Keira sat on the bed, lost in thought. There was more to Avalynn than meets the eye.
"She's interesting," Keira muttered out loud. "I like her."
"Sabelina, how are you doing?" Keira asked, turning her attention to her wolf. "You haven't been yourself since the bonding."
For a moment, Keira thought Sabelina wouldn't answer.
"I'm different," Sabelina spoke up. "The bonding...changed me."
"In what way?" Keira asked, confused.
She hadn't felt anything change on her end. After the bonding, Keira had only felt tired.
"The Alpha spirit and I merged into one," Sabelina clarified.
Keira gasped. She was speechless. How was that even possible?! Keira had never heard anything like that before.
"I-I dont understand," Keira stammered. "How..."
"You housed two spirits," Sabelina explained. "When we bonded, there was only room for one spirit. Instead of being evicted, the Alpha spirit and I decide to merge as one."
"Why wasn't I informed?" Keira questioned. "Doesn't this affect me too?"
"Not really," Sabelina shook her head. "You'll be able to tell the difference when we shift. Power, authority may be different, but everything will stay the same."
Keira didn't know what to do with that information. She really hoped it wouldn't change anything. Keira trusted Sabelina and knew that Sabelina had her best interests at heart.
"Does Nolan know?" Keira asked as the thought crossed her mind.
"He doesn't mind," Sabelina assured her. "I've spoken to him."
Not knowing what else to say, Keira stood. She grabbed some clothes from her bag and set them on the bed. She wanted to shower and head to bed as soon as possible.
The master bathroom in Donovan's bedroom was not what she was expecting. The first thing she noticed was that the bathroom was spacious and had no tub, just a glass-enclosed shower, with a rainfall head and multiple body jets.
To her right, there was a floating dark wood vanity that held two pristine white basin sinks, each with its own minimalist chrome faucet, and a large, frameless mirror that reflected the entire space, making it feel even more vast.
"Tonight," Keira mused to herself, "I'm taking my sweet time. No one is going to rush me!"
Keira smiled, quickly undressed, and started the shower. The warm water immediately helped ease the tension in her body. She scrubbed and rinsed, her muscles softening under the gentle massage of the water. By the time she finally turned off the water, Keira felt relaxed.
Wrapping a towel around her, Keira stepped out, the cool air of the bathroom making her slightly shiver at the contrast in temperature.
With a final, contented sigh, Keira pushed open the bathroom door, drying her hair with a towel. Her head was tilted back slightly, and her gaze was a little unfocused as she emerged. It was then that it happened. Keira bumped squarely into a wall of firm muscle.
A startled gasp escaped her lips as her towel-clad body met Donovan's bare chest. The contact sent an immediate jolt through her, a prickle of heat that had nothing to do with the recent shower. Her hands instinctively flew up, one landing on his chest, the other on his shoulder, steadying herself.
Donovan, equally surprised, let out a low, amused grunt. His eyes, dark and heavy-lidded, met hers.
"Enjoyed the shower?" He asked as the steam escaped from the bathroom.
"Yes," Keira admitted. "I'm sure there's hot water left if you want to shower."
Keira took a step back and rearranged her wet hair behind her shoulder.
Donovan shook his head. "I'll shower at the gym. I just came to grab a change of clothes."
Keira narrowed her eyes at him, unsure why he would shower at the gym when there was a perfectly working shower in the bedroom.
"Ok," Keira said slowly.
"He probably thinks we're irresistible," Sabelina commented smugly.
"Right," Keira agreed, rolling her eyes.
Keira went over to the bed and went to put on some clothes. She dropped the wet towel on the ground.
"W-what are you doing?" Donovan asked, alarmed.
"Getting dressed," Keira said, glancing at him from over her shoulder. "You can watch if you like."
Keira inwardly chuckled to herself. She couldn't let him know how much she enjoyed teasing him. So much for his disdain of her.
"He's staring!" Sabelina gloated happily.
Picking up her clean underwear, Keira slid them on, her fingers brushing against the fabric, aware of his unwavering stare. Then came the soft, delicate laced bra. Each movement felt like it was a silent performance, a dance for an audience of one.
When Keira finally pulled on her comfortable t-shirt and shorts, she turned around to face him.
"Something you needed, Donovan?" she asked.
His lips curved into a slow smile. "I was just enjoying the view since you offered."
Donovan's eyes had a hint of desire in them. Keira saw him quickly turn his head and look away.
Keira nodded. "I'm glad you did."
"I'm heading to bed," she continued, walking toward him.
She stopped a few inches away from him. "Are you joining me tonight?"
"No," Donovan said, taking a step back.
Keira smiled and shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Keira waved at him lazily and got into bed. Enjoying the softness of the blankets and pillows.
'This bed is amazing,' Keira thought, closing her eyes. 'Way softer than the beds at the Task Force. I can get used to this.'
*
Keira woke the next morning feeling well rested.
'The bed is amazing,' Keira thought, stretching.
"It would be more amazing if our mate had joined us last night," Sabelina pouted.
"I offered," Keira said. "He turned down my invitation."
"Maybe you shouldn't have worn any clothes?" Sabelina suggested. "I'm sure he would have preferred that."
"I'm sure he would have," Keira agreed sarcastically.
"How are you feeling now?" Keira asked. "You seem more alert than before."
"Still tired, but I'm fine," Sabelina answered.
"Good."
Keira swung the blanket off her and went to get ready for the day. She got dressed in a black pair of workout leggings, a gray tank top, and black running shoes.
Before she decided to put all her effort into stabilizing the pack, Keira needed to know what she was up against. Today marked her first full day as Luna of the Crystal Mountain pack, and she knew there was a lot to take care of.
Keira headed toward the kitchen at the pack house and made a quick breakfast for herself. The pack house felt empty at this time of day.
"Time to see what I've gotten myself into," she murmured.
Stepping outside, the crisp morning air carried the scent of pine and freshly cut wood.
"I love the outdoors," Keira said, taking a deep breath.
Kiera turned around and looked at the pack house. The house itself was a masterpiece of dark timber and vast windows, perched on a rise overlooking a valley that sloped down to a glittering river. This wasn't just a house; it was a sanctuary.
"I didn't get a chance to look around, but this place is something else!"
Keira began her walk, following a winding path that led further into the territory. The sun was peaking up through the surrounding trees. The silence was profound, broken only by birdsongs. It didn't take her long to come upon a cluster of half-built structures.
Skeletons of houses, all framing and exposed beams, stood like watchful sentinels. She stepped inside one, the air cool and dusty. The scent of raw lumber was everywhere.
"This is bad," Keira said out loud. "Why are there so many houses left to build? Where has everyone been living?"
"They need all the help they can get," Sabelina interjected. "Are you sure a month is enough to help them?"
Keira shook her head. "No. This place won't be done in a year either. I don't even know if we can help."
"We're going to need a miracle," Sabelina stated.