Chapter 24

As the gates of Black Moon slowly swung open, revealing the grandeur of the estate beyond, I felt a profound sense of displacement. The reality of my new life, of my new role as Lorenzo's Luna, pressed down on me with a weight I hadn't anticipated. The sprawling estate, with its meticulously manicured lawns and imposing architecture, was a far cry from the simpler, albeit troubled, life I had known at Blue Moon.

I felt awkward, like this was all a mistake and I was all the sudden living someone else’s life. I gulped, and clearly Lorenzo noticed my nerves.

Lorenzo's hand, warm and reassuring, enveloped mine as we stepped onto the estate grounds. His touch was a lifeline, a silent promise of support amidst the storm of emotions swirling within me. Yet, even as his presence offered comfort, I couldn't shake the nagging sense of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach.

As we entered the estate, we were greeted by a group of beta women, presumably the house caretakers who immediately welcomed me.

“Welcome home alpha Lorenzo, and Eleanor, we’ve been so eager to meet you! Please come in, we’ve already taken care of your things and are here to help with anything you may need after such a troubling night,” one older woman said, bowing her head at me.

“Thank you so much,” I said, smiling as warmly as I could as Lorenzo introduced me to a few more pack members.

The reception I received was unexpectedly warm. Pack members, their faces alight with genuine smiles, continued to be kind, their greetings echoing through the air like a melody of acceptance and belonging. I was taken aback by the warmth of their welcome, a stark contrast to the cold, calculating interactions that had characterized my life within Blue Moon.

However, not all the faces in the crowd mirrored the warmth and acceptance I had begun to feel. Lorenzo’s female assistant, Vicki according to her nametag, a tall, striking woman with an air of authority that rivaled Lorenzo's, regarded me with a cold, calculating gaze. Her expression was devoid of any type of welcome and her posture screamed possessive and jealous. I took this as a silent reminder that not all within Black Moon were pleased with my arrival.

Vicki approached me silently and gave me a painfully slow once-over. I shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, and then against my better judgment, stuck out my hand to shake hers.

“Thank you for welcoming me to your home,” I tried with a kind smile. Meanwhile she didn’t move her hands from her sides and simply hummed.

“I wasn’t aware we were taking in strays. I’m glad Black Moon is taking our charity work seriously,” Vicki said with a dry smile before walking down the hallway with a sway in her hips that was so exaggerated I could’ve sworn she was going to fall over. My stomach churned with unease — I hoped I never had to deal with her again.

Lorenzo, who was still talking to other pack members and was oblivious to his assistant's cold demeanor, grabbed my hand once again and motioned for me to follow him. His excitement was palpable, though I

“Come on, let me give my Luna a proper tour of her new home,” Lorenzo said with a wink, clearly pleased with himself at being able to call me his Luna, even if it were just under protective pretenses.

Lorenzo led me through the estate with a sense of pride. He pointed out the various landmarks and facilities, each more impressive than the last. The estate was a testament to the power and wealth of the Black Moon pack, a physical manifestation of their status within the werewolf hierarchy.

As we walked, my initial unease began to fade, replaced by a deep sense of curiosity and awe. The estate was not just a home; it was a fortress, a sanctuary for those who called it home. Lorenzo's detailed tour, filled with anecdotes of fond memories with his staff and historical tidbits detailing business interactions, painted a picture of a pack that was not just powerful but deeply connected to its roots and traditions.

“You really know your history,” I commented after he gave me a detailed rundown of why the pack was called Black Moon in the first place and how it began as a rejection of Blue Moon’s tyranny in years past.

“What can I say, an alpha needs to know his people. Besides, you know I was always a history buff,” he said lightly as he ambled on. I smiled at the memory of our high school study sessions where he would always tutor me in history. I could only imagine what it was like for him living in such a place like this.

Yet, the grandeur of the estate did nothing to quell the storm of emotions raging within me. Particularly when we stopped by the living quarters and Lorenzo so kindly revealed that he had hidden the fact that we would be sharing a room. I stared at him in what must have been horror.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I thought it would be safest given everything you’ve been through,” Lorenzo said in a hasty explanation. He seemed shy at first, but I tried to reassure him with a nod. At least he was thinking of my safety. I had to fight my wolf’s urge to blurt out how likely we were to get to see him naked.

In truth, the realization that I would be sharing a room with Lorenzo, that our lives would be intertwined in such an intimate manner, sent waves of anxiety crashing over me. The room, with its opulent furnishings and sweeping views, was a tangible reminder of the drastic changes my life had undergone in such a short span of time.

As night fell, I found myself alone with Lorenzo in our shared room. The intimacy of the space, the realization that this was my new reality, filled me with a sense of apprehension I couldn't quite shake. Lorenzo, sensing my discomfort, offered me a gentle smile.

"I’m going to take the lounge, I know you’ve had quite the last 24 hours," he said, a hint of mirth in his voice but his overall tone was serious. "Goodnight Eleanor."

“Goodnight Lorenzo,” I said with a tight smile, it felt unnatural being here. What was I thinking crawling into Lorenzo’s bed of all people? After all we’d been through?

I tried to keep my focus on my own actions, ignoring the obvious noises of him undressing that I could hear happening just across the room. The sound of clothes hitting the floor made my skin grow warm and a pit began to form in my stomach that only grew as I settled into his pillows.

They smelled like him. My stomach dropped even lower at the thought, down to a place I dare not acknowledge as it was too vulnerable and intimate to even think about. Enough of this, such impure thoughts would get me in trouble.

After a few calming breaths I felt myself regain control of my senses. I was stronger than any childish desires that lingered. But still the peculiar arrangement of sharing a room with Lorenzo was what really made me blush. I couldn’t believe I was laying in his bed, and there he was asleep only a few feet away. I wonder if he would be more comfortable in bed… Perhaps he would be warmer with me next to him instead of just a small blanket… “No, stop it” I thought and I felt my wolf growl lightly with discontent. But I couldn’t help but stare longingly at the alpha who was so close but oh so far away.