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The sun was shining bright and I had to use my hand as a shield from the sunlight. I had just stepped out for the first time in a long time and well, I had to adjust at the brightness.

It's my first time outside since the battles a week and a half ago. The adjustment to being recognized as a Luna was starting to get hard. Everyone catered to me and my needs. They didn't let me do anything too heavy, they were worried that I wasn't fully healed yet.

Although no one said it, I knew everyone must've thought that I was fragile. When the helpers came to change my bandages, they did it with the uttermost care and I let them. Whenever somebody came to do anything for me, I let them. I could feel it was-- in a way,-- their apology.

I started feeling the pack's sentiments slowly although the Luna ceremony won't be held in another week.

"Luna, you're going outside? Will you be fine? Do you want me to go with y--" Katey, a young she-wolf nearing her shifting age, neared me with her concerns. I'm starting to suspect that this is all done under Ian's orders.

I smiled at her and shook my head. "No, thank you Katey. I just need to clear my mind for a bit, but maybe Andrea will need help at the ballroom." I told her. She thought for a while, unclear on what to do, but then she nods.

"Alright, please just link any of us if you need any help." she says as she turns away. I waited until she disappeared from my vision until I turned to the forest.

I still loved the way the branches snapped under my feet, the fresh smell of the forest was calming me. It was what I needed.

But then the question popped in my head again. What now?

Sure, I've won my battles, but what now? I still have a lot of things to do. Out there, the other three warriors must still be fighting their own battles. I have yet to find them, and the only clue I have were the fragmented memories that the moon goddess gave to me.

And I was particularly worried about one warrior. Dynami.

She's a rogue.

Pinpointing where she is would be so difficult.

I sighed and let my wolf take over. As soon as the control was passed to her, I shifted and started the run around the pack territory. We were probably running for over two hours when my wolf finally decided to take a break over in one of the small lake where she drank water.

I noticed that my speed increased, in a way my senses got even better. My awareness of my surroundings were greatly improved. The strength that flowed through my blood and senses were unnatural now, but it will only take a while when I get used to them.

I heard a movement among the bushes and the scent that filled the air let me know who it was. It was Ian. My wolf turned over to him only to see the black wolf that swayed slowly towards us.

Ian's wolf was majestic. An Alpha in every sense. He was huge and his fur was as dark as the night. His eyes were a pair of captivating gold that held me hostage. His gaze was so intense all I could do was stand in place.

I haven't seen Ian around as much and he visited less than usual. When I tried to search for him it always seemed like I was one step behind, as if he was purposely dodging me. I tried not to think too much though, I'm sure that I'm just overthinking it. Seeing him now, it's enough to make me happy.

As he neared us, my wolf showed her wolf in submission. He growled softly and also showed his neck, as a warrior of the moon goddess, his wolf recognized the need to submit to us too. That brought a small smile on my lips.

His wolf muzzled my neck, rubbing his scent as if it wasn't already attached to me. Then he stood up straight and signed for a run. I never took control, I let my wolf make all decisions. And so she followed him into the forest again.

For a few hours again, they ran. Playing catch and play battles.

We somehow ended up near the pack borders and that was when I felt it.

An uneasy feeling started to creep in, as if over the pack barrier, somebody was observing us. I took control and observed our surrounding. Ian must've felt it too because he started running towards the pack borders.

'Stay where you are, I have to check something.' Ian mind-linked me. Being mates, we could link each other despite me not being an official pack member yet.

'No, I'm coming with you. It's dangerous.' I said and started to follow behind him. I heard him growl as he turned back, warning me to stay put. 'Ian, I can feel something different. These are not regular rogues or enemies. I don't know how to explain it, just--'

'Hannah you just got better. I can't let you get hurt again.'

'I'm not going to get hurt, I promise. Now, are we going to catch whoever those are or no?'

I saw Ian rolling his eyes, but nonetheless turned back. He ran towards the border and I followed him. I concentrated on the direction of whoever was observing us right now.

Rogues? Yes, but... not ordinary rogues.

Don't tell me, Strays?

Right when we were at the border, I sensed more werewolves coming towards us. They were the border patrols. They met us in the middle and as soon as they neared us, they bowed their heads in reverence.

The uneasy feeling was gone as if nothing ever happened, but I kept my guards up. I tried once again to locate the presence I felt, but to no avail. But I'm sure... those were strays.

