Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Zaira's POV

I straightened my white, tight-fitting top, which ended just above the high-waisted jeans, and took another look at myself in the mirror. My brushed, silky hair, which was the same color as the top, fell just to my waist, and the rose-scented hair cream I'd found in one of the bathroom cabinets gave it a lustrous sheen. I was so excited to discover and try something new that I found I loved the smell of roses! I tried different hairstyles until I came to the conclusion that the best thing to do was leave them undone.

Makeup was also in the closet. I knew you could put some of this on your lashes, but since I didn't know exactly how to use this stuff, I kept my hands off it.

However, I remembered a packmate of the Darkmoon pack applying a brown powder to her face, neck and cleavage while telling her friend that she wanted to use it to darken her skin tone as it was all the rage right now may be.

Thinking there really isn't much I could do wrong when applying a powder, I hesitated for a moment. My skin was not naturally white, it was more of a light caramel, but over the years with the Darkmoon Pack, my tan faded more and more and the lack of enough food and sun left my skin pale.

But now, as I looked in the mirror, I noticed my sickly unhealthy face slowly regaining color and recovering. I resolutely closed the closet door.

My bruises and bruises were gone as well and I felt lighter than ever as no injury was sapping my strength and agonizing with every breath. Well, that affected my physical aspect anyway, internally the whole thing looked different. Aside from my fear of joining a new pack, I was torn apart by the loss of my mate. Not a second went by without me thinking about him, missing him, despite what he had told me. He was my mate, I loved him, it has always been like that and nothing will change about that.

I closed my eyes and sighed.

But he didn't love me and nothing will change that, I had to accept that.

The only thing that made me wonder was that Mateband hadn't broken up yet. Because only when both have decided to enter into the bond and then mark each other - whereby both partners really have to agree completely, because as soon as the more dominant wolf of the couple feels a dislike, he withdraws - a mate bond is strengthened and is indestructible. Before that, it can dissolve over time if the two wolves distance themselves too far, both physically and psychologically.

Then why could I still feel it just as strongly as I did in the beginning?

I knew I was doing my part because I was always thinking of him, but that must mean he was thinking of me as well. I shook my head in confusion, like a wet wolf. No, impossible!

With hasty steps I stepped out of the bathroom and ran straight to the front door. I needed to distract myself before any crazy ideas would pop into my head.

My hand trembled as they gripped the doorknob.

I hesitated.

Minutes passed as I thought back to my reasons for joining the pack. A part of me wanted to be as far away from all the packs as possible, to live alone so no one could hurt me anymore. But at the same time I knew that my human side, as well as the wolf in me, could not survive alone. Aside from the dangerous rogues out there, we needed social contact with other people and living together as a group. Otherwise we would die alone or become violent, rabid rogues ourselves and let our wild animal take complete control.

So my choice was still clear. I would join the pack and if Luna's words turned out to be true, which I still doubt, it was an extremely good and sensible decision.

The clock on the wall by the dining table ticked to 6:03 p.m.

I ignored the growing panic, took another deep breath and stepped outside.

As soon as I breathed in the fresh forest air, my nerves calmed down a little bit and I managed to steer directly towards the Luna without shaky legs.

She greeted me with a stormy hug that was evident in her lively manner, I, on the other hand, just stood there stiffly, my arms hanging by my sides and I didn't know whether I should be happy about this warm greeting or just as soon as possible wanted to put some distance between us.

Finally she let go of me and gave me a bright laugh.

"I'm so glad you came!"

I hesitantly looked into her eyes. This time without being asked, which made my wolf whimper anxiously, but Luna's smile only got bigger.

She put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me with her.

"Well, first we'll welcome you into our pack with a little ceremony. Nothing to be nervous or afraid of. Isaiah and I are just going to give a little speech that you have to say something about, that's all. Oh, and before I forget, what's your last name?"

For a brief moment, an image of my parents hugged and smiled in front of me. My throat seemed dry, so I cleared my throat first before answering.

