"We'll be arriving in fifteen minutes," Simon called out from the driver's seat.
Keira looked out the window as the shadow of the trees zoomed by. She was getting a bit nervous as they approached. It was a similar feeling when she first arrived at the Task Force Headquarters, but different.
'How should we get out of the van?' Sabelina asked excitedly.
'I don't think it matters,' Keira replied. 'We are bound to be judged no matter what.'
'You're no fun,' Sabelina pouted.
Keira shook her head in disbelief. Leave it to Sabelina to want to impress people she didn't even know. But Keira didn't blame her; this was going to be their new home, and she didn't want to be bullied or stepped on. However, Keira doubted that was going to happen given her reputation.
As the van got closer, Keira used all of her training to remain calm and act like this wasn't a big deal. She didn't want Donovan to know how unsettled she was.
Within seconds, the darkened trees slowly thinned, and softly building lights lit up semi-constructed homes. The front gates were wide open.
'What's wrong with these wolves?' Keira said. 'Why are the front gates open? Anyone could wander inside!'
'Is this it?' Sabelina asked, not impressed.
"Home sweet home," Simon commented as he drove them through the entrance of the gates.
"Pull up to the pack house," Donovan ordered.
Keira watched as the van drove past the construction site to the dark building, which Keira assumed was the pack house. There was a bit more light coming from the building.
In the distance, Keira could see some sort of crowd beginning to form in front of the building. Keira adjusted her eyesight and saw another crowd begin to form behind them, following them up to the pack house.
'This is it,' Sabelina commented, stretching. 'I'm ready.'
'I'm not,' Keira thought. 'I hate crowds, it makes it easier for people to attack you.'
Keira took a deep breath to calm herself. She didn't make a move to grab her bag. She was in no hurry to leave the van.
'Why are there so many wolves gathering in the middle of the night?' Keira wondered. 'Should they be asleep?'
'I'm sure they know the pack has a newLuna,' Sabelina said. 'Once the bond was completed, I could feel all the pack members. I'm sure it's a two-way link.'
Keira patiently waited for the van to stop.
Donovan put away his laptop and grabbed his bag. He opened the door and got out. Keira waited for everyone to clear out of the van before deciding to move. By this time, the two crowds had merged into one. They were all excited to see Donovan and the rest of the members return.
Keira steadied herself, grabbed her bag, and got out of the van. She could feel the numerous pairs of eyes staring at her. Donovan beckoned her over with his head.
"Everyone, this is Captain Grace," Donovan introduced her. "She will be staying with us."
'Is that the best you can do?' Keira thought, looking around at the curious faces.
'Why doesn't he just come out and say it?' Sabelina also wondered. 'Is he embarrassed by us?'
"Hello," Keira greeted. "Nice to meet everyone. You can call me Keira."
"Is this what I think it means?" an elderly voice could be heard as the crowd parted. "Is this who we've been waiting for?"
"Captain," Donovan said. "This is our pack's priestess, Avalynn."
Avalynn ignored the General and went straight for Keira. The priestess gave her a once-over and smiled widely. Keira felt like she was in a museum.
"You are her," Avalynn whispered excitedly.
'Shit, how does she know?' Keira thought.
'We want them to know who we are,' Sabelina retorted. 'We can't drive that bitch out if they don't know who we are. We aren't trying to keep it a secret.'
"Welcome to your new home, Luna," Avalynn said in a louder voice. "We have been waiting for your arrival."
The news caused a bit of a stir among the onlookers. The whispers soon began, and Keira could hear bits and pieces of the conversation.
"This is our Luna!"
"Bless the Moon Goddess and all of her glory!"
"Our Luna has appeared."
"Thank you," Keira said slowly. "It's good to be here."
Keira glanced at Donovan. He gave her a small nod. Keira shook hands with everyone who stepped up to greet her. It was too much attention for her, but she knew it was necessary.
'So he knew this was going to happen, huh?' Keira wondered. 'He could have said something about how desperate his pack had been to receive a proper Luna.'
'Our reaction had to be genuine,' Sabelina replied. 'Besides, this chosen mate of his may be useless and probably is causing trouble for everyone. We need to make a good impression.'
'I suppose,' Keira reluctantly agreed.
A few more pack members came forward and greeted Keira before she heard a voice she knew all too well.
