Chapter 4- Out of the Woods

Lua POV:

I'm less anxious about the interview and my book release then I was for the Pack Party. Everyone's reaction to me was quite a surprise. Elias will be with me the whole time to help ease my nerves. I can't believe this is all happening so fast. We had multiple publishers in each state working around the clock to make as many copies of my book as possible. Elias is in the corner of the dressing room speaking on the phone when an assistant knocks and let's us know it's time for us to head on stage.

"Well babe it's go time. How are you feeling?"

"Actually not too bad. The Pack Party gave me some confidence back in weremanity. I'm still nervous but knowing that not everyone is going to be afraid of me or hate me is some condolence"

"I think it's going to be alright. Sure there will be some radicals against us but like we saw with the pack party, most know already that the White War was a mistake."

Elias grabs my hand as we walk on stage. We talk a few minutes with the interviewer. My book was already released three hours ago along with my pre-recorded introduction. Now the station was flooded with questions and I'll be answering as many as I can in the 2 hour interview. I'm excited to share the truth about werewolves but am also worried I might word something the wrong way or come across as a fool. The interviewer sits up straighter in his chair and starts to speak. Elias and I are sitting together on a couch right beside him and fix our posture as well.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen. We received some big news early this morning that everyone has been talking about. I'm here with Alpha Elias and his mate Lua Sorrel, who released her book this morning and has come out as the last known white Werewolf. They have been kind enough to answer the most popular questions you all have sent in for them. Welcome Alpha Elias and Luna Lua to our station"

I smile warmly and clear my throat before speaking.

"Thank you for having us. Just wanted to clarify I am not Luna yet. Though Alpha Elias and I are mates, I wanted to put a hold on customs and not accept my role as Luna until the Pack and everyone gets to know me and is more comfo5and understanding of my wolf. Once the time is right, then I will be gladly accepting the role."

"My apologies for my mistake. That is a very unselfish decision you made for the pack. Let's start off this interview and get to know you better then. Our first question for you is a request to explain your special abilities as a white wolf"

"Well the true history behind white wolves is that we are direct ancestors of the first werewolves. So all werewolves had the same abilities that white wolves do, but over time with adaptation and inter-species bloodlines the now regular werewolves don't have the additional abilities. It was very rare for white wolves to be mated to another non white wolf. My parents have never met any couples that weren't both white wolves in our community. So as far as my powers go, I'll start off with shifting. I am able to shift while pregnant and my shifting doesn't cause pain whatsoever. It just feels like you fell asleep for a minute and then you wake up ain your wolf form. As a result we are able to shift around the age we start to walk. So every baby is different of course but most white wolves can shift by the age of one. In my opinion this is why white wolves mostly stayed in the same communities. Not because we were building a secret army or planning to take over Packs, but because of our pups. Babies as any parent knows have a mind of their own. So imagine your little toddler being able to shift in less than a minute whenever they felt like it. As a wolf pup they're much more active and faster than a normal Werewolf child. Until you can trust the pup to not shift at just anytime they wanted to, parents really had to watch them closely. The rest of society couldn't understand this so white wolves sticker together and helped each other raise their pups together while also managing jobs and being apart of their packs. Another power we have is the ability to share our memories and also extract someone else's memories with their permission. Contrary to what you all have been taught, this process is painless and we can only extract others memories with their permission. Elias went through this process so he could share his experience with it"

"Yes Lua shared all her memories with me to reveal who she was. It was simpler than just coming out and saying it to me. It wasn't painful at all. It took about 15 minutes and was like watching a movie on fast forward but still being able to understand and feel all the memories. It didn't affect anything in my mind and her memories don't overpower mine. It feels like her memories are just a story she told me. Things I see or do now can remind me of her memories but I don't have any feelings with her memory. It's the same thing as if she told me all her memories and I just memorized it"

"Yes so we're able to do this by half shifting. I can half shift were I still appear human but have claws on my hand and feet as well as having my wolf stamina and senses. I can smell and see as if I was in my wolf form. So to share or get memories I insert my claws from one hand into the back of the neck. It leaves no scars and there is no bleeding afterward. The only side affect is most people have a slight headache for about 15 minutes afterwards."

"Wow it does appear that the history we were all taught in school was twisted to appear that white wolves abilities were truly evil."

