noun ~ an assembly, especially a social or festive one held for a specific purpose

We had finally chosen to head back in when my stomach began to growl. I know Ares had offered to hunt for Celimene, but Phoenix had taken over and told me we would be eating at the packhouse. We were still in wolf form, jogging back to the nearest clothes storage, our fur brushing against each other.

Once we reached the nearest, Phoenix shifted back and pulled out some t-shirts and loose shorts. I shifted back and pulled them on in my haste, my hair still damp from the lake. Phoenix smiled down at me, dressed and dishevelled but content. He stepped closer to wrap his arms around my waist and place a kiss on my cheek.

"The pack have arranged a small get together tonight." He murmured.

"They have?" I asked, surprised.

He pulled away from me to nod, a small smile on his lips. "They figured it had been a while since we all got together, and with everything that has happened... They want to have it for you."

I blushed, sucking on my lips to hide my awkwardness. "I don't know what to say...

He laughed, taking my hand and pulling me through the tree line. "I never told you until now, because I knew you would say that it is too much effort. But whilst we have been running, they were setting up the bonfire and getting food prepared for the grill. Traditionally, we roast a pig over the bonfire."

"Do I have time to wash?" I wondered.

He smirked, looking down at me with a mischievous look on his face. "We have about an hour."

"Oh, we?" I teased.

He pulled me closer, wrapping his arm around my waist as we walked in tandem. "Yes, we do."

***

Safe to say we did more than wash away the lake water. With our libido's sated and our bodies clean, we got dressed into casual clothes and boots for the mud. I wore leggings and a large jumper of Phoenix's to keep warm. Speaking of, he was dressed pretty much the same except he wore the strangest things on his legs.

"What am I witnessing?" I asked, shaking my head.

"What?" He wondered, looking down at his legs.

"You're wearing...sweatpants?" I gazed, open-mouthed. "I thought I'd never see the day."

He growled playfully at me, pulling the neck of my jumper. "You're lucky you are covered in my scent."

"How so?" I laughed, nipping his fingers that got too close to my mouth.

He growled again, releasing the hold on his jumper. "Because I have no bad comments to say about your outfit in return."

I giggled, shaking my head. "I smell good too."

He grinned, bending to inhale my scent before kissing my cheek. "That you do. Just how you should be."

His wolf was practically purring, satisfied with how much I smelt of him. I know it was a prideful thing for wolves, Celimene felt the same, as weird as it was. But I enjoyed being able to smell him every time I turned my head. Plus, this jumper was soft and fleecy on the inside.

"Let's go. I'm sure they are nearly ready." He smiled, glancing at the watch on his wrist.

I looked too, finding it was close to eight in the evening. The sun was going down, the autumn skies becoming darker as the days went on. It felt homey and cosy, being warm inside as the nights drew in.

We made our way down the stairs and out of the house, Phoenix leading me to a part of the gardens that I didn't visit often. It was a large fire pit, with bricks and cement in a large circle, the pit in the middle with a huge four-foot stand holding the pig. I could see it was already cooked, warming under the good-sized fire. Wolves run hot, so I know I would be one of the few close to the heat. Hence why it was not such a huge size.

There were various burners and barbeques on part of the cement, facing the field where many wooden benches and logs lay. Wolves were already dotted around, the smaller amount of pack members made it not so intimidating. I inhaled deeply, my mouth salivating at all the different foods lining the tables around the cookers.

"Alpha, Luna, nice to see you." One spoke, I think her name was Emily.

"Thank you, it smells so good." I smiled, looking around.

"Have fun on your chase, Alpha?" A man teased and I turned to see it was Alex.

I smiled at him, happy he was still sticking around. "Alex!"

Phoenix chuckled. "I did indeed."

I smiled at my mate, happy to see him so relaxed in his pack. When I first came here he was so much more uptight and that smile I loved to see hardly appeared. I don't doubt that the dark, ruthless Alpha was still there, it was just nice to have him more open to his pack.

I had tuned out of their conversation when it turned to matters about the patrol. My eyes caught sight of so many familiar faces, including the twins huddled on a bench together talking to a couple of other girls. They seemed okay; when we arrived back at the packhouse they had stayed private for a day or two but were back to normal as they can be. I know for a fact that Maisie did not like to go so far into the woods anymore.

Looking further into the area, I found Rose standing beside Sean as he laughed with another male. She was warily looking around, taking everything in but when my eyes caught hers she gave me a small smile. It had only been a couple of months and already she has come so far. I knew for a fact that she was running more with Sean, her wolf trusting him to help reign her in if she was to become too skittish.

I noticed the divide in the visiting wolves that were here to train, how they tended to stay to one side of the fire. Their eyes were wide as they looked around, occasionally looking at Phoenix, but otherwise, they seemed okay.

But the biggest shock to my system was the glimpse of dark brown almost black hair and two almond-shaped eyes squinting through the darkening sky. My eyes widened in surprise and I looked to see if anyone else had noticed her appearance. I licked my lips before leaving Phoenix to go over to her. Her weaker hearing didn't hear me approach so I went around her front before I spoke.

