It's Monday. 

"Okay, I spy with my little eye something red," Zach says as his hand tightens on the wheel.

"I'll make your little eye red if you keep trying to get us to play dumb road trip games," I threaten, and Zach laughs, unbothered.

"Correct answer was the stop sign. Seriously, Luna, how did you miss that?" He asks, and I roll my eyes.

I fucking hate having to sit in a car for a long period of time, my wolf itching to be let out and run. Cain's hand reaches out, his thumb rubbing circles on my thigh.

Relax, pup, He mindlinks me. Why can I feel anxiety through our bond?

I sigh. Just anxious about seeing some of the other packs, I guess. Thane, in particular.

Is this about Sebastian? I told you already that they excused him from attending due to all of the Red Crescent issues, Cain frowned.

Yeah, something like that, I lied, not wanting to go into an in-depth conversations about weird dreams I was having of his cousin.

Go to sleep, Cain commanded, and must have been able to see that I was about to protest, because he said, We have a few more hours left in the trip. Just go to sleep for a little bit, the last thing we need is for you to go into a house of wolves on edge.

He wasn't wrong. I already have a proclivity towards violence, and it was even worse when I was sleep deprived.

But there was a chance that I could have another dream. What if I said something about Thane? Something incriminating? Cain never mentioned that I talked in my sleep, but there was a first time for everything.

So I nodded, and told him I would try, and even shut my eyes, but fought sleep in fear of another dream.

I thought about different ways I would rip Onyx apart to keep me awake, but even I grew tired of that after the seventeenth fantasy.

All I could think when I began slipping into unconsciousness was dear God, don't let me dream of Thane.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Do you like it?" He asked, his hand resting on my lower back.

My mouth dropped open. "Are you kidding? I love it!"

I was confused when, for our date, Thane guided us to the training center. I thought for sure he would try to rope me into some kind of corny dinner date with candles and roses, and I positively would have vomited.

Instead, he set up the training center with different target dummies, even with some targets attached to some kind of swinging device so the bullseye was in motion, harder to hit than a stationary one.

He grinned at my response, and I could see... relief in his eyes. "I... I didn't think you much would have liked dinner and a movie. Thought this would be more to your liking."

I couldn't deny that I was impressed by his efforts. That we seemed to have... an understanding of sorts. He understood that my affection could not be bought with flowers and chocolate, but with knives and arrows.

"Well don't just stand there. These targets aren't going to destroy themselves," Thane smiled, a twinkle in his eye with an emotion I didn't recognize. I gulped, not daring to think about what it meant.

I summoned a bow and arrow, taking shots at the miscellaneous targets. I had to admit, I was having fun. Something I didn't know existed outside of killing rogues or beating the shit out of wolves during training.

I handed Thane a bow and arrow, more or less to assess his own skill level. I had never seen him train, never seen him in action, and I was curious if he was skilled, strong.

He took it, a knowing glean in his eye. He knew what I wanted to know, and was willing to prove himself. He loaded the bow, and took a shot at one of the swinging targets, hitting it directly in the center.

"Not bad," I begrudgingly admit, and he smirks.

"Pass your little test?" He teases.

I shrug. "Let's see you do it with this," I challenge, and hold out an axe. In many ways, it was harder to wield than a bow and arrow, especially with a moving target.

"And if I get another bullseye?" He asks, his voice deepening suggestively. "What do I win?"

I pretend to think, though the predatory way he looks at me makes my mouth dry. "I won't send the next arrow I shoot into your spine."

He laughs, unaffected as always. "As appealing as an offer that may be, there's something else I would much rather have."

His eyes are dark, and he takes a step towards me. I take one back. "Oh?" I say, trying to keep my tone level, though my heart is pounding. Can he hear that?

He takes another step forward, and once again, I retreat, not caring if it makes me a coward. "A kiss," He says simply.

I freeze. "No."

He grins. "Scared you'll lose the bet? Want to just admit that I'm the most capable wolf you know?"

My eyes narrow. He's baiting me. I tell him as much.

He shrugs. "You won't know unless you make the bet. There's always a chance I miss."

