AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I let out a shaky breath, tapping a finger against the side of my unit. “I need a favor.”
Chapter Forty-Three
The moonlight welcomed me as I trudged through the woods the next night, my heart beating erratically with every step closer to my destination: The Full Moon Camp.
For the first time in over a year, I returned. Not only would I be reclaiming my wolf form, but I would be reclaiming an event that I used to love every month. I’d no longer let Logan’s choices ruin mine. This was a place I used to let go and relish in my freedom, and tonight I would face my fear and take back what was stolen.
I stopped short of the clearing, my breath hitching at the sight of it all. The burning embers of the small fire pits, the clinking of bottles as people passed around ales and different drinks to imbibe in, and the whistling of the wind crinkling in the leaves and branches above us overwhelmed my heightened senses.
Everything about it was familiar, riddled with years of wonderful memories. But that didn’t seem to matter as the dark part of my mind reminded me what had happened last time.
“It’s going to be alright,” Ollie’s low, soothing voice whispered in my ear. His hand rested on my lower back, rubbing a gentle circle, releasing some of the tension. Thank the Goddess he was able to come with me, to lend me some of his strength. I was going to need it, especially if the night didn’t go as planned. “You have as much right to be here as everyone else.”
I let his words repeat in my mind. I deserved to be here; nothing about my past made me any less worthy.
My past does not define me. I am stronger than my past.
With a few more breaths to calm my shaking fingers and nerves, I broke through the trees and into the clearing, taking a few tentative steps into the gathering. Ollie stayed by my side while I looked around, catching a few glances from some of the younger Faction members.
“Kasha!” Eden was the first to spot me, running over and throwing her arms around my neck, crushing me close to her. “I am so happy you’re here!”
“Thank you.” Her warm, enthusiastic welcome did just a little bit more to help calm some of the fears I had been harboring for too long. She pulled away, a wide smile on her heart-shaped face, eyes stuck in their golden hue most likely for the whole evening.
“Welcome back, Kas,” Greyson said from behind Eden, his own golden eyes partially flecked with silver. “It hasn’t been the same without you.”
“Come on, let’s get a drink.” Eden linked our arms together, dragging me farther into the throng of people, Ollie and Greyson following behind us.
My stomach clenched. “You know I don’t drink.”
“I know, that’s why I had the youngsters make sure to pack a few bottles of that sparkling lime water you love so much.” She leaned down into the barrels packed full of ice and glass bottles, an array of imported ales and other meads chilling and waiting for the Faction to consume.
“How did you know I was coming tonight?”
She shrugged, popping the cap off the clear bottle, bubbles crawling up the side of the glass. “I didn’t. We’ve had them pack it ever since you returned to active duty, just in case you showed up.”
“Oh, my Goddess,” I shook my head, taking the offered drink from her hand before she popped the caps off a few ales for the rest of them. This little group of people were more of a blessing in my life than they even realized. I never would have found myself back here without them.
Ollie threw his arm over my shoulder, pulling me close to his side and holding his bottle up in between the four of us. “To Kasha’s triumphant return!”
“Hear, hear!” Eden yelled before we all clinked out bottles together. The rest chugged back a few swigs while I took a refreshing sip of my own beverage.
The four of us fell into a comfortable conversation, others coming and going over the next hour to welcome me back. Taylor and Lucas made a quick appearance, Taylor picking me up and twirling me around until I laughed and Lucas squeezing me so hard, I almost choked on my own breath. Beckett and Liv eventually joined us, Liv’s face flushed and Beckett’s hair a haphazard mess with a few leaves stuck in the back, letting us know exactly what they had been doing. We all laughed, Beckett’s cheeks turning a bright crimson as if this was the first time we caught them, even though it was a typical occurrence at these things. After a while, my entire body was buzzing, my fingers twitching at my side.
It was time, I knew it.
I looked around, searching for the one person I needed to take this final step.
Finally, I spotted him: Nolan, standing with a handful of Omegas and Fledglings. My heart skipped a beat at the sight, for nothing more than he was close by once again.
I walked up to him, my hand gently brushing against his elbow to get his attention. He turned away from the group, a bright smile on his lips, his golden eyes beautifully contrasted against his bronzed skin glowing in the bright moonlight.
“Welcome back,” he whispered, his body lingering near mine.
“Thanks,” I smiled back up at him, my stomach doing a few flips. This was the right decision to make. “Can you walk with me for a minute?”
My heart stuttered waiting for his reply.
“Of course.” He chugged back the final sips of his ale before throwing it in one of the bins we collected the empty bottles in. He gestured for me to lead the way, my fingers twisting in front of me as I walked to the edge of the camp and ducked into the thicket of trees. He followed silently, not even questioning where I was leading him. I needed to be alone, to make sure it was just the two of us for a while.
