A Stranger in the Night

"What do you mean! I thought you said people in the house would treat me well, as if I was one of you and now you are worried about your parents and whoever Meredith is. Oh wait, that's right, she's the person your Father wants you to be with. Well, looks like you don't need to worry about me after all!". My heart literally broke in two. I began to feel physically ill, and could feel the vomit begin to rise in my throat. I pushed past Alex, who was still kneeling infront of me. I reached out for the glass I had on the table, but accidentally knocked it over as I panicked. I accidentally shot out a small burst of energy that froze the water across the table. I quickly moved and pressed my back against the table, hoping Alex didn't see.

In all the kerfuffle, Lucas entered the room, scanning to see what had happened. "Are you ok Luna?". He said, eyeing the ice on the table. Alex stood, fixing his coat, "She is fine. We are having a conversation. You can leave.". It was at that moment that I wished my eyes shot lasers, because I would have burnt him alive. "Ummm....you do remember you are in his house right? He doesn't have to leave.". I could see the heartbreak written all over his face, "But Luna, I won't leave unless you are coming with me. What I said that day I meant and I have regretted everyday since then that I haven't been able to be with you. I wanted to contact you but had no way of contacting you without leaving the House and increasing suspicions. My phone was stolen, that's why I hadn't messaged you.". Even though his answer made sense to me, it still wasn't good enough. "A month! A month of no contact, after you promised me the world. A month of silence, of wondering what I did wrong, of feeling my heart break more and more every day, especially watching how much Draven adored and cared about Jess. You can't tell you cared about me, when you know yourself that you weren't there. That even when you could have come... you didn't. You weren't chained up in that House and you said no one would ever challenge our relationship. So how did that change so drastically?". He lowered his head and sunk back into the lounge chair. "It's difficult to explain, but I will try. My Father and I don't get along. He has been trying for centuries to join my clan with another, and I have been against it from the beginning, knowing that I am destined to be with you. Meredith is the daughter of the Head of the Ravnos Clan. The Clan my Father wants ours to be united with. But I can not stand the woman, neither can any of us apart from Marco, who is head over heels for her. She is vicious and cruel. Treats humans as a quick meal and doesn't value their lives. The moment she arrived, she smelt you on me and even asked to have a drink from you. When the thought of her drinking from you came into my head, I decided I had to do anything I could to keep you away from her. To keep you safe. Even if that meant not seeing you.". He hung his head again, deflated and hurt. "I know my Mother would adore you. My Father is the issue. If it wasn't for this joining clans nonsense, there would be no issue.".

I didn't know what to think. What he was saying made complete sense. He was trying to protect me in some way but I still couldn't get over the pain and hurt I felt. He broke his promise and wasn't there when I needed him to be. How could I ever trust him again. Once again, forgetting that he could hear my thoughts, his eyes stared into mine, those beautiful emerald green eyes. "Luna, I never intentionally meant to hurt you or upset you. I only ever want to see you smile, and want you to only ever feel happiness.". He grabbed my hand and placed it on his chest, "my heart belongs to you.". All of a sudden I heard a low, deep, concerning growl behind me.

Lucas was still in the doorway and was watching us. Definitely disapproving. "Oh down boy!" Alex snapped at him. Lucas began to storm towards him. I jumped in between the two and was pushing Lucas back as much as I could. Alex roared at Lucas, rearing his fangs at him. "Stop it you two! That's enough!". They continued to try and show their dominance, edging even closer towards each other and beginning to crush me. I steadied myself, I could feel the pressure in me rising and I felt like I was going to explode. With one hand on either of their chests, I began to push back and felt a release of energy as I did. "ENOUGH!". Both of them launched backwards, falling to different sides of the room, little bits of ice and frost laying the path between them and me. Lucas brushed off the ice that was strewn across his shirt and chest. Alex didn't move a muscle, just sat there, frozen (pardon the pun), staring at me. Lucas was the first to hop up. "You're getting better at that.". He chuckled, wiping off the last bits of frost from his shirt. Alex stood, looking down at his coat and shirt, brushing the ice and frost off that was stuck to it. "What the hell was that Luna?". Lucas chuckled loudly and walked towards me. "Oh, our Luna here is quite special. She has CryoKinesis and AquaKinesis powers.".

