Page 25 of Rejection on the Full Moon

"Did you choose her to take your spot?" I question, already having a hunch with her answer.

"No, Leo did. Considering she’s his little whore, it didn’t surprise anyone. I actually wanted you to be the one to take over when I retired." Abby answers, her eyes also hardening with the mention of Mia. It seemed like I misjudged these two. Instinct tells me that Zack and Abby hated Forest Paw just as much as I do, and that they needed some form of hope for not only them, but for their pups as well.

“If you two want, Blood Moon is always looking for new wolves to join. I know mom and dad’s graves are here, but they would rather we be happy than stuck and miserable. Right now, you two are stuck.” I suggest, giving Abby and Zack a reassuring smile. My gaze returns to my niece and nephews, knowing they would miss their friends, but it would be safer for them to live in Blood Moon, away from Mia and Leo.

“Are you sure? What would your Alpha say?” Zack asks, fear and hope mingled in his voice. I knew he must be thinking that this offer is too good to be true, and that Dominic would object. But I know Dominic, he trusts me and my decisions, and I trust him.

“He will say yes, instantly. You’re both strong wolves and would help the pack. Even Dominic noticed your lack of loyalty the first day we arrived. Trust me, you’ll be welcomed into Blood Moon even more since I’m the one extending the invitation.” I answer, tearing my gaze away from the pups and reassuring my brother and his mate. This decision to bring them to Blood Moon felt right, and I have a feeling our parents would approve.

“You sure he’ll be fine with this?” Abby confirms, and I nod, giving her a reassuring smile as a sigh of relief escapes her lips.

"Thank you, it would give the pups a better life," Zack exclaims, the fear now gone, replaced by a spark of determination. I had a feeling he needed this opportunity to leave Forest Paw, giving him a sense of freedom that I know all too well from leaving this pack. With a smile, I give my brother another hug, feeling relieved to have him back in my life once more.

“I’ll let Dominic know, but I suggest you get everything you’ll need packed and be ready to leave when we do. Talk to Blue and Axel, as I am sure they will help you like they helped me, without Leo knowing.” With this, our current conversation ends, and we go back to eating our food. The mood becomes lighter between Abby, Zack, and I, and for once, I felt like I had gotten my family back.

The three of use this time alone to learn what we’ve done in the past two and a half years, and I learn that they were expecting their twins when I left. The boys were born a couple of months later, making them about two years old, like I thought. When I told them about me being Fire Foot, how I met Dominic, and his offer a year later, as well as my store, the two were both shocked and surprised until Abby asked if she could work for me. It felt nice being around Zack and Abby, with all hate gone as the thoughts of being able to watch my niece and nephews grow and, one day, watch them play with my own pups bring a smile to my face.

Dominic joined us, bringing along a hot chocolate for me and wrapping his arms around me the moment he sits down. Serena and Axel join soon after, Claira running towards Lilly-Ann, Mathew, Maxwell, and the rest of the pups playing in the corner. I bring up the offer I gave to Zack and Abby, shocked when Axel and Serena ask if they could join too. Apparently, Forest Paw was not what it used to be, and they would feel safer in Blood Moon. Dominic readily agreed to let them all join, as long as they were ready within two weeks, when we are supposed to leave.

With a plan in motion for the ones I call my family to join my pack, Dominic and I say our good nights and prepare to leave. It was getting late, and it being Friday meant that it was a movie night with our pack mates, a tradition we started when having to go to an ally pack to help. Heading out of Forest Paw’s pack house with Dominic’s arms wrapped around me, we cross paths with Leo, who stops mid-make out session with Mia to glare at me, more specifically at the spot where Dominic holds me. Mia looked to be about fully healed from the beating she received by me last week, her body free from the cast and all traces of bruising gone. I stop, giving her a pointed look.

“I expect you to be at training tomorrow bright and early, or what happened last week will look like child’s play, Mia,” I order, wrapping my arms around Dominic and gaining a growl from Leo. I guess he didn’t like me ordering around his little whore. I just scoff at him, deciding not to pay attention to this so-called pathetic mate of mine and my disowned sister, and enjoy the feeling of being safe in Dominic’s embrace as we continue making our way to the guest cabin.

Many of my pack mates were already waiting for us, some making popcorn in the kitchen, and others in the living room going through movie options. I shake my head, smiling at the loyalty and companionship they have, before heading upstairs for a much-needed shower to wash away the tiredness from today. After towel-drying off, I slip on a pair of baggy, fluffy pyjamas and make my way down the stairs to join my pack mates. Dominic instantly pulls me into his lap the moment I walk past him in the living room, causing me to squeal in surprise as he reclines back in the chair with me in his grasp. Used to this scene, my pack mates chuckle and press ‘Play,’The Hunger Gamesbeginning as the decided movie of the night.

Accepting my fate of being cuddled with Dominic tonight, I curl up in his lap, my head resting on the crook of his neck with his arms wrapped around me. That’s when I realize something.

[Ice, what do you want to do for your birthday tomorrow?] I ask through our personal link, feeling him nuzzle the top of my head, where he places a light kiss.

