my mother say as she closed the doors.

I peeked my head from the floor of the stairs a bit to catch a glimpse of Luna Clara and to know why she was there.

"How have you been lately?" She asked my mother as she stepped in fully.

"I've been good, thank you for asking," my mother replied. "Would you like something to drink or anything?" She continued as a diligent host and a member of the pack.

"Oh, no, no, that's alright, I was only passing by and thought to drop by."

They continued their conversation in hushed voices as they stood.

"Okay then," she hummed as she looked around awkwardly. This wasn't just a visit, I had surmised. It's not every day the Luna of Ravens Fall pack just so happens to drop by while she was on a walk.

I didn't buy it, but then there was nothing that I could think about.

"How are the kids?" Luna Clara continued when suddenly her piercing blue eyes met mine. I retracted my head immediately, feeling a bit scared from her gaze.

"They are all good. How is Bryan?" My mother continued, oblivious to the brief exchange just now.

"He's alright. Oh, speaking of him, I'm pretty sure you just hit the same memo I did," Luna. Clara said, although no cell phones rang out. Still, my mother replied.

"Oh, I just did as well."

"I was on my way to the Pack's house, maybe she could come with me. I could use an escort," Luna Clara's voice rang out. I knew they were talking about me at this point when my mother yelled for me.

Stepping out with caution from the doors that led up to the stairs, as though I was being watched by a ferocious predator—Luna Clara's eyes gave off that feeling. I was conscious of the fact that I was still in my torn clothes from the earlier incident.

"Greetings, Luna Clara," I greeted as I bowed my head in respect.

"Hello, dear. What happened this time?" A horrified look replaced her easygoing one when she took in my bloody clothes and appearance. Although I had already started to heal, I had not gone to change out of these clothes yet.

"It was an accident, I fell into a ditch earlier," I lied straight out, even though I knew she would know the truth already, or if she didn’t, then she would later.

"Well, you need to be careful where you are going next time," she said, but I could feel her eyes saying something else, something of a deeper meaning.

Putting it aside when I heard my mother speak;

"You haven't gone up to change yet?" My mother asked with a disapproving look. "Well, go on quickly, Alpha Bryan has asked to see you. You can follow the Luna."

I had no idea why the Alpha would want to see me this time around or, rather, what chore he would like to assign me.

"Okay," I responded and quickly hurried up to change, not wanting to keep Luna Clara waiting. When I came back down, my mother and the Luna had just finished their discussion.

"I'll see you around then, yes?" she asked my mother as we prepared to leave.

"Sure, you will," she smiled back at the Luna.

"Great!" Luna Clara exclaimed before turning to me and asking, "Shall we?"

I only gave a slow nod—not that it mattered—then followed her out the doors.

"Dinner will be ready when you get home, okay?" my mother whispered as I passed by her. I didn’t know if it was her choice not to be loud or if she just didn’t want the Luna eavesdropping; either way, I got the message.

I waved her goodbye as I fell in step with the Luna, a few steps behind her with my head bowed.

"Don't be so far," she said, and I took a few steps closer to her but still kept a safe distance.

"So, how have you been?" she inquired as I tried to keep pace with her stride. My body was still in pain.

"I'm good, ma'am," I answered, not so honestly, but it’s not like she’d care anyway.

"That's good to hear." There was silence before her voice sounded again. "So, any changes lately?"

"Changes?" I was confused by the question.

"It's been almost three years, and you've never for once shifted. Are there any changes now?" Her voice had a hint of irritation, showing her disappointment at my slowness.

I had no idea she kept tabs on these things, especially when they didn’t concern me, being the runt of the pack and considered an omega. But then again, she was the Luna.

"No, ma'am, no changes." I cast my gaze down towards the ground disappointed in myself as well while keeping pace with her, occasionally glancing up so as not to miss a step.

"Don't worry, dear; I'm sure you're just a late bloomer, that's all," she reassured. Nothing was said after that until the pack house came into view.

"Well, he's in his office," she said as we approached the building. "Go in now; he doesn't like to be kept waiting." With a smile on her face, she waltzed away, leaving me to my own thoughts.

"That was weird," I thought as I began to make my way towards Bryan's office.

The luna had never personally asked me questions before, although she had visited my mom several times; her dropping by today was just odd.

I made my way through the pack house. It was mid-afternoon on a Saturday, so the pack house wasn't quite as full as it should be. There were a few girls in the living room with some guys, some in the kitchen, and a few just hanging around.

