The road back home

Virelle’s POV

I’d barely packed a few things I needed when footsteps pounded behind me.

“Virelle!”

My spine spiked at the familiar voice that came through the door. Kaelric.

I turned slowly to see him striding toward me, fists tight, and his eyes cold—filled with rage. The calm look I fell in love with was a shadow of him.

My stomach knotted.

“How long were you planning to hide this?” he asked in a low voice.

“I don’t know what—”

“Don’t.” He stopped inches away, interrupting my words. His breath washed through my face. “The whole pack knows you’re leaving with my brother. I had to hear it from a patrol scout, not fair.”

I forced myself to breathe steadily. “It’s not what you think. Ric”

“Then tell me what it is, that made you accept to be his luna?” His gaze raked my face, like he was hunting for lies. I could tell how angry he was, but he still spoke with such gentleness and caution, and that sent a little shiver down my thigh.

Guilt formed a lump in my throat—sharp. He’d rejected me, yes, but my heart betrayed me, I didn't know what I wanted, I kept telling myself it was for the sake of my people—even though I wasn't sure.

“I’m going as Beta female,” I said. The lie tasted like the truth. “I overheard the Red Moon asking for aid and I needed Kai to help, he’s never been to the Red moon Ric, I just wanted to help him know my home. I grew up there, remember? That’s all it is.” I murmured, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

His frown deepened. “Not as his Luna?”

“No Ric,” I answered sharply.

He studied me for another long beat. Then his shoulders eased. “I’m just scared he might hurt your feelings again vie, I care about you—but if you need anything just let me know okay?” he added, his face curled up with worries as he assuringly squeezed my hands.

I nodded once, and the silence that followed stretched like brittle.

He exhaled, dragged a hand through his hair. “You should’ve told me yourself.”

“I know, I'm sorry”

He opened his mouth, almost uttering another word—then a deep voice suddenly interrupted..

“We leave now, Virelle .”

Kai emerged behind me, filled with a strong aura. But his face darkened when his gaze fell on Ric.

Kaelric glanced toward the gates where warriors assembled, then back at me. “Be careful,” he said, quieter.

Something twisted in my chest as I nodded back at him. “I will.”

I took one last look at him before he walked away.

Guilt gnawed harder as I watched him disappear inside. I never wanted to lie to him, I never wanted to hurt him that way. But there was no time, I had to save my family—I thought to myself.

Kai stood a few steps away, inspecting his warriors while his eyes peeked at me every second until I approached him.

“Ready?” he asked, and I nodded. “Yes.”

He turned without another word and headed for the group. I followed.

The forest swallowed us quickly. Crescent Moon warriors guarded us in tight formation. Boots crunching the dry leaves. Birds sing distantly. No one spoke.

Kai led the soldiers with rigid shoulders, every step he took felt purposeful, like he was born to fight. I stayed a few paces behind, watching his every move with thoughts clouding my head.

Future Luna. I suddenly remembered.

The title pressed against my windpipe like a rock. I didn’t want it. I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to be his luna, I wanted Ric—not him. But if it saved what remained of the Red Moon, I’d wear it.

Hours bled together. Then a familiar scent hit my senses—pine, damp earth, wild berries.

I could feel my lost home after ages. My heart sank as nostalgia crawled up my belly.

My pulse kicked as we stepped into the border. Childhood memories flooded my thoughts as a mix of emotions rubbed me of my smile and sparring until my muscles screamed, moonlight laughter with friends long scattered. My mother’s home-made baked banana bread—all lost in thin air.

The trees parted, and caves started to splinter from the shadows. My eyes fell as I took in the damage already done to the training grounds—darkened from the fire that still left a little life behind waiting to be quenched. Wolves limped, their eyes hollow with intense fear.

Soon, heads start to turn. Whispers ignited as I strode side by side with kai who held my hand tight like I was going to run away.

“Virelle…?”

“She’s alive?”

“How—?”

Kai stepped forward. His hand pushed past my hand, settling on the small of my back—firmly, and possessively.

Every gaze of the red moon members widened—including the ones that caused me to be banished.

He didn’t move his hand.

“Where are your elders?” His voice rolled out, like calm steel.

Three older wolves approached. Then him.

Alpha Gabriel.

The man who had banished me.

His eyes locked on mine. He froze and his face went pale and blank, filled with a mix of guilt and confusion.

“Virelle…” he called. But was soon cut out by Kai’s voice over the rising murmurs. “We received your call for aid.”

His palm pressed warmer against my spine—my heart slammed my chest so hard, I could already feel my thighs getting soaked and tender. I pressed my lips between my teeth softly, trying to compose myself.

“But understand this,” he continued, gaze sweeping the elders. “I wasn’t going to honor this request, but we came because of her,” he stated, pulling me closer to his side.

Silence crashed, and whispers suddenly erupted.

“My Luna gave you all a chance”

The word detonated, causing everyone to gasp. Stares scalded my skin, piercing through me. The elders blinked in awe.

Gabriel’s expression was the sweetest I saw—fractured—pained, raw regret filled his lids.

Then he dropped to his knees sharply. I gasped, my eyes flung open—the Alpha of Red Moon—the man who’d once towered over me, was now begging on his knees in front of me?

How lovely to be a luna, I thought as anxiety rushed through my veins.

“I was wrong.” His voice cracked. “I’m sorry… I let fear and pride blind me. I cast out my own.” he crashed.

One by one, the other elders and everyone knelt behind him, dozens lowering their heads.

“I’m sorry,” Gabriel rasped again. “Thank you… for returning. For helping us after everything we did to you.”

I’d dreamt of this day since I was sold to a vampire, and now that it’s here, I feel numb instead of joy. I craved their shame and pleas, but now it felt like a burden dumped on me without mercy.

Kai’s voice cut clean. “Apologies can wait, we don’t have all day, where do we start?”

He turned to his warriors. “Secure the perimeter. Double patrols on every border. Move! He ordered and they scattered to obey.

Then he shifted into a fluffy, gigantic, muscled white wolf, his golden eyes flashed at me and winked before turning back to the warriors. I felt a chill all over me.

Soon, the rogues started springing out of the woods, filling the air with cracked howls and groans. Kai gritted his teeth and howled louder at the warriors—commanding them to attack. He sped out in a flash, attacking every rogue that came his way, paws landed hard, cries filled the air and soon, blood splashed across all trees. I watched Kai display his strength—effortlessly pouncing on the leader of the rouges, and fighting like his life depended on it.

All I could do to help was to carry the wounded members of the treatment cave for safety. For once I felt back in control until my gaze landed on Kai again, I watched from the edge of the chaos. This wasn’t the heartless kai who had locked me in darkness. He wasn’t the taunting Alpha who had pushed every rage button in me.

This was the leader his pack followed without question. Competent, strong—Almost… kind. Something inside me shifted—reluctantly. I didn’t like him. But I didn’t entirely hate him either.

And that scared me more than the war ever could.