#2 When the Moon Turns Red

Evie

I didn’t leave my room for several days. I had already called my student advisor at school and put in my leave absence. I wasn’t sure how long I was going to be away from school, but I knew that I wasn’t capable of being a student right now.

I talked to Elijah and Molly the second day I was home. Apparently, they knew nothing about what was going on. Elijah had sensed that something was wrong with me, but when he called, Noah wouldn’t speak to him. They made up an excuse, claiming that Noah and I were just fighting. Well, now that was true.

Elijah was absolutely pissed that Noah hadn’t told him his sister was kidnapped. Molly wasn’t exactly thrilled with her Alpha either. Things were going well with them and my parents. Apparently my little chat with our mom had helped her be more open minded to Molly. Elijah and Molly wanted to come back to the packhouse immediately, but I made them promise to take their time. I assured them that I was okay and just needed some time to myself to process everything.

I hadn’t seen Noah since our fight. I could feel him sitting outside of my bedroom, but I refused to speak to him. Sawyer came and went, delivering me three meals a day, even though I barely ate two. Lucy visited me often. I wasn’t big into conversation right now, so Lucy mostly just sat next to me and offered her silent comfort.

After being confined to my room for somewhere around a week, I finally decided to venture out and let the pack members see me. Greyson and Jack had told me how the entire pack came together to find me. I knew I owed them a huge thank you. Noah was missing from the hallway and I assumed he was in his office. Sawyer escorted me down to the lobby, explaining all the new security features and giving me the elevator access codes.

“So, he can lock this place down like Fort Knox but not speak to me?” I grumbled to Sawyer.

“He’s struggling, Ev.” Sawyer said of Noah.

“He’s struggling? What about me?” I snapped. I wasn’t without compassion. I knew Noah went through a lot while I was gone, but his reaction afterwards and his attitude towards me was hurtful. I needed Noah to acknowledge that and come back to me on his own terms as the man that I fell in love with.

“It’s a hard situation for everyone.” Sawyer sighed as the elevator opened up to the lobby. Greyson was the first person I saw. I grabbed his arm and pulled him aside to have a private conversation.

“Have you spoken to Gena?” I asked him. After I was safely back home, I had told Greyson about Gena’s help. She had also, apparently, helped Noah and the wolves find her father. I had pressured Greyson into giving her another chance.

“I did, actually.” Greyson said, a slight smile playing at his lips.

“And….” I pushed, grinning.

“And that’s all you’re gonna get for now, Luna.” Greyson chuckled and I rolled my eyes at him.

“Fair enough.” I smirked. Greyson and Sawyer escorted me around the packhouse.

I made my way around the packhouse, greeting the pack members who began to pour in. I thanked them for their sacrifices and commitment to my safety. I assured them I was doing okay and hugged just about every single member of Blood Moon. Eventually, Noah must have heard the news that I was out and about. He joined us in the parlor room, hovering just behind me as I talked with the pack members.

“When are you going to be our official Luna?” Lily, the she-wolf I met in the library, asked.

“Whenever she’s ready.” Noah spoke for the first time. I looked back at him, surprised to hear his voice.

“Oh, I hope it’s soon!” Lily grinned, seeming unaware of the tension between us. I stood up from the sofa and made my exit. I felt Noah following me.

“How are you?” He asked me when we were alone in the hall.

“Not great.” I answered honestly. Noah hung is head,

“What do you want me to do, Evie?” His tone was tired. When he met my gaze, I saw the purple under his eyes had only gotten deeper. He wasn’t sleeping.

“I just want my Noah back.” I begged him to return me. I closed the space between us and grabbed a hold of his forearms, igniting the fire between us.

“I’m ready to be the Luna, I’m ready to be yours forever. I just need you to come back to me.” I refused to let him look away from me as I poured my heart out to him. Noah’s eyes grew wide and I felt his body tremble against my touch.

“I was so afraid I had lost you.” Noah admitted, his entire body collapsing against me. I pulled him inside his office and shut the door, giving us privacy.

“I’m right here, Noah. I’m safe.” I urged him to see me, to accept that I was real.

“I can’t lose you.” He whimpered, ducking his head and leaning against my shoulder. I tangled my fingers in his hair, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I promise I’m not going anywhere. I love you.” I told him. Finally, Noah’s arms wrapped around my body and I gave in to his touch.

“I love you, baby.” I sighed in relief as Noah’s sweet voice returned. He raised his head to look me in the eyes, grabbing my face in his hands.

“I’m sorry I’ve been such an ass lately. I’ve been so terrified that you would just disappear on me, that I’ve been afraid to make any sudden moves.” Noah confessed.

“We have to move through these challenges together, Noah. This won’t be the last one we face.” I said. Noah nodded slowly, rubbing his thumb over my cheek,

“I know. I promise I won’t shut you out again.” He pressed his forehead against mine.

“Good, because there’s something else I have to tell you and I need you to be in a good state of mind when I do.” I laughed nervously. Noah eyed me suspiciously,

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, per say,” I mumbled,

“I just realized something while I was camped out in my room. Mack had gone to the store and brought me up some supplies she thought I would need, but it turned out I didn’t need them.” Noah was looking at me like I was crazy. I sighed, I was not very good at this.

“She bought me tampons, Noah, and I don’t need them. I missed my period.” I said plainly. Noah’s blank expression immediately changed. His eyes grew to the size of tomatoes,

“You’re….you’re pregnant?” He gasped.

“I don’t know, I could be. It could also just be from stress. I need to take a test.” I said.

“Holy shit, Evie!” Noah cried, a giant grin on his face.

“What if I am pregnant?” I muttered, my tone much less excited than Noah’s.

“I think that would be amazing, baby. I want nothing more than to have a family with you. But, if you’re not ready yet we’ll deal with that, too.” I could tell he was excited about the idea of having a baby but I, on the other hand, was terrified.

“It’s not exactly the slow pace I wanted.” I mumbled.

“That’s true.” He nodded, holding me tightly.

“But, I’m ready to take on just about anything with you.” I smiled, giving him a quick kiss. Noah had other plans. He wrapped his arms around my back and pushed me closer to him, deepening the kiss. I sighed against his lips. This was our first kiss in seventeen days.