Thirteen

Rhea.

Today marks my fifth day in Shadowclaw, and honestly, I'm still unsure about how I feel. It's like I'm caught between two worlds—one where I might be happy, and another where I'm completely uncertain. Do I really want to be here? Do I truly want to be Luna? And what about Remus? I just don't know.

I lay in bed, tossing and turning for what felt like an eternity, but was probably just ten minutes. Finally, I gave in and decided to get up. Rachel had promised to take me shopping today and show me around.

After Remus, she's the only person who's really trying to make me feel comfortable here. I can't say the same for their mother, and definitely not for Tessa—whoever she is. I still haven't figured out what her deal is.

I tried to push all those thoughts away as I made my way to the bathroom for a shower. The warm water helped a little, washing away some of the lingering doubts.

Once I was done, I dressed in a simple lilac shirt and a pair of jeans. I pulled my hair up into a bun, hoping to keep things easy and comfortable for the day. Then, I headed out to Rachel's room.

As I approached, I saw Rachel just about to step out of her room too. Her warm smile greeted me before she even spoke.

"Perfect timing!" she said, her voice cheerful. "I was just coming to your room to get you. Ready?"

I nodded, returning her smile. Rachel was a breath of fresh air in this place, and her presence made the pressure around me feel a bit lighter.

She was a sight to behold, tall and graceful with a natural beauty that reminded me of Remus. Her brown hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, and her hazel eyes sparkled with warmth and kindness. She had a way of making people feel welcome, like you were the most important person in the room when she was talking to you.

We started our tour of the pack house, Rachel leading the way as she pointed out different areas and shared little stories about their family. There was a playful lilt in her voice as she spoke, and I could tell that she genuinely loved this place. It was hard not to feel a bit of that love myself as we walked through the halls.

"This is public the dining room," Rachel said, gesturing to a grand room with a long, polished table. "We have our meals here when the whole pack is together. It can get a bit noisy, but it's always lively."

I smiled, imagining the room filled with laughter and chatter. It was a comforting thought, and I found myself relaxing a little more with each step we took.

As we moved through the house, Rachel continued to share stories, her voice a soothing constant in the background. We passed by a library filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a cozy sitting room with plush chairs, and a sunlit kitchen that smelled faintly of herbs and spices.

"Remus used to hide in here when he was younger," Rachel said, laughing as she pointed to a small alcove near the kitchen. "He thought no one would find him, but we always did."

Her laughter was infectious, and I found myself laughing along with her, the tension in my chest loosening bit by bit. For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe easier.

After the tour, we head out for some shopping. Rachel mentioned a little boutique in town that she thought I'd love, and I was eager to get out and see more of the area. We spent the next couple of hours browsing through clothes, trying on different outfits, and just enjoying each other's company. It was a nice distraction from everything else.

We even stopped for slushies at a small café, the icy drinks a refreshing treat on the warm day. Rachel sipped hers through a straw, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she told me stories about Remus's awkward teenage years. I couldn't help but laugh at the image of a younger, less confident Remus, stumbling through his first crushes and pack responsibilities.

As we left the café, Rachel suggested we take a walk through the garden. The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over everything. The garden was beautiful, with rows of vibrant flowers and neatly trimmed hedges. The scent of roses filled the air, and for a moment, I let myself get lost in the tranquility of it all.

But the peace didn't last long. As we turned a corner, we suddenly came face to face with Tessa.

She was standing near a cluster of blooming roses, her arms crossed over her chest, a smirk playing on her lips. Her dark hair framed her face, and there was a sharpness in her eyes that made my stomach twist.

"Oh, It's the future Luna, how cute," Tessa drawled, her tone dripping with sarcasm. There was a sharpness to her words that immediately put me on edge.

Rachel stiffened beside me, but I could feel her trying to keep the situation calm. "Tessa," she said, her voice polite but firm. "We were just enjoying the garden."

Tessa ignored Rachel, her focus entirely on me. She took a step closer, her eyes raking over me as if she were sizing me up and finding me lacking.

"So, how does it feel?" Tessa asked, her voice mockingly sweet. "To be here, pretending you belong? It must be overwhelming for someone who had been a slave their entire life and with no experience, no understanding of what it means to be Luna."

Her words hit me like a slap, and I felt a surge of anger rise within me. But I forced myself to stay calm, refusing to let her see how much her words stung. I met her gaze with a steady look, persistent on not to letting her get under my skin.

"It is overwhelming," I replied, keeping my voice light and composed. "But I'm learning quickly. After all, it's not about where you start, but where you're headed."

Tessa's eyes flashed with irritation, and I could see her struggling to maintain her cool facade. My words had clearly struck a nerve.

Rachel, sensing the tension, stepped in. "Tessa, that's enough," she said, her tone more forceful this time. "Rhea will forever be more than you. And at least she's not a gold digger."

