Under the morning moon

Marilyn’s pov

Sunlight poured through the window, landing on my face. For a moment I forgot where I was, and felt completely at home. The smell of pine and wood smoke replaced the city’s concrete perfume.

Then everything came back in a flash. The dinner, the stares, him.

I rubbed my hand faintly on the soft mattress, hoping to feel Caroline’s body, but her side of the bed was empty.

The faint sounds of voices from outside forced me to get up. Stretching my body, I pulled on jeans and a black hoodie, and told myself that I’d survive the day if I avoided eye contact with one specific Alpha.

Downstairs, the pack house was already buzzing with activities. Children ran between tables, while a group of women stacked plates.

The smell of coffee and baked bread filled the air, making me homesick. I missed Aunt Agnes greatly, especially her early morning coffee.

“Good morning city girl.” Caroline appeared behind the counter, handing me a mug. “ How did you sleep?”

“I barely slept.” I sipped. “ does the pack ever rest?”

“Not when there’s work to be done.” She grinned. “ I should give you a tour.”

I hesitated, then nodded. Avoiding everything and everyone wasn’t working, so maybe facing it head on would.

The territory stretched wider than I remembered, with rolling meadows that slipped into forests and a river that flowed endlessly away from the pack.

I smiled as I saw some wolves running in the green lush grass, making me wonder what it’ll be like to have a wolf.

The others moved easily between chores, from chopping wood, tending to gardens, and laughing together.

Caroline greeted everyone by name. They looked at me with open curiosity, but less suspicion than last night. A few even smiled at me, and I tried to smile back which ended up looking awkward.

“This is where we train.” Caroline said, leading me to an open clearing. “ You remember this place? We used to play here as pups, Liam too.”

The mention of his name made my pulse quicken. “ He trains here?”

“Yes, every morning.”

I had not recovered from this piece of information, when a movement caught my eye. At the far end of the field, Liam stood with three warriors, giving instructions.

His jacket was off, sleeves rolled, revealing a faint scar at his right arm.

I froze.

He turned slightly enough that his gaze brushed over us. Caroline waved. He nodded once before returning to his group.

“Let’s….go this way.” I said quickly.

Caroline grinned, eyeing me suspiciously. “ is there something you’re not telling me?”

*************

Caroline was too busy by midday that she had to leave me all by myself. I breathed in deeply, inhaling the sweet smell of the damp soil.

I could hear and feel the soft rustle of paws against the ground.

“That should be a pack run maybe,” I said to myself.

My body was getting excited, my mind and heart quickened. My muscles tightened, reminding me that somehow I belonged here.

I sat on a fallen log, trying to ascertain the direction of the run. After waiting for some minutes, I decided to head back home.

Just when the pack house was already in sight, I spotted him.

Liam stood a few yards, hands in his pockets and expression unreadable. “ You shouldn’t wander off alone.”

I straightened. “ I am not a kid, I can take care of myself.”

“ In this pack, you have become my responsibility. I don’t care if you can take care of yourself or not.”

“ I am not a child.” I said again,

His mouth twitched, almost a smile. “ You still haven’t changed.”

“You have.”

I watched his eyes turn dark. “ responsibility does that.”

I didn’t know what else to say, so I just stood, watching the trees sway in the direction of the wind. His eyes met mine, but I threw my face away as my cheeks turned red. The silence was awkward, and I was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

“You’ve grown used to city life.” He finally broke the silence.

“ Yes. I decided to leave my past behind and face a new life.”

“You know you don’t belong there.” He smirked.

“And I don’t belong here either.”

He looked past me towards the trees. “ Why are you trying so hard to be what you’re not? Being a human isn’t fun anyways.”

I folded my arms. “ Thanks for the lecture alpha, but after the holidays I’ll be back to where I call home.”

His gaze snapped back into mine, softening almost immediately. “ Call me Liam. Alpha is too serious.”

“I’ll stick with alpha, it’s safer that way.”

He eyed me suspiciously before turning, starting back towards the house. “ dinner is at seven, try not to be late.”

When he was gone, I realized my hands were all sweaty. I tried to believe this was irritation, but deep down I know it wasn’t .

Back in my room, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I was smiling uncontrollably with flushed cheeks. Something about this place was changing me, and had grown stronger since morning.

Aunt Agnes once told me that the wolf inside never dies, and was considered someone’s soul mate. Even though it takes time to come out doesn’t mean it wouldn’t.

Those words made me feel relaxed.

Not that I cared, but why haven’t I wolfed out yet? Caroline had already wolfed out, though I had never seen her wolf before.

I shook my head repeatedly.

It’s better I never wolfed out. I craved a normal life, and being a part of the wolf community would disrupt that peace.

I strolled over to the window, watching the pack members gathered around fires. Among them I spotted Liam, speaking with the elders, his posture easy but distant.

Every now and then, he would glance at the forest as if he could hear something no one else could.

Maybe he could.