Arya.
I kissed Tyler goodbye as he joined the men for the hunt. The last time I was in this position, I had felt like a newbie in a freaking new school.
This time around, I knew who I was, I had Natalie by my side and honestly, if anyone tried to go all Lauren on me, they would see a nasty side of me that I had just discovered.
Every full moon, when the men ventured into the woods for the hunt, we sought solace and strength in each other's company. It was a tradition, a ritual of solidarity that fortified our pack's unity.
As I walked back to the dining room, I sighted Natalie and went to meet her. The last time I saw her, we had ended our conversation on a bad note.
Natalie looked up from her plate, her eyes brightening as she caught sight of me.
"Natalie," I said as I approached her, "about the last time we talked..."
Her eyes met mine. "Don't worry about it, Arya," she replied. "Honestly, if I were in your shoes, Nate wouldn't hear the end of it. Letting Lauren of all people stay at my house. Ha!"
I laughed at her words, the tension in my shoulders easing as her humor lifted my spirits. "It's fine, Natalie," I said, a soft chuckle escaping my lips. "He explained everything to me."
Natalie's gaze softened, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she leaned closer. "I hope you put up a fight for a while," she said, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "Showed him who's boss."
"Natalie!" I laughed.
"What?" she replied as she joined in my laughter. "You had some fire energy when you left my office."
As the laughter subsided and a comfortable silence settled between us, I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me. I turned to Natalie, a smile gracing my lips. "Thank you," I said, "for always being there for me."
Natalie's smile widened, her eyes shining with warmth and affection. "Anytime, Arya," she replied. "I got you, no matter what."
"Time to officially welcome the ladies to my home." I whispered as I stood up. "Wish me luck."
"You definitely don't need luck." Natalie replied, smiling.
I cleared my throat. "Ladies," I began, "thank you all for being here today. It means a lot to me to have the women of the Rogue pack gathered together like this."
I paused, thinking back to the last time we had all been together. It had been a tense and uncertain time, with Lauren's presence causing a divide among us. But now, things are different. Lauren was gone, and I was Luna.
"I know that things haven't always been easy between some of us," I continued, meeting each woman's gaze in turn. "But with all we have been through as a pack, I hope that we can put the past behind us and move forward together. With Lauren gone, there's no reason for us to be divided anymore. We're stronger together than we are apart."
There was a murmur of agreement from the women around the table.
"So once again," I said, raising my glass, "welcome to my home. May our pack be strong, our bonds be unbreakable, and our hearts be true."
Natalie stood up, her glass raised high. "To Arya," she said, "our Luna, our leader, and our friend. May her reign be long and prosperous."
The other women joined in, raising their glasses and cheering.
Raising my glass in response to Natalie's toast, I felt a surge of gratitude for the women gathered around me. They weren't just my packmates; they were my family, my confidantes, and my allies in this intricate dance of pack politics.
As the cheers subsided, I settled back into my seat, basking in the warmth of their acceptance. But my thoughts were interrupted by the approach of three familiar figures, their footsteps echoing against the polished floor. I recognized them immediately - the loyal followers of Lauren, they had assisted her in spreading false rumors after Tyler had announced that I was his Luna.
My gaze shifted to the tall, dark brunette who led the trio, her posture tense, her eyes darting around the room. Behind her, the other two women mirrored her unease, their expressions a mixture of guilt and apprehension.
"Hello, Luna," she greeted, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. Behind her, the other two women echoed her greeting, their voices hesitant.
I studied them for a moment, noting the tension in their shoulders, the nervous twitches of their fingers.
"We heard what Lauren did," the brunette continued. "And we're truly sorry, Arya. For the pain Lauren caused you and our part in it." Her gaze flickered briefly to the floor.
I nodded slowly, my thoughts swirling with a mix of emotions. Forgiveness didn't come easily, especially not after the betrayal I'd endured.
"I know we treated you really awfully when you joined the Rogue pack," the other woman added. "We sincerely apologize."
"It's alright," I replied, my voice quiet but firm.
"We heard a rumor that Lauren is roaming the outskirts of the Rogue pack," one of the ladies, a shorter blonde, interjected. Her words sparked a flicker of curiosity within me.
"Really?" Natalie replied, her curiosity piqued. "Now that's a sight I'd love to see."
"According to the rumor, she is quite weak with no one but her father to support her. So you don't have to worry about her anymore."
Despite the pain she had caused, I really didn't know how to feel about her situation. The realization that she was no longer a threat brought me a sense of closure.
"Thank you," I murmured, my words a quiet acknowledgment of their concern. "I appreciate your concern."
As the women exchanged relieved glances, a flicker of movement caught my eye. Natalie, ever vigilant, watched the exchange with a mixture of skepticism and amusement. I could almost hear the wheels turning in her mind, the sharp wit that had earned her a place at my side.
"They're trying to get on your good side," she murmured, her voice low but unmistakably sarcastic. "Probably to stave off suspicions in case something Lauren-related happens."
"I know," I replied. "I've learned my lesson from Lauren. We'll find out soon enough if they meant their apology."
As we mingled with the other pack members, one of the ladies, with dark red hair and a warm smile, approached me. "Luna, I heard you are pregnant," she said.
I nodded, feeling a rush of emotions. "Yes, I'm expecting," I said, unable to contain my smile. The other women quickly gathered around, congratulating me, blessing the baby, and thanking the moon goddess for this new life.
As I looked around at their smiling faces, I reflected on how far I had come. When I first joined the Rogue pack, I was lost and broken, carrying the weight of my past mistakes. But now, standing here, surrounded by love and acceptance, I realized how much I had grown, both mentally and physically.
I glanced at Natalie, who was watching me with a soft expression. She had been there for me through it all, a constant source of support and strength. I squeezed her hand, silently thanking her for everything.