I had left the cabin ahead of Phoenix with my fingers fidgeting at the mess of my hair. He didn't seem to care to fix himself, a rather smug expression on his face as he walked behind me. His hair was dishevelled and his skin flushed. The smell of arousal left behind in the cabin was at the far corners of my mind now.

His hand met the small of my back and gave a gentle push towards my right. I looked at him strangely but he mouthed a 'go' in response. I glanced to where he was looking and was immediately flooded with relief at the sight of the two brunettes.

"Miley! Maisie!" I cried, running towards them.

They turned around in time to embrace me, my body sandwiched between theirs as we laughed in a saddened joy. I pulled away to study them and realise how exhausted they truly looked. My eyes began to tear as I remembered how awful it would've been for them.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry I left you." I cried.

Miley smiled softly and cupped my head in her hands. "It's okay, it's okay."

I shook my head and sniffed back the tears. "It's not! I left you! I was gone and left you here."

"You got out Nova, it's more than any of us could do. Whatever miracle that got you out has saved us all." Maisie smiled.

I frowned as I recalled the reason, my eyes wandering to the mass of blood and flesh by the key hook. A couple of wolves had glanced at him and laughed at the state of his body. My second kill.

"I wouldn't say it was a miracle." I mumbled.

"He didn't get that far, did he?"

I glanced between them and saw Phoenix in the distance suddenly tense up. I knew he was listening to our conversation and no doubt could feel all of my guilt through the bond.

"No, but he got me good." I breathed. "I nearly died trying to get out of here!"

The tears began to flow heavier and I noticed the twins started to tear up in response. Small ohs escaped their lips as once again we embraced each other. We cried to ourselves, the emotions controlling us all. We were relieved and glad it was over, but I still felt so guilty for having to abandon them.

"You didn't abandon us silly." Miley teased.

"I was gone for days." I sniffed, pulling away from them.

"Yeah you were, but from what people have said you were nearly dead. So we're even." Maisie chuckled.

I smiled at her and thanked her for lighting the moment. A sombre expression fell upon my face as I realised I was gone for a while and missed out on any events.

"What happened when I left?"

They shared a look and I knew they were debating on telling me so I crossed my arms to try and look defiant.

Miley sighed. "The guy that hurt you came back saying he had killed you. The leader was mad and made him serve as patrol for most nights... but he took a new girl each night and well...you know."

Her voice had trailed off to whisper and I frowned knowing that I had caused girls to be defiled. If anything I began to feel worse now for leaving.

"But you had to go." Maisie rubbed my arm. "You're stronger than you give yourself credit for Nova. And you're our Luna now, we trust you."

I blushed as she hinted at my mark and I found my hand fluttering to graze my neck. "Thank you, just take it easy. Back up will be here soon."

They nodded and I gently made my way out of the conversation when a particular girl caught my eye. Her big brown eyes were staring up at everyone in fear as she remained huddled in her cage.

I approached slowly and gently crouched down beside the cage, wincing as my knees cracked at the movement. Felicity's doe eyes darted to me in surprise and I gave a gentle smile. She blinked, wide-eyed before scurrying out of the cage and into my arms.

The movement had me fall backwards, one hand wrapping around her back as the other caught my fall. Her small arms wrapped around my neck and her head buried into my shoulder.

"Hey, it's okay, it's okay..." I hushed, eyeing the men who went to move to catch me. "Felicity you're gonna have to just loosen the grip sweetie, I have an injury."

She pulled away slowly and stared down at my wrapped neck and arm. "What did you do?"

I smiled. "I defeated the bad guys."

She smiled at me, a small giggle escaping her throat. She was so adorable, that I couldn't help but smile back at her.

"Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" I asked, scanning her visible skin.

She shook her head. "No, I am okay. They didn't touch me at all."

"How long have you been here?" I asked.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she thought about her answer. "I don't know... I know that we just had Christmas and then a few days later there were fireworks and that's when they took me. I shouldn't have gone into the woods with my friends."

