Chapter 48
Astrid’s POV
I looked into Kaeleen’s eyes, seeing the genuine worry etched on his face. He was actually concerned about me. It was a strange feeling, one I wasn’t used to.
To be sincere, I wasnt used to many of the things that were hapoening around me. For one this genuine interest in me. The care that these people were showing me. A part of me felt like this was all just a sham and soon enough, they’d reveal their true selves. But another part knew that these people were just this genuine.
"I’m okay, Kaeleen," I said, my voice soft. "I’m actually having a good time."
He searched my face, as if trying to determine if I was telling the truth. I met his gaze, offering him a reassuring smile.
"Really," I insisted. "Everyone here is so welcoming. It’s... different."
"Different how?" he asked, his brow furrowing.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure how to explain. How could I make him understand the stark contrast between this pack and the Moonshade pack?
"They don’t even know me," I said, my voice a little incredulous. "I just walked into this pack, and everyone is treating me like I already belong. Like I’m one of them."
Kaeleen’s expression softened, a hint of sadness creeping into his eyes. "Wasn’t that the case when you first walked into the Moonshade pack?" he asked, his voice low.
I shook my head, a bitter taste filling my mouth. "No," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "It was... extremely different."
The memories flooded back, unbidden and unwelcome. The cold stares, the whispered insults, the feeling of being an outsider, always on the periphery, never truly accepted. From the first day I walked into the Moonshade pack, id been an outcast. No one cared about the fact that I was brought in by the alpha. At least if Kaeleen’s pack members were pretending, they were doing a good job at it. At least I could get to feel like I belonged before things took a turn.
"No one acknowledged me," I continued, my voice trembling slightly. "No one wanted me there. I tried to put on a brave front, pushing forward, thinking that maybe if I did my job well, Leon and his pack members would like me. But I realized that wasn’t the case."
Although I realized that a bit too late. I should have left from the very beginning but I was att ahed to the first person that feigned interest in me.
I shook my head again, trying to rid myself of the painful memories. They were like a dark cloud, threatening to engulf me in their suffocating embrace.
"Astrid..." he began his face tight with worry.
"It’s okay," I said, forcing a smile. "I don’t really want to think about it anymore. What’s happened is in the past, and I’m ready to focus on the future. I’m ready to face the future."
Besides, it was a party. A celebration. And instead of dwelling on the darkness of the past, we should be focusing on the light of the present.
"Besides," I said, my voice a little brighter, "it’s a party! We should be enjoying ourselves. No more sad stories, okay?"
Kaeleen smiled at me, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "Okay," he said, his voice gentle. "I’m already enjoying the party a lot."
"Really?" I asked him.
"Yeah." He said with his gaze on me. "You are right here with me, how could I not enjoy the party?"
I blushed at his words. His words had that effect on me and for the love of all things good, I couldn’t understand why. But I cleared my throat, deciding to focus on something else.
"I met Yvonne Briggs. You weren’t lying when you said she belonged to your pack." I said to him.
He placed his hands on his chest with a gasp. "You thought I was lying?" He asked me making me laugh.
"Maybe? But it’s all surreal getting to see her in person."
Kaeleen released a low laugh, shaking his head. "You’re impressed by Yvonne?" he asked, his eyes teasing.
"Of course, I am!" I exclaimed. "She’s amazing! I’ve always looked up to her."
"Well, prepare to be disappointed," Kaeleen said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Yvonne is actually my cousin. And she’s a brat."
I stared at him in surprise, my mouth agape. "Your cousin?" I asked, incredulous. "Yvonne Briggs is your cousin?"
Kaeleen nodded, rolling his eyes. "Unfortunately," he said. "That’s why I refer to her as ’Brat.’ She’s extremely annoying, not as impressive as you’re making her out to be."
I burst out laughing, shaking my head. "You’re just jealous," I said, my voice teasing. "Yvonne is cool. You just don’t want to admit it."
Yvonne, who had been listening to our conversation with amusement, chimed in. "She’s right, Kaeleen," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You’re just jealous because I’m way cooler than you."
Kaeleen nodded, his eyes with mischief. "Yeah, if course you’re cool. That is if the cool started with a k instead of c."
We all laughed, the sound echoing through the air. It was a lighthearted, joyful moment, one that I would cherish forever.
As we were talking, people kept passing by, offering their greetings and well wishes.
"Welcome to the pack," they would say, smiling warmly.
Or, "Welcome to the pack, Luna."
I noticed that I was blushing from the constant attention, feeling a bit shy and flustered by the way they were greeting me as the Luna. It was a title I wasn’t sure I had earned yet.
I nudged Kaeleen, my voice a little hesitant. "Tell them to stop calling me Luna," I said, my cheeks burning.
Kaeleen just smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Why?" he asked, his voice teasing. "Don’t you like it?"
"It’s not that," I said, my voice low. "It’s just... I’m not your Luna.So, the title feels a bit weird when they refer to me as such."
I wasn’t sure what the future held. I didn’t know if I would ever truly be Kaeleen’s Luna. But for now, the title felt premature, like I was trying to be something I wasn’t.