Page 21 of Scarred Savages
“What have I done?” I whisper, even as my wolf howls her delight at finally being away from those sterile institute walls. Her excitement bleeds into me, and despite everything, I’m grateful to have her with me.
“Okay, Luna, you can do this,” I tell myself, trying to bolster my confidence.
I unpack my few clothes and toiletries, but my gaze keeps drifting toward the enticing en-suite bathroom. The promise of privacy and endless hot water is too tempting to resist.
I strip off my clothes and step into the shower, releasing a sigh the moment the warm spray hits my skin. The heat eases the tension in my shoulders, and I close my eyes, letting the water wash over me, like it might rinse away the feeling of not being enough.
I stay longer than I should, savoring the simple luxury of a hot shower—no timer, no banging on the door, no one yelling that I’ve used up my allotted five minutes of steam.
When I’m clean and my skin is pruned, I slip into a tee and curl up on the large bed, pulling the throw blanket over myself and hugging a pillow.
The bed is sinfully comfortable, and the mattress conforms perfectly to my body.
I’m exhausted.
I’ll have a quick nap.
As I drift off, images of Damien’s furious face flicker. It’s nothing new for a male to be disappointed in me, especially once they see my scars. One might assume Alpha Hudson had shared my pictures with the others, letting them decide if they wanted me here.
Still, I grumble as I hug the pillow tighter, “Not his type. As if I care.”
Moments later, sleep claims me, oblivious to the dark shadow slipping into my room as the world fades away.
6
Hudson
Iobserve as Luna steps out of the SUV, her wide eyes reflecting a mix of wonder and anxiety.
Though she strives to project courage, I can scent the undercurrent of fear that clings to her. The Northern Districts are unforgiving, a truth she is acutely aware of. Yet, within her gaze lies a flicker of resilience that reassures me I made the right decision.
The last rays of sunlight glint off her silver hair, accentuating the tautness in her jaw. A wave of protectiveness surges within me, but I push it down; I cannot afford to get too close.
“Scared?” I ask, my voice breaking the silence.
“Terrified,” she admits, but there’s a steely resolve in her tone that I can’t help but respect.
We head inside, and she meets a few of the guys. I chuckle as she retorts to Damien, admiring her spirit. Ethan leads her upstairs, and I watch her go, hoping she finds her new space to her liking.
As I make my way to my office, the gravity of what lies ahead for her weighs heavily on my mind. She will despise me for what I’m doing—but we need her. Like the rest of us, she bears scars, yet remains unbroken.
This arrangement isn’t about fulfilling our needs—that’s merely the façade for the others. There’s a deeper purpose behind her presence, one I fear could fracture the pack. They’re all eager to welcome a female back into the house, though I know Damien harbors resentment; he fought me fiercely on this decision. I understood his concerns, but it was necessary.
I settle into my office chair, the weight of my decision heavy on my shoulders.
I hope the guys don’t get too attached.
Moments later, Ethan bursts into my office. It is refreshing to see him smile—he usually lives in his head.
“Is she settling in?” I ask.
“She is. I like her. I nearly lost it when she stood up to Damien. You’ve done well picking a strong female. None of that whiny, catty bullshit we had to deal with when Cherry was around. God, I don’t miss that nightmare.”
I nod in agreement; Cherry was a constant source of chaos, stirring the pot and creating rifts among us. It’s precisely why we hesitated so long before considering another female.
Luna is different—cautious yet sincere. Like the rest of us, she’s endured her battles, emerging stronger on the other side.
She’ll need every ounce of that strength to survive what’s coming.