I made a beeline towards Bryan's office, avoiding gazes as I moved past a few other members. They paid me no attention whatsoever.

Once I had reached the door to the Alpha's office, I took a deep breath before knocking on the door.

I thought I heard an invitation from the other side of the doors. Taking that as my cue, I pushed the doors open—and instantly regretted it. I hurriedly pushed myself back as I closed the door, breathing heavily and frozen in fear as I thought, "He's going to kill me." What had I done to deserve such bad luck?

Bryan and his girlfriend were in the middle of a makeout session, which seemed to be progressing even further, as they had both lost their shirts in the process.

I waited patiently at the door for a while, cursing myself to death until finally, the door opened up.

"I'm so sorry to intrude, sir; I thought I heard you say, 'Come in,'" I quickly started to apologize with my head bent down, fearing the wrath I'd seen in his eyes.

I slightly peeked at him. He was still shirtless, which made me blush a bit. Heather was in his arms, her eyes stared daggers at me, probably for interrupting, and I lowered my head further to the ground.

She was the daughter of one of the strongest warriors in our pack. Both her parents had made a name for themselves and their family, and they were also wealthy. I had no intention of offending her more than my existence already did daily.

She and her group were at the top of my list of tormentors that made my life a living hell. I knew she wasn't going to let this one slide, so I mentally prepared myself for later.

"I'll see you tonight?" she asked in a light, innocent voice. I could hear the smile in the way she spoke.

"Of course," he replied as he kissed her rather roughly, grabbing a bit of her bum before finally letting her go.

I resumed my position and saw she was now staring at me, the hate clearly visible, not hiding anything from Bryan. She walked up to me and slapped me hard on both sides of my face with as much force as you'd expect from a werewolf.

I was still in pain from my earlier session with my brothers, and my face was only just recovering.

I dared not to touch my now swollen face in front of her or groan in pain, only bending my head in shame. I did not expect the Alpha to do anything; that was his girlfriend, after all.

"Stupid bitch," I heard her curse before she began to walk away.

Once she was out of sight, Alpha Bryan invited me into his office. "Next time, wait until I say you should come in, then come in. Do you understand?" he ordered as he began to put his shirt back on.

The office was quite a mess. When he had finally dressed more properly, he turned to me with his perfectly arched eyebrows raised.

"I'm sorry, are you deaf?" he asked. "I asked you a question just now," he yelled.

Cowering in fear, I stuttered as I answered, "I un-der…st..stand, sir," as I remembered the question he had asked me.

Dismissing my behavior, he stated, "The reason you were called here is to inform you of the party I'll be having here in the pack house today." He looked at me to confirm if I was listening.

The only time he was ever allowed to have a party in the pack house was when the current Alpha, his father, was not around. This would explain why there were so few people present in the pack house.

Bryan continued, "I want this house to be tidied up before 8 p.m. when the party starts, so you have about…" He trailed off as he checked his watch to confirm the time. "Five hours or so. You can start with this office," he said, passing by me and walking out the doors.

I knew it would be a lot of work, so I wasn't surprised. I looked around the office; it wasn't too dirty, just the table that was scattered probably from their activity earlier, I shivered in disgust.

I sighed inwardly as I made my way downstairs to get a few cleaning supplies. I wasn’t ready for another round of beating, as I was only just recovering and they all still hurt.

I started with the office he had left me in. After I had gotten what I needed downstairs, I began to pick up the scattered papers that littered the floor, a few pens, and a broken laptop. I wasn’t sure if I should throw it out, so I folded it and placed it by the side of the table.

The broken teacup, I disposed of into the trash can I had brought earlier.

I placed the books back on the shelf, running my hands over the bindings, wishing I could just sit and read a few. But I knew that was never possible.

I picked up the last item on the ground. It was a brown file with the name "Griffin Hale Pack."

That was the name of one of the most powerful packs, or so I’d heard from pack members here, though I had never witnessed why they were called so.

This must probably be important, I thought as I moved towards the drawers. I opened one, placed the file inside, and then froze, noticing something odd.

It was a small black box with golden rims, about the size of a book. Clicking open the locks, I gasped—it was a shiny black revolver.

"Why would the Alpha need a gun? They were werewolves," I thought, frowning at the sight of the weapon when suddenly, I heard a voice that startled me.

"What are you doing?"

3. Mine