'We're going back. Follow me first.' Ian said and I couldn't do anything but nod. Before leaving the place, I looked back one last time. There was no one. I couldn't feel anything anymore. Ian's wolf growled, warning me. I looked ahead again and followed the midnight wolf.

We walked back well into the pack territory until I realized that Ian was leading me into one of the empty cabins places around the territory. It was time to shift back.

'There are spare clothes inside. You go first and give me a shirt and short once you're done.' he linked.

'Yes, sir.' I said. Ian went around the cabin and when he did, I shifted immediately and went inside the cabin quickly. I found the girls' clothes inside a tiny cabinet that had a lot of black uniform long shirts. Enough to cover everything.

From another tiny cabinet, I took out shorts and a shirt for Ian and left them right outside the door. Moments later, my mate came walking in the door, running a hand through his disheveled hair as I sat on the small bed.

Seeing him made my heart leap in bounds and a smile finds its way to my lips.

"Hey, you." I greeted, but didn't fail to notice the perplex look on his face.

Ian sighed as he sat beside me. Lately he has been looking so tired. I tried to ask him if I could help him out, but whatever was bugging him, he didn't want me to know.

"Don't go near the border for now, it's dangerous." he said. He was getting so stressed and I started feeling bad for him.

"You seem so worn out, are you okay?" I ask, putting my hand over his. Ian forced a smile and nodded, but I knew that it wasn't true. "Look, I'm here for you. I can help you if there's an--"

Ian turned to me and put his hand on my cheek, caressing it gently. "I'm fine. There's just a lot going on." he put an around me and pulled me closer to him.

The physical contact made our connection stronger. Lately, the sparks were stronger. More and more, I craved for him and his kisses. I needed to be around him, I'm always looking for him subconsciously. Although for some reason, I feel like he has been avoiding me and I couldn't help but feel hurt.

The emotional connection was stronger as well. I could feel how he felt, though faint, it was there. There are rare moments when I could hear the course of his thoughts and it was always full. And in those rare moments, he always thought of me too.

"Is it just me or the mate bond has been stronger lately?" I mumbled. Ian went rigid and I could feel him getting nervous. I looked up to him and saw how uncomfortable he was getting.

He looked down towards me and I saw his eyes lingering longer on my lips than usual. There was a glimmer of emotion in his eyes that I was able to catch, but it went as fast as it came.

I could feel myself blushing and my cheeks getting warmer.

No way.

Ian made me look away using his hand.

"Stop looking at me like that." he said and even pushing me away.

I looked back at him feeling a little embarrassed and upset. What did I do?!

"What did I do?!" I demanded. My dumb of a mate sighed and shook his head.

"You're really quite naive are you." he whispered more to himself than me and chuckled to himself. And what was that supposed to mean?

I crossed my arms over my chest as I sat even farther away from him, clearly showing him that I was upset that he pushed me away. "Whatever, stay away from me. I don't like you."

Memories of how he's been avoiding me lately made me feel really upset all of a sudden and a warm sensation gathered in my chest. I tried to hide it, but I was truly hurt that he has been avoiding me again. I could feel bitterness lumping in my throat and tears building up.

Ian was able to sense the change in the atmosphere. Heck, I couldn't even understand what I was feeling right now. It's not even that much of a big deal.

"Uhm... what's wrong?" he asked, careful not to shatter me.

Nothing, I wanted to say. But the tears had already pushed themselves up. Damn it, what's wrong with me?

"Nothing." I forced the word out.

"It's not nothing, Hannah. Why are you crying? Is it me?" Ian said, closing the gap between us and wiping the tears away. He made me look up him and I could see the concern and worry that swam in his eyes.

That made me feel even more emotional. Was he really worried about me? So why would he--

"You've been avoiding me lately again, you jerk. I hate you." I said without thinking and warm bitter tears started to come down again. My reasoning seemed to have taken him by surprise because his eyes widened.

I watched him closely as he thought for a bit and smiled sadly at me, confirming that my assumption was true. "So, you noticed. I'm sorry, I don't want to, but I have to." he said curtly. I looked at him, puzzled.

"Why?" I asked, even more upset.

Putting his forehead against mine, I could feel his breath against my face.

"The mate bond has been getting stronger, that's true. And I'm having a very hard time controlling myself and my wolf."

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