Scarred Luna

KARA

“Come in,” I say, hearing a knock on the door, and turn to see Marcus with a small smile on his face and his hands behind his back. “Why do you look so happy?”

“Can’t I just be happy?”

I raise my eyebrow. But before I can say anything, he bursts into laughter and extends his arms toward me.

Sitting in his palm is a cupcake with a single candle flickering on top. “Happy Birthday, Kara!”

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

I turn back to my packing. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He sets the cake on the table. “Thought you would say that, but Lana tried calling you. When you didn’t answer, she called me and shared the news.”

“Great! I’m eighteen and still haven’t shifted. Thanks for reminding me, Marcus.”

He sighs. “Look, Lana asked me to do it, and it’s not exactly easy saying no to her.”

I giggle. He is right; it is never easy saying no to Lana. She just doesn’t understand the meaning of the word.

“What did she threaten you with?”

He shrugs. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I can’t help but burst into laughter, and soon enough, he cracks a smile. I walk over to the cupcake, take a deep breath, and blow out the candle with a satisfying whoosh.

Marcus smirks at me, and I simply shrug as if to say, Fire hazard.

He starts laughing, and I make my way back to the bed and sit down, taking deep breaths, trying to relieve some of the agony in my body.

“Still in pain?” There is worry in his eyes.

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

For the first time, he notices the state of the room. “Packing already?”

“Yeah, well, I want to be prepared for when he officially kicks me out.”

He sits down on the stool of my vanity and leans his arms on his legs. “Kara, you need to understand things from his point of view.

“He’s the high alpha, the leader of all packs. If he has a luna that can’t shift, then other pack alphas will challenge him for his title before his term is up, and that’s something he can’t afford.”

My lip quivers. “Tell me, Marcus, whose side are you on? You call me your luna, but you defend your alpha’s actions?”

He takes a deep, patient breath.

“Who am I kidding? Even I understand why he’s doing it.”

The familiar ache starts in my chest, and my throat is getting tight.

No matter how much I try to deny it, all of this is hurting me; no matter how hard I try to not want a mate, I know it’s all I crave.

A man to love me and accept me for who I am, someone to call mine, someone that the Moon Goddess gave me—

Both Marcus and I jump at the high shrill of the alarm that is only sounded for one thing…

“Rogues.”

We both rush to the window and there, through the forest, we see werewolves pouring in. Dozens of them.

Marcus grabs hold of my shoulders, his eyes filled with concern. “Kara, I need you to stay here and hide. Do you understand me?!”

I shove him away. “The hell I’ll hide when there are people out there that I can help!”

His face creases with anger. “Kara! That is not your job, and besides, you are in no shape to be helping anyone.”

My ribs are killing me, but after a lifetime of tragedy and now a mate who rejects me, I’ve learned to live with the pain.

Giving him a stern look, I say, “Do you see how many rogues there are? Everyone will be busy fending off those animals.

“I don’t care what Zane or anyone says. While I’m here, I am the luna of this pack, and I have to defend my people!”

He looks up at the ceiling. “Goddess, help me. Fine! But just gather the women and children. Do not fight! Understood?”

I give a solemn nod, and together, we hurriedly exit the house.

By the time we step outside, chaos has erupted. The scene is horrifying: already there are bodies scattered everywhere, wolves fighting each other, and blood soaking into the ground.

The destruction, the death…it is devastating.

I feel the panic rising within me, and my breaths becoming shallow. Someone grabs me and shakes me, but all I can see and smell is blood.

Amid the chaos, I hear someone screaming my name, and Marcus looks at me like I might be about to collapse.

“Are you okay?”

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, then open them. “Go.”

I break away from Marcus, my heart pounding in my chest, and I sprint toward the frightened children seeking refuge behind the trees. With each step, my determination grows stronger.

Just as I’m about to reach them, a rogue wolf with striking gray fur leaps in front of me, blocking my path.

My adrenaline surges, but before the rogue can strike, another wolf swiftly attacks it from the side.

Seizing the opportunity, I dash past the battling beasts to reach the children. The younger children, some just toddlers, cower behind the teenagers, who stand strong and resolute.

“You all need to follow me and make sure that you all stick together. I want the youngest at the front and anyone who has had level three training and above behind.”

As the children organize themselves, I position myself behind the cover of the trees, scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.

Suddenly, my gaze locks with the piercing eyes of a wolf standing before me. But I don’t feel threatened, and a deep realization dawns upon me: it’s Marcus.

Gathering the children close, we swiftly begin our escape, darting between friendly wolves.

Meters from the house, one rogue launches an attack on our guardian, resulting in a fierce struggle as they grapple and roll on the ground, each one vying for the better position.

I feel torn. I want to stay and assist but, also, I know my limitations against such powerful wolves.

