Twenty one

Rhea.

I stood at the gates of the pack house, feeling the cool morning breeze brush against my skin. The sky was overcast, matching the heaviness in my heart.

Just a few feet away, Aria and my mother were preparing to leave. They had been my anchor through all the chaos, and now they were heading back to the Silvermoon pack.

Remus driver stood by the car, waiting for them. The air around us was thick with a blend of sorrow and hope, and I could feel the lump forming in my throat.

Aria was the first to approach me, her eyes shining with mischief despite the sadness of the moment. "You better not forget to send me updates about how many times Remus annoys you," she teased, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Or should I say, how many times you annoy him?" I couldn't help but chuckle, even as my eyes stung with unshed tears. That was Aria for you—always trying to lighten the mood, even when things were tough.

She pulled me into a tight hug, her arms wrapping around me like a protective shield. "You've got this, Rhea," she whispered in my ear, her voice suddenly serious. "You're stronger than you think." I nodded against her shoulder, trying to memorize the feel of her embrace.

Her words were meant to encourage me, but they also felt like a plea for me to stay strong, to not let the pressures of my new life break me. As we pulled apart, I saw the worry flicker in her eyes, hidden behind her teasing grin. It was her way of telling me she would miss me, even if she didn't say it outright.

Then, it was my mother's turn. Her eyes were soft yet firm, the kind of look that always made me feel like everything would be alright, no matter how bad things got. She cupped my face in her hands, her touch warm and comforting.

"We'll visit soon," she promised, her voice steady, though I could hear the strain behind it. "And remember, you are never alone. We're always with you, no matter how far." She pulled me into a warm embrace, her scent familiar and soothing. For a moment, I let myself feel like a child again, safe and loved in her arms.

I felt a presence beside me and glanced at Remus. He was standing close, his gaze fixed on me, offering silent support. His hand brushed mine, a simple gesture that spoke volumes. He didn't need to say anything; his presence was enough. He knew how much this moment meant to me and was giving me the space to feel it all.

They all enter the car and drove out of the pack premises. I just smile and heaved a sigh because it felt like I was alone all over again. "We'll visit them soon," he said softly and kissed my temple. I looked up at him and smiled. He leaned in and pecked my lips before we headed back in.

Remus went to work while I went back to our room and changed into something more formal. Today was the day I'd officially start my duties as Luna, and I wanted to look the part.

I stared at myself in the mirror for a moment, trying to gather my nerves.

 I could do this.

I had to.

With a final deep breath, I walked out and made my way through the halls of the pack house toward my new office.

The office was in one of the more secluded wings of the pack house, designed to give me a bit of peace and quiet while I worked. As I approached the heavy oak door, my heart skipped a beat.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was spacious, with a large window that let in plenty of light. An elegant desk sat in the center, surrounded by shelves filled with books and documents. The walls were a calming shade of cream, and there was a faint scent of lavender lingering in the air.

But despite its beauty, the room still felt unfamiliar, almost intimidating. I closed the door behind me and walked to the desk, running my fingers along the smooth surface.

This was where I would make my mark, where I would prove to everyone—and to myself—that I was capable of being their Luna. I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I settled into the leather chair.

A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in," I called out, my voice sounding steadier than I felt. The door opened, and a young lady stepped inside. She was a young pack member, probably not more than twenty, with a bright and eager expression.

Her auburn hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and she moved with the kind of brisk efficiency that made it clear why she had been assigned to assist me.

"Good morning, Luna," Lydia greeted with a respectful nod, her eyes flicking over me as if to gauge my mood. She held a folder in her hands, which she quickly extended toward me. "This is the agenda for today," she said. "You have meetings with the pack's caretakers, a discussion about the training schedules, and an overview of the pack's welfare programs."

I took the folder from her, feeling the thickness of the papers inside. There was a lot to go through, but I welcomed it.