"Donovan!" a high-pitched voice called out. "You're home!!"
'So it is her,' Sabelina growled in jealousy.
Avalynn huffed and rolled her eyes.
Keira glanced at the woman and winked at her. Avalynn was a bit taken aback but smiled otherwise. Within seconds, Keira saw an older version of her once-friend approaching them. Her blonde hair bounced as she walked.
Keira almost laughed when the pack members wouldn't make way for her.
"Excuse me," she called out, pouting. "I want to greet the Alpha."
"Excuse me!"
"Donovan, help me," Victoria whined.
'This is the Victoria from my childhood,' Keira spoke privately to Donovan.
Keira looked up at Donovan. He stared back at her but didn't say anything. Shrugging, Keira stepped in front of him and smiled at the pack members in front of her. She gave them a small nod. They parted ways, and Keira waited for Victoria to show her face.
"Donovan!" Victoria said once more, approaching in a hurry.
"I missed….you…"
Keira smiled at Victoria as she approached. Her facial expression froze; her mind hadn't caught up with what she was seeing.
"Hi," Keira greeted, extending her hand out to her. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Keira, I'm the new Luna."
Victoria stared at her hand before slowly meeting Keira's gaze. Keira saw Victoria's eyes widen and hastily took a step back.
"I… what…."
Keira could tell that Victoria was in shock. She was trying to form words but couldn't.
"Luna?" Victoria finally squeaked out. "H-how… you - you can't… I - I'm the chosen mate…"
"That was before," Keira interjected, her smile widening. "We decided it was best for the pack that they had a proper Luna."
Keira touched her shoulder slightly, hoping that Victoria understood her meaning.
Victoria gasp.
"We should head inside," Donovan's voice cut in. "It's late."
"Thank you for the warm welcome," Keira said, walking past Victoria. "It was a pleasure to meet you all."
**
"We set out a small snack for you," Avalynn said, leading the way to a private dining room. "Once you've eaten something. I will take you to your room."
Keira nodded and grabbed a few fruit choices. It was too late to eat a full meal. "This is enough for me. Please lead the way."
Avalynn nodded and took her through another door leading toward the back of the pack house, where a few pack members lived.
"We put new covers on the bed and had it aired out," Avalynn was saying. "You don't have to worry about unwanted guests on this side of the pack house; only the main house is allowed."
"That's good to know," Keira commented, remembering the layout of the house.
"Here we go," Avalynn said, stopping in front of a dark oak door.
Avalynn opened the door and walked inside.
Keira followed her and tried to hide her surprise. She should have known that they would bring her belongings into the Alpha's room; they were mated after all. The room was spacious with two doors leading to another area, a large bed with four posters, a vanity set, a separate dresser, and two chairs; all in matching sequence.
"You chose well," Keira noted, taking in the color of the sheets.
Avalynn chuckled at her remark.
"When the Goddess told me you were coming, I knew it had to be someone who had a strong will," Avalynn commented. "Something told me that you weren't like the other Lunas."
"So the Goddess told you about me?" Keira asked, putting her bag down and sitting on the bed. "Anything you want to share with me?"
"Not right now," Avalynn replied.
Keira smiled. This woman sure was cunning.
"Did the General give you any instructions for me?" she asked, looking around the room.
'I wonder where those doors lead to?' she thought.
"It may not be obvious to anyone else, but I'm sure this matting occurred because you both need something out of it," Avalynn commented, taking a seat in one of the chairs. "A matting that was made out of convenience, you could say."
It was Keira's turn to chuckle. If this priest really speaks to the Goddess of the Moon, then there wasn't much Keira could do, and their secret may be out.
"Did the Goddess also tell you that?" Keira asked.
No answer.
"I'll be straight with you, Avalynn," Keira said. "The General and I mated because we are each other's mate. Since he is part of the royal family, there are certain rules and obligations that both parties must follow. You understand?"
"I'm not getting anything out of this matting," Keira continued. "In fact, I'm stuck here for the rest of my life. Unwanted, if I might add. With no power and family, nothing. Matting out of convenience means that we're both getting something out of this. Don't talk nonsense."
Avalynn stayed silent after Keira's remark. But she didn't look angry; in fact, she looked pleased. Without another word, Avalynn smiled and excused herself, leaving Kiera alone in the bedroom.