I wiped away a stray tear as she recalled her last memory. "Hey it's okay, you're okay. Your safe now."

"I miss my mummy."

I awed and pulled her in for a hug, my eyes closing as I inhaled her scent. "What pack did you come from?"

She leaned back again to sit between my legs, her knees bent over mine. "Claw pack."

I frowned as I tried to think of who she was referring to. I saw Phoenix begin to approach, leaving Sean and Rose in his wake. His hazel eyes softened when he saw me with Felicity, the pupils blowing as his wolf showed his appreciation.

He stood beside me and she trailed her eyes up to his body before they landed on his towering face with fear. She shuffled closer to me, her hand grasping at mine.

"Felicity, this is my...mate, Phoenix."

A deep rumble sounded in his chest, his wolf showing me his appreciation for the title. He crouched down to our level, moving slowly to not startle her. Her brown eyes stared at his hazel and neither of them moved.

"How old are you, pup?" He asked.

She shied away, glancing at her feet. "I'm 9."

I hummed in thought, believing she was around ten or so judging by her frail-looking limbs.

"And you say you are from Claw pack?"

"Well... mummy said we lived in claw... but there was another word I don't really remember very well." She blushed.

A small smile graced his features at his rambling and I found myself having to shoo away Cel's horny instincts. Who knew him smiling and interacting with a child could send my heart into a flurry? This mate bond is working wonders...

"Iron claw by any chance? Or perhaps you mean Jaw?"

She shook her head almost excitedly, "Iron! That's it!"

He smiled at her in amusement. "Great... now do you recognise anyone else here?"

I knew what he was hinting at immediately. I remember Iron Claw on the maps we had drawn. They were a town in the far south, known for building great Earth supplies. They had only two women were taken, one being reported as a child, the other a maid.

Felicity glanced around the women gathered near us and shook her head with a frown. "My nanny came looking to tell me it was bedtime, but I didn't listen. I wanted to play with James."

I frowned and soothed her by running my hand down her knitted hair. "It's okay, don't worry about that. You will be home soon."

A thundering noise began to grow closer in the distance and I turned my attention to the sound. The Earth rumbled as the engines and wheels tested through its dry terrain. The smell of diesel hit my nose, smoke and fumes telling me that backup has arrived. Phoenix gave me a look of indifference and I nodded my head at the hint.

"Hey Felicity, I just have to go and help with the medics coming. I'm going to take you to meet my very good friends okay? You can stay beside them." I smiled reassuringly.

She nodded her head and stood up to her feet. I shakily followed, my head briefly swimming at the change of angle. Phoenix's hand darted out to steady me and I gave a smile in thanks.

"I told you that you were a Luna." She chimed.

I chuckled, "You sure did."

I took her hand and guided her to the twins. They introduced themselves and Felicity was more than happy to indulge in plaiting each other's hair to pass the time.

I made my way over to Phoenix once again as the numerous buses and trucks parked on the dirt track. My jaw tensed when Lyra hopped out of the first one, her eyes gleaming as she began to approach.

She made her way over and I expected her to embrace Phoenix the same way as before but he surprisingly dismissed her advances. She paused, confused, as he greeted her with nothing more than a formal faux kiss to the cheek.

"Lyra, thank you for making it to help us." He smiled.

"I'm more than happy to help..." She smiled.

"I will show you what needs attending too." Phoenix stepped to the side.

Her eyes caught my figure nearby and narrowed in on me. She studied me with scrutiny, eyeing the bloodied gauze I was wrapped in.

"Can I help you?" I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms.

I wasn't letting her get away with belittling me.

She blinked as if surprised by my words. "Yes, what are you doing over here? This is Alpha business."

I frowned at her, going as far as to brush my hair down my back to expose my neck. I shrugged and felt pride as her eyes found the mate mark on my neck. They widened in surprise before she turned to Phoenix in shock.