"Calida?" I asked, shocked.

Her eyes widened when they saw me, scanning my face. "Oh, hey."

"Hey?" I grinned. "You...You came outside."

She shrugged, looking around nervously. "I suppose I did."

I noticed her body language was uncomfortable so I chose not to question her anymore. "You thirsty?"

She nodded gratefully and I lifted my arm in a gesture for her to follow. Surprisingly, she held onto my forearm, not meeting my gaze. I smile softly, pretending it didn't happen as I lead her to the drinks. The drinks were just bottles and cans inside a random fridge. I noticed a long cable that travelled ten feet or so to a socket on the outside of the house.

I laughed to myself when I thought how random it was and even more so that some wolf had to carry a fridge to the garden. I reached inside and grabbed Calida's drink of choice which happened to be a beer, before settling on a cider for myself. There were enough drinks in here for the eighty or so wolves here, more no doubt inside.

"Ah, I see you found my genius idea."

I rolled my eyes, shutting the tall fridge door to come face to face with warm brown eyes hiding behind it. "I wouldn't say genius... Who even carried it out here?"

Charlie scoffed. "I did. Saves having to put the drinks in ice buckets and then they get all wet and warm after a while."

I laughed. "Only you would think of a fridge."

He was grinning at me now, but then his eyes suddenly widened as he caught glimpse of Calida behind me. I watched as he lost his grin and his eyes became gentle and timid as he gazed at her. I looked over my shoulder to see her step out from behind me. Despite being taller than me by a good five inches, she managed to hide well. She shuffled uneasily, her eyes looking to me for reassurance which I gave with a small nod.

"I think... the fridge is a pretty cool idea." She mumbled, looking to her mate nervously.

Charlie's face erupted into a wide smile, his eyes lighting up at her words. I felt my heart clench, so happy that she had gone as far as speaking first. Maybe they would be okay after all. She must feel the pull, the call to her mate. He wasn't as intimidating as he seemed; a goofy fluffy teddy bear really.

"See Nova, you are the only one who thinks it is stupid." He smirked, causing Calida to blush.

I rolled my eyes. "I never said stupid."

"Oh but you implied it, my dear, you implied it." He teased, crossing his arms.

"I never-"

"Ah, don't start lying now Pinocchio." He held up his hand. "I am cleverer than you think."

I opened my mouth to point out that cleverer wasn't really a word, but the sound of a gentle giggle from behind me startled me. I looked to see Calida now standing next to me, a hand to her face as she gazed at her mate. I sighed, a smile on my face.

"Okay, you win Charlie. If you'll excuse me, my mate wants me."

I saw the brief panic that came across his face, looking to his mate nervously. "I didn't hear him-"

"Bye! Enjoy the fire, Calida. You know where I am if you need some better company." I called, walking my way back to my mate.

I heard him scoff, mumbling about his great company but I didn't turn back. They would have to work it out on their own. Calida had taken my advice and had even left her room after so many weeks cooped up inside. It was down to them now. They wouldn't be able to deny each other for so long. I know how it felt, being left on a thread as I waited for my mate, so I knew Charlie would be hurting despite how well he hides it. Calida seemed on good behaviour, so I knew there wouldn't be any more thorns in his back.

Or lamps to your head. Cell snorted causing me to laugh.

"Wondered where you go to, my love." Phoenix's deep voice met my ears.

I looked up at him with a smile, "Calida came down."

I saw a glimpse of surprise as he pulled me into his side, looking to where I came from. "She did?"

I nodded, leaning into his warmth. "I left her with Charlie."

"You sure that's wise?" He chuckled.

I glanced back over to the couple, seeing Charlie leaning against the fridge and patting it affectionately. Calida was wringing her hands together but kept sneaking him looks as he spoke nonsense. I know she was the perfect match for him, her nerves were just the first stage. She had a fire within her, a feisty vibrant spirit waiting to be released; she just needed the right environment.

"Want me to open your bottle?" He asked.

I frowned, wondering what he meant when I noticed the cider I picked up required a bottle opener. "Oh, yeah I forgot about that."

"Allow me." He smirked, taking the bottle from my hands.

I watched with interest as his hand partially shifted and his claws came up. With one quick flick on the lid and a less-than-modest grin on his face, the lid popped off into his hand. I laughed at his prideful expression, taking the bottle and having a sip. He watched me with amusement, the bubbles making me wrinkle my nose up in protest.

"I'm going to go get myself a drink, I will be right back." He promised, kissing my temple.

I nodded in return, watching the broadness of his back tight with his movements as he slid his way through the multiplying crowds.

"Hey, Novie."

I jumped in fright, turning to glare at Sean with a hand on my chest. "You made me jump."

He chuckled and I noticed his mate wasn't in sight. "Sorry, you were in an Alpha daze again."

I rolled my eyes, cupping the cold bottle between my hands. "Am not."

He grinned his hands deep in his pockets. "You were, stop denying it."

