We’re greeted by the whole freaking pack!Apparently, Jeaoul and Lenor had already spread the word about what was going on. I’m sure the other pack members didn’t quite believe them, but they must certainly have been curious because a lot of them are standing at the entrance to the base.As we approach, I fall behind the others. I don’t exactly want to be the first to be questioned or interrogated.Plus, I’m sure they can tell I’m different now.Jeaoul approaches us with his wife and a couple of other pack Elders. “Where is Ryan?”“Defeated,” Charles calls out, his voice booming. “Our Alpha was defeated and now lies dead and in dishonor.”There are high-pitched murmurs among the group.I grow a little concerned at first, because I remember Jeaoul saying that no one believed them when they suspected Ryan’s treachery.Charles steps aside, still under Alex’s shoulder, revealing me. “Here is our long-lost Luna, Dyanthiana.”And the one who killed your Alpha. The murmurs grow to a loud cl

Lenor and Jeaoul prepare a bed for me in their home, and somehow scrounge together some clothes that fit me relatively well, even if they are a little loose.I take my first shower in probably three days, and after, I feel like a new woman. Yes…a woman. I’m not eighteen just yet, but I have grown since I left home. I have become a whole other person—a werewolf—and have attained a fresh identity.I sit in my room with my journal. I have so much material for my play now, but that isn’t my focus. I need to work out my thoughts. After all, so much has come to light in the past twenty-four hours. My parents are not who I thought they were, and one of them even tried to kill me. Then there’s the whole werewolf thing, and I’m not even some plain-jane one at that.It’s a lot to process, but now that my shock is wearing off, I can think about things rationally. The pack is going to expect me to stay and fulfill my duty. The wolf in me wants to, but I have a whole other life I can’t disappear f

“Ahhh…” I exhale bliss when we stop. “Thank you, Alex.”“I know you need to go back to your mom soon, so I’ll do everything I can. But you will eventually have to come back to your pack.”“Yeah—I know. I just have to figure out how to do that. What to tell my mom and when to make that break.”“Just remember, I may not be able to go with you…at first.”“Oh, no—Michael!” How could I have forgotten? “Is there a cure for Wolfsbane?”“If there is, it probably died with the wolf that poisoned him.”“I’m ssso sorry.”“Yeah…we’ll deal with it when we get back. But I probably can’t go back home with you, to live anyway. The pack will be my home now.”Finally, this seems to be a good time to ask him about us. I need to know how he feels…what he thinks.“Where does that leave us?”“I’ve given this some thought. Once you turned, it all made sense: my attraction to you, my inability to leave you alone.”“But what about Rita?”“Yeah…about Rita.” He pauses to organize his thoughts. It’s almost like

With no need to fear future attacks, we are set to leave the next morning. I meet with the Elders first so we could work out the details of my absence. Charles is also there, and there is a very informal “changing of the guard,” so to speak. He already knows his duties, so anything they explain to him is merely formality.For the first time, I feel a part of them. I may not know hardly anyone in the Malkeye pack, but I know this handful of Council members and they treat me like an equal. It makes me feel so included.And so grown up. Will my mother even recognize me? Of course she will, but will she notice any changes in me? I hope so…and for the better.The Elders and Charles also see us off. I feel like Charles and I have a connection, especially since he’s the first one to recognize me for who I am. I should be able to trust him while I’m gone.Rita and Alex wait until we’re out of town to shift.“I know it may take you a while to figure it out, and I didn’t want you to have to fig

Alex talks to Michael for hours, leaving me to guess what is happening and eventually causing Rita and me to fear if something has gone wrong.Eventually, Alex returns to his parents’ house. I’m sitting at the table with his parents and with Rita, barely touching the plate of food in front of me. In fact, Mr. Hewlett is the only one who seems to have an appetite.Tala rises as Alex approaches. “Let me make you a plate,” she says before turning to walk away.“Don’t,” Alex says, causing her to stop in her tracks.She approaches him and places a hand on his shoulder, searching his face. “You need to eat something.”“I don’t have an appetite. I just need some time alone.”She lowers her hand and locks her fingers together, resolved to . “Of course. I’ll have something in the refrigerator for you when you’re ready.”I want to follow him to his room, but I don’t know if that would be appropriate, and he doesn’t ask for me. He simply walks away, followed by the sound of a door shutting. The