My Luna Has Returned

On the day of the incident, I was filled with excitement and nerves as it was my first time leaving Europe to travel to the United States. Looking at the maps, the vastness of the country seemed alien to me, and I couldn't wait to experience new landscapes and meet different people. As a werewolf, my life had been mostly secluded within my family and pack, which left me feeling somewhat isolated. I longed for adventure and exploration, but my parents, especially my father, were very protective of me as the youngest and only daughter in the family.

My father often warned me about the dangers of the human world, emphasizing that humans could be cruel if they discovered our existence. His cautionary tales had always quelled my desire to venture beyond our territory. However, this time, I managed to convince him to let me accompany them on an alpha business trip, feeling that it was essential to understand how a pack worked, even though I had no intention of becoming a pack leader myself. With three older brothers, the responsibility of inheriting the pack rested solely on their shoulders.

Reluctantly, my father agreed to let me go, but he insisted that I stay close to him or one of my older brothers throughout the trip. It frustrated me at times, making me feel like a little child instead of a twelve-year-old who wanted to be treated more like an adult. My mother, on the other hand, would remind me that acting responsibly was the first step toward earning such treatment, urging me to focus more on my grades at school.

Yet, the truth was, I was a restless Gemini, constantly craving new experiences and easily bored by mundane tasks. I yearned to be out in nature, living life to the fullest, rather than solving math problems that seemed irrelevant to my future. The idea of going to college after high school didn't appeal to me either; it felt like it would only restrict my freedom and limit my experiences. Spending my whole life in one place, I felt that time was slipping away, and pursuing a career through years of study would only make it even more limited.

...

"Stay by my side at all times, and never go to the forest alone. There have been reports of rogue sightings, and they could attack at any moment. Do you understand?" My father repeats his warning, which frustrates me. How am I supposed to enjoy my freedom now? The adults here are so overprotective.

I respond with a growl, expressing my annoyance, as Mark, my dad's beta, parks the car outside the packhouse of the American pack we're visiting.

"Don't growl at me, young lady," my father warns before leaving the car to meet the pack's alpha. He's always on edge when we're outside our own pack's territory, knowing he can't keep an eye on me constantly.

Noah nudges me to get out of the car, and I comply, feeling irritated. One day, they'll regret treating me like this. I feel like a burden, like that bag of groceries no one wants to carry because it's too heavy or smells bad. All I want is to be appreciated. Is that too much to ask?

We're greeted by the alpha of the pack and a woman who appears to be a maid. She leads us to our guest rooms, and I'm grateful to have one all to myself. I need some time alone.

Once I've unpacked my belongings, I leave the room and close the door behind me. I start heading downstairs, following the path the maid took us through earlier.

As I walk around, I feel a bit shy and uncomfortable being in a place that doesn't belong to me, surrounded by people I don't know. I'm not even sure if I'm allowed to roam freely in the house.

"Can I help you?"

I jump in surprise at the unfamiliar voice coming from behind me. Turning around, I make myself smaller, feeling intimidated by the large man standing there.

"Uh, hi, yes," I mumble and then clear my throat to sound more confident. "I'm looking for my father, the alpha of the Silver Moon pack from Russia."