He smirked and nudged me playfully. Alex showed clear confusion across his face. "Yeah, she's pretty awesome if I do say so myself. Anyway, it's been nice having you here Alex, as always, but I get the feeling you've outstayed your welcome and it's time for you to leave.". I could feel the tension again rise in Lucas, almost as if he was getting ready to shift and attack. I laid a hand on his shoulder, reassuring him that things were ok. "Luna, you seriously can't be considering going with him?". He looked at me, holding my arm firmly, but not in a way to hurt me, but almost as if he was begging me. I looked at Alex, who looked equally hurt and defeated. "Luna, please....". His hand stretched out towards me, calling me to come to him. I was torn, I didn't know what to do. I wanted to go with Alex, I missed him and my body was calling for his touch but my head was too proud and strong to allow me to be treated the way he did. I also wanted to stay with Lucas. He has done nothing but care about me, wholeheartedly, since the day he met me and I was growing fond of him. I didn't want to hurt either of them. So I knew what I had to do.....

"Stop it! Both of you!" I huffed. "I am not going to stay with either of you! I need to think clearly and you two fighting like this is doing my head in. I'm going home to my own apartment. I need some time.". Alex went to start speaking but I instantly cut him off, "And space!". I stormed out of the house and walked down the front steps. Shiloh and Jess chasing after me.

"Are you ok Luna?" Shiloh asked, a sympathetic look on her face. "You know it's still not safe for you to go there. But, I understand.". Jess nodded in agreement with her. "She's right, it's not safe. They still haven't found out who sent them to hurt us. And, unfortunately I am sure that Draven won't let me stay with you. I'm only a freshie and still am fighting to control certain urges.". I smiled at her. "I know. Well, I could just turn you into an ice cubes if you tried anything.". The three of us began to laugh. "Well, seeing as Jess has her hands full, I will arrange for some of the pack to stay at your place. I'm sure there will be some happy volunteers. And no, before you ask, I won't let Lucas.". She smiled, placing her hand gently on my arm. "I'm sorry." I frowned, trying to hold it all in. "I really don't know what to do. I care for Lucas, and like him....alot. But I also miss Alex, way too much for what I've been through. I think I need time to sort myself out.". Shiloh and Jess both nodded. "I will take you home. Give me some time, and I'll round up the pack members.". Shiloh rushed off into the house, before racing back out with Carter. Lucas and Alex came to the door. Draven shortly behind them, but pushing past them to get down the steps to Jess and I. "Are you girls ok?" He asked. He turned, looking back at the two men on the steps. Jess nodded, "she's ok. Just needs to work some things out. By the way Luna, I wasn't going to tell you, and I know you enough to know it won't change your mind, but Alex was giving messages to Draven to give to you whilst he couldn't see you. Draven being Draven, just forgot to pass them on...". Stunned, I shot a look at Alex, before returning my gaze to Draven and Jess, who were now approaching the car. "He was a little busy making sure you were ok. I wasn't Draven's priority anyway," I said sadly, turning my gaze to Alex, "I was supposed to be someone else's.". I looked back at Jess, a disheartened look on her face. She nodded before sliding into the car. "I will come see you soon ok? I'm sure you could have already guessed, but Draven will probably be with me. Is that ok?". I nodded and smiled, stepping back as she closed the door. "See ya kid. Will be round soon.". Draven smiled and waved as he hopped in through the other door, Alex now waiting behind him. He went to walk around the car towards me. Knowing he could hear my thoughts, I thought very strongly, "Do not come over here!". Alex stopped in his tracks, staring at me and began to walk back to the door. "I am sorry Luna. I promise I will make this all up to you. I really do care about you and want only the best for you.". With a sombre look on his face, he slid into the car. The car pulled away quickly and sped off down the dirt driveway and off into the distance. I could see the soft lights of the car, fading off into the tree line.

