The Unwanted Luna

-POV

Ayame-

After two weeks in the hospital, we were finally able to go home and I welcomed a shower and no more needles with open arms. My voice was still a bit raspy, but I was able to talk and that was a plus. "You ready to go?" Conri asked while I slipped on my other shoe. "Yes, are we going to pick up everyone else on the way?" I asked excitedly. I wanted to see Emily and see if she was okay. I was kind of in and out of it until recently, so I wasn't allowed any visitors. Edon gave me his phone to call Emily a few days ago. She was so happy to hear I was okay, but it was hard to talk to her over the phone.

"They all headed back a week ago. Another Rogue attack while we were away. I needed my beta and gamma back at the house asap." Conri said.

I nodded. "That seems fair." Oh well. I hope I will see them as soon as we land.

I hopped off the bed, catching my balance. Conri slipped his arm around my waist and carried my bag with the other. We made it to the outpatient triage and grabbed the medication they told me to take until we got back to Canada. I followed Conri to the car and Edon hopped out of the driver's seat to open my door, while Conri put my bag in the trunk. Once I was secure between Vil and Conri, the drive began. I realized we weren't going towards the airport though. We were in the forest. "Where are we going?" I asked.

"We called in a favor." Edon answered. After a few moments, the car was engulfed in darkness and I felt my body jolt forward until we were ricocheted back into another forest that looked an awful lot like home. The snow was dripping from the dormant trees and the small animals were scurrying into their burrows.

"Did we just tel-teleport?" I whispered.

"That would be a yes." Conri said.

"How?!" I asked in shock.

"You tell us." Vil said with a smirk. "I'm just happy to hear you talking again to be honest."

I racked my brain, remembering all the pages I have read over the weeks, then my eyes widened. "Pixies. You called in a favor from pixies?!" I shouted excitedly. I coughed on my raspy voice and they huffed at my exasperation.

"Keep yourself calm, remember?" Edon said, glancing through the rearview mirror with worry.

I leaned backed and snuggled into Conri's side. "Sorry." I muttered.

Conri chuckled. "But, yes, it was a pixie. A rather feisty one at that, but she is a good family friend that we have helped out on more than one occasion. She owes us."

I nodded. "So, no crazy deals?" I asked. Dealing with pixies wasn't the cute and fantastical experience one would think about. They are evil little things. Cunning and manipulative.

"Nope. No crazy deals." Vil agreed.

I sighed in relief as we continued along the trail and the pack house was in view only a few moments later. Conri hopped out of the car and I took his hand while he helped me out behind him. "Ayame!! Oh thank the Goddess!" Emily rammed into me and I hugged her right back. "Hey Emily." We didn't even make it up to the front door. She was waiting for us in a white, fluffy coat and black, skinny jeans.

"I'm so glad you are okay. I'm so sorry I let myself get distracted like that. I'm punishing myself with extra training. How did I let a human sneak up on me? I mean seriously!" She shouted back.

I smiled and chuckled lightly while the guys grabbed the suitcases from the trunk. "I don't care, I'm just glad you are okay. I thought you would hate me after that."

She stepped back in shock. "I would never." She said, laughing lightly.

I smiled back. "Good. That's all I want to hear." I hummed in relief.

"Come on princess, time to head in." Edon called from the front doorway.

I walked up to him and held onto his coat. Once we stepped in, we were welcomed by Charlie, Vince, and Kyle. Even Connery came to see how I was doing. His wife was nowhere to be found and, honestly, I was happy for it. She makes me uncomfortable anyway. "So, what do you want to do first?" Kyle asked.

I thought about it for a moment, then my mind trailed to the dismal food options at the hospital. "Lunch?" I asked and they all laughed.

"See, this is why I could never hate you." Emily said with a giggle, and pulled me to the kitchen.

"Hello Luna. I'm happy to see you are back safe and sound." The chef said, busying herself with today's lunch. I took a deep breath and enjoyed the smell of real meat.

"Me too. It smells delicious. May I help?" I asked expectantly.

She flinched and turned around to look behind me for a minute. It didn't take a rocket scientist to tell me the guys were back there and the chef was requesting permission. "Of course, you may, miss. Apologies for asking, but are you alright?"

I know I still sound hoarse, so this was a valid response. However, an apology wasn't necessary. She sounded like she actually cared about my well-being, so I saw no problem in her asking if I'm okay. "I will be once I eat some real food." I nodded to the ingredients being prepped on the large granite counter tops and the chef sighed in relief.

"Wait, you cook?" Emily asked with a slacked jaw.

"Yes, I do, and Ayame is fine, chef." I hummed happily before peeling around the counter. "Mind if I make a dessert?"

"S-sure." She added. She was an elder woman in the pack. She looked like she was in her sixties, but I've learned that looks aren't everything when it comes to age. Everyone is older than they seem, especially the elder pack members. Some can live up to hundreds of years old. It's amazing really.

I pulled out some flour and started making my favorite recipe. The one and only double fudge cake with strawberry compote my mother made for me when I was little. This kitchen was stocked with whatever I needed and that made it much easier. At a certain point, I was so into my own rhythm I didn't notice the tap on my shoulder. "That looks beautiful miss...I mean Ayame. Do you mind helping me finish the side dishes while that chills?"

