Luna Thalassa's Awakening

Chapter 6

_Thalassa's POV_

As I watched in shock and confusion, the emerald-eyed man continued to unleash a torrent of anger upon the rogue who had hurt me. The sound of each blow and the rogue's pained cries filled the cave, and it was apparent that he was facing a brutal retribution. He fought back, but he was clearly outmatched. The ferocity of the assault sent shivers down my spine, even though I had been the one in danger just moments ago. The rogue, unable to withstand the onslaught, eventually fell still, and it seemed that he was no longer a threat.

In the midst of this violent confrontation, two more figures entered the cave. The first was a man with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, while the second had dark hair and equally intense dark eyes. Both had an air of authority and power about them. They swiftly assessed the situation and, without hesitation, engaged the remaining rogues in battle.

The cave became a chaotic battleground, with the sounds of growls, snarls, and the clashing of bodies filling the air. The two newcomers, like the emerald-eyed man, fought with a fierce determination. It was a brutal and swift confrontation, and the rogues were swiftly overpowered.

I remained in a state of shock and confusion, watching as the strangers fought to protect me. Once the chaos had settled, the man with blonde hair approached the emerald-eyed man and addressed him with a sense of respect, "Alpha, the area is secure. All threats have been eliminated."

After giving his report, the man with blue eyes turned his attention to me. He bowed respectfully and spoke with a sense of honor, "Luna, let me help you." He moved closer, as if to assist me in standing and ensure my well-being. Why was he addressing me as Luna?

However, before he could lend a hand, the emerald-eyed man, who I now knew as being the Alpha, spoke up firmly, "Kale, I will take care of her." His words were protective and possessive, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and reassurance in his gaze. He approached me, extending a hand to help me to my feet.

I hesitated for a moment, still bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

I took his hand, and as soon as our skin made contact, an electric sensation shot through me. It felt like sparks dancing across my skin and a rush of butterflies in my stomach. I was taken aback by the intensity of the feeling. This connection, this undeniable attraction, was something I hadn't expected.

I couldn't help but wonder if he was truly my mate. Finding a second chance mate was incredibly rare, and I wasn't even sure if it was possible. Could this be more than just attraction? Was it something deeper, like a true bond?

As I grappled with these questions in my mind, a sudden voice pierced through my thoughts, startling me. "Yes, he is our true mate," the voice said, answering my unspoken doubts. Confused and surprised, I asked, "Who is it? Who's speaking?"

The voice that responded was soft and reassuring. "I am your wolf, Kiera."

The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. I had heard of the connection between a werewolf and their inner wolf, but I had never experienced it like this.

I responded to Kiera, "I can feel you, and I'm amazed. I didn't know this was possible." Kiera's presence in my mind was comforting, but I couldn't help but wonder about something else. "Kiera, can you come out?" I asked. "I want to see you."

There was a pause, and then Kiera's voice filled my thoughts. "I want to come out, too, but I can't right now. The last time I tried, you were in extreme pain, and you fainted. I don't understand why that happens, but it worries me."

I considered Kiera's words. The pain and fainting episodes she mentioned had happened before. It was as if something in me resisted her emergence.

I was lost in my thoughts, contemplating the unique bond with Kiera, when the emerald-eyed man suddenly spoke. His voice brought me back to the present, and I realized he had been trying to engage me in conversation.

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" he asked, concern in his eyes. "This is not the time to daydream."

I blinked, coming back to reality, and realized he had been inquiring about something. "I'm sorry," I stammered, "I was lost in thought."

His brow furrowed, and he tried again, "I asked you earlier. What's your name?"

The question caught me off guard. "Oh, my name is Thalassa," I replied, feeling a bit flustered. "Thalassa Emerstone."

He nodded and gave me a reassuring smile. "It's nice to meet you, Thalassa. I'm Matteo, the Alpha of the Moonfire Pack."

I was shocked upon hearing those words. My former pack, the Crystal Pack, and the Moonfire Pack had a long-standing enmity. The tales that I had heard about the Moonfire Alpha were grim and painted him as a ruthless beast. The recent display of his cruelty when dealing with the rogue in the cave only reinforced that reputation.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease and dread at the prospect of being the mate of someone with such a fearsome reputation. The thought of belonging to a pack that had been the enemy of my former pack was unsettling.

The possibility that he might discover my origin from the Crystal Pack filled me with dread. It could lead to a devastating outcome. Knowing the animosity between our packs, he might reject me outright or, worse, consider me an enemy and take me as a prisoner. For my own safety, I decided not to reveal my true origins. I couldn't risk exposing myself to the potential danger that might follow if he learned the truth.

Matteo's emerald eyes bore into mine, concern etched in his expression. "Thalassa," he began, "what were you doing all alone here in a cave in the forest?"

I hesitated, my heart pounding. The decision to lie weighed heavily on me, but the fear of what might happen if I revealed the truth was even more daunting. "I... I'm a rogue," I stammered, avoiding his gaze. "I had nowhere else to go, so I sought shelter here."

His expression changed, softening with understanding. "There's no need to lie to me if you don't want to share the truth," he said gently. "You don't have a poker face and I can sense your lies."

Matteo's response surprised me. I had expected anger or suspicion, but he seemed more understanding than I could have hoped for. However, his next actions were even more unexpected.

He declared, "You don't have to be a rogue any longer. You're coming with us to the Moonfire Pack."

Before I could respond, he gently lifted me into his arms, and I was left in a state of shock as he cradled me. His strength and warmth enveloped me, and I could feel his heartbeat against my own. It was a strangely comforting sensation.

As he carried me, I couldn't help but wince as pain radiated from my injured leg. Matteo noticed immediately. "You should have told me that your legs were hurting," he chided gently, his emerald eyes filled with concern.

"I didn't want to be a burden," I mumbled.

"You're not a burden," he assured me, continuing to carry me effortlessly. "You're part of our pack now, and we take care of our own."

As Matteo continued to carry me, I couldn't silence the doubts that plagued my thoughts. The question gnawed at me until I couldn't hold it back any longer. "But, don't you want to reject me?" I asked hesitantly, my voice filled with uncertainty. "I mean, I'm cursed, and I bring misfortune with me wherever I go."

Matteo's step faltered for a moment, and he looked down at me with a puzzled expression. "Why would I reject you?" he asked, genuine confusion in his eyes.

I couldn't help but sigh, feeling the weight of my past and the superstitions surrounding my misfortune. "People say I'm cursed," I explained. "Everyone close to me has faced terrible luck and disasters. They believe it's because of me."

Matteo's brows furrowed in thought as he continued to carry me. "Thalassa, the Moonfire Pack is different. We don't reject our own because of superstitions or fear. We value every member and stand together through thick and thin."