If I was going to be Luna, I wanted to be involved in every aspect of the pack's life. I opened the folder and began skimming the documents, nodding to myself as I read. "Alright," I said, looking up at Lydia. "Let's get started. I want to be prepared for each meeting, so let's go over the details one by one."

Lydia's eyes brightened at my words, and she quickly moved to the chair opposite me, ready to help. We spent the next hour going through each item on the agenda.

Lydia explained the current state of things—how the pack's caretakers managed day-to-day operations, the training programs for the warriors, and the different welfare initiatives that were in place to support pack members in need. As she spoke, I took notes, asking questions and jotting down ideas.

The more we talked, the more my initial nervousness faded. Instead, I felt a growing sense of single-mindedness. This was what I was here for—to lead, to make decisions that would benefit the pack.

We moved on to organizing and planning the day's tasks. Lydia showed me a few areas where things could be improved—training schedules that overlapped, welfare programs that needed better funding.

"Is there anything else we need to address immediately?" I asked as we reached the end of the agenda. Lydia paused, her eyes flicking over the papers before shaking her head.

"Not immediately, Luna. But it would be good to start preparing for the quarterly pack review. It's coming up in a few weeks, and you'll need to present your progress to the council."

I nodded, my mind already working on a plan. "Alright, let's schedule some time tomorrow to go over that in detail. I want to make sure we're well-prepared."

Lydia nodded with a satisfied smile. "Of course, Luna. I'll have everything ready for you."

As she gathered her things and left the office, I leaned back in my chair, taking a moment to reflect.

The morning had been a whirlwind, but it felt good to have something keeping me occupied. I leaned back in my chair, trying to calm my racing thoughts when the door suddenly swung open again.

My heart skipped a beat as Remus stepped into the room. His eyes immediately found mine, a warm smile spreading across his face. It was like a wave of relief washed over me. His presence had a way of grounding me, of making everything else fade into the background.

He crossed the room in a few quick strides and pulled me into his arms. I melted into his embrace, feeling his strong arms wrap around me. His warmth seeped into my skin, calming the nervous energy that had been buzzing through me all morning. He held me close, one hand gently rubbing circles on my back, soothing the stiffness away.

"How's the first day, my wifey and Luna?" he murmured against my hair.

I looked up at him, a soft smile tugging at my lips. "Busy, overwhelming... but good," I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended. His eyes softened, the worry lines on his face easing as he listened. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.

"You're doing great," he whispered, his lips brushing against my skin. "I knew you would."

His words settled the last of my nerves, replacing them with a warmth that spread through my chest. I felt a flutter in my stomach as I gazed up at him.

Remus always knew how to make me feel like I belonged, like I was meant for this role. It wasn't just the title of Luna he saw; it was me, Rhea, the person. And right now, in his arms, I felt more like myself than I had all day.

Without another word, he tilted my chin up and kissed me. His lips were soft yet demanding, and I found myself clinging to him, matching his intensity.

The kiss deepened, turning into something more urgent, more desperate. It was like we were the only two people in the world, and nothing else mattered. I felt his hand slide up my back, pulling me closer as if he couldn't get enough. My hands found their way to his hair, tangling in the dark strands as I pressed myself against him.

The world outside the office faded away. There was no pack, no duties, just us. His kisses trailed down my jaw, leaving a path of fire in their wake. I moaned softly, feeling my heart race, every nerve in my body coming alive under his touch. He made me forget about everything else, if only for a moment.

Finally, he pulled back, his breathing ragged as he looked down at me. His eyes were darker, filled with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. "I wish I could stay," he murmured, his voice husky. "But I have to go. There's a nearby pack that needs our help. Some rescues need new homes."

His words brought me back to reality, though the lingering heat of our kiss still buzzed between us. I nodded, adjusting his blazer then softly kissing his chest. "I know," I whispered. "But come back to me soon, okay?"

He gave me a small, lopsided smile and kissed me again, softer this time, more tender.

"Always," he promised. I leaned into him, savoring the warmth of his lips on mine one last time before he pulled away.

