Chapter 10: Move forward
Magnus had been awake the entire night despite the stillness of the room. Meredith wasn't with him at the moment. She had stepped outside to clear her mind, but he still felt the warmth of her presence lingering on the bed beside him. He was thankful that Damien, their alpha, had let him hold her earlier. It had soothed him in a way, though the primal need to claim her still simmered beneath his skin.
He had more reservations than his two companions. Xavier and Damien had always been the more confident ones. But Magnus… He knew what he wanted, knew the bond that tied them together was sure to happen. But the tenderness he felt toward Meredith made him pause.
He sighed softly, sitting up in bed as his gaze found her near the window. The moonlight bathed her in a soft glow. She stood there, arms wrapped around herself, deep in thought.
"Meredith," Magnus called gently.
She turned toward him.
"I'm fine," she said. "Just… so much to think about. I still can't believe it. Soon, I'm going to become… one of you. A werewolf."
Magnus rose from the bed and crossed the room, stopping just short of her. "Of course it's a lot to take in. No one expects you to understand it all overnight."
Damien, who had been leaning against the doorframe, watched the two of them. "The transformation isn't easy. It's… feverish, painful at first. You'll feel an intense hunger, a need that you've never known before..."
Xavier stepped closer with a grin tugging at his lips. "It's not all bad, though," he added. "You'll notice other changes first. Strength, speed, agility. Heightened senses. And… heightened needs."
Meredith's brow furrowed. "Heightened needs?" she echoed.
Xavier chuckled, leaning closer. "Exactly what you're thinking, my Gorgeous Mate."
Her cheeks flushed, and she blinked, trying to process what he meant. "You mean… wanting to… to have sex more often?"
Xavier nodded, amused. "That's right. But don't worry, you've got three mates. You'll always be satisfied."
Meredith's mouth parted slightly in disbelief. "I don't… I mean, how could that even… what?"
Magnus chuckled beside her. "You won't have to worry about that. Just… think of us, and we'll make sure you're always taken care of."
She shook her head. "This is… impossible."
Damien, more serious, stepped forward. "It's overwhelming, but you'll adjust."
Magnus gently touched her arm. "Do you want to test it already?" he asked.
Meredith's eyes widened. "N-no!" she exclaimed quickly.
The trio exchanged amused looks, but their smiles were kind.
"You'll be fine," Xavier said. "You've got nothing to worry about. All we ask is that you love us. The rest… we'll handle."
Meredith hesitated, biting her lip. "I… I'll think about it," she said.
The three men chuckled softly.
"That's all we ask, for now," Damien said with a smile.
Damien watched Meredith carefully as the first light of morning filtered into the room. She had drifted in and out of sleep through the night. He knew she wasn't ready to accept everything yet, but he couldn't lie to her about the truth. She was their mate. Their fates were sealed.
As the Alpha, he wasn't used to sharing. Everything in his life had always been his and his alone. His pack, his power. Everything bowed to him, and yet now, here he was, bound by a sacred bond that tied not only him but also Xavier and Magnus to Meredith. Even though it went against his possessive nature, Damien understood that resisting The Moon Goddess was out of the question.
Magnus and Xavier weren't strangers. They were his men he had trusted his life with countless times. He knew they felt the same burning pull toward Meredith, the same protective need that coursed through his veins.
Damien sighed, rubbing his temples as he pushed himself up from the bed. Meredith was still defiant, and he couldn't help but admire her for it. That kind of strength made her all the more seductive.
After getting dressed, they made their way to the dining area. Though Meredith kept her distance, she couldn't avoid the trio's intense gaze. Damien knew that she was still processing everything, still unsure, but she needed to learn what being with them would mean.
As they sat down to eat, Damien broke the silence.
"I like that you're not someone who yields easily." His voice was smooth. "But you have to understand this. You have three mates now. We're not boys playing games all the time. We still have responsibilities."
She lifted her gaze. "And what about me? What responsibilities could I possibly have in all this?"
"Good thing you asked. Well, you'll have plenty," he assured her. "You'll be our Luna. That comes with its own set of duties. Leading. Protecting. Supporting us, just as we support you."
Meredith's eyes narrowed slightly. "How am I supposed to handle that?”
Xavier leaned back in his chair. "Don't worry. We'll train you. You'll learn everything you need to know."
