The Unwanted Luna

-POV

Ayame-

He took a sip of his coffee and turned a bit to look out the one street-facing window. Ha! He's still not going to tell me?! I smirked and collected my purse. I'll have a local take me back to that stupid villa and then those three can take me home! I cannot believe I caved so easily! No use hanging around here, if only seventy-five percent of the group wants to actually fix things. Shockingly, that percentage includes Vil, not Conri. Who would have thought they would raddle back and forth like this?! "Where are you going?" He asked, and the authority laced in his

voice made me sit right back down in the black metal chair that now felt like it was on fire.

I shifted in the seat and my leg started to shake on its own. "You aren't going to answer my question after you just told me you would answer anything. If that's the case, I don't want to be here with you anymore." I bit into my muffin again. It was begrudgingly delicious. Maybe I can just take it to go.

"I never said I wouldn't answer the question, but there are too many people here. Have dinner with the three of us tonight and I will answer that question, in detail. There is nothing wrong with asking it. Just the timing."

"Nothing wrong?! Then, why do I have to wait?" I asked and he glared at me. I ducked my head. "Okay, b-but if you ignore me again, no more second chances." I said, trying to keep my angry façade the best I could. I was still irritated even if I couldn't get him to phase. Conri nodded. "That seems fair. Now ask me something else."

I took a deep breath. "Lycans are the most human looking of the spirits I get to choose from. So, wh -"

"There is nothing human about my Lycan." Conri growled as his eyes flashed from obsidian to emerald and back again.

I flinched away on instinct. What? I'm still human and his spirit is still terrifying. "Why...why would you say that? You stand up on two legs, you don't shift completely into an animal per se....and um...I don't know."

He rested his thumb and index finger on the bridge of his nose. "Ayame, I need you to understand this. Being a Lycan is exhausting. Aside from a werebear, we are the strongest shifters, it takes many more than just a couple of werewolves to pin us down, and if angered in the wrong situation, we can harm many of those we hold dear." His eyes darted at me and I let that response sink in.

"You...you would never hurt me...physically." I countered. He winced when he picked up on the reality that they did hurt me, emotionally...twice.

He nodded. "Neither would Edon, but the two of us have to make sure we never show emotion, even resembling anger, to maintain control over our spirits. I almost hurt you the last time and Edon almost went on a rampage in a clothing store because he doesn't like crowds." I nodded and let him continue. "Just be aware that Lycans may be the most 'human' as you call us, but please know that isn't always the safest bet."

"So...you don't want me to change into your spirit either." It wasn't a question. These three are starting to make me feel like I'm better off being human and just dying of old age at this point. They'll get over me, right? My chest burned at the thought while I internally fought over this. He leaned back in his chair and took another sip. "I don't want you to regret your decision."

I smirked breathlessly while I attempted to drink my mocha. The deep chocolate flavors calmed me down but the stress was still accounted for. "It's not easy to make these kinds of decisions when you all don't even want me to shift in the first place." I whimpered once the cup rested on its saucer.

"That is the furthest from the truth. We don't want you to regret anything. That is not 'we don't want you to shift." I looked up at him and he was almost finished with his drink.

"That's not what Edon said." I mumbled, forgetting his insane hearing.

"He what?!" Conri growled lowly, but the emotionless mask on his face didn't faulter.

"He... he said that um...he wants me to live as long as you guys, but he doesn't want me to be a new shifter?" I stumbled out. "I don't think he meant that he wants me to be human or die or something." Oh goddess, I should stop while I'm ahead.

He raised his hand, thankfully doing it for me. "That would be nice, but still very dangerous if you cannot protect yourself."

I flung my hands up in the air not at all surprised at his response. They are triplets after all. They should share some characteristics. "Then, what do you want me to shift into? A bunny?"

He snorted and, for the first time, he actually didn't seem as put together as he normally does. He checked his light grey and white button-up shirt to see if he spilled any coffee on it before dabbing his nose and lips. I bit my tongue, but I couldn't hold in the laughter. He shot a playful glare my way, forcing the laugh to catch in my throat. "Oh, so you think that's funny, huh? Maybe you should shift into a bunny. That would fit your personality much better."

I gasped mockingly. "I would never! Then you three would chase me all over the place like I'm some yummy toy."

His eyes were black again and a raise of his lip revealed a bit of his fangs. "You are a yummy toy." He growled lowly.

I squeaked and he flinched before rubbing his eyes and focusing on something else. I waved to the waiter, and he was at our table in seconds. "May I get my stuff to-go, please?" I asked sweetly. He nodded and ran up to the cashier that had helped us before. They both scrambled to get a box and to-go cup for me and immediately put everything in its place, handing me a small paper bag to go along with it.

