Becoming Luna novel Chapter 2

"Danica," the gentle voice slowly drifted through the darkness, attempting to rouse Danica. "Hey, wake up."

Somehow she felt connected to the voice, not just on an emotional level but on another level that was hard to quite fathom.

As she tried to determine just what that feeling was, she could feel herself begin to fall. As she fell, she felt her mind and body reconnecting once more before finally becoming one entity.

Now she could understand why she had the feeling of floating. Two strong, protective arms were carrying her.

Prying her eyes open, she waited for her foggy vision to clear so she could see exactly who was holding her. She could make out the outline of a strong, chiseled jaw with dark stubble peppering it.

Next were full lips that sat in a frown, followed by high cheekbones that sat underneath blazing green eyes that held an air of determination, and above all that messy golden hair that stuck up in tufts around his perfect face.

Gasping, Danica began to struggle as she determined that it was Mason who was carrying her.

"Relax." His deep voice rumbled near Danica's ear. "I'm not going to hurt you."

It wasn't fear of being hurt that surged through Danica. It was something so much more; it was an all-consuming fire that scorched through her entire body from simply being touched by Mason. The feeling wasn't unpleasant, but it was something Danica couldn't understand, and not knowing terrified her.

"PUT ME DOWN!"

Frowning Mason stopped moving and gently placed her on her feet in front of him.

In that moment, the fire that had been running through Danica ceased to exist, leaving her feeling cold and hollow.

Trying to ignore the confusion that was beginning to boil within her, she found herself wondering exactly how she got into this position to begin with.

She remembered being at the party being a wall flower.  She remembered glowing red eyes watching her. She remembered a large black wolf snarling at her, then...

"Y-you," she began, pointing a shaking finger at Mason. "YOU WERE A WOLF!"

Danica began to back away as her heart began to race.

"Danica, calm down," Mason urged, trying to come near her again.

"STAY BACK!"  Danica shrieked as her foot caught a root, making her stumble. "Don't...AH!"

As she began to fall backward, a strong arm wrapped around her, righting her balance. Once more, the fire she felt earlier exploded through her.

"Don't touch me!" she snapped, jerking free of Mason's hold. "What the hell are you?"

"Calm down first."

"How can I remain calm? I must be going crazy!" Danica sputtered.  "You were a wolf! No, not a wolf, a werewolf! But werewolves are just fictional creatures from books and movies. I must be dreaming."

Reaching out, Mason grabbed Danica's shoulders in an attempt to sooth her.

"Breathe, Danica; you aren't going crazy, and you weren't dreaming. This is all very real."

Feeling almost manic, Danica locked her gaze with Mason's as she tried to claw her way back to sanity. Something about his deep green eyes soothed her as she stared unblinking into them.

"Have you calmed down?" Mason asked, sounding hopeful.

"I think so," Danica responded, taking a deep breath and then releasing it. "But I still feel like I've gone mad."

Smiling, Mason nodded.

"Mason, why are you concerning yourself with me?" Danica asked, focusing on the situation at hand. "Like, how did you even know who I was?"

Mason was three years older than Danica and an extreme playboy. He had been a senior when Danica was a freshman in high school, and anytime she would see him around the halls or on the quad, he would be with a different girl.

"Do you not feel it?" he asked, his expression turning to confusion.

"Feel what?"

Was he referring to the pleasant fire she felt pulse through her every time they touched? Or the odd connection she felt to him when she looked into his eyes?

Frowning, Mason touched Danica's cheek gingerly; the place he touched lit up in delight, causing her heart rate to spike.

"I was wondering this when you were being attacked as well, but why didn't you change?" he asked, furrowing his brows. However, before she could respond, understanding flashed in his eyes. "You just turned eighteen."

"Change?" Danica asked, "I don't quite understand."

Before any other words could escape, a wave of dizziness hit her, causing her to stumble.

"Woah there," Mason gasped, reaching out. "Careful."

The surge of fire that began to race through her from his touch grounded her once more.

"Mason," she managed shakily. "What's happening?"

"How about we head back to that party of yours first? I'm sure your friends are worried about you."

"Are you avoiding my question?" Danica asked, her annoyance flaring. "Don't you dare."

Mason's head tilted back as he let out a loud laugh.

"Don't worry, I'm not. I just think you should at least tell them goodnight before we go somewhere to talk."

Unable to focus due to the heat running through her from Mason's touch, Danica found herself obediently nodding.

Satisfied, Mason released his hold on her face, allowing the cold, empty feeling to fill her once more.

Whimpering, she found herself reaching out a hand to grab hold of Mason's. A sigh escaped her lips as the warmth again seared through her.

Beside her, Mason smiled from ear to ear, showing his dazzlingly white teeth.