I grind my teeth. "Fine. It's a deal," I say. There was no way he would be able to hit a small, moving target with an axe. That would take years to master, and most Alphas never receive intensive weapons training, most relying on the strength of their wolf.

I summon an axe, handing it to him, ignoring the sparks I feel as our hands connect. As soon as the axe is in his hand, he whips around and throws it so hard, so precisely, the axe hits the center of the target and splits it in half.

My mouth drops open. "That's... that's not possible..." I whisper in a combination of both disbelief and fear. How could he have so easily spun and hit the moving target? I don't even think I would have been able to make such a precise throw.

I struggle with my words. "How... You're an Alpha... Why are you so skilled with weapons?" I demand to know.

He turns back around to face me, a wicked smirk dancing on his face. "I was trained by my grandfather. I prefer weapons to my wolf. I like the control I have over weapons."

I swallow thickly. It was the same reason why I preferred my weapons.

"My wolf is... violent. Uncontrollable. I can't be in control of myself when it takes over. Weapons are clean. I can think clearly when I use them," He says quietly, taking a step towards me. I'm too in shock to take a step back. "It's why you use wolfsbane, isn't it? Sure, you may have developed an immunity, but it's not just that, is it?" He asks, and his gaze looks right through my soul.

"S-Stop," I choke out as he takes a step towards me.

His face is serious as he takes another step, closing the distance between us as he captures my cheek in his hand. "You don't trust your wolf. Don't trust the wildness of our fur side. You need to have complete control over everything, even yourself. Especially yourself," He says quietly, and my breathing is rapid, shallow. "You're scared of me because you can't control your response to me. When I touch you, it feels electrifying. Your heart is beating so fast it sounds like a hummingbird," He murmurs, and wipes liquid off of my cheek. I hadn't realized I had been crying.

"You're scared," He says lowly, and I flinch as if he had just raised a hand to hit me. "Because I see you. Because I know you as well as I know myself. Do you know why that is, my little wolf?"

I'm shaking so hard I don't answer, but it doesn't matter, because he's going to tell me anyways. "Because you are me. You're my other half."

And he captured my lips with his.

I jerk upright, hitting my face hard against the back of Zach's seat in the car.

Zach swears, slamming on the breaks. Cain immediately reaches out for me. "Shit, Luna, are you okay?" Zach asks.

"I'm fine," I croak, coughing slightly as I gather my bearings. Cain inspects my face.

Zach begins to continue driving. "You're bleeding," Cain murmurs, and my hand reaches up to my nose. It's broken, and as Cain stated, bleeding.

"Sorry, bad dream," I mutter, roughly jerking my nose back into place so it didn't heal all fucked up. Zach reaches into the glove compartment and hands me a box of tissues, and I use a few to wipe up the excess blood.

It's strange, Cain says suddenly through our mindlink. I used to be able to feel terror through the bond when you had nightmares, but now I don't.

I freeze. They're not that bad anymore. More surprising than anything. Nothing to be concerned about, I dismiss him, and thankfully, we pull into a crowded area, finally at Crimson Shadow.

A man in a tuxedo, no doubt a Crimson Shadow wolf, comes to the driver's side window, and Zach rolls it down. The man gives us instructions on where to park with the rest of the Blood Lake vehicles, and Zach drives to the area.

We get out of the car and wait for the rest of the pack to arrive. Axel beat us, and comes to us as we get out of the car.

I don't suppose I could convince you to let me carry you? Cain asks, and I snort. Didn't think so, he muttered, disappointed. Old habits die hard.

When the rest of the wolves arrive, Cain and I lead the way to the front of the Pack House, Axel standing on Cain's left, and the rest following close behind, chattering excitedly about the Gathering.

The Crimson Shadow Pack House was extraordinary, I must admit. The walls were made of stone, and it looked so huge it seemed more like a castle than a house. When we walked inside, elegant chandeliers hung from the ceiling, but it was hard to see the rest of the decor with all of the wolves congregated.

There were hundreds of wolves, all chatting, drinking, some dancing. I didn't see Thane, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was keeping locked inside of me.

