Chapter two: RETURN TO THE PACK

Second Chances

Before me, the forest went on forever, the thick trees whispering secrets in the refreshing wind. Every step I took hurt my body, and I felt the weight of fatigue dragging me down. The allure of the Silver Moon Pack's boundaries was too great to ignore, even if I had no clue how far I had gone.

Once my home and haven, the pack was now a battleground that I had to negotiate cautiously. I was no longer the Luna they knew as Iris. Rogues were seldom welcomed, and I was a stranger.

I staggered into an open space as the trees became thinner. With a shaky, broken gasp, I collapsed to my knees as my legs failed me.

"Just stop there!"

I felt a shiver go down my spine because of the harsh, authoritative voice. A patrol of wolves emerged from the darkness as I glanced up, their postures prepared for battle and their gaze cautious.

There was one in particular, towering, broad-shouldered, and exuding power. Aiden.

The world seemed to stop for a second as his gaze met mine. He had a chilly, aloof look on his face, yet his eyes seemed to be looking for something.

His voice was calm but forceful as he inquired, "What are you doing here, rogue?"

I coughed, exaggerating how tired I was. "I've spent days running. I'm not trying to hurt anybody. Please... All I need is a place to sleep.

His sharp eyes scanned me as he took a step closer. I kept my head down, hiding my face behind my matted hair.

With an unflinching tone, he said, "You've crossed Silver Moon Pack territory." "We don't take that lightly."

"I understand," I said, my voice shaking. However, I was at a loss. I'm alone myself.

Aiden's mouth clenched. His wolves were waiting for his order, and the tension in the air was evident. His eyes narrowed as if he was attempting to place me, and he seemed to pause.

His tone softened a little as he questioned, "Why were you running?"

"I..." Knowing that this was a crucial time, I hesitated. "They were pursuing me. They turned against me, my group.

Not all of it was a lie.

Something sparked in Aiden's eyes—pity? Acknowledgment? I was unable to tell.

One of the patrol members stepped up and stated, "Alpha, we can't trust her." She is an outlaw.

He was silenced as Aiden held out a hand. "I'll determine what we can and cannot rely on." His eyes were impenetrable as he turned back to face me. "You'll accompany us. However, if you even slightly cross the line...

I lowered my head and hurriedly responded, "I won't." "I'm grateful."

The great building of the packhouse, which seemed both familiar and unfamiliar, loomed in the distance. Recollections of calm evenings with Aiden, council chamber sessions, and laughing in the hallways filled my heart with pain. It seemed like a stranger's house now, however.

The mood was different inside. An edge of anxiety had taken the place of the cohesion and affection I had known. Wolves walked deliberately, their eyes alert and cautious.

I felt the weight of every look as I was led into the main hall. Like a shadow, whispers trailed behind me.

"Who is she?"

"Why is a rogue being allowed entry by the Alpha?"

"She ought not to be present."

I let the whispering wash over me as I kept my eyes down. Naturally, they didn't recognize me. Why would they? I was simply a foreigner to them, an outlaw who didn't belong.

With his voice rising over the din, Aiden added, "Take her to the guest quarters." "I'll take care of this later."

"Yes, Alpha."

I saw the magnificent staircase that went to the top stories as I was being brought away. Lyra was coming down, looking as immaculate as ever. With her head held high as if she owned the area, she wore a beautiful lavender dress that hugged her body.

Since she did.

Now she was Luna.

My blood boiled at the sight of her, but I made myself remain composed. I had to keep my feelings to myself. Not quite yet.

Although the room I was assigned was small and far from the opulence I was used to as Luna, it was sufficient. I gazed at the moonlight coming in through the window while perched on the edge of the bed.

I glanced up as the door cracked open and Aiden entered. Leaning against the door with his arms folded, he shut it behind him.

His voice was firm and quiet as he questioned, "Why did you come here?"

I tried to maintain a neutral face as I looked him in the eye. "I informed you. There was nowhere else for me to go.

He took a step closer and said, "You could have gone anywhere." However, you selected this bundle. Why?

My chest was thumping with my heart. Was he feeling anything? Did he recognize me in any way?

I improvised, "I heard stories." About the strength of this pack. Secure. I reasoned that maybe you would allow me to remain.

His keen gaze pierced mine as he examined me. I had the impression that he was seeking the truth by removing the layers of my façade.

At last, he warned in a chilly tone, "Avoid trouble." "Rogue, I don't trust you. Not quite yet.

I lowered my eyes and said gently, "I understand."

He stayed a little longer, then turned and walked out of the room. I drew a trembling breath as the door clicked behind him.

I was permitted to explore the communal areas the next morning, although under close monitoring. I walked down the corridors with my head down, watching the group.

The alterations were quickly apparent. Wolves moved swiftly and deliberately, whispering in low tones. The pack seemed to be on edge all the time, and the tension was evident.

Lyra's impact could be seen everywhere. Her presence demanded attention as her laughter reverberated through the hallways. With a mixture of terror and reverence in their eyes, wolves bowed before her.

Damon was the next person.

He was standing at the head of a table with other Betas when I noticed him in the council chamber. His tone was acerbic and calculating, and he spoke with authority. He possessed more authority than he deserved, and his presence overshadowed even Aiden's.

I no longer recognized the pack as a family. With Damon and Lyra at its core, it had turned into something colder and more inflexible.

I sensed that someone was watching me as I made my way back to my room. I turned to see Lyra standing at the end of the corridor with her head slightly cocked and her arms crossed.

Her heels clicked on the wood floor as she walked steadily closer.

Her tone was light, but her eyes were piercing as she continued, "You're the rogue everyone's talking about." "What's your name?"

"Iris," I replied, maintaining a steady tone.

Although it didn't reach her eyes, she grinned. "An intriguing name. And Iris, what has brought you to our pack?

I looked her in the eye and replied, "Just looking for a place to belong."

For a brief time, her face wavered. There was a change in her eye’s suspicions. Acknowledgment?

She smiled again and added, "Well, I hope you find what you're looking for."

Her lavender dress swayed with every step as she left. A smile tugged at the edges of my lips as I watched her go.

"You don't know who I am yet, do you?" I said to myself.

However, you will.

I saw Aiden observing from a dark corner as I made my way back to my room. His dark, inquisitive gaze followed Lyra before turning to me.