The Wolf God's Unwanted Luna

Vivian’s POV

A sharp snap jolted me out of my thoughts. I turned instinctively toward the sound, my senses already stretching far beyond what they used to. Then came the shuffling, followed by the rhythmic pounding of something moving fast. It wasn’t just any noise. It was the heartbeat and footfalls of a wolf, running hard.

What startled me most wasn’t the sound itself, it was the distance. The wolf was still miles away, but I could hear it as if it were near the treeline. My ears twitched, the world around me suddenly sharper, clearer, and painfully loud in spots.

Was this normal? I blinked, heart thudding softly. It hadn’t even been a full day since Zaliver bit me. He said I had a week or two before the shift started, but this? This didn’t feel like waiting. It felt like I was already changing.

And fast.

The wolf was getting closer, barreling through the forest without hesitation. In just seconds, it broke through the tree line.

A sleek brown wolf charged into the clearing, its paws kicking up dirt as it ran. It hadn’t noticed me at first, but the second it lifted its head and locked eyes with me, it stumbled. Hard. Its front legs froze mid-step, but its back legs kept going, sending the poor thing tumbling nose-first into the ground.

I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing.

The wolf gave a frustrated huff, shaking its head before shifting back with a ripple of fur and energy. My gaze lingered, curiosity blooming as a tall, lean guy walked toward me, brushing leaves from his light brown hair. He looked a bit familiar.

His cheeks were flushed pink with embarrassment as he approached, dark brown eyes avoiding mine.

"You alright there?" I asked, amusement bubbling in my voice.

"Yeah," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, not daring to meet my eyes. "Man, this is so embarrassing. Out of everyone, I had to trip in front of the Luna." He glared at the ground like it had betrayed him.

That made me chuckle. "How do you know I’m Luna?" I didn’t remember telling anyone. Then it hit me, Zaliver’s gathering last night. I opened my mouth to wave it off, but he beat me to it.

"My wolf just knew. The moment he felt your presence, he told me to stop running. I didn’t get it at first, but then I saw you," he said with a frown, like he was trying to puzzle it out himself. "He felt your wolf."

My eyebrows lifted. He could feel my wolf? Even mine hadn’t said anything about that.

I glanced inward. My wolf was just as confused as I was.

I’d definitely be asking Zaliver about that after I was done giving him the silent treatment.

Still puzzled, I gave him a polite smile as he reached out his hand. I shook it.

"You might not remember me, but I’m Bl—"

"Blake," I interrupted, a smile tugging at my lips. "And your twin is Drake. I remember now. Hi."

Recognition hit me. He was one of the twins from the kitchen. The one with high cheekbones. Drake had the sharper jawline.

His eyes widened a little, impressed. "Yeah, I’m Blake. You’re really good at telling us apart. Not many people can do that."

He gave an awkward little laugh. The way he fidgeted and smiled, there was something so endearing about how bashful he was.

I couldn’t help but grin back. He was so adorably awkward, it was impossible not to like him.

"I’m sorry. I’m usually not this weird," he said, eyes darting everywhere but at me.

I waved a hand, brushing it off with a half-smile. "It’s fine. I get it. He’s just, uh," I hesitated, trying to find a nicer word than weird or strange.

"Awkward?" he offered, then quickly shook his head. "Nah, he’s an asshole, I mean, a mean person! Yeah, mean person!" His eyes went wide with panic.

I let out a soft laugh. "So if your brother’s such a, uh, mean person, then why aren’t you two hanging out now?"

His shoulders relaxed like he hadn’t expected me to joke back. Then suddenly, his whole body lit up with excitement as he gestured wildly.

"Oh! So, Drake invited Leslie to this get-together. You actually met her and Amber and Angela too when you met me and my brother. Anyway, we were playing this non-alcoholic version of truth or dare because Leslie’s brother Luke was there. And wherever Luke goes, Johnson follows. His pregnant sister came too and said if she couldn’t have alcohol, then none of us could. So we were just playing, and then Amber dared me to—"

"Hold on," I cut in, blinking. "Did you just say Luke and Johnson? And Johnson’s pregnant sister, she wouldn’t happen to be named Hannah, would she?"

He blinked in surprise and gave a slow nod, clearly unsure where I was heading with this.

"Oh, wow," I murmured, my eyebrows rising. "Small world." Or maybe just a very tangled pack.

His expression shifted into concern. "Is something wrong?"

"No, no! Just surprised. I actually know Luke, Johnson, and Hannah," I told him.

His eyes lit up instantly. A wide grin stretched across his face. "That’s good to know, Luna. Some of the pack were worried you might not like it here."

The way he tapped the toe of his shoe nervously against the ground tugged at something soft in me.

"Well, that’s sweet of them," I said warmly. "Really."

Then, remembering I’d interrupted him, I tilted my head. "Sorry for cutting in. What was your dare?"

He burst into laughter, his whole body shaking as he threw his head back. "Oh, it’s not nearly as exciting as bumping into the Luna."

I winced a little at the title but didn’t interrupt.

"All I had to do was run from our house to this part of the forest while Drake held his breath," he explained, like it was no big deal.

My stomach dropped.

"You’re kidding," I said slowly. "You mean to tell me, while you and I have been talking, your brother’s been holding his breath?"

He blinked. Then his whole expression froze in realization.

"Oh my god. I’ve killed my brother. My mom’s gonna kill me!" he shouted, panic flashing across his face.

Without another word, he spun around and bolted in the direction he came from.

"Wait!" I shouted, my instincts already taking over as I chased after him. My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin, alert to the fear in his tone.

Leaves and twigs crunched beneath my boots as I ran, dodging branches, keeping my eyes locked on his fast-moving form. For someone so awkward, he was surprisingly quick.

Then my phone rang. I didn’t bother checking the screen.

"Hello?" I answered between ragged breaths, not slowing down for even a second.

A pause. Then Zaliver’s voice cut through, sharp with concern.

"Vivian? Why are you running? Are you alright? What’s going on?"

Of course he could hear me. Even through the phone, he could pick up the pounding of my feet and my heartbeat.

"Can’t talk right now," I panted. "Trying to prevent murder. Or at least murder charges. Call you later!"

I hung up before he could respond.

Just before I clicked the button, I heard him shout my name, his voice flaring with worry and something fiercer underneath.

As the call ended, a grim thought flashed through my mind.

I probably shouldn’t have said that last part.

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