The Wolf God's Unwanted Luna

Vivian’s POV

At first, I thought he was joking. But he wasn’t. I braced myself to complain, but to my surprise, the idea sparked something in me excitement. I actually wanted to do it. The running, the climbing, the jumping it all sounded kind of... fun?

By the time I reached the end of the course, my breathing was steady, not even the slightest bit winded. I bounced over to Venom, a small burst of pride swelling in my chest. He hadn’t looked away the entire time I was moving. His arms were folded across his broad chest, his posture still as a statue.

His golden eyes met mine, unblinking and calm, but beneath the stillness, something stirred. Like he was studying me. Really studying me. There was something unnerving in how quiet his gaze was. Too knowing. Too still. I felt like he could see straight through me.

Those were old eyes, I thought. Eyes that had seen far more than they let on.

"Well?" I asked, trying to shake the feeling crawling down my spine.

He tilted his head slowly to the side, and without meaning to, I mirrored him. It was weird like my body responded instinctively. I didn’t want to look away from him, like he was holding some strange gravity over me.

He blinked, shook his head slightly, and a few strands of white hair slipped from his tied-back bun.

I blinked too, snapping out of whatever haze had just taken over me. What... was that?

"Sorry," he hissed under his breath. "I’ve got a theory I want to try out tomorrow if you’re up for it?" he asked, almost sheepish now.

I shrugged easily. "Sure. What kind of theory? Please tell me it’s about me not needing to work out anymore, because honestly, I’d be so down for that."

The corner of his lips twitched. Barely. But it was there. A smile. Almost.

He opened his mouth to reply and that’s when I caught it his teeth. No, not just teeth. Fangs. Definitely fangs.

My breath caught in my throat. Something cold slithered down my spine. How had I missed that before?

"Wow," I whispered to myself. "Why am I just now seeing that?"

"Your mind has expanded. That’s why," my beast murmured inside me, her voice low and thoughtful.

"I’m sorry," Venom said suddenly, pulling my attention back to him. "But no, that’s not the theory. You are, however, probably going to finish sooner than expected."

"Really?" I asked, rocking slightly on my feet. "Why’s that?"

He unfolded his arms and clasped his hands behind his back. His movements were slow, deliberate.

"Do you have any medical training?" he asked, completely out of nowhere.

I blinked. "Uhh, no?" I said, completely thrown off. "Unless wrapping a bandage decently counts?"

"Hmm." His expression didn’t change. "Alright. Thank you for coming back today, Luna Vivian. I’ll see you tomorrow."

And just like that, he turned and walked off calm and collected, vanishing into the shadows before I could press him for answers.

I stared after him, baffled.

"What was that about?" my wolf asked, just as confused.

"I have no idea," I muttered, still watching the path he disappeared down.

"Weird snake," my beast added dryly, narrowing her eyes.

I chuckled under my breath. "Maybe just a little."

After some time, I stepped out to see my friends and immediately when they saw me, they said:

"We bind our lives and loyalty to the Luna of all wolves. We give our lives and support to all of your choices," Mark, Hannah, and the other guards recited in perfect unison.

Their voices rang with sincerity, their gazes steady and proud. My chest tightened with emotion.

"And I, to you," I replied softly, "will support and protect you as long as I breathe."

As the last word left my lips, Hannah let out a happy squeal and waddled toward me, arms flung wide. Her flower-printed shirt stretched over her swollen belly, and when she hugged me, I definitely felt it press against me.

"Oh my goddess, you’re mated!" she shrieked, grinning like a lunatic. "This is amazing!"

I laughed, blushing so hard my face could’ve ignited. There was no hiding it now. But seriously... why did everyone act like getting mated was some kind of huge public announcement? Was there a universal celebration for having sex I didn’t know about?

"Yup," I mumbled, still laughing. "And look at you! I swear it feels like forever since I last saw you. Your baby’s grown so much!"

Mark came up behind her, resting his hand lovingly on her bump, pride shining in his eyes.

"Hey, Mark," I said, grinning. "Have you two finally settled on a nursery style, or is Hannah still changing her mind every three days?"

He let out a relieved sigh, running a hand through his short hair. "We finally settled on the last one."

Johnson snorted next to me, clearly not buying it.

I turned to him with an arched brow. "What?"

"Only because I refused to keep returning their crap every time she changed her mind," he grumbled, wagging a finger at Hannah. "I swear, my sister treats me like her personal errand wolf."

"Maybe because you look like a donkey," Mila muttered just loud enough for everyone to hear.

Johnson’s glare could’ve melted steel. "Seriously?"

"Damn," Courtney muttered, trying and failing to hold back a laugh. Luke shook his head with a faint smile playing on his lips.

Before the banter could spiral further, Hannah slipped out from under Mark’s arm and waddled quickly well, as quickly as a very pregnant woman could into the kitchen. She returned a second later holding something behind her back.

With a smug smirk, she handed it to Johnson and stepped back.

Johnson looked down, confusion written all over his face. "Why are you handing me ice?"

"To cool down that burn," she said sweetly.

The room erupted in laughter. Johnson’s scowl deepened, but the twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed him.

"I missed you guys," I said, wiping a tear from my eye as the laughter finally died down.

"We missed you too," Johnson replied, still half-scowling, half-smiling. "It’s been so boring without you. And I’m sure Luke’s been missing Alpha taking over his body, right, Luke?"

Luke shot him a death glare. "If we weren’t in the presence of our Luna right now, I’d deck you."

"Oh no," Johnson said mockingly, raising his hands and shaking them. "Look at me shake."

I laughed even harder. These idiots... They hadn’t changed a bit. And honestly? That was comforting.

"Do you want to stay for lunch?" Mark asked suddenly, his tone warm and casual.

"If you don’t mind," I said.

"I’ll start cooking then. Hey, Johnson, where did you leave the steak?" Mark called as he turned toward the kitchen.

"Why the hell should I know?" Johnson replied, trailing after him with the bag of ice still in hand.

"Because you were the last one seen with it," Luke added, following them in.

"Got no proof," Johnson said smugly.

We rolled our eyes in unison at the ongoing bickering.