We laughed and I looked at him properly this time. It was weird seeing him with hair, the short cut style complimented him and made him not so scary. But my heart ached, the longer I looked at him. I missed hanging out with him, watching movies. All we did was train, and half the time Phoenix took it upon himself to train me since Sean was busy with the trainees.

"You okay there?" He asked.

I blinked to clear my haze and nodded shyly at him. "Sorry, I zoned out."

He chuckled, looking at the mud that covered his shoes. "Not much has changed then, aye?"

I wrinkled my nose. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged, hesitant in his actions as he looked anywhere but me. "I just...we haven't been around each other much."

I grimaced, nodding in agreement. Sean was always on the same tandem as me, we worked in sync with each other. I think that was perhaps why we got on so well.

"I agree." I sighed, looking at my drink. "What... What are you doing tomorrow?"

He chuckled. "You asking me on a date, Luna?"

"That would be rather inappropriate as your higher rank wouldn't it?" I teased.

His eyes wrinkled in amusement. "I am free tomorrow at lunchtime. I am running the training in the morning, and then the trainees are doing some trials tomorrow late afternoon."

"Lunch it is." I grinned. "Will you be training me?"

He chuckled. "I'm surprised you even want to train anymore Novie, being a badass Alpha female."

We laughed and I shook my head. "As much as I would love to never train again... I enjoy the adrenaline rush it gives me."

He smiled, giving me a once over. "I'm glad you finally see how it can be fun."

"What's fun?" Phoenix's voice graced my ears.

I turned to look just as he came beside me. He was observing Sean with a strange expression, his hand coming to wrap around my waist and pull me to his side. I noticed the whiskey glass in his hand, not surprised that his drink of choice came in a glass with ice.

"I was just telling Sean that I actually enjoyed the training," I spoke, filling the awkward silence.

Sean no longer met my gaze and I frowned when he looked to the floor. Phoenix hummed, the deep vibrations hitting my ear.

"I agree you are not so grumpy about training anymore." Phoenix's voice held amusement.

Sean cleared his throat, "Nice to see you anyway, Nova. I'm just going to go see if Rose is okay."

I frowned as he left without my reply, watching his back as he walked away with his shoulders hunched. I felt Phoenix's grip on my waist loosen when we were finally alone and I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.

"What have you done?" I wondered.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

I moved away from him so I could look at his face and into his eyes. His jaw clenched when I made eye contact and I could feel the tension that he was trying to hide.

"Why is Sean acting weird around me?" I asked, crossing my arms.

The slight shift of his weight and how he wouldn't meet my gaze gave me the answer I needed. He had done something, said something behind my back to Sean. I growled and he winced ever so slightly. Big bad Alpha, my arse.

"What did you do?" I snapped, narrowing my eyes.

"Nova..." He sighed, "I just said a few things..."

I frowned, "So the reason I've not been hanging out with my friends is because of you."

He frowned, reaching for me but I stepped out of his reach, crossing my arms. "Nova..."

I growled, my emotions getting the best of me. I hated the fact he had gone and said things to Sean, that has to lead him to be so distant and...strange. It explains why he only approached me when Phoenix was gone, and perhaps it was why Charlie was around so much more when it used to be Sean. That, or I was looking too much into it.

"What did you say?"

He shuffled, looking around us uneasily. "I just told him to back off. You're mine now."

I grumbled. "I have always been yours. Sean is my friend."

"But he saw you more than that." He snapped before moving his head away and inhaling deeply. "Let's not talk about this here. Let's enjoy the evening together, please, Nova. I did what I thought-"

"No." I huffed. "Sean is my friend, I made that very clear to him. Nothing was ever going to happen, no amount of teasing would change that. Besides, he has a mate now! I am long since gone out of his mind."

He winced slightly, licking his lips and clenching his jaw. All signs of an uneasy Phoenix.

"I'm sorry." He sighed.

I sighed, taking a step away. "You cannot dictate who I have in my life, Phoenix. You going to warn Charlie off next?"

He scoffed. "Charlie is my Beta."

"Sean is your Gamma." I pointed out. "Both have mates and both are important in my life, Phoenix. You can't go telling people to leave me alone because you think they are going to... I don't know."

His eyes flashed but I continued. "You're right. Let's not ruin the night. I'm going to go find one of my brothers."

"Nova..." He reached for me again but I turned and walked away.

I thought we were past the hiding things from each other, but now I learn he had told one of my closest friends to leave me alone... I was torn. Torn between understanding his need to do it, and the frustration I felt when he tries to control my friends.

•••

Ahhh trouble in paradise?

Surprise early update as a celebration for 200k reads!

wc: 3153

Question of the Day:
Name something you have done this past 7 days that has made you proud of yourself. Small things, big things...

Did you get up and get dressed? Did you try a new food? Did you finish an exam? Did you get praised by your boss?

This week I am proud of myself for sticking with it when things get tough

shoutout to @cidking for the amazing fan art they sent me! (in banner of this chapter)

Finding Luna © 2021 XDeafening_SilenceX on W a t t p a d