Before she could respond, Meredith shifted, pulling the oversized shirt she wore tighter around her. "I need clothes," she muttered. "Comfortable ones. Something that actually fits."
"I think you're perfect just the way you are," Xavier teased, eyes flicking over the bare skin visible under her shirt. "Why bother covering up when you already look so good?"
Meredith shot him a glare, folding her arms. "I'm not parading around half-naked all day. I need clothes."
Magnus smirked. "She's right," he said, cutting off Xavier's playful comment. "As our Luna, she should be treated with respect. That includes letting her wear whatever she feels comfortable in."
Xavier sighed, lifting his hands. "Alright, alright. If Luna says so, we'll make sure you get something to wear." He leaned forward. "But don't think we won't enjoy it when you decide to shed them later."
Damien shook his head. "There's a lot you'll need to know first," he said more seriously to Meredith. "I'll think about it," she muttered.
Damien stood, offering her his hand. "We're taking you out today. You need to see what your new world looks like. You need to prepare, Meredith.”
She hesitated, looking up at him before reluctantly taking his hand. She didn't fully trust them yet, but for now, she had no choice but to follow their lead.
Damien led the way as they stepped outside, the Moonlit Pack's territory stretched out before them. Meredith trailed slightly behind, surrounded by Magnus and Xavier. The pack grounds were alive. Wolves in both human and wolf form moved about, going about their duties.
Damien glanced back at Meredith as they approached the edge of the woods. "As Luna, you'll not only lead beside us but also protect everything you see. The pack will look to you for guidance."
Meredith's brow furrowed. "I'm still human. How can I lead a pack of werewolves? How can I protect anyone?"
Magnus, walking beside her, placed a comforting hand on her lower back. "You're not just human anymore, Little Wolf. That's going to change, and faster than you think. Your instincts will kick in. It will all come naturally."
She swallowed hard.
Xavier flashed her a grin. "Trust me, when the transformation starts, you'll feel more alive than you ever have. The power is… intoxicating."
Damien slowed his pace, allowing her to catch up. "We don't expect you to know everything right away. That's why we're here. To teach you. To guide you. You won't be alone in this."
They entered the forest, and Damien led them down a narrow path through the thick trees. "This is where we train," Damien explained as they emerged into an open space where pack members were sparring. "You'll need to learn how to fight, too. Not just to defend yourself, but to defend the pack. The Luna needs to be strong."
Meredith crossed her arms, feeling overwhelmed. "I've never fought a day in my life," she admitted, watching the werewolves.
Xavier chuckled, nudging her with his shoulder. "We'll start slow. By the time we're done with you, you'll be able to take any one of us down. And trust me, that's no easy feat."
Magnus, more serious, added, "Strength isn't just physical, Little Wolf. You'll have to be strong in your decisions, in how you handle the pack. They'll also look to you for wisdom.”
Meredith sighed, rubbing her temple as they continued walking. "I'm not sure I'm cut out for this. I didn't even know any of this was real a few days ago. Now I'm supposed to lead a pack of werewolves? What the hell?"
Damien stopped and turned to her. "You were chosen, Meredith. The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes. There's something in you. Something we can all see, even if you don't see it yet."
She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, they reached a vantage point that overlooked the entire pack territory. The sight took her breath away. Hills rolled in the distance, the land filled with small cabins and homes. A river cut through the landscape, and beyond the forest, she could see the main packhouse.
"This is all part of the territory," Damien said. "It's where we live, where we protect, where we thrive. And now, it's your home, too."
Meredith stared at the scene below, trying to imagine herself as part of this world, as part of their pack. "What if I can't do this?" she whispered, more to herself than to them. “What if I fail…”
Magnus stepped up beside her, his eyes locked on the view. "You can," he said firmly. "You've already survived more than most could handle.“
Xavier wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Besides, you've got us. Three mates who will make sure you succeed in every way possible." His grin returned. "And I do mean every way."
She shot him a look, but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of her lips. "You're impossible," she muttered.
"That's part of my charm…" Xavier winked.
Damien cleared his throat, drawing her attention back. "We'll train you, Meredith. Physically, mentally, emotionally. Everything you must know."
Meredith nodded. She knew she had no other choice but to move forward. "So, what happens next?"