Page 143 of Full Moon
But it's Torben's grin, full of boyish excitement, that pulls at my heart. The big guy is practically glowing, more eager than I am to see his family. "Hurry, little wolf," he rumbles, mischief lighting his eyes before he sweeps me off my feet. I barely have time to squeak in surprise before he's bolting down the trail, his long strides jostling me as I laugh helplessly in his arms.
"You know I can run faster than you!" I protest through fits of laughter, but he just grins wider, bouncing me like a rag doll with every step. My howl breaks up into a series of stuttering yelps, sounding like a wolf who's had a bit too much to drink, and I can't stop the snickers that bubble up despite the tension still coiled in my chest.
Ahead, the trees open up into the central gathering area, the underbrush parting like a curtain as we burst through. The warmth of the fire is immediate, the scent of roasting meat stronger now, mingling with the sweetness of pine sap.
Mila and Aleksei are already rushing toward us, their arms open wide with laughter on their lips. Torben barely has time to set me down before his mother grabs me, pulling me into a fierce hug that knocks the breath right out of me.
"How's my baby?" Her voice is full of affection, but the moment she pulls back and her gaze locks onto the scar running down the left side of my face, her expression shifts into something harder, more dangerous. Her fingers trace the silver line from my hairline down to my jaw, her brow furrowing with the fierce protectiveness only a mother can have.
"Who did this? I swear, if my son didn't already take care of it, I will." Her hands cup my face, turning it left and right, her sharp eyes zeroing in on the gash that splits my eyebrow. The hair will never grow there again, leaving a permanent mark, but somehow, by sheer luck, it missed my eye.
"It was a polar wendigo," Torben says proudly, stepping closer to wrap an arm around me as if to shield me from the weight of her concern. "And somehow, my mate almost killed it. Diaval's dragon squished it like a bug after Feray and I held it off for as long as we could."
Before his mother can respond, Aleksei pulls me into a firm, approving hug. "You chose a strong mate, son," he says with a grin, releasing me just as quickly. There's warmth in his gaze—the kind that makes my chest swell with a sense of belonging I've rarely known. Torben's family. They've always been like this: fierce, protective, and welcoming.
But an anxious knot tightens in my stomach as I think about the task ahead. My people will be here soon, and I have so much to do before then—so many dangers to prepare for.
Taking a deep breath, I steady myself and face Torben's father. "First of all, I want to thank everyone for allowing my people to stay within your territory." My voice is calm, but underneath it all, a storm of nerves churns. I lower my head in respect, hiding the flicker of unease from everyone except Torben, whose eyes never leave me.
"Your blood is our blood. You know that." Aleksei smiles broadly, his words warm and reassuring. "We're happy to help however we can."
"I'm truly grateful." My eyes flick to Torben, and he gives me a small nod, his expression encouraging. "There's something else I need to show you—something besides the scar."
I bite down on my bottom lip, nerves twisting tighter in my gut. Through the bond, I send a silent message to Easton and Diaval, letting them know I'm about to reveal my wolf to Torben's sleuth. Their love surges back to me, a wave of warmth that bolsters my courage against the cold uncertainty of what's to come.
"My wolf has changed. I have changed." I lift my chin, holding my head high as the weight of my words settles over the gathered bears. "I am the last winter wolf and Luna to the packs of the arctic."
Torben steps forward and gently places the Selune diadem on my head. The weight of it feels heavier than I expected, but the pride in his touch lightens the burden. His parents' eyes widen, recognition flashing across their faces as the significance of the diadem settles in—this crown was announced to all species before I was even born, a symbol of leadership that had yet to be claimed.
Until now.
Mila suddenly bolts from the group, disappearing into their house. The silence stretches, only to be broken by her swift return with the official announcement from all those years ago clutched in her hands. "I don't know why I didn't see it sooner," she says, beaming at me despite the tears gathering in her eyes. "You look just like your momma."
I hand the diadem back to Torben, smiling softly. "That's not the only surprise I need to show everyone." My voice is moreconfident now, but I can feel the tension rising again like a tide. "I need you to step back and not approach too quickly."
Their puzzled expressions mirror the uncertainty I feel, but Torben understands. He begins to gently usher everyone away from me as I back up several paces myself, focusing on the rising energy inside me, allowing my wolf to push to the surface.
The air grows thick with pressure as my wolf emerges, the transformation happening in slow, deliberate waves that make the ground itself seem to hold its breath. When I stand fully shifted, I'm just under four feet at the shoulder, my head level with Torben's shoulders. My fur—a perfect blend of snow-white and soft pearl—shimmers in the fading light, designed to camouflage me flawlessly in the tundra where my ancestors once ruled. My ice-blue eyes sweep over the sleuth, and I hold my head high. I'm no longer the scared little wolf they once vowed to protect.
I am more.
"Holy shit, brother," Elijah breathes, stepping closer despite himself. "She's taller than our bears."
Levi, ever the playful one, grins as he edges closer. "May I approach Feray?" He tilts his head, curiosity brimming over, and I toss my head in agreement.
"You can," Torben answers for me, his voice calm with pride.
Levi's eyes widen as he studies me. "Look how huge her paws are!" He exclaims, reaching out as I sit and offer him one. My paw dwarfs his hand, large and formidable, with hooked claws meant for tearing through snow and prey alike. "This is... a truly scary upgrade, Feray."
He inspects me further, his fascination almost amusing as he runs his fingers through my double-layered coat. "I bet the cold didn't even phase you with this fur."
"Diaval says because she's the last of her kind, she's considered a mythic, like he and Easton are," Torben explains.
"That explains a lot," Aleksei adds, his tone thoughtful. "I can feel her dominance now that she's shifted. In her human form, I didn't feel it at all."
I turn to Torben with a subtle nod. He knows what I want.
"Levi, back up—Feray's going to shift back."
Levi quickly steps away, giving me the space I need. The shift happens fast, faster than most shifters, and unlike them, my clothes remain intact—a small blessing of my mythic status.
"So, that's what we found out up north," I say with a grin as Torben's family leads me to the tables where food waits, steaming and fragrant. Torben recounts our journey, his voice animated with the joy of being home, but my mind is only half on his words.
I sit with his mother and the rest of the sows, trying to enjoy the moment, trying to let myself feel safe in this warm circle of firelight and family. But a cold worry gnaws at the back of my mind like a wolf at a bone, refusing to let go. I just hope I'm not bringing trouble to their door. Because trouble has been following me since before I was born, and it has never once lost my scent.
The wolves are coming.
And I pray they're the only ones.
