There’s a slight smile in her tone, barely perceptible, but it’s there.
Hope. That’s what that means.
But I don’t want her to analyze it or grind it down, so I stop pushing, hoping she’ll bask in a little bit of light for the rest of the walk.
While I think of it, I ask, “So, what exactly does a Luna do around here? Am I supposed to be organizing bake sales or something?”
Andrea’s eyes narrow, and I can tell I’ve successfully diverted her attention. “Bake sales? Seriously?”
“Well, I don’t know! Everyone just…” I throw my hands up, then let out a heavy sigh, realizing how much this has actually bothered me. “Everyone has a job to do. Hilde preps the food, brings it to the cabin—”
“She did that before your arrival, and that’s because the Lune is very busy taking care of the clan.”
“Okay… fair point… but what am I supposed to bedoing?”
Andrea’s sigh is softer than I was expecting. “Being an omega changes things. The previous Luna, Grayson’s mother, she was…” A faint smile crosses Andrea’s lips. “She had this way about her... soft-spoken, but you never crossed her. Sweet, but fierce. I think you’d have to be to put up with Silas and Grayson as pups.” We both laugh. “But an omega has other responsibilities.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You mean that thing where I walk into a room and suddenly everyone needs to be within arm’s reach of me?” As invasive as that sounds, it’s not so bad. I’m getting used to it. But it is exhausting. I feel physically wiped when I’m around that many people at once, all vying for my attention.
“Exactly. Don’t worry about Luna duties while you’re still adjusting to the omega thing. You’ll have time—shifters live long lives.” Andrea glances over at me. “A Luna does what the Lune does: spots what needs fixing in our community and fixes it. Finds teachers when the school’s crowded. Get Doc an apprentice. Help Hilde in the kitchen. Maybe you notice a young shifter who’s been overlooked and needs a little guidance. We’re community-oriented pack animals, but we’re also creatures of habit. We miss things. A Lune and a Luna notice when there are gaps in the system. Make sense?”
“Yeah, actually, it does.” And it makes me feel better. No wonder no one’s been asking me to help—I’m still figuring outhow to be a shifter, let alone a Luna. Once we deal with this witch situation, I’m going to really look for my place here in Silent Peak. Even if I feel like I’m faking it at first, I’ll find a way to be useful to our clan.
I’m feeling pretty good as we round the bend, and the hospital comes into view with my mates and Kendrick gathered outside. Andrea’s fragile hope must be rubbing off on me, because as I stand there and watch my mates—all four of them—for the first time since the visions started haunting me, I consider taking a break, just for one night, so we can be together without all the chaos nipping at our heels. It’ll still be there in the morning, but maybe, just for tonight, we can escape into each other.
The thought of the four of them and my nest comes to mind, and I have to sit on the small grassy hill beside the road before I do something embarrassing. Andrea sits beside me, lost in her own head.
I’m not stupid. Andrea’s planning something. Her questions about what I’ve seen are obvious. What worries me is what happens when Andrea’s patience runs out and she strikes out on her own.
Feels like a clock ticking.
And all I want is to soak up every moment with my mates while I can. Before whatever’s coming changes everything.
From this distance, they’d need to look toward us deliberately to know we’re here. And while I’ve learned to give wolves privacy, I can’t help but eavesdrop when I see all of them together.
“We’ve searched everywhere,” Grayson says, responding to Kendrick. “My wolves are combing through towns miles from here. Nothing. Not a single trace of the witches. Even with Mona’s blood, they don’t seem to be working on getting her back.”
Kendrick nods. “I’ve suspected Desi may not be their priority any longer. At least not at the moment. Still, don’t let her out of your sight.”
“Who the hell is Desi?” Silas asks.
Kendrick continues, without answering Silas, “Let Ghost and me handle tracking down the witches. I’ll let you know when we need your assistance. For now, just keep an eye on Mona.”
Grayson and Orion nod, but Silas won’t let it go. “Why did you call her Desi?”
Kendrick falls silent. Andrea’s body goes rigid beside me. Then, Kendrick says, “Desdemona, Mona, is my daughter.”
There’s quiet for a moment. I expect an explosive reaction from the guys, like the one I feel in my chest.
My ears are ringing. Blood rushes to my head so fast I nearly fall over.
What?
What did he just say?
Mona, take a deep breath, Beep urges. I try, but I can’t.
The ground sways. Andrea’s hand on my shoulder grounds me, but I snap away from her. The look in her eyes, the betrayal—she fuckingknew.