"Is there anything else you two will need?" The waiter asked.

Conri shook his head and pulled out two hundred dollar bills. He gave one to each of the kids and stood to his feet, grabbing my bag before I could even stand. "Thank you." He said before holding out his free hand for mine.

I took it and we headed to the car a little too fast. Once we made it inside, he rested his head back on the head rest and took deep breaths before starting the car and focusing on the road. We made it to another part of the forest and this location had a trail. He hopped out of the car, and I slowly got out to follow him. Sometimes the man of few words can be a bit daunting.

He pulled out a black backpack and slung it over his shoulder. "Come here, little one." He said as his teeth clenched.

I did as I was told, and he locked the car while we headed up the trail silently. This was different from when I walked with Edon. It was so peaceful that time, but this time, it felt like the tension in the air could be seen from space. "Conri?" I whispered.

His eyes darted at me, but he continued to walk down the path. "Yes?"

"Are you okay? Did...did I do something wrong?"

He froze and pulled me up to his lips, crashing them on mine. I turned to putty in his hands and gripped hold of his shirt tightly, never wanting him to stop. However, all good things come to an end.

Conri pulled away, breathing heavily. "You did not do anything. I was just taken off guard and I wanted to do that since we left the bakery. We only have a few more clicks ahead before we can stop. Are you okay to walk or do you want me to carry you?"

I sucked on my bottom lip before letting it fall back into place. "You guys really love to carry me everywhere."

He grinned but it did not meet his eyes. "That's the one place we know you will be safe no matter what? Why question it?"

I shook my head. I won't question it. I crave it. I won't tell him that though. He scooped me up and we continued our walk. When we made it to a small lake, he finally put me back down on my feet and placed his jacket on the ground. I walked over hesitantly as he plopped himself on the now wrinkled fabric.

"Come here." He ordered. I walked closer to him and the minute I was within arms' reach, I found myself in his arms. Conri tightened his hold and I moaned greedily, inhaling the delicious waffles. "It's time for me to show you my Lycan. I want you to make up your own mind about him. A lycan is dangerous in it's own right, but with the three of us, I'm sure you'd be able to control it. My lycan won't hurt you, but you have to stay very still, okay little one?"

I nodded and he kissed my ear softly. "Words."

"Y-yes." I was breathing so heavily when he slipped from underneath me and I gathered myself together.

He stared me square in the eye as they shifted to obsidian and his shirt ripped to shreds while his pants tightened around his legs. Only the top half of them survived. His fingers elongated and sharp solid black claws replaced his nails while a short and coarse layer of fur cascaded over his skin. He huffed as his facial features stayed humanlike but with wolfen features. It was amazing, but like Conri said, his Lycan was nothing like a human. I stood as still as I could when his eyes shot directly at me. He walked towards me on the balls of his feet with talons digging into the grass underneath them. Once he got close enough, he sniffed the air and leaned down to look me in the eye while one of his hands held up his torso for support.

"Conri." I whimpered. He growled. He moved in closer and I never thought I would fear another creature after living with them for almost three months, but today I feared Conri. I really was terrified. The power radiating off of him wasn't as immense as Edon, but the level of pure and unadulterated thirst for blood was overwhelmingly intoxicating. How could I have thought he was close to a human just because he's standing on two legs?! I felt my breathing quicken. "Please." I whispered, as if he would understand my fear. I hope he would, but I felt like this was ridiculous. I shouldn't fear him at all. Why am I terrified now?!

He pulled himself away and sat on a boulder about ten feet away from me. He stared at me for what seemed like an eternity before he yipped and I sighed, doing the same thing I did with Edon. I have to remember it's just my mates under the fur. I'm not in any danger. He will not hurt me. I cannot lose site of that. I stood to my feet and his pointed ears shifted back to press into the sides of his head.

I leaned down and kept my hands raised. "I'm not afraid of you, Conri." I called, and he leaned back as if this was news to him. It was news to me too, but I wasn't kidding. I can do this. I continued to walk towards him and he growled. "I'm not afraid." I whispered when I got close enough.

It was his turn to sit frozen. "I'm not afraid." I whimpered again and took the chance. I leaned in and kissed his cheek. It was warm and fuzzy, and it made me giggle. I know I could have risked my life doing this, but it had to be done. Conri sees himself as a monster with anger issues. We may have our problems. What couple doesn't? But, I see him... Edon...and Vil as who they are. I want to make sure they all remember that.

They all need to remember, they are my protectors.