Chapter 67 FLIGHT OF THE LUNA
AMBER’S POV
I wake up slowly, anger burning its way to my chest before my eyes even open. Derek was sleeping beside me, one of his arms thrown across the space between us.
For a moment, I stare at his gentle features, the rise and fall of his chest as he sleeps, and he looks almost peaceful like this, but this was the same man who had stripped me of authority and sent wolves to attack my mother. I fight the urge to shake him awake and ask him why he did that; instead, I slowly get off the bed.
I dress in silence, my thoughts focused on how I would escape the pack myself if Fauna refused to help me. If Derek is involved in my mother's attacks, then staying in this pack places my pups and me in grave danger, and I am not about to let that happen.
I leave the room quietly, resolved to leave this pack as soon as I can, before anyone can stop me. I arrive in front of Fauna’s room, and the door opens before my knuckles can touch the wood to knock.
“Good morning, Luna,” Fauna greets softly, not surprised at my presence. She steps aside to allow me into her room, and a familiar nauseous feeling settles upon me
“Good morning, Fauna,” I reply, entering the room and gently closing the door behind me.
“Let me bring you some herbs to drink, Luna,” Fauna says, already moving towards her cauldron.
“That is not why I came, Fauna,” I say evenly. “I need your help.”
She turns back to look at me and studies me slowly. “What kind of help does Luna need?” She asks carefully
“I need to leave the pack,” I say. “Without Derek’s knowledge. “ The words hung in the air like a mist, and Fauna just remained silent.
“That is dangerous, Luna.” She finally says. “If the Alpha finds out”
“He will not,” I interrupt her. “Not if you help me.”
“Why do you want to leave the pack? If you and the Alpha are having issues, I'm sure you can settle it later.” She says softly.
“We are not having issues,” I say sharply, hesitating before bringing out the letter from the pocket of my coat. I place the letter on her table and slide it to her. “My mother was attacked by wolves from this pack,” I explain as Fauna squints her eyes to read the content of the letter.
Fauna gasps lightly. “I need to go and see her. To let her feel my presence, but I can't ask Derek because I know he won't let me go.” I say finally.
“Luna, you should still ask the Alpha first. He might let you go, contrary to what you think,” she says gently
“I can't risk him finding out that I got the letter. And if Derek is involved in this attack, then my pups and I might not be safe here.” I answer her. Silence so thick that it can be sliced with a knife fills the room
“I'm sorry, but I cannot betray my Alpha,” Fauna finally says quietly, averting her gaze from mine.
“No, Fauna,” I correct quickly. “I'm not asking you to betray your Alpha. I'm asking you to protect a Luna with her unborn pups.” Her gaze drops to my stomach, and I can feel her eyes soften.
“I'm not running away, Fauna. I'll be back, and if you refuse to help me, I'd still do this without you.” I add. Fauna closes her eyes briefly, then she nods
“I'll help you,” she says, and I feel relief wash over me so suddenly I almost sway.
I watch Fona closely as she moves to the shelves behind her, her fingers brushing over jars of herbs and powders. My pulse beats faster with determination. I am grateful to Fauna for not turning me down.
“Shouldn't you wait till the sun sets before you leave? It will be safer.” She notes curiously
“Derek might find out before then,” I answer, and she hums in response. Fauna kneels on the floor and begins scattering powders in a careful pattern. The hairs on my arms rise as I watch her for a while.
“This will hide you for a while, she says quietly. Your movement, your scent, and any sound you make will go unnoticed for a few hours, even from the Alpha.”
“And my pups?” I ask. “Will they…?”
“They will be safe,” Fauna interrupts firmly. “This magic does not touch them; it only shields you.
I nod slowly, placing the letter back into my pocket as Fauna leads me to the centre of what she drew on the floor. She places her hands gently on my shoulders. The warmth of her palms spreads like fire, and I feel a subtle tingle race through my body.
She closes her eyes and whispers some things in a language I don't understand, and then, I feel it. The magic is weaving around me, wrapping and shielding me.
“Go now,” Fauna says immediately. “No one will notice you until you leave the pack lands.”
“Thank you, Fauna,” I say quietly before turning to leave
“Luna,” Fauna calls out softly, and I look back. “You must return. Promise me that.”
“I promise,” I whisper.
I step out of Fauna’s chamber, closing the door behind me, and for a heartbeat, I stand still, half expecting someone to call my name. A guard. A servant. Anyone. But no one does. I start walking outside the pack house when I spot a pair of guards standing near the eastern stairwell, speaking quietly to one another.
I pass between them and neither turns or notices me. My heart hammers in my chest with each step I take further, and each person I pass by, but no one seems to notice my presence.
I keep walking until I get outside the pack house, and I quicken my pace with a much stronger resolve to leave this pack as soon as I can.
RETURN THROUGH THE VEIL