Filed to story: Luna Graced Book by KristiferAnn Thorne
A sudden knock startled him out of his reverie, and he growled, then sniffed the air. Food.
He answered the door and took the bags from the delivery person. When he turned, Logan entered the suite, drying his hair with a towel, while Abby was setting the table with dinnerware from the kitchenette.
He walked over and set the bags down. Abby pulled out the chair at the head of the table for him, then seated Logan to his right and took her place at the far end, opposite her Alpha.
She knew what she was doing; that was clear. She had been well-trained and would have made a fine Luna. A small surge of anger pulsed in his chest at the indignities she had suffered.
They quickly served themselves from the containers of food, and Roman watched to ensure Abby took some. She needed to refuel herself. Once he was satisfied with her portions, he sat back and dug in.
A few minutes later, Logan looked up from his plate.
“Gamma Rye has been alerting other packs of the situation, per your request, Alpha,” he said carefully.
Roman nodded. News would travel far and wide that a graced Luna had not only been discovered but rejected by her alpha mate. Better that they hear it from him first. Some other pack alphas might attempt to steal her for their own, but none would treat her with the respect Roman knew she deserved. If he had to fight to protect her, he would. And he was equipped to do so.
His pack had quietly grown to five thousand strong over the years, and his territory was vast, more than anyone knew. He was reclusive for a reason. He was the protector of the shunned, the rejected-most through no fault of their own. Many had paid penance for whatever injustice had led to their shunning. His pack thrived despite the varied and sometimes unfortunate origins of many of its members, and he knew Abby would be welcomed there. More than that, she would be celebrated. Protected. Maybe even loved… His wolf rumbled, and Roman sat up straighter in his chair, shaking his head to dispel the strange, intrusive thoughts.
He eyed the woman at the end of the table. It was because of her power, he told himself. Because she was a graced Luna. Nothing more than that.
**ABIGAIL**
Abby sipped her tea and quietly observed the men. After a few small bites, she pushed her plate away, while they devoured everything in sight, fueling up their wolves.
Beta Logan nodded in her direction.
“Thank you for setting the table, Abigail.”
“You’re welcome. I’m sorry if I overstepped. Old habits I must overcome.”
“We could stand to learn a thing or two from your good manners,” her new Alpha interjected.
“Thank you. I was trained for many years.”
“I…” She shook her head. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.”
She closed her eyes, trying to regain control over her emotions. She still had a headache, but the feelings of Carson screaming at her had faded.
“Breathe, Abby.”
Her eyes flew open, and Roman was up from his seat, standing beside her. She stared into his deep, dark eyes and did as she was instructed.
Roman could feel his Alpha power surging. His wolf needed to emerge soon.
“I know you have a lot of questions. And I have someone in Pack Luko who can provide you with answers. But first, we’re going to stop at the border. We’ll get your wolf out and let her run.”
Her green eyes met his, and she gave a small nod.
“Yes, Alpha.”
“I know this is scary, Abby, but I protect my pack.” As he spoke, he felt his wolf push forward, and his eyes glowed. Where was this coming from? He began to purr, wanting to offer her comfort. He did this occasionally, with a select few, but in this case, it was almost involuntary. Both he and his wolf were drawn to this woman in ways he didn’t understand.
She kept her gaze on his, and he saw her green eyes soften and glaze over. Then her eyes flashed, and she closed them, shaking her head.
“I know,” he said softly, “and you’re welcome. Relax.”
He purred louder, and he could feel his warriors’ tensions ease as they returned to their rooms. He knew this was a level of power they weren’t accustomed to from him. And he could feel Abby calming down, even though he wasn’t touching her. Her power was palpable, and his wolf could sense it.
He glanced at Logan, whose mouth was slightly agape.
“I can feel her, Alpha.”
“My wolf can too. It’s her power.”
“And yours as well, Roman. You must have noticed the changes. Your Alpha power has been radiating constantly, and I keep feeling your wolf trying to surge.”