As he turned to leave, I caught his hand, pulling him back for one final kiss. This one was slower, a promise of more moments like this to come. I poured everything into that kiss—my support, my strength, my understanding.

He smiled against my lips, his eyes shining with something I couldn't quite place. Then, with one last squeeze of my hand, he left, closing the door softly behind him. I stood there for a moment, my fingers touching my lips, still feeling the ghost of his kiss.

The office felt a little emptier without him, but also a little brighter. I took a deep breath, turning back to my desk with a new sense of joy.

Just as I finally start to feel like I'm getting the hang of things, the door swings open again without a single knock. I look up, startled, to see Tessa striding in, a smug expression plastered across her face. My muscles tense instantly. She doesn't even bother with pleasantries.

"I thought I'd drop by to see how our new Luna is adjusting," she says, her voice laced with sarcasm. She doesn't even try to hide the sneer on her lips. My grip on the pen tightens, but I force my expression to remain neutral. I will not give her the satisfaction of seeing me flustered.

Tessa begins circling the room like a vulture, her eyes scanning every corner. "The office still looks exactly the same as when Emmie used it. I guess some things never change," she adds with a smirk.

My mind races. Emmie? Who is Emmie? As far as I know, Elara was the last Luna before she retired with Remus's father. Is Tessa just making things up to rattle me?

I refuse to rise to her bait. Instead, I focus on keeping my voice calm and controlled. "Thank you for your concern, Tessa," I reply evenly, lifting my chin slightly. "However, I'm quite capable of handling my duties."

Tessa's smirk widens. She steps closer, looking down at me with a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes. "Are you sure about that? It must be overwhelming, taking on a role with so much history... so many expectations." Her tone is almost sweet, but the malice behind it is crystal clear.

My heart pounds in my chest. I can feel the anger bubbling just beneath the surface, threatening to break through. Who does she think she is, barging in here and questioning my capability? But I keep my face composed. I won't let her see how much she's getting to me.

Before Tessa can say another word, I hear a knock and it slowly opens. This time, it's Dorian. His presence is like a cold wind sweeping into the room. He's the head of the pack's security, a towering figure with a stern face and eyes that could pierce through steel. His gaze immediately locks onto Tessa, and I see a flicker of disdain in his eyes.

"Tessa," he says in a voice that brooks no argument. "You're needed elsewhere." His tone is firm, leaving no room for debate. He stands there, unyielding, his broad shoulders blocking the doorway as if daring her to challenge him.

Tessa's eyes flash with irritation, her smug demeanor slipping for just a second. She knows better than to argue with Dorian. He's one of Remus's closest allies, and his word carries weight. "Of course," she replies, her voice icy. She shoots me one last glare, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger and resentment. Then, without another word, she turns on her heel and leaves, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.

As soon as she's gone, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. My hands are trembling slightly, but I quickly clasp them together to hide it. Dorian walks further into the room, his expression softening slightly as he looks at me.

"Don't let her get to you," he says, his voice gruff but not unkind. "She's just trying to test you, to see how much she can push."

I nod, trying to steady my breathing. "Who's Emmie?" I ask quietly, not really expecting an answer, but needing to ask anyway. Dorian's eyes darken for a moment, a hint of something I can't quite place flickering across his face.

"Don't worry about that," he replies, his voice suddenly clipped. "Just focus on what you need to do."

He turns to leave, but pauses at the door. "You're stronger than anyone gives you credit for, my Luna. Remember that." And with that, he leaves, closing the door behind him.

I stand there for a moment, the room feeling eerily silent after the tension that had just filled it. My mind is swirling with questions and doubts. Who was Emmie? Was she real, or just another one of Tessa's attempts to throw me off balance?

But Dorian's words echo in my mind. I take a deep breath, straightening my shoulders. Tessa might try to undermine me, and there might be things I don't yet understand about this pack's history. But I will eventually find out everything.