Chapter 56 — Going For A Run
Luna's POV:
The next week seemed to fly by as plans for the new firm began to take shape and finalize. My magic was improving significantly and Angel had taught me many new things I didn't know I was even capable of doing. The power I was tapping into was invigorating and I had never felt more energized but despite every good feeling I was having I missed Tatum. We hadn't spoken since that day he left the office and no matter how badly I've wanted to message or call him I've resisted. I had asked Malcolm to approve a few documents after Tatum left again but after a few days of doing that Malcolm assured me that anything I passed in front of him was good and told me I no longer needed prior approval for things. This made things easier but now I also didn't have an excuse to send Tatum emails either.
I felt like I was losing him in some way and that our connection was diminishing and would soon cease to exist. I sighed loudly at hearing my wolf cry out with loneliness as I looked around our bedroom. My phone suddenly buzzed in my hand and for a moment I felt my heart beat quicken. I looked down at the screen to see Kali's name and I sigh again as I open my phone.
"I am so ready for tomorrow! I swear mom has been giving me more work to do on purpose! And now she's not even going with us!" Kali's message exclaims.
"Dang dude. How uncool are we for your own mom to ditch us? lol." I reply, trying to lift my mood.
"Ugh! I know! So have you decided what you want to do tomorrow?" Kali asks.
"Not really." I responded.
"Well what are you doing right now?" Kali asks.
I look around the large room once more and my eyes begin to burn at the realization of how lonely I am. I begin to remember the past few birthdays I had spent alone or being abused by Samael after my parents had died, and I desperately didn’t want to spend another one alone with just my thoughts to keep me company.
"I'm just sitting at home right now. Thought about going for a run or a swim...or both." I reply as I wipe away a tear on my cheek.
"Well I have a surprise for you!" Kali sends back.
I'm fixing to reply when I hear the doorbell ring. I wipe my eyes again and hesitantly get up and walk into the living room. The doorbell rings two more times as I move to the door and open it. Once the door is open I see Kali, Seth, Paul, Greyson, Angel, and Malcolm standing there with bright smiles.
"Surprise!!" They all yell in unison.
I feel tears sting my eyes once again but a large smile spreads across my face.
"Thank you guys." I reply with a slight laugh.
"Oh no honey! It may be your party but you cannot cry! I won't allow it!" Greyson says as he pushes past everyone to give me a hug.
I begin to laugh at his words and Kali begins singing it's my party in an exaggerated voice as I quickly invite everyone inside. Seth and Paul place four bags in the kitchen, one has a cake in it and the others are full of food.
"So what's this I hear about a run?" Greyson says as he eyes me up and down.
"Oh I just thought it would be nice to go for a run. You know, get some fresh air, stretch the legs out." I reply without thinking too much about it.
"Well I'm game! It's been forever since I shifted." Kali responds as she looks suggestively at Seth and stretches.
Seth's cheeks go bright red at Kali's words.
"Yeah it has been a while since I've let loose." Greyson responds.
Seth and Paul nod in agreement.
"What about it honey?" I hear Malcolm ask Angel.
"I think a run sounds like a lovely idea. And it would give Luna the chance to practice some of her magic skills." Angel replies.
"Well let's go!" Greyson says as he pushes me out the door with everyone following behind.
Once outside Angel nods at me as Malcolm walks into the woods out of sight. I whisper a few words and snap my fingers and Angel gracefully transforms into a beautiful silver wolf. She jumps with joy at her new form and immediately takes off into the woods with Malcolm. Kali and Seth go next and after a few moments I hear Seth howl loudly. I remember how Tatum had hunted me that night and I let out a sigh as I looked up at the sky. Greyson gives me a gentle look and nods towards the woods just before grabbing Paul's hand and taking off into them. I slowly walk to the end of the tree line and take a deep breath. I step through and begin removing my clothes allowing my inner wolf to take form.
After I had shifted I began to run as every emotion I had swallowed down these past weeks coursed through me. I don't know how long I ran for but soon Malcolm and Angel were at the lead and Kali, Seth, Greyson, and Paul were at my heels. We ran through the clearing along the familiar stream through a field and small patch of forest. Soon after Kali, Seth, Paul, and Greyson disperse behind me and Angel and Malcolm fall back. I kept running faster and faster as I felt like I was going to explode with emotions and when I finally stopped I almost collapsed on the ground beneath me. I took a few moments to catch my breath before turning around and walking slowly in the direction I had just come from.