He’ll be fine, Kara. The children need you.

We keep running, quickly reaching the back entrance, which leads to the basement.

As I guide the last child inside, my heart sinks when I see a little girl on the ground further back, clutching her ankle in pain, tears streaming down her face.

And a rogue wolf is hurtling toward her.

My instincts kick in, propelling me into action. Ignoring the searing pain in my body, I push my legs to their limits, racing toward her with unwavering determination.

With every fiber of my being, I throw myself in front of the girl, shielding her from the oncoming danger.

My relief at reaching her is short-lived.

The searing pain surges anew, blasting through my entire body, causing pain in places I didn’t know it was possible. It feels as if my bones are being reshaped and rearranged.

I watch in awe and horror as black hair sprouts all over my arms, I feel my face contort, and my gums split and rip as sharp teeth tear their way through.

But I have no time to process what is happening, let alone feel fear. As the rogue lunges at the little girl, I instinctively leap into action.

But instead of my human body colliding with the rogue, it is the body of a wolf that meets him in mid-air.

I feel both powerful and out of control all at once. My wolf instincts have taken over, and I am fighting tooth and claw to protect the girl.

Holy shit!

I shifted.

I fucking shifted.

As my fight with the rogue rages on, I hear a gentle voice in my mind.

“Kara.”

I wonder if it is my imagination playing tricks on me, but the voice grows louder and more distinct, echoing through my thoughts.

Is this the mind-link Keith told me about? Am I speaking to my wolf?

I whisper in my mind, “Please tell me I’m not going crazy.”

My subconscious fills with beautiful and musical laughter. “It’s all right, Kara. You’re not hearing things. Focus, and I promise I’ll explain things after.”

Without a single doubt in my mind, I know I should follow her instructions, relinquish control, and direct my attention to the fight.

I bite into the wolf, savoring the taste of iron as my teeth sink into its flesh. It lets out a loud yelp and runs into the trees. Before I can celebrate, I see two more rogues coming at me.

Well, bring it on, assholes.

It is such a strange experience, like I am just along for the ride in my own body. It is as if someone else is pulling the strings.

But then, out of nowhere, I feel a subtle brush against me, even though there is nothing physically there. It sends shivers down my spine.

Hearing that voice again—“Don’t worry, I’ll handle this”—calm comes to my mind, working like a balm for my troubled thoughts.

My body automatically goes into a defensive stance, and without even thinking, a low and menacing growl erupts from my throat.

It is such a primal and powerful sound that it makes the rogues back off immediately.

A wolf with dirty blond fur emerges from the forest and slowly makes its way toward me. Its mouth is wide open, revealing sharp canines with blood dripping from them.

“We need to be careful. This one has alpha blood in him.”

Guided by my wolf, I turn to grab the girl and run. But the blond wolf is faster and shoves me off my feet, sending me flying into a tree.

As I gather myself, I see him turning at the girl, ready to attack. Without thinking, I sprint at him as a sandy brown-haired wolf grabs the girl with his paws and takes her to safety.

I bite him as he bites me, and we are locked in a fierce battle, rolling on the ground, swiping and snapping at each other.

A weight presses down on my back, and when I twist my head, I see another rogue wolf with black fur attacking me. It claws my stomach and goes for my neck, ready to finish me off.

But before it can, a wolf with light brown fur comes to my rescue. It grabs the neck of the rogue on my back, tears it off, and flings it at the blond one.

The rogues growl and snarl, but retreat from me carefully. When there is enough distance between us, they turn and flee into the forest.

I watch as all the other rogues follow their leader, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

But before I can process it all, my body starts shaking uncontrollably. The pain is unbearable as I contort and twist for what feels like an eternity.

Is it more painful to shift back? Or is it because the adrenaline is wearing off now the battle is over?

I curl myself into a tight ball, trying desperately to keep me from feeling overwhelmed by the agony in my muscles, bones, nerves.

I only know I’m human again from the feel of my smooth skin as I press my fingers into my palms.

But it is not enough, and I feel the life draining out of me, my blood seeping into the ground.

“Shh, Kara, I know it hurts. I’ll try my best to heal you.”

I whisper to her, “I don’t understand what’s happening. Who are you?”

I can feel her smiling. “My name is Selene. Your wolf. I’ve waited a very long time to meet you.”

Something is thrown over me, and Marcus swoops me up in his arms. I can’t help but cry as every touch, every movement, feels like hot knives stabbing me.

Marcus is shirtless, and I snuggle into his neck, desperately trying to find some comfort from his warmth.

“It’s okay,” Marcus says, his voice soft, “I got you.”

I grumble in pain. “But…the children. The pack… I need to help.”

He kisses the top of my head. “You’ve done enough, my luna. Rest.”

I want to argue, but the pain and exhaustion are too much. I need to close my eyes…