The Unloved Luna

"You and your wolf have the same personality, Baby." The only difference between a person and their wolf is that the wolf side expresses itself more than the human side." Xavier informs me.

So everything my wolf says is something I would say.

"That's exactly right." Idiot drugs.

"Are you wearing any hair gel?" I inquire about quieting my beast.

"No. "Do you like being tickled?"

"No," my voice blends with my wolf's as we answer the inquiry too quickly. Xavier lifts an eyebrow before teasing my sides with his fingers.

Xavier's fingers continue to glide along my ribcage and belly button. His and my giggles are the only sounds in the room. There's no way he's not ticklish, so I move my hand to his neck and tickle him. "You aren't ticklish." With a frown, I say.

"I'm not," you say, "but you are." When he returns to tickle me, my frown immediately turns into a smile.

Looking at me, he replies, "You should smile more." My cheeks become hot, and I cover them with my hands. Xavier pulls his hands away from my face and pushes his lips against mine.

It takes some time for me to grasp the situation, but I eventually return the kiss. My lips brush up against his, and I follow his lead-

Ding, ding, ding!

As the doorbell rings, Xavier groans in frustration. "That has to be Brad," he mutters as he pulls away. He groans once again as he looks at the bedroom door.

When I hesitate to leave the bed, he asks, "What's wrong?"

"What if he doesn't like me?" he wonders.

"Brad likes almost everybody, plus you're his sister."

"But I don't remember anything about him, and he might get mad at me."

"He's not going to get angry, so let's get out of here before he steals the fridge." Xavier assists me in positioning my crutches and walks downstairs with me.

"Where's Charisse?" Brad inquires.

"She's right over here," Xavier says as he steps to the side. I do the same, half-hiding behind him.

Brad frowns, and I stare up at him, terrified. He's one inch shorter than Xavier but still taller than 6'0. "Hi," I say hello quietly.

"Hi."

We enter the living room and take a seat on the couches. Xavier places me on his lap, and Brad sits across from us. "You have no idea how long I've been looking for you," he replies with a smile.

"You looked for me?"

"Our parents, too," he laments. I'm interested in what he's saying but don't ask any questions.

"What's inside the bag?" Xavier inquires as he examines Brad's backpack.

"Videos and candy." I pay more attention when candy is mentioned. Candy.

Xavier carefully lifts me from his lap, places me on the couch, and rises. "Sweetheart, I'm just going to the kitchen." "I'll be right back," he adds as he turns around.

I grab a cushion nearby and hug it. "I'm hoping these videos bring back some memories."

I nod and observe Brad as he slides a disc into the media player. "This was when I was eight, and you were four," he says as he presses the play button.

The video is set in a bedroom with three children. "Is that you, Xavier?" I inquire, my gaze fixed on the two boys on television.

"You and me both."

Little Brad and Xavier are enjoying a video game while munching on food. The girl who claims to be me is gently tiptoeing towards the snacks, trailed by a bag of marshmallows. When she trips, the toddler version of me says, "Hi."

Both boys set their controllers down and turn around. Brad inquires, "Why are you here?"

"Can I have some candy?" I inquired while seated Indian-style.

"I've brought you some marshmallows," I add, showing the fluff bag.

"Deal." Xavier and Brad promptly bring me a pouch of sour worms in exchange for the marshmallows.

Pause.

"Do you remember that?" Brad inquires.

"No."

"Not even the candy part?" My head shakes. "Do you have any questions you'd like answered?"

'Ooh, ooh, ask if he uses conditioner,' offers my wolf.

'No. That's bizarre.'

"H-how'd I get to a different pack?" I ask. How did I wind myself in the clutches of Red Stone if I was born and raised in Lunar Blood territory?

"You were abducted. A pack of wolves broke past the border where we spent the weekend. They invaded the neighborhood and seized prisoners; you were the only one who couldn't flee," he adds, running his hand through his hair.

I was kidnapped. My family did not sell me, despite what everyone said.

"Who in the hell told you that?!?" Brad snarls. The side effects are still present.

"My old rucksack," I respond, cringing at his loud voice.

"What's going on?" In an instant, Xavier is by my side.

"Charisse's old pack fucking told her she'd been sold to them!" Sold."

"Is this true?" I nod and go away from the two irate males. They have clenched fists and commanding postures. I don't know the big deal about being sold to another pack; isn't that the same as adoption?

"Sweetheart, when a wolf is sold to another pack, they're sold as a slave," Xavier explains that he's noticed how I'm slowly moving away from him and Brad. He moves towards me, and I automatically flinch. My wolf growls at my actions and tells me to approach our mate more closely.

"Are they the ones who have starved you?" Brad asks more calmly.

I nod, my heart pounding louder with each passing second. "Don't believe anything those cretins told you," he commands.

"Wait right here." Xavier kisses my forehead and exits the room hurriedly.

I only need seven crashing sounds to know he's breaking something.