A nudge in my back broke my concentration on the car. "Ready to go Missy? Shiloh, Bronson and myself are going to take the first round of staying with you. Do you wanna go grab your things?". Damn, I had to go back into the house to get my things out of Lucas' room. He was still standing at the top of the stairs, just watching. But as I approached and began to make my way up the stairs, he turned around and went inside, the screen door slamming shut behind him. "Hey don't break that god damn door again Lucas! I am not fixing it next time!". Carter shouted after him. But Lucas ignored him. I made my way into the house and to Lucas' room, gathering up all my things into my overnight bag and headed back out to the lounge room. Lucas was waiting for me there, holding something in his hand and watching it as he played and fumbled around with it. "I don't want you to go. Please don't Luna.". He sounded so heartbroken and defeated it and it was tearing me up inside. "I have to. I need to sort out what is going on in my head and my heart...But thank you.". Lucas looked up at me, looking confused. "For what?" He asked. "For looking after me, for caring about me. For being the one who was there for me, when I needed it. For letting me stay with you and the pack. And for saving my life. I will never forget it.". I kissed him on the cheek and began to walk out the door. "Luna.....you will always be welcome here. I will always want you here....". He rushed to me and pulled me in to a tight embrace, before kissing me deeply. At first, I resisted, but I felt my knees go weak, and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him in closer, to feel his body against mine. When we pulled away from each other, he began to apologise. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me.". I heard that low growl come from his chest, it was almost like a purr. "It's ok.". I smiled at him. "I guess I just wanted you to know exactly how I feel about you.". Well if I didn't before...I definitely did now. "I know. But I really must go.". He opened the screen door for me and stood at the top of the stairs, watching me as I headed towards the van. Carter, Bronson and Shiloh waiting there for me. "Don't worry boss, we got this.". Bronson called out. Lucas stood with his arms folded, his weight shifted onto his left hip. He nodded. Still standing in place as we hopped in and began to drive away. I watched him as we began to drive off and he shifted into this magnificent looking beast. Him in his wolf form was truly stunning. I watched as he raced up the side of the house and into the darkness. A loud howl echoed through the evening air. Carter, Bronson and Shiloh all instantly howled back and I could hear the other pack members howling too now in the distance. Shiloh rested her hand on my shoulder, "That's the howl of a wolf, who's lost their mate...".

What did she mean lost their mate? I wasn't Lucas' mate. Nothing had happened between us apart from that kiss as I left. "What the? You can't be serious Shiloh?". She nodded her head fiercely at me, whilst holding onto the seat as the road got a bit bumpy. "Ahhh Carter! You explain it.". He smiled and began to speak, his eyes focused on driving and the road ahead. "Well Luna, haven't you noticed the connection you two have? Do you feel drawn to him at times, like just needing his presence there? Does your mind runaway to thoughts of him?". I hadn't ever really thought about it. Sure at times I had little day dreams about him, or caught myself watching him, only to have him look at me at that exact moment too and I did like being around him. Something about him always made me feel safe, at home and almost loved. "I dunno, I guess so.". Shiloh began to laugh from the seat behind me. "See! I told you he imprinted on her!". I turned quickly to face her. "He did what?". I demanded to know. She smiled at me, "Imprinted. It's what we do when we find our mate for life. Sadly, Alex would have known that he did that too. It's something only immortal beings are aware of.". I nodded, not sure if being imprinted on was something I wanted or not. Shiloh rubbed my shoulders. "It's ok Luna. Things always work out the way they are meant to. You will see.".

It took us almost an hour to get back to my apartment. Carter and Bronson went up first to make sure everything was ok. When they came back down to the van, they gave the all clear for us to head upstairs. We arrived at my door, I noticed it looked a little different to what I remembered. Carter pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and began entering a code into a pinpad beside the door. As the pinpad unlocked the door and began opening, I could see that the front part of the door looked like my old door, but behind it was a very thick and solid metal door. As we entered in, Carter closed the door and re-entered the code which locked the door. My apartment was not the shabby little place it was before. My whole kitchen had been renovated, and the kitchen island repaired. It was beautiful, with brand new cream cupboards and matching marble counter tops. My disgusting old carpet, was now replaced by beautiful wooden floors. My armchair was still here, with Nanna's blanket strewn gently across it. My little bookshelf was missing, but had been replaced, not just a new one up on the wall, but a full roof to floor bookshelf. It looked custom made and fit the apartment space perfectly. I ran my fingers along the shelf admiring it and all the new books that were stacked up in it. "Who did all this?". The three of them just smiled. "Lucas organised it all. The pack did alot of the work. Good thing we do this kind of stuff for a living.". Still admiring my new bookshelf, Bronson approached me. "Lucas made that....just for you....".