I decided right then that Mrs. Finch was my new favorite person.
More tenants trickle in: a young family with twin toddlers who barrel straight into my legs without hesitation, an elderly couple who bring fresh-baked bread that makes my mouth water, a sullen teenage boy whose mother nudges him forward to hand me a bowl of berries he picked himself.
“This is… really nice of you,” he mumbles, not meeting my eyes.
“Thanks for coming,” I say, taking the berries. “I’m Luna.”
“I know who you are,” he says, looking at me for the first time. “You’re the one with the burn scars.” There’s no disgust in his voice, just curiosity.
“That’s me. Scarface Luna, at your service.” I give a mock bow.
He almost smiles. “I’m Will. I have scars, too.” He pulls up his sleeve to show a poorly healed burn. “They got my dad two years ago.”
My throat tightens. “I lost mine in a fire, too. Human-set though.”
He nods once, then drifts away to help his mother set plates. I watch him go, chest aching with a familiar pain that never quite fades.
By the time the sun has fully set, the clearing is alive with voices and laughter. Lanterns hang from tree branches, adding to the atmosphere. I move between tables, ensuring everyone has what they need and learning their names and stories. There are many stories of loss, survival, and finding their way to the sanctuary in Hudson’s territory.
“You’ve done something special here.”
I turn to find a young woman about my age, her pregnant belly straining against her dress.
“I’m Mara,” she says, smiling. “This is the first time I’ve seen everyone together like this.”
Before we can continue our conversation, a hush falls over the gathering. I turn to see Hudson striding into the clearing, flanked by Ethan, Axel, and Oli.
No, Damien,I notice, ignoring the little twist of relief… or is it disappointment, in my gut.
Hudson’s large frame draws attention even from a distance. His eyes sweep the crowd methodically before landing on me. Something flickers in those depths before he nods once and turns to speak with one of the older males.
My wolf stirs beneath my skin, pressing forward as she catches their scents on the breeze.
“Those boys,” Mrs. Hendricks sighs beside me, her weathered hand resting on my arm. “Saved every last one of us, they did.”
“They did,” Mara agrees, her hand drifting protectively over her swollen belly. “I was in the barracks when they came. Never seen anything like it.”
“You were both prisoners?” I ask.
Mrs. Hendricks nods, her hand trembling slightly. “They had us caged like animals. When Alpha Hudson’s team stormed the barracks, I could hardly believe my own eyes—one minute we were prisoners, the next we were free. Then they rounded up every last one of those bastard guards and gave us a choice about their fate.”
“What did you choose?” I ask.
A shadow crosses her face. “I chose mercy. Some didn’t.” She straightens her shoulders. “But I’ll never forget watching those boys fight for us, for people they didn’t even know.”
“Luna! Luna!”
The teenage girl who’d recognized me a few days earlier sprints toward us.
“Hey,” I say as she skids to a stop, eyes wide with excitement.
“I’ve been dying to ask—did you know Headmistress Gray? From the Institute?” She’s bouncing with excitement.
I can’t help the snort that escapes me. “Yeah, I knew her. Hard not to when she was constantly giving me demerits for ‘improper feminine conduct.’”
The girl’s expression turns serious. “Did you hear she’s missing? It’s all over social media.”
I frown. “Missing?” The strict headmistress doesn’t seem like someone who’d just disappear.
