World apart

Joshua stood up abruptly and he picked me up and strode to the van. He opened the door and he placed me inside it.

There were hints of anger all over his face.

He entered the car and drove off.

Soon, we stopped.

I knew it even before he stopped the van. He was a high ranking member of Ravenwood pack, trespassing on Stormbreaker pack land without invitation from their Alpha was tantamount to declaring war, wolves were territorial that way.

He sat there unsure of what to do, battling within himself the bare concept of letting me go at it alone while I was still as shaken as I was.

Ryder did it without batting an eyelid but he struggled.

Poor Joshua - bearing the curse of being a good guy in an impossible situation.

He exhaled deeply and his deep blue eyes turned around to look at me.

He tried to keep our goodbye mechanical.

He opened the door and pulled me out.

"I have to…"

"I know" I nodded.

Words needn't be said. I think we've been like that our whole lives, we simply knew what each other needed to say, Ryder used to joke all the time that Joshua and I were platonic soulmates, my very own gay best friend except Joshua McNeily wasn't gay.

"Call me" He said "If you ever need me…call me and I will be there"

We both knew it wasn't true.

This was goodbye. We were worlds apart now - Joshua forever at Ryder's side and myself at the other end of a world he couldn't enter without permission from an Alpha who would sooner eat his own leg than invite a rank of Ravenwood into his pack.

Like he could read my mind, Joshua looked at me, his gaze dropping.

"I'm sorry" He whispered.

"Don't be" I said.

"FaceTime?" I asked him. "But if it would put you at odd with Ryder-"

He cut me off.

"Every Tuesday at 6:35pm, okay?" He asked me and I nodded.

As I prepared to head home, Joshua's expression turned curt, his eyes flashing at me. "Just head down that path," he said brusquely, his finger jabbing towards the right direction. His voice was low and even, but I sensed a simmering tension beneath the surface.

But I didn't leave.

I moved closer and I hugged him.

"Kai…" he was reluctant.

Physical touch was never our thing. It was more like chasing each other around with a Cutlass and laughing at each other's mishap.

Joshua always kept himself apart from me. I think it was drilled into him so early as a kid that I was off limits, I was Ryder's.

"Hug me back" I whispered.

"It's your pheromone…whatever you think you feel for me, it's not real" He stated as a matter of fact.

Who could blame? I crossed a line that was never supposed to be crossed and betrayed his trust when I kissed him earlier and tried to force him to sleep with me.

I stepped away from him. A glint of tears appeared in my eyes.

"It's not the pheromones. Everything I'm feeling is all me, Josh. I mean- not…not…the part that happened in…in the …motel. I am mortified that I tried to…to jump you" I started to stutter just in case he misunderstood what I was trying to say.

"Okay. Then let's not talk about it anymore!" He said and we both laughed awkwardly but then it turned into a real smile.

"All I want to say is that…in a world where moms sell kids and husbands takes out an Ad in the papers to spread lies, you are a pretty decent guy, McNeily and-" I blinked back tears "I have never told you how much your friendship means to me and I should have said this a long time ago…You are my family and I love you"

I didn't expect much in the way of words from him. He was never good at the mushy stuff but I didn't expect him to come closer and kiss my forehead, caress my cheek slightly while whispering. "I know, kiddo. See you at 6:35" He pressed the key to the van into my hand.

I felt a shiver run down my spine and this sense of loss overwhelmed me instantly as Joshua turned abruptly and strode back towards Ravenwood leaving the van behind for me.

The air seemed to vibrate with unspoken emotions, and as he disappeared from my sight.

Finally, I was alone.

I took the keys and started the van. I drove past the common land into Stormbreaker land. Barely made it a few miles before I was surrounded by seven patrols and I was forced to stop.

I stepped out of the van, the other option was running them over but I doubt it would sit well with their Alpha.

I gazed at the seven Border Patrol werewolves before me. Each one was unique, with their own distinct features and abilities.

"I'm Aiden. Rules demand we introduce ourselves ...."

And so I met them.

Aiden, the pack's leader, stood tall with piercing yellow eyes and chiseled features. Next to him was Lila, a petite woman with striking green eyes and long, curly brown hair.

Caleb, the gentle giant, towered over the others with his rugged build and warm smile. kayla, with her vibrant red hair and piercing blue eyes, seemed to radiate hostile.

Elijah, a burly man with a strong jawline and kind eyes, stood with his arms crossed, exuding a sense of quiet confidence. Maya, a sleek and agile woman with dark hair and piercing amber eyes, seemed to embody a sense of fluid motion, even when standing still.

Julian, with his lean build and piercing gray eyes, seemed to blend into the background, his very presence almost ethereal.

Together, they formed a formidable team, and I knew I could trust them to keep me safe within the Stormbreaker territory, not when they think I'm an intruder.

"Hi. I'm Kaidaira-" I was cut off.

"Are you lost?" Lila asked me.

"No but-"

"Do you have an invitation?" Aiden asked me.

"No. This is my-" He tried to interrupt me again but I'd had enough "Let me finish! This is my pack. I'm not a visitor and I'm not lost. I am simply coming home. So, take me to your Alpha or let me go home to my family!"

"Control yourself, ma'am"

I took a deep breath. I reminded myself they were simply doing their jobs.

"I'm sorry I lost my head. It's been a shitty day"

"I mean control yourself! We can smell your filth from here! should you be parading around while giving off that God awful scent?" Kayla screamed in disgust.

"What?" I was mildly irritated "I didn't-"

"Who are you here to see?" Aiden snapped.

"Akira." I forced it out of my mouth. "Her name is Akira Lorde"

"May I know the reason for the visit?"

"She is my mother" I whispered from the place I stood. "I'm Kaidaira. I'm her daughter"

He stopped and looked at me like I was made of alien poop or something.

"The Luna is your mother?" He looked about ready to explode.

"Luna?" I was confused.

"Who sent you?" He asked me. "Are you a spy? Seize her!"

"What!" I was thrown on the ground immediately and restricted by five patrols twice my size.

"Maybe a day or two in prison will sober you up, you imposter! You think you can seduce your way into our pack and lie to us that you are our Alpha's daughter and go scot free. Prepare to be surprised! Take her away!"

Luna?

Imposter?

What the hell is going on?!

This wasn't the reunion I expected.

"My name is Kaidaira! Akira Lorde is my mother! This is my pack! Call Akira, ask her if she has a daughter named Kaidaira. It's a rare name, it's not easy to forget! Please, ask my mom!"

A slap landed on my cheek and it was enough to quiet me out instantly.

"Of course, Luna Akira has a daughter named Kaidaira"

A glimmer of hope flickered in my eyes.

"You see, I'm telling the truth!" I screamed at him.

"No, you are not. Do you know how I know this? Because Kaidaira - Our Kaidaira is at home preparing for the lunar Gala. Hell, she might be chosen by the lycan prince and bring glory to our land. I won't let you dishonor her name!"

Wait what?!

Another Kaidaira?