Page 38 of Luna: Posy 2

"I'm sorry. I'm just so afraid that he— That she's—"

A tornado named Tristan burst into my closet and scooped Ariel up in his arms, shushing her and cradling her against his chest. She put her arms around his neck and buried her face in his throat.

"Take her to one of the guest rooms," I told him quietly.

He gave me a short nod and carried her off.

"Poor thing." Peri swallowed hard. "At least we know my brothers and the king will make sure Alpha Halder gets everything he deserves. I only hope none of them lose their temper and give him a quick, painless death. That doesn't fit his many crimes."

If my Q involved, it no be quick and it definitely no be painless, Lark purred.And Nyx already planning to keep him alive for months and months.

I shuddered. Although I understood, I hated violence and torture.

Lark, when they check in again, remind me to tell the boys about Ariel's sister, okay? Just so she doesn't get overlooked.

On it.

"I don't want to think about that," I told Peri and stood up.

Holding out a hand, I waited until she took it and pulled her to her feet.

#

Except for Em and Ty, everyone went home after dinner. Those two decided I needed to update my movie knowledge, so we spent the evening with the television and ended up falling asleep on the comfy couches in the living room.

When I woke up the next morning, they made breakfast while I showered. We'd just finished eating when Crew, Matthew, and Tristan showed up. Em and Ty disappeared soon after, and Crew explained it was their turn to catch some sleep. It was only then that I realized they'd stayed up all night to guard me, and planned to do the same thing tonight.

When I asked him where Ariel was, Tristan said she'd gone over to his place to spruce it up before her family arrived. She also wanted to make sure they had enough space, supplies, and groceries for so many guests.

Next, I called Peri, but she was on house-cleaning duty in preparation for her family's return from their vacation, and both Callie and Keeley Breckenridge had volunteered to help her.

Crew linked Luke for me to check on the twins, and we discovered Zayne and Zayden had been released from the hospital an hour earlier. Luke and Queen Lilah took them to the bigger guest house to sit on them so they didn't try to sneak back to Tall Pines.

So I was left to hang out with Crew, Matthew and Tristan. For something to do, Crew decided to introduce me to video games. He showed me what all the buttons on the controller did, and that was a lot to remember. Since he wanted me to try a driving game first, he put in one called Mario Kart.

It didn't take long for me to realize I sucked. I almost immediately got lost and looped a cul-de-sac ten times, which made Matthew and Tristan laugh hysterically.

Crew honestly tried to help, but only made it worse.

"I'm sorry. I'm too dumb to learn this." I laid my controller down and got to my feet. "I'm going to get a drink. Does anyone else want one?"

They all wanted something different, and I nodded as I memorized who wanted what. Before I left the room, the betas' eyes fogged over, and I knew they were linking each other.

"I'll come help," Matthew said and stood, too.

He draw short straw?Lark smirked.

Shrugging, I turned and headed for the kitchen.

#

Beta Matthew Rose

I knew the luna wanted anyone but me to go with her.

A luna and her beta, in this casebetas, had to have a strong relationship. We would be working together closely on pack matters, and she needed to trust us as her guards. I'd be the first to admit it was my fault we got off on the wrong foot, but I wanted to fix things between us.

Before I could even open my mouth to begin apologizing, her phone rang. I headed to the glasses cupboard to give her privacy for her call, but her shrill, panicky voice put me on instant alert.

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