As I walk up the path to the pack house, I see families sitting on the grass enjoying the sun. Fathers chasing their pups I feel a pang of sadness as I watch them thinking about my family.
I then hear her voice my other half Don't be sad Selene they would be so proud of you.
I know Seleste I know but I does not stop me from wanting to be with them.
I know I miss them too, let us go and get something to eat we have been walking for hours.
Sounds good to me I hope there's pizza in the kitchen I have a craving.
yes, yes let us go Selene.
I continue the walk up to the house it’s so beautiful its old stone walls large grounds and is surrounded by forests to the north east and west and the village sits to the south which again is then surrounded by forest there is a human town further south but it’s rare we visit there .There is a school on the pack grounds where all the children go and then you are able to leave for college or attend the pack community college and learn while you train .That’s the option I chose to stay with my sisters .
I am lost in thought Seleste still talking about how hungry she is in the back of my mind. Then I hear my name being called I stop and spin on my foot to see My best friend Dot racing towards me.
"SELENE SELENE wait up”.
"hey dot what’s up”.
"Where have you been, I’ve been looking for you all morning I tried linking you, but you didn’t answer?”
"sorry dot I just shut it out for the walk just needed some breathing space”.
Dot has been my best friend since we were small, we have done everything together we have battled through the nightmare that was school, our first crushes our first heartbreaks truly we have been through it all.
"What’s up dot”.
"I just had news from my cousin in the silver moon pack they spotted rogues in their forest”.
"we should get back to the house dot ill find out from Arti what’s going on come one”.
I usher here to dot to come towards me she looks panicked, Dot is always a little scared when we here of rogue attacks, but the silver moon pack is scary there alpha Calder is ruthless it’s not a good idea to go against them he takes no prisoners, and he doesn't treat those that cross his border to kindly.
The silver moon pack sits to the north of the pearl moon luckily, we have never really had an issue with them, we are not allying with them, but we are also not enemies.
When we get into the house we stop in the kitchen and a grab a slice of leftover pizza from the fridge dot takes an apple she has always been a healthier eater than me. We then make are way Upstairs to try and find Arti to see if she knows anything about the attacks.
We get to Arti’s office, but she is nowhere to be found.
"I’m Going to head and see if I can find my dad Selene maybe he will know something link me if you find anything!"
After searching the house for what feels like hours, I cannot find Arti or Selene, so I mind link them.
"Arti where are you and Cynth I’ve been looking for you”.
"Were in Ryan’s office Selene wait in your room and me and Cynthia will find you when we are done”.
"Okay Arti do you know anything about the attacks Dot was really worried”.
"Sel I’ll explain when I get back please just wait in your room”.
With that Arti cut the link
I know she can be stressed sometimes but jeez.
Artemis POV
I cut the link with Selene, I know she is just worried and wants the confirmation, but the truth is this is the 4th time the rogues have tested the silver moon pack border it is just the first time it’s gotten out to the pack.
I come back into the room to hear Ryan still talking god that man he could tell me the world is ending and id be so lost in the eyes and the scent of hazelnuts and coffee that I would not even mind.
"snap out of it Arti you mouth is gaping " I hear the voice in my head, and I look around to see my sister Cynthia staring at me from the other side of the room with a curved smile on her face.
"I was just lost in thought Cynth! "
"yeah, okay that’s what your mouth started to open while you stared at Ryan like he was a snack”.
"Get out of my brain synth " I link while raising my eyebrows at her and silently laughing "Selene is waiting for us back in her room after this”.
"okay is she alright is anything wrong " I see the worry spread across Cynth’s face.
"she’s fine Cynth she just heard about the attack last night on the silver moon "I see Cynth nod at my words from across the room and I again try to focus on the words Ryan is saying.
"As you all know in recent weeks rogues have been testing the silver moon packs borders,
while we have had no threats Alpha Eric wants us to tighten security encase the rogues begin to target us instead , we need to up the training myself and Arti will be sending out new training times for the warriors .Cynthia we need you to arrange some trainees to learn some basic healing in case we need them " Ryan gazes intently around the room ensuring everyone is taking in what he said .
Ryan continues explaining Alphas orders we are there for another 30 minutes when he announces the meeting is over and every one should prepare for dinner.
As the pack members begin to leave, I make my way over to Cynthia.
"Cynthia, we need to go an explain this to Selene she, we need to try and convince her to stay close to the pack house from now on”.
"I agree but you can tell her that as its going to be quite a battle because she is a free spirit, I don't wish I were you right now Arti “Cynthia looks at me with knowing eyes we both know that Selene is not going to take this well.
"oh, what joy this is going to be I’m going Arti I’ll see you in the room I just want to grab something from the office then I’ll meet you to talk to Selene”.
With that Cynth leaves the office and it is me and the sweet smell of hazelnuts and coffee getting closer and closer to me. I turn around and see Ryan stood right in front of me gazing intently he knows as well as I do that these attacks are not just random, they have to be the start of something, and we have to be ready for it when it comes.
"Are you okay? you look a little lost in thought Arti”.
"I’m fine Ryan I’m just not looking forward to the next few weeks of uncertainty nor the thought of having to explain the new restrictions to Selene”.
"you know you’re a terrible liar, right? you forget I feel what you feel, and I know it’s more than that since these attacks began a part of you has been worried. I won’t push you to tell me but just know I’ll be here when you need to " with that he kisses me and makes his way out of the room.
I do not know what I did to make the moon goddess bless me with such a wonderful mate, but I will be forever grateful to her, I know eventually I have to let him in in the secret I’ve been keeping since my parents passed but it’s too soon.
For now, I must tell Selene her roaming free spirit may have to roam a little closer to home.