18 - The Cabin

LUCY'S POV

Despite my protests to go back, we were still moving forward into the darkness. I wanted to go back for my descenter, but Seth didn't care about my needs or wants. I couldn't blame him. It was obvious that he didn't want to be doing what he was doing, to begin with.

Of course, I didn't tell him what I needed, and honestly, I'm not sure why it was that big of a deal to me at this point.

Seth didn't tell me where we were going or why. The tunnel was barely lit with luminescent stones. It was a practical and innovative build for a getaway tunnel, which I had assumed the tunnel was for at this point. 

I was proud of my stamina. Seth wasn't going slow, and I could keep up pretty quickly. I suppose that's from all the muscle and strength I built being used as a pack mule, doing chores, and running from one task to the next as a rogue slave. I felt like we had been jogging down this tunnel for hours.

The pack house was more significant than most pack houses I have seen. This pack was wealthier than the average pack. In the short amount of time that I had spent there, I could see why.

The Cresent Moon pack was HUGE. By that, I mean there were so many pack members. Each of them participated so eagerly. Everyone acted like a small part of a larger machine.

It was a tight-knit community. Much of the pack's land was wooded, with a few cabins scattered about the forest. Most living quarters were within the wooded borders. It seemed like a smart way to build a community you were trying to keep safe.

The more I thought about this pack, the more I grew sad about our direction.

Seth slowed down in front of me, so I did as well. "What is it?" I whispered. Shhh!" he said louder than my whisper, making me roll my eyes. I told myself I should be more grateful; he is helping me.

I breathed deeply as he pushed through something I couldn't see. I narrowed my eyes as the nighttime air hit me.  "Hurry this way!" Seth said. I didn't hesitate to move forward. I pushed through branches as my body finally found its way outside.

"We need to shift and run, Lucy, now!" Seth spoke with urgency, but my entire body stiffened.

I didn't shift in front of others for a reason. My mother always told me it wasn't safe, but I had no idea why. I had a few guesses. As a child, I assumed that it would somehow tie me to my dad and get me in trouble, but as I grew older and saw other wolves, I knew that it had to do with more than just that.

"I can't shift," I hissed nervously.

"What?" My claim took Seth back.

"I can't shift," I said a second time.

"We don't have time for this," Seth said in his usual irritated voice while shedding his clothes.

"What are you doing?" I asked while watching him remove everything but his boxers. How awkward.

"You'll need to hop on," he said before I heard his bones cracking.

His wolf looked at me curiously as he turned back to me. He bowed his head and howled up at the moon. I had never seen a wolf do this before. I could tell by his eyes that his wolf was in complete control. The yellow in his eyes faded, and I knew Seth was pushing forward as he kneeled and gave me a low grumble.

I quickly climbed on top of his back. Seth was tall, even in his human form. As a wolf, he was clearly a Beta from his height. His fur was dark brown, with black streaks and pure black paws. His wolf was beautiful. I was in awe because I hadn't spent much time with wolves this way. I could feel Nia purring as I gripped his fur, and he took off in a full sprint. 

I had never been on top of a wolf before in any capacity, and I couldn't help but take in everything I felt in these moments. The vibration of his wolf purring was soothing, almost as if he were singing me a lullaby. Nia was quiet aside from her purring for the first time ever.

We truly felt at peace. 

The night air was so cold that it numbed my bare skin as it sped past us. I could hear rustling now and again from animals fleeing the path that Seth strode forward in. As I looked up at the sky, each star looked bright and unique.

Seth ran for at least an hour before he stopped in a clearing. He shook me off his back. "Hey!" I grumbled as I got back to my feet. His wolf lurched forward, his eyes glowing as he bowed again. His eyes returned to normal just as quickly before he trodded off around a tree.

That was weird, I thought to myself. "What are you doing to Dax?" I heard Seth say before he appeared in front of me in a pair of shorts. They must have a stash of clothes here, I thought to myself. "Dax is your wolf?" I asked knowingly. I smiled as his eyes glowed again. 

Dax confirmed what I already knew. "Stop doing that!" Seth yelled at me. "I'm not doing anything," I said truthfully. "You may have everyone else fooled Lucy, but I know there is something... off about you," he accused.

If only he knew, my only secret was knowing my father killed my mom; oh, how stupid he would feel. Well, I guess my mate's identity might come as a surprise, too. Technically, I could be considered his future Luna.

You're more than a Luna Lucy, Nia spoke boldly. Did Dax say something to you? Wait, can you even talk to other wolves, Nia? I asked desperately for answers about the weird behavior.  In time, Luce Nia said softly before retreating to the back of my head.

She always called me by that nickname when she felt tired or sentimental.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized how she had acted differently in the last few years. I was in survival mode for so long I hadn't been talking to her as much as I should have. I wasn't asking her questions or consulting her the way a she-wolf should.

Guilt flooded my body as I realized how much I had neglected my wolf.

I shook my head, realizing Seth wasn't near me anymore. As I looked around, I spotted his silhouette walking toward a cabin. This wasn't any standard cabin. It was massive. I looked around, confused. How had I never noticed this cabin in any of my runs or at least heard about it?

"We're protected here," Seth said in a deep and agitated voice. "Protected? From my dad?" I sighed deeply before moving toward the cabin.