"Well that's how all history is. Those in power change the facts so they appear right in their decisions. Unless you were there and experienced it yourself, no one can really trust what's in history books. Everything is biased even if it wasn't meant to be"

"That's a very good point. Are there any other abilities white wolves have?"

"Yes so I can also conceal and change my aura to appear human or less powerful. It's a survival technique of our ancestors who had to live among very superstitious humans. I've used this ability to survive all these years among you. During tourist season, I'd appear human and would be able to enjoy normal activities and when it wasn't I would change my aura to a normal werewolfs so that I could work for a bit and save some money until moving to the next town. I never stayed in one place long. I didn't want to make a mistake in my aura or get attached to anyone for obvious reasons"

"What about your healing abilities? Could you talk about that?"

"Yes of course. So my ability to heal is just like anyone else's but on overdrive. I heal faster than you can. I can also take pain away from other by holding their hands and concentrating. The pain look like blood running from the injured to me. So I can take their pain and feel it but then I heal quicker. This ability depends on each white wolf. Some are able to take more pain that others. No one really figured out why."

"We appreciate you clarifying your abilities for us all. Now for the next question. Now that you've revealed your identity, what's the plan for life? Any goals?"

"Growing up on the run, watching my parents slaughtered st 8 years old, and then suffering through the human foster system until I aged out left me thinking I'd never get a life. I tried living amongst humans but my wolf longed to be with her kind. My whole life was just about survival. Growing up I was trained and taught my history constantly. My parents needed me to know everything about white wolves so I could protect myself. There was no time for play. Then when I was pretending to be human I just couldn't adapt enough and was teased for being different. No one knew I was a Werewolf except for the government. When I started dating Elias shortly after the Peace Treaty I never planned on coming out. I didn't know it then but I felt so close to Elias because we were mates but then I just thought I was opening up a bit because of the Peace Treaty. I was waiting for some other white wolf to claim sanctuary first. Then we got pregnant and Elias revealed we were mates and everything changed. My goal is for everyone to know the truth about white wolves. I want everyone to see me as a pack member and not a monster. I don't expect everyone to like me. I just want people to be ok with who I am and to not be afraid that I am a white wolf. my goals are to be the best mother and mate that I can. To earn some trust so that I could be Luna one day. With my book that really has been my journal since I was little, I hope people will feel comfortable with me."

"Those are some lovely goals Lua. We've covered the white wolf questions for now. The rest of the questions seem to be about the baby and your relationship with Elias now."

I couldn't believe it. I smiled and held Elias' hand. Is that really all everyone wanted to know about my wolf? Now was just normal questions about my life? It can't be this easy? Elias was now able to chip in as we answered typical nosey questions about each other. After the interview we went for lunch and were giddy with excitement. The restaurant we went to wasn't busy yet, but the few people that were there came up to us and talked for a bit. We were left alone to eat and the restaurant got busier.

"That was a great interview right Lu? I thought they were going to hound you about your white wolf!"

"I honestly thought the same! I can't believe it! My book is already sold out. We've got thousand of requests for more copies even from the humans! Articles have been popping up everywhere and all the talk shows are featuring the interview. Some negative stuff but mostly positive so far!"

There was a sudden gunshot and I felt the bullet graze my shoulder. Elias instinctively jumped on top of me to protect me. Everyone was screaming and running around as more gunshots ricochet one after another. My adrenaline was running and I shifted to my wereform. I was able to think clearer and process what was going on. The shooter was reloading so I ripped myself away from Elias and tackled him. Elias was right behind me and grabbed him just as I secured the gun.

"Are you all brainwashed! She's a white wolf! She's going to take revenge on us for killing her kind! She has Alpha Elias under a spell! This is all a conspiracy!

Elias now grabbed him by his throat and slammed him against the wall. The shooter was struggling to breath and Elias was trying to stop himself from fully shifting.

"Elias stop! You're going to kill him!"

"He tried to kill you! He's already a dead man!"

"No this isn't the way! I am not responding to violence with violence!"

I grabbed Elias without another thought and pushed him off the man. Just then the police showed up and handcuffed the shooter.

"What are you doing Lua! You could have hurt yourself or the baby! He almost killed you and you want to show mercy? We have to make an example of him!"

"No. Yes he'll have consequences but not his life. I am not going to be feared. I want respect not fear Elias! And I had no choice! I was the only one who could see him clearly! You were in a daze just trying to protect me. I needed to protect everyone before he hurt someone he didn't mean to!"

