Pain.

Physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury. This was something I felt for years and know all too well. Started by Brad, Steven, Jameson and Chester. Fear, an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. Ever since the first time Brad hit me all I felt was fear, all I felt was pain.

Safe.

Protected from or not exposed to danger or risk; not likely to be harmed or lost. This, this is what I felt when I was with Landon ever since my birthday, when we found each other. Comfort, a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint. After I told him of my past he gave me something I never knew I needed. Landon, made me feel safe, comforted, when he hugged me, when he kissed me, when he held me.

The image of him hurting Rachel exactly how I used to be hurt by Brad though. Will forever be etched in my mind, it will always cause me to feel some type of fear. Yet as I sit here and think about it. Another factor played in all of this that I had yet to realize. Landon went after Rachel because, of me, he was protecting me.

Like he always does.

In the amount of time I've known him he's done nothing but, protect me and make me feel safe. I also never felt more, alive. Ever since my parents left I never knew what it felt like to be someone, in another's life until now. With Landon I'm someone, so I felt it was wrong of me to be afraid of the one who made me feel something other than fear and pain after so long. Yet that was the thing, he caused fear in me.

Something I thought would never happen, something I never wanted to see Landon as, Brad.

My pencil moved across the paper, the drawing of my mother was coming out quite well actually. I was now focusing on her hair and forehead. After Landon left I was a little scared that people would bother me but, it sounded as if no one even walked by my door. It was definitely a first, was it because, they wanted to respect me or their alpha, I'd say their alpha. The only way I can truly figure out how I feel about this whole situation is to talk to him, but, I dreaded it.

With a sigh, I closed my sketchbook and got up to grab some clothes for a shower.

As I started my shower, I thought about the time I was in Landon's bathroom. When I got in, I washed my hair and body, eyeing the faint scars that stained it. There a constant reminder of what the boys put me through and of them. Which brought me to my next thought, are they even still alive?

After my shower I started to get hungry but, I also dreaded leaving the room. Maybe I could wait, at least-

Mia said rather confidently, with a new sense of pride in her voice.

'We're also the runt of this pack.' I reminded her lamely.

Mia ignored my statement, going to the back of my mind with a huff. It was quite apparent she missed Jake, she wanted to be with him right now, instead of our tiny room. If I was being honest a part of me also wanted to be next to him. Maybe it was the mate bond or maybe it was the fact that I like being around him. In all fairness he was the only person I've talked to since my parents left, that didn't completely despise me, it felt nice.

Now, he's probably doing who knows what while I sit in here undecided of how I should approach this whole situation. I wonder if he misses me or if he's even thinking about me. We did see each other this morning and it was now close to night. Another thought now that the subject 'Luna', was floating around my head. I wondered if Landon despite him being my mate.

Could find someone else to run the pack with him.

I'm weak, both mentally and physically like I've said and proved countless times. Which is why I was supposed to leave this pack when I turned eighteen. I was ready, I was, but, then Landon happened and my plan became just that a plan. My stomach growled interrupting me mid thought. I was just a runt then and I still am one now, despite the title, a Luna shouldn't be so scared to just go to the kitchen.

I'm ridiculous.

Mia growled and I swore I heard two but, shook it off. Okay, the worst that could happen is Donna or Sara could approach me. Blowing out a breath, and counting to three, I quickly grasped the door knob.

Knock Knock Knock!

I jumped, my heart beat going frantic against my chest. It's just a knock, it was just a knock. I told myself before breathing out and opening the door.

There was a tall man, tan skin, with brown hair. For a second he just stared at me and I grew confused I've never seen him around before. Then remembered he's probably higher in power, so he stays in the other pack house, where certain people lived. I looked down my cheeks burning, my anxiety kicking in since I didn't know what his intentions were.

"So, you're Layla?" he mumbled more to himself, than me in disbelief yet his tone wasn't disgusted or mean.

After a few more seconds of not saying anything he finally spoke in an outburst, "Oh, shit, my bad, I'm Zach Miller, I'm one of alpha Landon's warriors well now his beta." he introduced, I glanced up to see him holding a light smile on his face.

With his hand out for me to shake, I warily took it in mine, he grasped it shaking it lightly before letting go. Okay, he seems friendly so this was new. Wait, did I hear him correctly, 'now his beta'.

"Uh, hi." I muttered, my heart beat going a million miles per second at hearing that small piece of information.

If he was anything like Brad I should definitely keep my distance. I subconsciously took a step back, grasping the door knob tightly. My thoughts also wondered, what did happen to Brad. In a second, my thoughts were seized when he spoke his next words.

"I just wanted to introduce myself and to let you know if there's anything you need, I'm here." he replied gently, making me fall dumbstruck.

Wait, he doesn't even know me and he wants to be there for me. Brad, would never even think to say something like that. It didn't make sense to me, was it because, of the luna thing. I just needed confirmation even if it seemed crazy.

"Why?" I asked, my voice almost a whisper, if he wasn't a wolf I don't think he would have caught it.

"Because, you're my luna." When he said this my question was answered, also a part of me felt guilty since I didn't even know if I wanted the title.

Zach continued, "But, between you and me." Our eyes met and his washed over with sadness, "With everything that I know of so far that's happened with you, I'd just like you to know you have someone else, besides your mate, that cares about you."

I breathed in sharply taking in his words for a second. It was surreal to hear someone actually say they cared about me. I've never met Zach yet he cares about me and I wondered what he knew. Since he was the new beta, he had to know where the boys were and what they did to get there. Maybe Landon told him but, I hoped for my sake he didn't give the whole story out.

"Thank you." I said back, a small smile forming at the corner of my lips.

Zach nodded once with his own smile before he turned and started to walk away. When my stomach growled and I seen his walking form I remembered, 'if there's anything you need, I'm here'.

"Zach." I called out for him, watching his figure stop and turn around so he could walk back to me.

"Yeah?" he asked, while I fumbled over my words.

"I-I'm kind of hungry and I was w-wondering if you could maybe get me something?" I answered, trying to sound as polite as I could, being so nervous to be asking him in the first place.

I still didn't know what his intentions were despite him telling me, blame the trust issues.

"Of course, is a sandwich okay?" he responded, and I lifted my head to meet his face, where a goofy grin was plastered, "It's all I can make or I'll burn the kitchen down if I try anything else." he chuckled and I let out a breathy, almost relieved laugh.

"T-that's fine."

With that he took off to the kitchen and I shut my door leaning against it. I felt oddly relieved, that was definitely different, Zach was different. Mia growled at me, blurting out how Landon was our mate not Zach. It wasn't even like that at all though, he was the first one to talk to me since everything happened. I just felt grateful he actually did, despite me having my guard up.

It was still always nice to talk to someone but, I found myself wishing; Landon was at the door instead.

-Kristen