The Unloved Luna

Charisse's Pov

I pause in front of the stairs, unsure of how I'm supposed to descend. I smell like Xavier because I used his shampoo and body wash, and I'm wearing his boxers and shirt.

Sitting down, I place my crutches by my side and hurry down the stairs like a toddler, butt-scooting each step.

'This is fun,' my wolf says, grinning. Inside my head, I see her as a wolf, complete with paws.

One of my crutches falls and tumbles to the ground as I near the foot of the steps. Xavier appears at my side in an instant. "Are you okay?" he inquires.

I nod and allow him to assist me in standing. "Why were you trying to go down the stairs?"

"You told me I should meet you in the kitchen." I sigh.

"I meant for you to call me when you were finished showering," he adds gently as he picks me up. He carries me the last distance to the kitchen.

On the dining table are two dishes containing sandwiches. Xavier places me in a chair and brings a plate closer to me. The sandwich looks delicious, but I feel guilty knowing I'll toss over half of it.

After ten minutes, I can only eat half of a sandwich while Xavier has finished two. "I'm full." I shove the plate away, whispering.

"Just one more bite?" Xavier insists.

My head shakes. I know I'm wasting food and that others need it more than I do, but I can't eat it. He groans and sets the plates up.

"Baby, the doctors said you should try to eat."

"I know; my old pack doctor said the same thing."

"Have you been trying?" he inquires.

I shake my head once more. "Alpha wouldn't let anyone give me food, but people would occasionally sneak in some meals for me," I respond.

Xavier glares at the wall but shows no other symptoms of rage. "Brad wants to see you tomorrow; if you want to wait, I can tell him to reschedule," he says.

"I'll see him again tomorrow."

He's my only source of heat as we make our way up to what I believe is his bedroom. My clothing is large on me, but they're not warm, and it appears to be quite cold in the house. "These should help you fall asleep." Xavier gives me medication and a water bottle to help me swallow it.

The medicine's effects begin swiftly, adding to my fatigue. Xavier leaves me in his bed and goes into the bathroom to change. It's not king-size; it's much, much larger.

He will probably make me sleep beside him; I hope my dreams aren't too awful tonight. My shirtless comrade is the last thing I see before I pass out.

An evil voice sneers, "No one will want you after I'm done with you."

This is the third time this has happened today; the warriors are all worried and rely on me for relief. "Listen to me when I'm talking to you!"

I gaze at Beta Shawn, knowing he despises it when I stare at him in the eyes. They can torture me, but they can't make me submit.

I know I pushed him too far when I heard a snap. I end up coughing and choking on my blood as I try to stand up with my elbows. "I said to bend over!"

"Wake up, Charisse. You have a bad dream."

My eyes open, and I move away from the figure before me. "I'm not going to hurt you; it was just a dream." Xavier reaches out for me. I let him swoop me into his lap and bury my face in his naked chest.

"I don't want to go back." I tremble at the prospect of returning to Red Stone.

"Don't worry; I'll be right there for you."

Looking around the naturally lit room, I realize it's already morning. It's around noon.

'Best night ever,' says my wolf. I mentally concur with her. That was the longest we'd ever slept, and we almost didn't have a nightmare the entire time.

So, what should I do now? Normally, I'd begin preparing breakfast for everyone.

"Do you want to eat breakfast?" Xavier inquires, placing his hands on my waist. My head shakes. The movement hurts my head, but I attempt to ignore it.

"Are you sure?" In answer, I nod.

"How was your night's sleep?"

"Good, you have a soft bed," I say softly. Compared to where I used to sleep, the soft material and bouncy mattresses. Alpha James was kind enough to offer me an old couch cushion to rest my head on at night; I had to labor for it for a few months, but the pillow made sleeping more pleasant.

"You're supposed to take this every morning for two weeks." Xavier hands me a small white pill and a water bottle.

It's as if I ate an entire gummy bear.

A laugh perplexes me. "You like gummy bears?"

Oh. I must have said it aloud. "One of the pill's side effects is the inability to express yourself," he explains.

I extended my hand for him to place the bottle in.

Each morning, take one unit by mouth. The following side effects may occur: speaking of thoughts, openness, and numbness of hurts.

"How about we play a game where I ask you a question, and you answer it?" Xavier proposes.

"What's your favorite candy?" he asks first.

I don't recall much about candy other than that it was high in sugar. I had it maybe two years ago when a tiny child stealthily sent a small bag to my attic. "They're gummy bears. "What age are you?"

"Twenty-one." That means we're four years apart in age. I would like to know if Brad and I are the same age.

"Brad and I are both twenty-one; however, I am six months older." Xavier declares triumphantly. He somewhat expands his chest, and I imagine how he'd look as an ape.

"What kind of food do you like?" he inquires.

"I don't know," I say, shrugging. "Anything that makes me happy." "Do you have hair gel on?"

I fight the overpowering want to stroke his hair. 'Do it, and I bet you five dollars. It's soft,' says my wolf.

'You don't have any money,' I say.

'What you have is mine.'

'But neither do I have any money.'

'And what is your point?'

"Are you talking to your wolf?" Xavier inquires.

'It's not fair! He didn't respond to our inquiry!' My wolf accused me.

"Yes."

'CHEATER!' she yells, making me cringe.

"What's wrong?" Xavier inquires anxiously.

'He's done it again!'

"My wolf is acting strangely," I observe.

'I'm as strange as you are. What does C-H-E-A-T-E-R stand for? Cheater!!!' She yells.