"You found your mate? All this time she was at your pack and you did not tell me?" She gasped.

He winced at her ferocity, stepping away from the open palm slap she was about to give. "I did. It was a secret for a reason."

She turned back to me, curiosity in her gaze. "What's with the bandages?"

I glanced at Phoenix who chose not to answer but I took it upon myself to fight my own battles.

"I do not heal very well. I was pawned and stabbed." I answered bluntly.

She gasped, "Are you okay?"

I frowned at her sudden interest in my health. "I am now, Phoenix helped stitch me up."

She turned back to him, gasping as if realising something. "This is why you followed my pack doctor around every morning? You were learning human medicine for her?"

He shrugged, crossing his arms. "I did."

"And here I thought you were just broadening your horizons as an Alpha." She teased.

He chuckled at her but she looked back at me in wonder. She studied me again, pursing her lips. I shuffled, uncomfortable under her gaze. I hoped she wasn't totalling me up to see if she could win Phoenix...

"You're pretty."

I blinked furiously confused. "I-"

"I must apologise for how I have behaved towards you..." She sighed suddenly. "I was thinking that you were another whore trying to mate with Phoenix and I knew how much he wanted his mate these past few years... so I wanted to scare you away, to be by his side instead. I'm sorry."

I was pretty sure I was gaping at her, not quite understanding the formality or kindness. She had completely flipped her behaviour and attitude towards me, showing she was open and compassionate underneath the hard shell.

"I'm glad you found your mate Phoenix, I just wish you told me sooner."

"I couldn't I'm afraid if word got out that my mate was not...very strong they'd have her killed." He winced but I shrugged off his description.

It's not like he was lying anymore.

"Nova being a Lycan would've made it more exhilarating for them to take her." He added as an afterthought.

He had a strange twinkle in his eye as he studied me and I narrowed mine in suspicion. Suddenly Lyra shrieked and span towards me. In a flurry she was in front of me, studying my face with a hunger. Her hands grabbed one of mine and she dropped to one knee, bowing her head.

"I am sorry for how I have treated you." She gushed before baring her neck.

She just submitted.

To me...

...What was going on?

'Her family give a lot to the Lycan race. They hold your family at the top spot on their respect list.' Phoenix chuckled through the mind link.

I swallowed harshly, curious as to why she was so willing to submit to me.

I'm the higher species. Pollux's previous words floated from my memories.

I allowed Cel forwards to deal with the wolf's submission. She studied the female before us, contemplating her submission. She was making her sweat in spite, waiting for the acceptance.

Finally, my spare hand rose and rested on her neck in acceptance. A low growl escaped my throat as Lyra begin to rise. Her dark eyes met Cel's and her wolf showed us the respect she had for us deep within.

"Thank you." She whispered.

I nodded my head, and we released the grip on each other's bodies. She was towering over me once again, her eyes still studying my every move. I shuffled nervously, glancing back towards Phoenix who was watching me with smug pride on his face.

I rolled my eyes at him. You knew all along.

He smirked. 'Yep. Although it was 50/50... depending on if you truly were a Lycan...'

I narrowed my eyes at him but couldn't help but smile in relief. I was glad she wasn't going to challenge me, I had no doubt it would have been a hard fight.

"Come, let's go group everyone up." He announced.

I nodded in agreement and made my way over to the women. The two of them were not far behind and after glancing over my shoulder I noticed Lyra was in tune with my every move just as much as Phoenix was.

'Oh yeah, she's not going to let anything happen to you while she's around.'

I scoffed. Great, more guard dogs.

His eyes widened in surprise at my words but I laughed him off.

It's a joke. I just feel like I'm always being watched. I laughed.

He smiled softly. 'You're the Luna and a Lycan. It's our instinct to protect you.'

I sighed in acceptance. It was becoming more public now, and I never felt more exposed.

•••

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