War For The First Time

THREE DAYS LATER

RIVER VALLEY

LUNA'S POV

The air hits different this chilly morning. The atmosphere is welcoming. The rays of the early morning sun make the surroundings appear a tad more comfier. The birds are chirping happily singing wonderful songs.

I always used to think of the noise the birds made as annoying when I was a kid. I remember telling Mom they had no melody at all. She simply laughed and told me to calm my soul then I will pick up the melody. Mom made me practice it and it felt great actually listening.

I push that memory to the back of my mind as I put on my ear pods. I get some music on. I am a huge fan of anything close to a melody actually.

I start running along the pavement which leads away from the town square. I love my morning runs because they always help me develop a relaxed mind and get right to work.

Though I still feel a dull ache in my muscles from the intense activities from yesterday, I try to maintain my usual fast running pace.

I cut through the local park into the woods. I keep running faster as I feel my pulse quickening.

I suddenly feel someone tap me on the shoulder and I let my claws out before turning round. The act was so sudden, I almost had a heart attack. I wasn't expecting anyone to be on my trail and I didn't particularly pick up anyone's presence which is odd.

Once I come face-to-face with the person, I sigh while sinking my claws in and taking off the air pods.

"Woah. It's just me."

Terrance says calmly as he raises his hands.

"You shouldn't sneak up on me like that."

I tell him raking a hand through my hair. I notice how he watches the movement, his eyes taking in my hair which by the way isn't your normal black. My hair has streaks of silver strands in it. The silver strands usually glow when I wolf out or when I'm particularly super enraged. Levi and I always got picked on when we were younger for our unique hair colour.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to go for a run and saw you so I followed you."

"Thanks for making it sound less creepy."

We both laugh. Terrance lets out a breathe and looks at me intently as if he wants to say something to me but doesn't know how to. I wait patiently till he finally finds his words.

"Umm...I just wanted to say I respect you for your strength. I feel sorry because I kind of under estimated you because..."

"I'm small?"

I finish off for him when he trails off. He nods gently and looks away his cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

"It's okay. I'm used to it already."

He lets out a breathe.

"I guess we should continue now."

I put my air pods back on and we go on.

Once I return to my place, I take a shower before checking any messages on my phone. It's a my routine to ignore all messages whenever I'm out for my runs and the people I interact with know better than to even try.

*The f*ck?*

There are two messages. One from Rook and another from the number who contacted me yesterday.

{YOU LOOK PRETTIER LALITA, I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU...L}

A shiver runs down my spine on reading this message. How does this stranger know my real name? I changed my name to 'Luna' for a reason. Even if my pack mates said I was to be called the pack Luna since I'm the equivalent to an Alpha, I declined. They couldn't say 'Luna Luna' so I insisted they call me Alpha instead.

How can someone know my name? The only two people who know my real name are Levi—He calls me Luna anyway. He doesn't think Lalita suits me because it was our mother's name too.—and Malik. Neither of them would ever tell anyone my real name.

For Malik he is a true friend which is why he wouldn't tell anyone my real name. And as for Levi he has some love for our mother which made him swear he would rather stick his tongue in a jar full of fire ants than let anyone know my name is Lalita.

I am snapped out of my daze when my phone starts ringing. It's only when Rook's name appears on the screen that I release a breathe I had no idea I was holding. I pick up the call. Rook starts speaking before I can even honour him with a greeting.

That's when I recall Rook's text and that's weird because he never texts or calls when I'm out for my runs which means something happened.

I hear Rook shuffle some papers on his side.

Rook hangs up and I rush into my walk in closet. I put on a pair of joggers and and a plain white t-shirt. I quickly slip on a pair of sneakers and head to Hope Cafe.

When I step into the Cafe, the sent of caffeine mixed with the scent of vanilla and cinnamon. The Cafe's design reminds me of sweet gentle times with Mom. The flowers are exactly her favorites and the colors are her favorite too. Hilda, the owner of this Cafe was one of the members of the pack when Mom was still the Oracle. She and Mom were best friends. She designed this Cafe in loving memory of her best friend.

I scan the Cafe and catch Rook who is seriously examining some papers. He hasn't noticed me yet. I make my way to his table and slip into a chair close to him. He lifts his head meeting my gaze.

" So what got up your ass big guy?"

I ask. Rook sighs and turns to the petite blonde at the counter. I'm sure she must be new because I haven't seen her here before. She comes to us with a wide smile plastered on her face.

"Get her strong black coffee and replace mine thank you."

Rook instructs. The girl who from her badge name reads Taylor hurries to get our orders.

"What's the emergency?"

I ask once again. Rook can be annoying when it comes to announcing bad news. He always keeps others in suspense. It's not like he does it on purpose it's just he gets nervous sometimes which I find ridiculous.

I can still remember how I cackled up when I first found out.

"About that wolf who attacked you yesterday...umm Mia...well...some traces of magic were detected in her blood stream. Scarlett suspects she was put under a

... spell..."

I almost choke on my saliva.

"By spell you mean mind control stuff?"

Rook nods.

"That is just a theory but we aren't sure yet."

"Who could have possibly done something like that."

Rook clears his throat.

"That leads us to our second discovery. Mia went towards Levi's clan around noon yesterday and that is the time approximated for her disappearance before she returned the way she did."

"So what you're implying is Levi might have a hand in this?"

"Umm...I'm not implying anything..."

I hold up a hand halting Rook as tries to explain himself. Everyone except Malik treats Levi as a sore subject for me. I just avoid it but it doesn't mean it's a sore subject.

"It's fine Rook I know what Levi is capable of."

I gently rub the back of my neck. I suddenly feel uncomfortable. Taylor chooses that moment to come in with our orders.

I murmur my thanks to her as I take the coffee. Except I'm imagining it–which I'm sure I'm not–Taylor gives Rook a once-over before leaving.

"What do we do now?"

Rook, who is worse then a blind bat not to have noticed Taylor checking him out, asks me. I shrug.

"I guess we'll wage a war."

Rook's eyes nearly pop out of their sockets.

"Luna, are you sure? I mean this is going to be our first war with them."

"Chill out Rook. I'm serious. We are waging war for the first time."

Rook keeps staring at me as if he is half expecting me to laugh it off and tell him I'm kidding but I won't. Levi made a big attempt on my life this time. Malik is right, I must retaliate.

"Call in a general meeting and inform our pillars."

I order while sipping down on my hot coffee. The bitter taste actually makes me feel alive. I'm in love with it.

Rook takes out his phone and starts making calls.

*This is it. We have to face each other Levi, you asked for it.*