Trình Po
The first thing I felt was a soft nudge on my shoulder, then a whisper, “Faith, time to wake up.” I groaned, pulling the Blanket higher. It was still dark
outside
Astor usually wasn’t up this early, unless it was for pack business. And even
then, he didn’t wake me.
“What is it?” I mumbled, keeping my eyes closed.
“I have a surprise for you,” he said, his voice surprisingly soft. “Get dressed. Something warm. Hiking clothes.”
Hiking? My eyes shot open. Astor and I must have been dreaming but I
wasn’t.
And the memories came rushing back and to the most important one was
the fact that I still didn’t tell him the truth last night when he asked me.
believe me I wanted to tell him but how could I do it after he just told
everybody that he was willing to protect me now.
he was giving me everything he never gave me and the truth is just going to destroy that.
“Astor, it’s barely dawn,” I said, my voice still thick with sleep and annoyance.
I hate lying to him and it’s not even lying because he doesn’t know anything.
He sat on the edge of the bed, not too close, but close enough for me to feel the warmth radiating from him.
“Please.”
That “please” got me. It wasn’t his usual Alpha command. It was a request. A
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germe, soft request it racked a tiny bit of my resolve, Just a tiny bit “Time” i sighed, kicking the blanket off. But if there are bugs, you’re carrying me back!
the chuckled “Deal‘
I pulled on the wammst leggings I had, waterproof Jacket Ified my hair back in
thick long–sleeved shirt, and a
messy bun.
I don’t even know why I’m doing this because everything just feels like a ticking time bombs and I feel like it’s going to explode in my face sooner or
later.
Astor was waiting for me, holding two insulated mugs and a small backpack.
“Coffee?” he asked, extending a mug.
“You’re a lifesaver,” I said, taking a long sip. It was perfect. Hot, sweet, just how I liked it. He surprisingly knew.
We walked out of the house and towards the edges of the pack lands. The air was crisp and cold, a fresh smell of damp earth and pine needles filling my nose. The sky was slowly turning from deep indigo to soft purple, then a pale rose. It was beautiful, even if I was still grumpy about being awake.
We reached a narrow trail winding into the forest. Trees stood tall and dark, their branches making patterns against the growing light. Astor led the way and I followed, trying to match his pace, but my shorter legs and human lungs quickly felt the strain.
“You okay?” he asked, slowing down, without even turning around. He must have sensed my lagging.
“Just fine,” I lied, puffing a little.
He stopped then and looked back. “No need to rush. It’s not a race.” He offered his hand. “Here.”
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Thesitated for a moment, then took it. His hand was warm and strong, his fingers wrapping around mine. It felt nice. He didn’t pull me aggressively or make me feel bad. He just held my hand, and we started walking again, his pace matching mine perfectly. This was new. This was different from the Astor who always seemed to be in a rush, always thinking about the pack. He was thinking about me.
The forest slowly woke up around us. We didn’t talk much, just walked, hand in hand. It was a comfortable silence, something I didn’t think we could have. My heart, which had been set on leaving, felt a tiny crack. Was this him
trying? Really trying?
After what felt like a long time, the path opened up onto a clearing at the top of a small hill. Below us, the entire valley stretched out, bathed in the golden light of the rising sun. The mist was still clinging to the lowest parts, making the forest look like an endless green sea. It was breathtaking.
I gasped, pulling my hand from Astor’s to cover my mouth. “Wow.”
He stood beside me, his gaze fixed on the view, a soft smile on his face.
“Told you you’d like it.”
I felt so amazed looking at everything and I intentionally told him something I
didn’t want to. “I’ve always wanted to come and explore but I don’t have a
wolf so it’s not safe for me to be here alone.”
Astor turned to me then, his eyes serious as he looked down at me.
He reached out and gently took my hands again. “I know you’ve always felt that like you’re small, inferior or weaker, because you don’t have a wolf. I see it in your eyes sometimes, even when you try to hide it.”
My stomach clenched. He knew.
“But I need you to know something,” he continued, squeezing my hands gently. “You are the strongest person I know. Seriously. Stronger than anyone
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in this pack, maybe even stronger than me.
My eyes widened. Me? Stronger than hin, the Alpha? This was crazy talk.
“You face every day in a world that wasn’t built for you,” he explained, his gaze unwavering. “You stand tall among people who are bigger, faster, and more ‘instinctive, and you don’t back down. You’re brave, Faith. You’re kind, even when others aren’t. You’re smart and thoughtful, and you always see things in a way no one else does. Those aren’t wolf traits. Those are your traits. And they are powerful.”
He paused, taking a deep breath. The sun was fully up now, warming my face. “The pack couldn’t have gotten a better Luna, Faith. You lead with a different kind of strength, one that we desperately need. You make us better. You make me better.” He looked into my eyes, and I saw so much sincerity
there, so much raw emotion.
My chest felt tight, not with sadness, but with a rush of something else. Hope. It was a feeling I hated nowadays
It’s a feeling that has always disappointed me because every time I try to hold on or have any kind of hope it gets snatched away from me when I least
expect it.
This was a very special day for me because he did something just for me and I loved every second of it but it doesn’t change what I’m hiding.
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cphakathi28
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