Page 41 of Luna: Posy 2

"Uh, luna?" I scrubbed one hand over the back of my neck.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

Wow, that’s almost as hard to say as 'I'm sorry.'

"For what, Matthew?" She glanced at me over her shoulder as she opened the fridge door.

"For giving me a second chance. For trusting me to help you when you needed it."

"I believe everyone deserves a second chance, but only one. That's all you get.One. Don't screw it up."

"I won't, luna," I vowed.

And that was a promise I knew I'd kill or die to keep.

11: Birds of a Feather

Posy

The queen, Luke, and the Maxwell twins joined us for lunch. I knew Queen Lilah had only brought them over to distract them from wanting to storm Tall Pines, but I was happy to meet them all the same.

I'd been linking with my mates on and off as they had time - same for the queen with the king - and we were all excited to learn that Ranger had found his mate.

Surprise of surprises, she was Lilah's cousin, Junia!

He'd found her in a prison cell in the wee hours this morning. Mason told me that, if King Julian hadn't helped with healing her, she would have died in Ranger's arms.

Cole told me that they rescued quite a lot of shifters, whom they moved to a safe place for food, treatment, and rest. They hadn't found Gamma Reuben or Ariel's sister yet, but he said they had more places to search and promised they wouldn't leave until they found them, even if it was only their bodies.

I still worried. I knew how easily Beatrix could be overlooked in the chaos, especially if she was in her bird form.

Who watches for a little goldfinch in the middle of a wolf fight?

According to Wyatt, my mates and King Julian were now trying to get an estimate of how many members remained inside the pack territory. He didn't tell me what they planned to do next, but I imagined it involved taking care of Alpha Halder and his bully boys.

Like I'd told Peri, I didn't want to think about how they'd punish him, even though I knew it needed to be done.

After lunch, we were all sitting at the table and chatting when Tristan jumped to his feet as his eyes glazed over.

"No, Ariel," he muttered.

"What's up, Tris?" Crew asked.

"Her cousins are here. They're picking her up and going over to Tall Pines to find her sister." Tristan clenched and unclenched his hands.

"Go with them," I said. "Tell them to come get you and go with them."

"I can't! My duty is here with you, luna."

"I'm giving you permission. Just go!" I insisted.

"It doesn't work like that," he argued, shaking his head.

"We'll go with them," Zayne and Zayden said in unison.

"Link her to pick us up," Zayne said.