The Blood Lake wolves dispersed, some going to greet familiar wolves in other packs. Axel left and began talking to another burly man familiarly, like they were old friends.

I felt claustrophobic, and fought the urge to summon a knife and stab anyone who got within a foot away from me. Cain squeezed my hand, no doubt feeling my anxiety.

"I need a drink," I muttered, and Cain nodded, pulling us to the bar. Wolves parted instantly, and we were to the countertop in no time. Two wolves took one look at Cain and scrambled out of their bar stools, nearly spilling their drinks over in the process. I suppose there are perks to being mates to the most feared wolf on the continent.

Cain pulled out one of the chairs, picking me up and sitting me down as he took the one next to me, giving the bartender our order. Drinks were placed in front of us immediately, like the bartender was scared that if he delayed by a second, Cain would tear him apart. Which he probably would. It's why I love him.

I downed the drink, and it was refilled as soon as I put my cup down. Easy, pup, Cain warned. You're a violent drunk.

"I'll drink to that," I say with a laugh, finishing my drink, and Cain tells the bartender to hold off, making me glare at him.

Shouldn't you be socializing with some of the other Alphas? I ask, switching back to mindlink for privacy.

Cain shrugs indifferently. I hate these things. Usually I just find an unoccupied room and wait until it's over.

I gulp. Like the balcony where I crashed into him in my dream. I had to confirm for certain whether the dreams had any merit.

We look at the crowd, and I can't help snarling at a group of older males who stared at me, and they quickly looked away. Why the hell are people staring at me? My scars are gone, I ask.

This is the first time a Blood Luna has been able to walk for centuries. They're curious, he answers, deep in thought.

Are you sure I can't just kill one of them? I ask, uncomfortable with the attention.

Cain laughs, and is about to respond when someone comes up to us. A man, with blonde hair and grey eyes. "Alpha Cain, it's good to finally see you here with company," He grins. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting your mate."

I tensed up for some reason. Is this Alpha Killian? I pictured someone different, this man seemed a little older.

"Alpha Reed, this is my mate, Ares," He introduces us formally, and Reed reaches out his hand. I shake it, my face impassive. He's the Alpha of Iron Claw, which means in some way, he's related to me on my mother's side.

He laughs, drawing his hand away. "Strong grip," He mutters. "Some of the other Alphas are gathering, chatting, you know, the usual," He says as he turns to Cain. It's an invitation.

"Fine," He mutters as he gets out of his seat, and extends his hand to me. I shake my head.

"I think I'm going to have a few more drinks," I say, waving over the bartender. I see Cain's reluctance to leave me alone, but it would look bad if he declined a request to have a drink with other Alphas who just wanted to shoot the shit. "It's fine, I'll find you later," I reassure him, and he nods, leaving with Reed.

I have two more drinks, enough for my pounding headache from all of the noise to go away. "Cain told me to stop you after three," Axel says, taking Cain's seat.

I snort. "The babysitting duties never end for you, do they?"

Axel laughs. "They certainly don't," He agrees.

"Did you find her?" I ask, though I'm certain if he did, he wouldn't have let her away from his side.

He downs his drink. "No," He mutters. "Not even a scent, she's not here. I would know."

"Have you seen Alpha Killian?" I ask curiously. I can't deny that I'm dying to know more about the mysterious, allegedly cursed Alpha.

"Nope," Axel says, looking around. "Terrible manners, if you ask me. What kind of host skips out on his own party?"

I shrug. I would do the same.

I hop over the bar table, careful not to mess up my dress, and take a bottle of vodka before I hop back over, ignoring the stares as I do so. "I'm going to go get some fresh air," I mutter. "Alone," I warn as I see him about to follow me.

Axel hesitates. "Cain won't like that."

Shrugging, I say, "Cain seems to think no one would dare incite violence at the Gathering. We'll see if he's right about that."

"I'd rather not," Axel mutters, but when I give him a warning look, he sighs dejectedly and doesn't follow.

I go up the stairs to explore, finding an empty balcony. I breathe in the cool air deeply as I take a swig from the bottle, thankful for a moment of peace.

That is, it was peaceful until I heard a smooth voice say from behind me, "I heard you were looking for me."

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