"Nolan."

"Zaira Nolan, I like it.

Then there is a big feast where we all have dinner together. It's going to be great, you'll see!"

However, their euphoria could not convince me. Just the thought of all the members who are about to be all in one room and all attention is on me. I couldn't help but expect the worst. Beatings, beatings, torture. I bit my lip to stifle a sob.

Luna Heariv turned her head and studied me. A small groan escaped her and she closed her eyes.

"I'm so stupid." She murmured. "Zaira, forgive me. I had completely forgotten in my joy how much you might fear my pack. I'm sorry!" my mouth opened of its own accord as I processed the shock. She just apologized to me. The Luna. With an Omega.

Where was I?

did i dream

I couldn't believe what I had just heard.

"But you really can't worry, they won't hurt you." Her fingers gently stroked my arm. She wanted to comfort me.

"It's okay." I whispered softly and then raised my gaze to hers.

Her face immediately lit up and she began to babble on.

"Well, I was thinking, since the new school year starts tomorrow, would you like to start your senior year?" When I didn't reply, she made a quick effort to reply, "I know you're past school age, and I'm not saying that you lack education, I just wanted to leave that option open to you."

She had misinterpreted my silence. I said nothing because she had swept my words away. She wanted to take me into her pack, claimed she would never hurt me, allowed me to look her in the eye, look anyone in the eye with no punishment, patched me up and now she gave to me too still have the opportunity to go to school, a school that I've never been allowed to go to?

I really had to dream.

My eyes burned and my lips trembled.

"Why?"

"Because it's what you deserve." She gently pulled me tighter.

I fought back the tears that threatened to well up and said, "Thank you."

She kissed my head in response.

We walked through the settlement with our arms still around me. We walked between small and large wooden huts, avoided trees that grew everywhere. It was a lovely designed settlement, plants grew wherever you looked, the houses were partially painted brightly and everywhere there were welcome signs on the doors, as well as nameplates. I assumed these were the names of the residents.

When finally a huge building came into view, we were no longer alone. Werewolves, adults, juveniles and little ones all crowded inside the house, chatting and laughing with each other. Despite my increasing nervousness and fear, I watched the extraordinary events unfold before my eyes. Luckily they hadn't noticed us yet as we were still behind fir trees and a fair distance from the main square.

But I also noticed soldiers patrolling and guarding the house. I was sure some were also stationed inside the house to protect the pack and its leader. Whether I should be afraid of them would soon be seen.

Once everyone was inside the building, we stepped out from behind the trees and walked towards the door together.

"Cade," Luna said as she let go of me and hugged a tall, muscular soldier. "May I introduce you, Zaira."

I could feel his gaze on me and blood pounded in my ears. Although the Luna allowed me to face everyone , I kept my head down. On the one hand out of habit, on the other hand for fear that he would become aggressive. But for the most part, the reason was that I simply wasn't part of the pack yet and thus wasn't one of his packmates.

"Everyone is looking forward to it and is very excited to meet you." I thought I heard a smile, but I wasn't sure.

"We have to go in then.", you could hear the love for her pack in Luna's voice.

"Of course Samantha." Cade leaned down and gave her a light kiss on the cheek before going back to his task and doing his rounds.

I knew Luna read my disbelief on my face. He called her Samantha, not Luna! How could that be? Was Cade a beta and thus had other privileges open to him? But he had also kissed her! What would Alpha Heariv say about that?

"We are a Zaira pack, a family. We exchange affections with each pack member, no matter what their rank, which strengthens our bond and defines us as a family. We love everyone in the pack. Of course, we allow our mates touches and caresses , which we don't give to anyone else, you must never misunderstand that, but Isaiah would never be jealous of Cade for this act, for he knows that this is purely packmate-to-packmate affection and it is important to keep his pack healthy, everyone should feel loved and needed."

I nodded, letting her know I understood.

"Well then, let's celebrate." With that she opened the door and stepped in with me on the side.