Chapter 66

It felt like I sat there for a long time, with Elroy slowly calming in my arms, though it was probably really only five minutes. Then I caught sight of Fay's fingers twitching once, a barely perceptible movement that sent Elroy into a frenzy. Before I could blink, he was on his feet, looming over me with a low, menacing growl rumbling from his chest.

"Elroy, no!" I hissed, wrapping my arms around his muscular torso to keep him from lunging. "She's not a threat."

My words had no effect, and I inwardly cursed. I’d hoped he was calm enough to understand a few words, but clearly I was wrong. All I could do was cling to him, pump out my scent, and pray Fay didn’t move again.

There was no question of what would happen if she did. If I weren’t firmly wrapped around Elroy’s midsection he would have done it already.

My heart raced. Fay went back to being motionless but it was clear she was starting to wake up, and once she did I really didn’t think I could stop my Mate. I stroked Elroy’s back, trying to soothe him as I murmured words I knew he didn’t comprehend.

“It’s okay, Elroy. She’s safe. She’s a friend.”But his eyes remained fixed on Fay's prone form, muscles coiled and ready to spring. I could feel the vibrations of his growl in his chest, but more importantly I sensed the faint tremor of his aura threatening to unleash itself again.

Panic clawed at my throat. The last time it had felt like my skull was caving in, and I knew I couldn’t take that again.

I glanced around the tent, desperate for some answer to appear out of thin air, when I noticed that Fay’s pant leg had rucked up just a little, and if I stretched my arm a bit her bare ankle would be in reach. The idea that struck me was primal and instinctive, and I didn’t have the leisure to think it over.

I did my best to hold Elroy with one arm while I stretched the other out towards Fay. Elroy watched with rapt protectiveness but didn’t interfere. My fingers brushed against Fay’s skin first, and then my wrist.

I rubbed my wrist on her in firm, tight circles, initiating a scent mark. People scented their loved ones all the time, so by transferring my scent onto her I was quite literally marking her as family.

The effect was instantaneous. Elroy's growl subsided, his taut muscles relaxing as he inhaled deeply. His eyes, previously wild with aggression, softened as he looked from Fay to me.

"That's right," I cooed, relief washing over me. "She's one of us. You can smell it, can’t you?"

Appeased, Elroy sniffed at the air before settling himself back beside me happily. He completely ignored Fay’s existence now, and I could only hope that would hold true once she woke up too. Elroy looked so perfectly content.

I, on the other hand, struggled to keep my scent neutral as my actions caught up to me. Goddess Above, what have I done?

In our world, scenting wasn't just a gesture—it was a binding act. For most people it was just physical proof of the connection between them and someone else, but I was a Luna. I stood as a symbol for my entire pack, and by scenting her I'd essentially claimed her for Eclipse without her consent.

I had tied her to my pack while she was unable to even protest. I had broken what was left of her pseudo-bond to the pack that she loved. I had violated her entirely.

Elroy nestled down with me again, and I just kept murmuring softly at him. I couldn't hear my own words though—my thoughts were too loud. I had effectively forcefully inducted Fay into Eclipse, and she was going to wake up pissed.

It was the eventual rustling of some people outside the hut waking up that brought Fay to full consciousness. Her gaze was unfocused, but as awareness returned, Fay's nostrils flared. I knew she’s scented what I’d done.

She stiffened, hurt and betrayal flashing across her features, and guilt twisted harshly in my gut. “Wait!” I whisper-yelled at her, putting my finger to my lips. “Don’t move yet, he’s still on edge.”

Fay's lower lip trembled, tears welling in her eyes. I could see the questions, the anger, the pain all warring for expression. But she pressed her lips together, forcing herself to remain still and silent.

My heart ached. I wanted nothing more than to comfort her, to explain everything, but Elroy's heavy body reminded me of the precarious situation we were still in. I couldn’t be certain of anything until he’d come down from his primal state.

“I’m so sorry,” I said to Fay, my voice threatening to crack. I met her eyes, desperately praying she could see how much I meant what I said. “It was all I could think of to keep him from killing you.”

Fay pursed her lips together, looking away from me as a single tear escaped down her cheek. The sight tore at me, and I knew there was absolutely nothing I could do to undo what I’d done to her.

Just as awfully, there was nothing I could say. All the justifications in the world didn’t change what I’d taken from her, even if it was to save her life, and I doubted she wanted to hear me defending myself at that moment. Anything I said would just pour salt in the wound.

I would have to wait until she could at least respond to me, but that wouldn’t be happening until Elroy had calmed down.

I turned my attention back to Elroy, my voice soft and melodic as I continued to murmur reassurances. I hoped that by speaking, even if it was mostly nonsense, I could give his mind a focus point. I searched his eyes for any flicker of recognition, any sign that Elroy was returning from the primal state that had overtaken him.

It was awkward to praise him in front of Fay like this, but I hoped she could understand that it was necessary to bring him back down to earth. It felt like I was condoning what he’d done, the damage he’d caused, and I was worried that was all Fay was going to hear. All the headway we’d made towards finding a solution felt like it had been swept away.

I couldn’t focus on that right then, though. Not with a wolf seemingly double my size resting his head on my chest. He looked utterly at peace, eyes closed as he seemingly soaked in my presence. I had to hope that was a good sign.

I think it is, my wolf said softly. As long as he doesn’t sense a threat, he should start to calm down. I don’t know how long it might take, though.

I silently thanked her, grateful for her steadying presence in what felt like a torrent of chaos. For a wolf that could be so playful and impulsive, at that moment she was the anchor I needed her to be. That, and she assured me the baby was still alive.

I wasn’t sure how. I could hardly believed I survived, let alone my unborn baby, but maybe it was because it was their father’s aura that it didn’t affect the pup too bad? It didn’t really matter—I was just grateful.

"That's it," I cooed to Elroy, carefully reaching out to stroke his muzzle. "You’re coming back now, aren’t you? I can tell.

“You can come back now, you don’t have to stay in that place. You protected us. You came for me."

A lump formed in my throat as the realization truly sank in. He had come. Despite our fights, despite my doubts, Elroy had answered my call.

I realized that a part of me truly hadn’t been sure he would. I’d really thought that any partnership between us had been shattered with our last fight, the accusations too painful to forgive, but he was here. He could have just left me and found some other Moonshadow woman to fulfill the prophecy with, but he’d run into the woods half-mad to find me.

Alone, too, I realized. There was no backup, no soldiers or guards rounding people up outside—he hadn’t even gone back to Eclipse, too desperate to save our family. Even though walking in here alone and blind was as good as a death sentence, he’d done it without a second thought.

My fingers buried themselves in the thick fur of his neck, reveling in his solid presence. He’d risked his life, which as a pack Alpha was the most precious gift he could give his pack. If he died Eclipse could crumble—White Paw was a perfect example of that—so his instincts shouldn’t have let him act so recklessly with his own life.

I wanted to yell at him for it, I wanted to kiss him for it, and I wanted to explain everything I’d learned here and let him handle it. I couldn’t do any of that until he came back to me, though.

"You need to shift back so you can talk to me, Elroy," I said, stroking my Mate's velvety ears. He closed his eyes in bliss, trusting me fully and implicitly. It was an honor to get this kind of trust when he was in such a primal state, but even though it pulled at my heartstrings and filled my chest with joy and pride, I couldn’t stop thinking about Fay’s tearstained face.