Tessa scoffed, her lips curling into a sneer. "At least I know I am capable of being a leader. Not everyone is cut out for this. Some people don't have what it takes."

"Maybe," I said, cutting in before Rachel could respond. "But I believe that those who underestimate others often end up being the ones who are surprised."

My words were gentle, almost sweet, but the meaning behind them was clear. Tessa's eyes blazed with anger, and for a moment, I thought she might lash out. But she didn't. Instead, she glared at me, her jaw clenched, before turning on her heel and stalking off without another word.

The silence that followed was thick with unspoken tension. Rachel let out a breath, running a hand through her hair as she turned to me.

"I'm sorry about that," she said, her voice filled with genuine regret. "Tessa… she can be difficult. But you handled her well."

I shrugged, trying to shake off the lingering discomfort. "I won't let her get to me," I said, though the encounter had left me feeling unsettled.

Rachel gave me a reassuring smile. "Good. Just know that not everyone here feels the way she does. You have more support than you think."

After the banter with Tessa, Rachel and I headed back inside the pack house. The air felt heavy after that encounter, and my mind was still spinning from everything she had said. I couldn't shake the tension, even as we stepped into the warmth of the house.

We made our way to a quieter part of the house, and Rachel finally stopped, turning to me with a soft smile. "Try and get some rest before dinner. And forget what that girl said."

I nodded, trying to smile back, but it felt forced. "Thanks, Rachel. I'll be okay. And thank you for today"

She gave me a reassuring pat on the arm before heading off, leaving me alone in the dimly lit hallway. I stood there for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts, but the uncertainty gnawed at me.

Just then, I heard footsteps approaching. I looked up to see Remus walking toward me, his expression serious and conflicted. His eyes, usually so strong and confident, were clouded with something I couldn't quite place. My heart skipped a beat as he stopped in front of me, his gaze locking onto mine.

"Rhea," he began, his voice low and filled with a mix of worry and something else—something that made my stomach twist. "We need to talk."

I swallowed hard, sensing the seriousness of whatever he was about to say. "What is it?"

He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair as if trying to find the right words. "I've been thinking a lot about us—about everything that's happened since you came here."

My pulse quickened, and I could feel the anxiety between us. Whatever he was about to say, it was big.

"I know this is sudden," he continued, his voice gaining strength as he spoke. "But I've made a decision. We're going to get married in two weeks."

For a moment, I couldn't breathe. His words felt heavy, echoing in my mind. Two weeks? Married? The room seemed to spin around me, and I struggled to process what he had just said.

"Two weeks?" I managed to say, my voice barely more than a whisper. "But…why so soon?"

Remus's eyes softened, but there was still that underlying tension in his expression. "I know it's fast, but I don't want to wait. There's too much at stake, too many things that could go wrong if we delay. This needs to happen now, Rhea. For both of us."

His words sent a wave of panic crashing over me. The pressure of the upcoming wedding, the tension with his mother Elara, Tessa's harsh words, and my own insecurities all flooded my mind at once. How was I supposed to handle all of this? I wasn't ready. I wasn't sure if I could ever be ready.

"But what about your family?" I asked, my voice trembling. "What about…everything?"

"We'll handle it," Remus replied firmly, though I could see the conflict in his eyes. "We'll figure it out together. But this is something we need to do, Rhea. I need you to trust me."

I wanted to trust him. I really did. But the enormity of what he was asking felt like a weight pressing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe. How could I be what he needed? How could I be Luna when I wasn't even sure I could survive in this world?

The silence stretched between us, and I could see the vagueness flicker in Remus's eyes. He was waiting for me to respond, but I didn't know what to say. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions—fear, doubt, pressure—and I couldn't sort through them fast enough.

Finally, Remus reached out, gently taking my hands in his. "Rhea, whatever you're feeling, we'll face it together. You don't have to do this alone."

His touch was warm, grounding me in the moment, but it didn't ease the turmoil inside me. I forced myself to meet his gaze, searching for the strength I wasn't sure I had.

"I need some time to think," I whispered, my voice barely steady. "This is…a lot."

"I understand," Remus said softly, giving my hands a reassuring squeeze. "But don't take too long. We don't have much time."

With that, he released my hands and stepped back. I watched him walk away, my heart heavy with the weight of everything that had just happened.

As soon as he was out of sight, I sank onto a nearby chair, burying my face in my hands. How was I supposed to handle all of this? The expectations, the pressure, the doubts—it all felt like too much. I was overwhelmed, drowning in a sea of uncertainty, and I had no idea how to find my way back to solid ground.

I wasn't sure if I was strong enough for this, if I could live up to what everyone expected of me. And the fear of failing—of letting Remus down—was almost too much to bear.

But I couldn't stay here forever, wallowing in doubt. I needed to make a

decision, to figure out if I could do this.