[How about a quiet night with you? You should know all the best places to go, so plan a day for us, okay?] He answers, his fingers drawing small circles on my skin. I nod, snuggling closer to my best friend as we settle into watch the movie.

I must have fallen asleep sometime after the group startedCatching Firebecause I wake up with the need to use the washroom, finding myself in the room Dominic chose to sleep in in the guest cabin. Climbing out of bed, I go to relieve my bladder and wash my hands, then make my way back to his bed, deciding that it’s just easier staying here for the night. Catching sight of Dominic, who is now awake, I smile and climb under the covers and right into Dominic’s arms. I fall asleep quickly in his warm embrace, knowing that in a few more months, the mate bond with Leo and I will be gone, and I will be able to choose my mate. I know that it will be Dominic.

Chapter 16 – A Soulless Theory

Sun filters past the thin curtains, waking me early for once without the need of an annoying alarm clock or Dominic putting ice down my shirt. I smile at my Dominic, who sleeps soundly, his muscular body in full view for me. Both of us have been without a mate for a while, Dominic longer than me, and I would be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t attracted to him. My hand reaches out to push his soft locks out of his face before I place a soft kiss on his temple and quietly leave his room to head to mine. After changing into some winter workout clothes, I perform my usual morning routine and head into the kitchen, deciding to make a large meal for everyone. With it being Dominic’s birthday, the occasion calls for something special with all of us being away from home.

Lease and Concra are already sitting at the kitchen island, the coffee pot filled with the strong brew which Lease hands me a mug, already prepared to my liking. Thanking her, I take a large gulp of the go-go juice and recruit the two into making the large breakfast. Within an hour, the smell of bacon, hash browns, sausages, pancakes, scrambled eggs, and homemade chocolate chip muffins fill the air of the cabin. Some brave wolves already smelled the food a while ago and decided to test their luck to steal a bite. They soon realized how impossible their quest for food was when a knife would go flying in their direction, causing them to duck and run to a supposed “safe” distance away from me. You would think they’d know better by now.

While setting out the food buffet-style and getting the plates and cutlery ready, I sense movement coming down the stairs, a large smile on my face.

“Dominic is coming. Someone, turn out the lights. Everyone else, hide.” I order, pushing wolves away from the kitchen entrance as Christian rushes to turn out the light. Silence settles over us in the dark room, no one daring to move just yet and ruin the fun. Footsteps down the stairs soon come nearer, the excitement in the air building while we wait for the right moment to spring up. After much anticipation, the light flickers on, and we all jump out from our hiding spots.

"Happy twenty-sixth birthday, Dominic!" We all shout, laughing as Dominic jumps back from the noise of fifty-three people before a huge grin spreads across his face. Making his way to me, Dominic wraps me in his embrace as he looks at each and every last pack member with a happy smile.

“Thanks, everyone. And, judging by the smell, Amberle cooked, didn’t she?” He laughs, pulling me closer to him.

“Yes, and so did Lease and Concra. And if the smell wasn’t an indication, the knives in the wall should be.” Christian laughs, patting his friend on the back and pointing to the wall beside the kitchen entrance, where a total of fifteen knives are embedded into the drywall. My pack knew I tend to throw knives and other sharp objects at them when I decide to cook, not wanting people to sneak a bite before the product is finished for everyone to try. Of course, the only exception to this would be the pups. They were the innocence of the world and needed to be protected and spoiled, in my eyes. It’s why the pups could get away with anything near me.

Dominic turns to face where Christian points, his lips twitching as he fights to hold in his laughter. Forest Paw will have to have someone come in and patch everything up, but what do they expect when Marie was the one who taught me how to cook? She also tended to throw knives at people, especially at Axel and Blue.

"Fire, throwing knives at people isn't nice." Dominic fake scolds me, turning to face me with an amused smile. I just shrug and laugh, considering the biggest throwing knife target I had was him. Dominic seems to have a seventh sense when it comes to me and my cooking, always being the first one back at home to try to steal food from the kitchen long before it’s ready to eat. It got to the point where he installed a large corkboard in the general direction of where I throw the knives because repairs were becoming too expensive to keep up with.

Unwrapping his arms from around me, Dominic goes to fill up two plates while I prepare coffee for the both of us. Once we were settled at the table in the dining room just outside the kitchen, the rest of the pack descends onto the food like a pack of rogues who haven’t seen food in months. I shake my head, laughing at their behaviour, digging into my own meal, and enjoying the morning with everyone. It’s rare for me to be able to spend a lot of time with pack members between running my store and training everyone, so being here training Forest Paw, albeit reluctantly, was a good mini-vacation in a sense. It gave me a chance to see those I call family, as well as re-kindle that sibling bond with Zack.

An hour later, with the food gone, everyone is ordered to change into training gear and meet at the Forest Paw training field. A few of us already prepared leave behind those who need to change and make our way outside, ready to continue preparing the wolves of Forest Paw for a Soulless attack.

“Amby Bamby!” Axel calls out to me the moment we set foot in the clearing, concern on his face. Dominic turns away, trying his best to hide his chuckles with a cough at the nickname I’ve had since childhood, and I send him a glare.

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