I didn't even realize the news was already here recording Elias' and I's first fight.The paparazzi surrounded us asking questions as the police struggled to try to clear them out. Kai showed up with the pack security and helped clear everyone out quickly. Elias grabbed me and looked me over from head to toe before hugging me tightly. He was breathing heavily and his hot breath on my neck sent goosebumps down my back.

"Lua I almost lost you. I wasn't even able to protect you! You saved yourself but also everyone else in here"

"Elias I have been fighting for my life for my whole life. Don't blame yourself. I was already trained for this exact situation. You had a normal reaction it's not your fault."

"I'm your mate! I'm supposed to protect you! And I'm an Alpha. What kind of Alpha am I if I can't even protect you? If I can't protect our baby?"

I hug him harder before softly grabbing his face and looking straight up into his eyes. I then rest my forehead on his.

"I can train you then. This is not going to be the last problem we face. I will train you for every scenario like I was trained. We can also re-train pack security and then maybe even the police. This is just the beginning Elias. It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be, but it's still going to be bad"

Elias was struggling to hold back tears until he finally broke. We hugged each other tight and swayed a little before Kai came barging in with pack security.

"Elias, Lua are you both alright!?!?! Are any of you hurt?"

Kai grabs us both and looks us over. He nods and hugs us both.

"The shooter was brought back to the pack house dungeon. We have the news and paparazzi behind barriers. The way to the car is clear. Were heading to the hospital to get you both checked over. There have been no other injuries."

We walked out and the paparazzi started yelling out questions. I looked at Elias and he nodded so I let go of his hand and walked over to the barrier.

"Quiet please. I won't be answering all the questions but I do have something to say. I wanted to apologize for putting anyone in danger. It was foolish of me to go out in public so soon. I guess I was just excited. We will be covering all repairs to the restaurant and will expedite those repairs. I'm thankful no one was injured. As for the shooter he will not be executed. His punishment has yet to be determined. I will not be responding to violence with violence. I can understand others point of view and will not condemn them for it even if they're trying to condemn me for who I am. That's all, thank you. "

I grabbed Elias' hand and he he kissed the top of my head. I didn't even realize I was still in wereform. Once we got in the car I shifted back and focused on calming down. The adrenaline from the whole situation was overwhelming. Elias and I sit in silence on the short drive to the hospital. We're quickly seen and get an ultrasound.

"Miss Sorrel, Alpha. The baby is fine. Heartbeat is normal, and according to how you told me white wolves grow, baby is measuring perfectly. The graze on your arm isn't deep and doesn't need stitches"

"Thank you doctor. We just wanted to make sure and Lua hasn't had a checkup yet."

"Well I've been a doctor for years. Learned about white werewolf pregnancies when I was an intern. Of course haven't had a patient like Lua in years but even before the war we rarely had them in until the birth. Their pregnancies usually run smoothly and they need little assistance. I can tell you both the gender if interested?"

I wiggle a little in the bed with excitement. Elias' face brightens up for the first time since the ordeal. We both nod and Elias squeezes my hand.

"Congratulations Alpha Elias and Lua, you're having a..."

Elias grabs me out of the bed like I weigh nothing and carefully swing me before hugging and kissing me. We're both crying with joy and laughing. I got the ultrasound jelly all over his shirt but neither of us care."

"It's official baby! Now we can get everything ready! I can't believe it! It's so real now. We can focus on us and our family. I'm out of the woods now. We will deal with whatever else happens but now it's about our new little family!"

"I'm so excited baby. I'm going to do better by you two. I'm going to learn everything I can to protect us all and I'm going to baby proof everything, be right beside you at all the baby stores, put all the baby furniture together with the million pieces and useless instructions! I'm so excited!"

It's like the attempted murder didn't even happen. We forgot about it in the car talking about the baby and all the things we needed to do before the birth. We were then reminded of it once we got to the pack house. Everyone was there to make sure we were OK. Juno ran up to me first and hugged me. We have been talking nonstop since the party yesterday and are becoming close. We talk to everyone a bit and assure them we're OK. We Thank them for their concern and send them home. Elias and I decide we will keep the shooter in holding and have a press conference with what the pack and the rest of the city thinks would be a fair punishment. Kai and Juno join us in our apartment and we spend the rest of the day eating, playing video games, and talking. I was keeping my mind busy with normal stuff so that my anxiety wouldn't take over. I couldn't tell if Elias was doing the same.