His Rogue Luna

Today was a particularly hot day, with the sun beating down on us mercilessly. Sweat rolled off my back and forehead and Erica besides me grunted. Thankfully with one last knock, we let go of the thick wood and stood back to admire our work. With all the wooden pillars erected, the house was beginning to take shape as we completed the wooden frame. Celia ambled up to us, yielding a tray with several cool glasses of lemonade. Erica took a glass and downed the contents while I slowly sipped mine. "It's coming out very well. The boys are finishing up the cabins so you can take a break while you wait," I gave her a thankful nod and she moved back to sit on the makeshift bench. She passed Uncle a glass and took one for herself after sharing a quick kiss with him.

"It looks like we're ahead of schedule. We'll be done before the rainy season starts," Silas spoke up. "By tomorrow we won't need to chop any more wood since we have all the pieces and everyone can focus on construction," he continued. "Thank you Silas," he nodded back at me before jogging off into the almost completed pack house.

It had only been three months since I had left the Phantom pack and came back home, yet so much had changed. Celia and my uncle were now mated to each other and we had all had a makeshift bonding ceremony in which we all joined our cut hands to become a true pack; The Silverclaw Guardians.

At the moment we were only fifteen members, hardly a pack, but we had decided to first build our homes before welcoming any newcomers.

So far we had built a large pack house which was rather impressive. It consisted of three living rooms and a dining hall which were spacious enough to host at least fifty individuals at once. There were twenty moderately sized bedrooms and five master bedrooms built so far. All that was missing was the connections to the utilities and the paint jobs.

At the moment we were building several cabin homes a little farther from the pack house for individual families to live for privacy. Erica and I had assembled all the frames while the boys would continue building the rest of the houses.

It was truly inspiring to see everyone work together so peacefully. They all overcame so much adversity and deserved this second chance.

"Alpha, the human town nearby doesn't have enough supplies," I snapped out of my reverie to look at Leo. I pursed my lips at his admission.

"Go to the city nearby tomorrow and take Conan with you," I instructed.

"Yes Alpha," he nodded before jogging off into the distance, no doubt telling Santiago of the news. I sighed a little, noting the sun was beginning to dip already.

"I need to go to Diana," I muttered.

"Enjoy meditating like a monk O Wise Spirit Warrior," Erica bowed dramatically, her words exaggerated dramatically with a snort. I scoffed, laughing under my breath at her antics before moving towards the trees.

My feet moved automatically as I didn't have to think about the direction I was heading. I spent so much time in that cottage and around it than I did in my own caves.

Like usual, Diana was sitting on the grass, her legs crossed and her eyes closed. I silently sat besides her, assuming the same position she did before inhaling deeply and exhaling softly.

I let the world around me dissolve, the tweeting of the birds in the late afternoon slowly melting away. The warmth of the sun on my face lulled me deeper into my relaxed state as I cleared my mind.

While my body relaxed, my mind sparked with life. I could feel the presence of all my pack members. The first one I felt was Romeo's. I focused to see through his eyes, to hear what he was thinking until it became clear in my own eyes and mind.

I could feel the rough wood between my fingers, feel the small splinters digging into my skin as I held a large plank of wood in place with one hand while hammering it with the other. I could see small chips of wood and sawdust fly in the hazy air and sweat drip off my face.

I felt my irritation grow as more sawdust began flying through the air. I registered a large hulking figure sawing planks of wood in half nearby.

"Cyrus would you do that somewhere else I can't f*****g see with this shit flying in my eyes," I barked.

The large African man huffed but silently obeyed. Satisfaction and relief filled me.

I slipped out of Romeo's mind and searched for another. I just about caught Lucy's mind, her silent thoughts hard for me to hear clearly.

She was far away, in a nearby town almost fifty miles from this forest. At first I tried to focus on what she was seeing which took a lot of effort before I finally got a picture.

A glass window stared back at me, the smooth surface lined with several decorative stickers. A large white one stuck out from the rest.

'Server wanted. Now hiring'

Curiosity spiked through me as I touched the glass. I looked inside and saw several humans dotted inside the cafe, and a older plump woman in a yellow dress rush around to try serve all the patrons.

I felt sympathy for her until I felt a presence approach me from besides me.

"Maybe we could work here. Could use the money," I registered the contemplative look on Amy's face, her red eye brows furrowed together before a smile broke out onto her freckled face.

"Let's grab some forms so we can show the alpha," I spoke. I reach for the door handle and stepped inside. The smell of coffee and sugar invaded my nose and I welcomed the comforting smell.

I slowly stepped to the counter, suddenly unsure if this was the right move. The plump woman glanced at me, giving a quick smile before finishing serving her customer and stepping behind the counter. "Afternoon, what can I get ya lovely ladies?" She asked in a heavy southern twang. I glanced at Amy beside me who gave me an encouraging smile.

"We saw the hiring sign outside and would like to apply," I cleared my throat awkwardly. The woman gave a large smile, looking slightly relieved.

"Well thank god. How soon can you start?" I was surprised by the question, once again glancing at Amy besides me.

"Is tomorrow okay?" She asked. The plump woman nodded, her thick curls bouncing with her.

"Yes. My names Shirley. I'm the manager and at the moment I'm the only other working waitress. I could use the help. What are your names? You look new in town," I was a little taken aback by how much she rambled but I could feel myself already grow comfortable around her. "I'm Lucy and this is Amy. We just moved outside of town recently," I spoke, this time clearly and without stuttering.

"Well, Lucy, Amy, I'll see you tomorrow at eight in the morning. That sound good?" I nodded vigorously, excited that I had gotten the job so easily.

I watched for a moment longer before feeling exhaustion hit me. I slipped out of Lucy's mind and back into my own, blinking until I could see clearly again.

I rubbed my temples as a dull throbbing ache settled before receding.

"You're almost ready," I looked up to see Diana's green eyes watching me. The sun was setting now, the sky a soft pink and purple. A hot feeling settled in my stomach with her words. "Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes. My time is almost up. You're a natural at this," I pushed down the lump in my throat as I thought of what her words would mean. "The moon goddess is calling me more and more each night," she sighed, though it was more wistful and not mournful like mine

was.

Diana had explained to me that my job as a spirit wolf would be to maintain communication between the goddess and the werewolves. I had been given the power to see into anyone's mind and to insert my thoughts or memories into them so I could communicate with all werewolves.

I would have to ensure there was peace within the werewolf communities and that they were all abiding by the law. Thankfully I wasn't the only spirit wolf as there was a few more scattered across the world, doing a similar job as I was.

Of course I needed training and a lot of meditating which wasn't always easy but I eventually got the hang of it.

Eventually, I would have to succeed Diana and I would have to meet the elders of all the packs and the other spirit wolves in a presentation ceremony. There was still a while to go so I didn't dwell on it.

"Artemis, I'm proud of you," the words surprised me as I snapped from my thoughts look back at Diana. "I've seen you grow up and change into the striking young woman you are now. I've never had any children, but I consider you my own," I couldn't stop the tears that welled in my eyes. I shuffled closer to her and wrapped the smaller woman into a tight hug, inhaling her sharp scent.

As I held her, all I could think was that it would hurt so much when her time was up.