His Rogue Luna novel Chapter 45

"I need to shift," I announced. Everyone had stepped back and I quickly ran into the forest, tearing my dress in the process.

I shook out my fur and pawed the earth beneath me, only now realising that I hadn't shifted in a while. I took off into a sprint, pushing off the ground and flying through the trees.

The cool night air did nothing to smooth the burning ache in my chest. I ran and ran until the pain in my legs overwhelmed the pain in my heart. My mind kept replaying every moment with Diana, from the first day she found me, to our goodbye just moments ago, torturing me with the knowledge that I'd never see her again.

I caught a familiar scent and before I knew it, a large black wolf was running besides me. He didn't seem to mind the fast pace or the silence so I continued for a while longer until my muscles ached unbearably.

I lay on the ground in my wolf form, both mentally and physically reeling.

Aurelius stopped beside me, hovering over me as he stood. He sniffed my face and head, letting out a low whine as he began licking me.

I considered pushing him off me and warning him to stay away, but I was caught off guard by how pleasant it felt to be comforted and groomed by him.

I turned my head to look at him, to really look at his wolf and I came to the realisation that this wasn't Aurelius, but his wolf. The grey eyes that peered down at me were a testament to that.

I had very limited interactions with his wolf, the last time being when he pinned me down after I let everyone else escape, by even then, the cold blue eyes that had held me down told me Aurelius was still in control and not his wolf.

I sat up slowly, still watching the black wolf. He let out another whine, flattening his ears on his head as he lowered himself before me, laying on his back with his belly out.

I was surprised by the sudden display of submission on his behalf until I realised it was his way of apologising to me. Unsure of what to do, I just nudged him to get back up before turning around to stalk back to the mansion.

As I headed back to my room to collapse on my bed, I heard another mournful howl echo in the darkness.

At the last minute, I had decided to bail on my ride and run the whole journey north. Being stuck in a car for several hours was not appealing to my hyper and jittery self so I decided a good workout would help calm me down.

And it did.

I ran as fast as I could, pushing my legs to reach impossible speeds as the trees blurred by me. The racing thoughts in my head had quietened and all I could hear was the thumping of my heart and feet.

Romeo was the most understanding out of all of them. When I told my old pack mates about my decision to return to the Phantom Pack, they couldn't grasp why I was so willing to go back to my past tormentors. However, my cousin had supported my decision because he too was in a position of power and knew that responsibilities could not be abandoned.

I could not have appointed a better alpha for the Silverclaw Guardians.

Thank you. Can you put them behind those bushes? I mindlinked her.

Yes ma'am, she replied.

I quickly hid behind the bush to shift. I slipped on the long white robe and tied it before placing my head crown on. Quin followed me silently as I walked out into the open towards the pack house.

Aurelius and Apollo stood at the entrance waiting for me. A crowd had gathered in front of the pack house, all watching me. They parted as I walked through the crowd until I stood besides my mate.

"Thank you everyone for gathering on such short notice," Apollo spoke out, his authoritative voice silencing everyone.

"Today marks a special day," he paused, watching everyone. "Our Luna has returned!" He shouted. He was met with a chorus of cheers and howls which honestly surprised me.

I wondered how bad things had gotten without me considering Aurelius wasn't even addressing his own pack and letting his beta do all the speaking.

"Tonight, we shall all feast in her honour," at that Apollo turned to me with a small smile. "Thank you for giving us all a second chance," he murmured quietly. Aurelius tensed besides me but I ignored him and gave Apollo a small smile back.