Luna On The Run!

Luna Ariel’s POV

We drive our rental car to the park, which is not too far from the hotel.

In our backpack we have a packed breakfast and a blanket to sit on in the forest.

According to the online information we should be there in ten minutes. Clarita has certainly managed to pull me out of my misery, even Era is much calmer now. I can feel her moving more actively now as if she is looking forward to a wild run in the wilderness. It has been a long time since I have set her free.

It is still early in the morning and as we drive toward our destination the cool wind blows in my face. My mood improves as the fresh air enters my system. We pass an area of businesses before entering a dense forest.

“Now tell me exactly what is going on, Ariel. I am so dying to know all about it. I’ve finally met a real werewolf, I can’t believe my luck. But first I want to hear your story.”

And then I tell her how overjoyed I was when I first met Gorgio. He had run up to me and hugged me tightly, grunting contentedly and affectionately that I was his mate. There were several Alphas around us, but he didn’t care much for them.

I had always feared that Selene would mate me with a hated Alpha and I would have a terrible life. But Gorgio was everything I ever wanted in a man. He is strong, both respected and feared, and he leads his pack brilliantly. Everyone in Eclipse Howl is wealthy and mentally stable, he knows all the wolves by name and their family history.

Most of all, he is the perfect mate. Drop-dead gorgeous, every she-wolf’s wet dream. But he is mine exclusively, he loves me, makes sure I am safe and provides me with all the attention and consideration I need. Above all, he is an excellent lover in bed, always putting my needs first. I’m really blessed with him and we’ve just started talking about having pups. Strong pups, like the daughter of the Alpha King and an invincible Alpha, could have. And I was ready to give birth to them for him. Lots of them.

I can’t stop smiling when I think of my mate and our talks about the future. I meant every promise I made to him. Even Era is now perking up her ears and wagging her tail contentedly.

Clarita listens intently. And then fate struck and I was faced with a second mate. This didn’t fit in with our plans for the future, or the vows we’d made to each other. That’s what makes it all so painful. And again the tears come, God, this is so hard.

“Ariel, if your love was that solid, this will definitely work out. My gut tells me that your mate must be as good a person as you are. Good souls always find each other,” my friend tries to comfort me.

“And was it the other Alpha that was after us at the club?” I turn to her, surprised that she has understood what happened that day. Actually, I’m still worried about Zane finding me. His men were probably there to convince me to go to Midnight Moon or to hold me until Zane arrived.

“Yes. I need some time to myself to figure out how to deal with all this. First, I have to go to Gorgio and get his verdict on how we are going to proceed as a couple. I really hope we can work through this first blow to our relationship.” A desperate sob comes from my throat. “Then we will think about how to deal with Zane. I’m sure Gorgio won’t let anyone come between us. He’s very possessive, we won’t let anyone of the opposite sex get close to us. The bond with Zane won’t change that.”

We arrive at the park, which is already crowded with tourists and other interested people. I have agreed with Clarita that we will jog through the park looking for a suitable spot where we can be undisturbed. I want to avoid outsiders seeing my shift.

We walked around in the park for a while before we start to pick up a bit of speed. The further we went into the woods, the calmer I felt, it was the first time in weeks that I was in the midst of green. And it feels good, this is my nature.

And then we came to a deserted lake.

“This is a perfect place,” I say to Clarita. “Listen, my wolf is called Era. Don’t be afraid, she’ll never hurt you. You can touch and play with her. I will stay in the background and experience everything too,” I explain to her. “Then we will leave you alone and go for a run in the woods. It has been a long time since she has been free and she needs it to regain her strength. We’ll be back in half an hour. Is that all right?”

Clarita nods eagerly, trampling her feet to see what is about to happen.

First, I help unpack our backpacks so she will be comfortable when I am gone. We spread out the blanket and prepare the trays of food.

When everything is ready, I take a few steps back and undress until I am naked in front of her. And as I look at her, I begin to change. My hands and legs become claws, then my face stretches into a snout. And soon I am on my four.

Era looks up at Clarita, who still shows no sign of fear.

She reaches out and strokes my silver-white wolf head. Era clearly enjoys the admiration and nestles her head against her new friend for a moment. The two of them bonded for several minutes, but I could feel the urge in Era to go out into the forest.

After a lick on the girl’s face, she turns and sprints into the forest with renewed energy. Her speed increases, she runs with purpose and knows exactly which way to go. For a moment, I wonder if she has been here before in another life. We follow a trail made by the smaller animals that live here permanently. It leads past tall trees and small bushes.

And as we approached another lake, that one scent hit me hard in the face.

Shocked, I took a good whiff of it.

And then I am convinced.

He is here..