I smiled at my work and placed the last cherry on my homemade chocolate whipped cream. Spinning around, I couldn't help but agree to her request. "Of course. That would be lovely. Let me put this in the fridge, then we can knock that out." I hurriedly stowed the cakes away and chef and I started laughing about different burn failures we've had to handle in the kitchen.

"My Goddess, I don't think I have had this much fun in the kitchen in so long." She added with a chuckle.

"And why is that Litty?" Elizabeth called with a chuckle. I started placing the asparagus into some of the serving bowls when she walked in, wrapping an apron around her waist.

"Oh, because our new Luna is way better than the last ones." Litty said with a chuckle. That name suited her so well. I immediately felt bad that I hadn't asked what her name was when I requested she'd speak to me so informally. "Hush! You know the missus is still here, right?" Elizabeth said as her face paled. They really didn't like the triplet's mom, but I don't blame them. Neither did I. "She is in a rather foul mood as of late, so I wouldn't press your luck."

"Well, either way. I guess it's time for dinner more so than lunch." Litty said, and I looked up at the clock. It was already 6p.m.?! I wasn't even thinking about how long I was in here, but I did make a whole cake...well maybe three of them...with decorations. In my defense, Litty said everyone eats a lot.

"Miss.Litty, do you mind calling everyone to dinner then?" I asked sweetly.

She blushed and nodded before her eyes glazed over, then shifted back to reality. Mind linking is a much...quieter option than screaming out to everyone. Who knows how many of them are even still on the first floor. This place was huge and I'd noticed that supernatural shifters prefer the outdoors over the cabin. Elizabeth helped us put all the food on the trollies and the desserts went on last, standing tall on their own silver cake stands. "Ayame, you don't have to help us with the table too."

I shook my head. "I helped make, I help plate." I said, remembering the little chant my mom told me when I was young. It made me smile. We placed all the serving dishes in the middle of the table just in time. A large group of people piled in with the ranked members in toe. "Woah, this is fancy." One of them called.

"Who's birthday is it?" Another asked with a chuckle.

"Wait, is that the Luna?" A third gasped. I froze in place, remembering I usually don't eat down here even after Conri's announcement. I guess Litty and Elizabeth were right when they said half the packs comes here to eat.

Someone's hand slipped into mine and guided me to the front of the table. There were four chairs there and Edon and Conri were already seated. I was placed next to Conri on one side and Vil plopped down on a seat on the other.

Once we were seated, the chow down began. "Wow, girl, you really can cook." Emily said, scarfing down her plate.

I snorted at Emily's awe. "Oh please. I only helped with the side dishes. I got a little too distracted with the desserts." I nodded to the three chocolate cakes in the middle of the table. "That and doc came in to help me with my ankle." I added.

"You made those?!" Charlie said in shock.

I shrugged. "I love baking."

He nodded. "Yeah, that looks like it belongs in a bakery."

I blushed. "Thank you." I whispered before quickly finishing my food. I wasn't too hungry, but the doctor said that would be completely normal.

The cakes were gone in a minute and I was able to eat a little of Conri's before heading off upstairs.

I pushed open the door to my room and it was just as pristine as when I left it. I smiled and started packing my things. After two weeks with those three giving me their undivided attention, I can't just go back to staying in four rooms like Emily said. I think it's time to move in with one of them. I just don't know which.

"Why is all of your stuff on the bed?" I spun around to find myself in front of Conri.

"I...I'm thinking about moving into one of your rooms? I...I like sleeping with you three." I whispered.

He nodded and took my hand. I squeaked and followed him to another room. It wasn't his. It was much...much bigger. There was a massive mattress on the far left wall. Four desks facing each other in the shadow of a large bay window to the right. A five-seater couch in front of a marble fireplace and plush carpet with a TV resting on the wall facing the seating area. The room slowly lit up as we walked across the threshold. "Where are we?" I asked as a canopy slowly revealed the giant bed in all it's glory. The whole room was on a sensor or something. The lights, blinds, and canopy were moving and turning on on their own! Magic or technology...it was still awesome. I turned back to the massive bed and immediately loved the decor. It had a vibrant blue quilt and ash-grey sheets. The canopy was adorned with gold embroidery at the edges of the sheer white tapestry.

"Our room." Edon said from behind me.

I spun around and he and Vil were walking into the doorway. "Damn, I thought we would never move in here." Vil sighed in relief.

I bit my lip. "So...so I don't have to choose between your rooms?" I asked expectantly.

"No, you don't. Sometimes we might want to have...alone time with you, so maybe we will stay in our old rooms, but this is where we will stay from now on. We don't want to be away from you anymore either, little one." Conri said, and my whole body shivered. "O-okay."

They all beamed, and I realized, at that moment, I wanted all three of them, badly. This whole day felt like a blur of actions and reactions that fit into the cookie-cutter reality pre-pressed for my benefit. It still felt wrong. Like everything that happened in France is still happening over and over in my head. I needed them to help me forget.