“I have noticed. We need to get home. It makes sense now why you want to stop at the border and run.”
He looked back at Abby.
“I think you should go lie down for a bit,” he said to her.
She opened her eyes and sighed, and he immediately understood why she didn’t want to move.
“I’ll be here.”
“Yes, Alpha, thank you.”
She got up and went into her suite, shutting the door behind her.
He sat down next to Logan. His purr was still low and steady, and he couldn’t stop it. He tried to contact his wolf, but his beast was too focused on the power he was feeling from the female.
The Alpha rubbed his face wearily, still purring.
“You okay, sir?” Logan asked.
Roman sighed.
“Yeah. But I don’t understand what’s happening.”
“Two powerful wolves recognizing each other is my first guess.”
It seemed like there was much more going on than that, but Logan didn’t think it was his place to say so. He’d leave that to the Oracle.
ABIGAIL
The rest of the journey would take a few hours, or so shed been told.
Beta Logan was driving again, and Abby was in the back seat with the alpha, keeping her eyes closed.
She was hoping shed be able to sleep, but mostly she was just embarrassed shed allowed his purr to comfort her.
By wolf law, she shouldnt be afforded anything past basic needs, so Alpha Roman definitely shouldnt be treating her this well.
She just didnt understand this new pack and their rules… The smell of the border made her sit straight up, startling the alpha, who jumped in his seat.
My apologies, Alpha.
She bared her neck to him.
I smelled the pack.
Logan pulled the car over, and the rest of the caravan followed behind.
Abby could hear howls in the distance.
The alpha was home, and it was being announced to the pack.
She peered over at Roman.
May I ask your rules on modesty and shifting for females? We have bins in the woods with basics for both males and females.
If you wish, we can open the doors so you can disrobe between them.
Well have a female stationed with clothes for you when we get closer.
How was it in your pack? No modesty rules for warriors.
But I assure you, Ill adhere to Luko pack rules.
No need, do whatever makes you comfortable.
And that makes a lot of sense.
Logan, talk to Rye about this.
We can make some changes.
He turned back to her and rumbled in appreciation.
And thank you for asking about our customs.
Ill go first and meet you in the woods.
ROMAN Roman stepped out of the SUV, glad to be free of the enclosed space, and strode into the woods, where he disrobed and shifted, leaving his things for Logan to collect.
Then his wolf turned to wait for Abby.
She stepped out of the vehicle and immediately pulled off her clothes, folding them neatly before taking off in a sprint then shifting midair.
His wolf stomped his feet and shook out his fur as he watched her.
She was beautiful and sleek.
She looked like a warrior, and she knew it.
ABIGAIL She shook out her inky black fur and stretched her legs.
Putting her nose to the air, she sniffed, first to one side and then the other, as she established the pack border.
When several of the other males shifted behind her, she tucked her tail and jumped forward at the noises, growling involuntarily but immediately chattering after to show them she meant no harm.
She heard a rustle and wheeled around to see the alpha emerge from the trees.
She chuffed and lowered her belly to the ground in submission.
The alphas wolf was twice the size of the others.
Everything about him was massive: his jaws, his chest, his paws.
His fur was black as night, but gold swirled in the undercoat like galaxies of stars.
His golden eyes glowed as he approached her and nipped her on the ear, showing his dominance.
She whined in acknowledgment, her tail thumping, and he nudged her gently with his muzzle.
ROMAN As soon as Abbys wolf got to her feet, Romans wolf took off running and chuffed for her to join him.
She caught up quickly, running beside him while the others fell into their normal formation to the sides and the back.
He was impressed with her speed.
She was keeping up with him, but he knew she could do more.
When they emerged from the trees into open land, he barked at her and fell back, and she dropped her head and took off at top speed, her wolf snarling and snapping with joy.
He linked with Gamma Rye.
Rye, clock her next time we train.
I can see her from the hill.
Shes impressive.
Go get her, big boy.
Romans wolf kicked into chase mode, and he surged toward her, his powerful paws churning up the earth as he ran.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?