I stared at the wall that was a freshly painted baby blue color. Rusty lay beneath me, his head resting o my feet. Every now and then he would look up at me and then put his head back down. I think he was checking to see if I was okay. Was I? I don't think I am. After seeing my dogs brutally murdered and a message just for me, broke me. I tried to push the memories behind me but they creep into my dreams each night. What scares me the most is that Carter broke through our boarders and left a blood message in my home. Chance believes there is someone working with him on the inside but I don't think so. Why would anyone do that for me?

I shook m head, ridding my thoughts of that night and those horrid memories. Behind me, a door opened and shut. Rusty lifted his head up and went on full alert. Since that night, Rusty never really leaves me side because he too is grieving.

I was looking at the wall when someone blocked my view and stood there. I looked up and saw my new guard for me when Chance isn't here with me. His name is Jason and he was originally on patrol but Chance believes he's a good fighter and that I need a babysitter. I can handle myself but Chance doesn't seem to believe that. Him and I still aren't speaking. I still don't know how to feel about him and what he has done. He killed someone. She wasn't innocent but she didn't deserve to die. Chance and I also got into a fight because he called me a weak, she-wolf. I cursed him and told him to get out of my life and to go and fuck himself. He's still sleeping on the couch. Everything is so fucked up these days between him and I. I don't know if they can be fixed.

Jason cleared his throat, getting my attention. I wasn't happy with Jason following me around everywhere. "You've been sitting here for three hours now. Do you want to go for a walk, a run, or into town? Hannah said there's a sale happening on some new shoes."

I looked up at Jason, my expression never faltering. "You're serious?"

Jason gave me a small smile. "Do you not want to do any of those things?"

"Did you clear it with Chance?" I went back to staring at the wall.

"Well, no, but I figured since I'm your personal guard that you'll be allowed to go out with me."

I chuckled. "You're funny."

"Actually, I was serious." Jason looked confused which only fueled my anger for the male species even more. I wanted to go and spend time with my family but my grandparents were catching up with some old pack mates and my parents went into town for a lunch date.

"Alright, take me to Simon's."

Jason laughed. "You want to go to Simon's house?"

Did I mention that Jason was actually pissing me off? Perhaps he passed Chance on my Kill List. "What's wrong with Simon?"

Jason shrugged. "I don't know. He's just a weird warlock of sorts. No one socializes with him. The Luna shouldn't be seen with someone like that."

I stood up from the couch, startling Rusty below me. He groaned and waddled over to his dog bed in the corner. I walked away from Jason. "You actually have no say in what the Luna does around here. Did you forget I rank above you? Don't disrespect my friends and your pack members, especially someone that protects you. Remember your place in the pack or I can have you demoted."

Jason grumbled something, his pride hurt. I walked outside and shifted into my wolf, shredding the clothes I was wearing. Some of the pack members nodded their heads at me but I ignored them. I ran as fast as I could, to the place where my world felt normal. Maybe I can outrun Jason and be free.

***

When I got to Simon's little cottage by the river, I shifted behind a tree. Simon had already known I was coming. I texted him to bring me out some clothes when I got there. He left a pair of shorts and a t-shirt on the bench near the tree. I quickly put the clothes on and then walked towards his house. Simon opened the door, a smile on his face and welcoming me with open arms. I hugged him quickly and he then led me inside his house.

"I'm so glad you came to visit me. I was actually going to request a meeting with you through your little lap dog so that I was able to see you."

I laughed, "Chance?"

He shook his head. "No, with Jason. He is the pup that has been following you around, right?"

I sighed, taking a mug from Simon's cabinet and pouring myself a cup of coffee. "He is the one. Chance ordered him to guard me because of what happened with my dogs. Who cares about Chance though? We still aren't talking."

Simon furrowed his eyebrows. "I heard about that. Chance came here a few nights ago completely distraught. He didn't tell me what happened but I can only assume it's about Jenna. I don't condone what he did and I know it's something you probably aren't used to seeing but stuff like that happens all the times in packs. We thought he was done with it when you came along but I guess he wasn't. I'm sorry you had to see that, Bails. I can only imagine what you were feeling at the time. I hope he doesn't ever do it again because if he does, he might lose you. Our pack would be ruined if that happened. Just give it some time and give yourself some space. We could be in the New Moon Pack, they are brutal and people don't dare speak or make eye contact with anyone that is a higher rank then them. It's scary. That's the pack I came from before I came here. I couldn't handle the killings anymore."

I needed alcohol. "I know, Si, but it's jut scary that he is capable of that. I guess we all are capable of killing someone but that's for when you're in war or killing Carter. What he did was unacceptable and I don't know if I can forgive him. Then he assigned me this guard to follow me around. He called me weak again and I told him to go and fuck himself. He's still sleeping on the couch and we haven't talked in days. Every time we get on good terms, something happens and we end up taking a million steps back."

Simon cracked a small smile. "You wolves always let your pride get in the way. If he didn't call you weak, would you guys be on talking terms? You love him and he loves you, Bailey. Not talking to each other isn't going to bring Jenna back. Do something about it. Have a memorial service. Have a pack meeting saying this is never going to happen again. Try again and stand up to the Elders and have them change the laws to prevent this from happening or worse. You and Chance just need to sit down and talk."

I grumbled something, knowing he was right. Chance and I did need to talk. We needed to be adults and be mature about the situation. Ignoring each other will not solve anything. "I'll talk to him when I'm ready."

"That's progress."

I smiled and finished my cup of coffee. Simon changed the subject and we talked for hours. I felt free. I felt like I was happy again.

***

It was growing dark outside so Simon suggested that I start heading back home. The pack still had a curfew until Carter was caught. I frowned, not wanting to leave. "Can't I just stay the night?"

Simon laughed loudly. "And have an angry Alpha on my doorstep? No thank you. Sorry, kid, but you have to go home."

I sighed. "I don't want to go back. I sound like a five-year-old but I don't want to see Chance or Jason or anyone. Jason is so weird. My home doesn't feel like home right now."

Simon smiled. "Well, come and visit me anytime you want. My door is always open. Come everyday if you need to get away. I'm here almost always."

I gave Simon a hug and thanked him. When I opened the door to shift and run back, Simon said my name. I turned around and he had a skeptical look on his face. "Something wrong?"

Simon sighed and ran a finger through his hair. "I wasn't going to mention anything but I thought it would be best for you to know because this is your life."

I closed the front door. "What are you talking about?

"It's just this really crazy transformation that can change everything and the balances of the supernatural world, you feel me?" Simon began walking in circles, never once looking me in the eyes.

"Simon, breathe. What are you rambling on about?"

He sighed, sitting down on the floor. "Remember that story about a Super Moon and a new Moon Goddess?"

I nodded, my blood running cold. "You're not about to say what I think you're going to say, are you?"

Simon looked up, fear evident in his eyes. He nodded his head once and then twice before looking towards the ground again. "Yes, Bailey, you are the new chosen Moon Goddess."

What, and I can't stress this enough, the fuck?

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