Please don’t be mad

As Morgan walked through the pack house, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was slipping away from her, that no matter how hard she tried to hold everything together, it was all beginning to unravel.

The conversation with the elders had been more intense than she anticipated, and although she felt relieved to have their support, the underlying tension between her and Alex, and now within her pack, was undeniable.

As she moved through the halls of the pack house, she was greeted warmly by her pack members, their faces lighting up as they saw her.

Each smile and nod of respect was a reminder of why she had to remain strong, and why she had to make the right decisions, even if they were difficult. She couldn’t afford to let her personal feelings cloud her judgment, not when so much was at stake.

But even as she interacted with her people, her thoughts kept drifting back to Alex. The coldness in his voice, the distance in his eyes—it was as if he was deliberately pushing her away, and she couldn’t understand why.

By the time she reached the edge of the pack’s territory, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape.

She stood there for a moment, taking in the beauty of the forest, the sound of the river in the distance, the scent of pine filling the air. This was her home, and she would do whatever it took to protect it.

Just then, Sophie appeared at her side, her presence quiet and comforting.

“Luna,” Sophie began, her voice soft but tinged with a hint of nervousness.

Taking one last long stare at the breathtaking scene, Morgan turned to her, offering a reassuring smile. “What is it, Sophie?”

For a moment, Sophie hesitated, her eyes drifting toward the distant treeline. “I was wondering... if we could visit my family’s home. I know it’s been a long time, and with everything that’s happened... but I’d like to see if there’s anyone left. My parents are gone, but my aunt and uncle—they had a young son. He was only a baby when the war started.”

As a smile played on Morgan’s lip, her heart softened at the vulnerability in Sophie’s voice.

“Of course,” she replied without hesitation. “We’ll go right away.”

Immediately, Sophie’s eyes lit up with gratitude, and for a brief moment, the weariness of the day seemed to lift.

Together, they made their way back to the black SUV, where the driver waited patiently. Once inside, Sophie gave him the directions to her family’s old home, her voice a mix of hope and anxiety.

The drive was quiet, the silence filled only with the hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of leaves as the car sped through the winding roads of the forest.

Staring at her, Morgan could sense Sophie’s unease, the way she fidgeted with her hands and bit her lip, lost in thought. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on Sophie’s arm.

“Whatever we find, we’ll face it together,” Morgan said gently, her voice filled with the warmth of promise.

“Thank you, Luna. It means a lot.” Sophie nodded, her expression softening.

Before long, the car pulled up in front of a small, weathered house nestled at the edge of the forest.

The once vibrant garden was overgrown with weeds, and the paint on the shutters was chipped and faded. Sophie stared at the house, her heart in her throat.

“This is it,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“Let’s see who’s home.” Morgan nodded, giving her a reassuring look.

Together, they stepped out of the car and approached the front door, and Sophie’s hand trembled slightly as she raised it to knock, the sound echoing in the still evening air.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence, and then the door creaked open to reveal an older woman, her hair streaked with silver and her eyes weary but kind.

The woman’s eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sight of Morgan, quickly bowing her head in respect.

“Luna Morgan,” she greeted, her voice laced with awe. “What brings you to our humble home?”

Side-eyeing Sophie's nervous expression, Morgan offered a kind smile, her tone gentle. “We’re looking for the wolves who used to live here. Do you know what happened to them?”

The woman’s expression grew somber, and she shook her head slowly. “I’m afraid... I heard that they died during the war. When the Blood Moon Pack stormed our territory, they were caught in the crossfire.”

With trembling lips, Sophie’s face fell, her eyes filling with a deep sadness.

“And their young son?” Morgan pressed, her voice soft but firm. “Did he survive?”

The woman hesitated, her gaze flickering with uncertainty. “There are rumors,” she began cautiously, “that the boy survived, but no one knows for sure. Some say he’s been living in an orphanage since then, but I’ve never seen him myself.”

As her eyes widened, Sophie’s breath caught in her throat, and she turned to Morgan, crying, “Luna, do you think… do you think we could find him?”

Immediately, Morgan placed a reassuring hand on Sophie’s shoulder, her voice steady. “We’ll do everything we can to find him, Sophie. You deserve to know the truth.”

“Thank you, Luna. Thank you for everything.” Sophie nodded, a glimmer of determination in her eyes.

With a final nod to the older woman, Morgan led Sophie back to the car, and they got in.

Minutes later, as the SUV drove through the winding forest roads, Morgan couldn’t help but glance over at Sophie. The young omega was staring out the window, her expression a hint of raw anxiety.

“Do you think we’ll find him, Luna?” Sophie asked quietly, breaking the silence.

“I believe we will, Sophie. We’ll do everything we can.” Morgan nodded, her voice gentle.

The car eventually slowed as they approached a modest building tucked away at the edge of the town. The orphanage wasn’t large, but it had a certain warmth to it, with ivy crawling up the stone walls and a small garden out front. Despite the setting sun, a few children were still playing outside, their laughter echoing in the air.

As they stepped out of the car and approached the entrance, subconsciously, Sophie’s hand tightened around Morgan’s arm, and Morgan gave her a reassuring squeeze.

“We’re in this together,” she reminded her softly.

With a smile, Sophie nodded, taking a deep breath as they entered the building. The lobby was simple but clean, with a few chairs lining the walls and a receptionist’s desk near the entrance. A few children played quietly in a corner.

Before either of them could say anything, a sudden commotion drew their attention. A young boy, no older than six or seven, came barreling down the hallway, his face streaked with dirt. He wasn’t watching where he was going and ran straight into Morgan, bouncing off her with a startled yelp.

Instinctively, Morgan reached out to steady the boy, but he quickly scrambled back, eyes wide with fear and he dropped to his knees, his small frame trembling.

“I’m so sorry, Miss!” the boy cried, his voice shaking. “I didn’t mean to... please don’t be mad!”

As her eyes lit up, Morgan’s heart softened at the sight of him. “Stand up, little one,” she said gently, crouching down to his level. “It’s okay, you didn’t hurt me.”

The boy hesitated, but he slowly got to his feet, keeping his eyes fixed on the ground. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, worn bag filled with marbles, his tiny hands shaking as he held it out to her.

“I don’t have money to pay for your clothes,” he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. “But you can have my favorite toy. It’s all I’ve got.”

As her smile widened, Morgan’s heart clenched at the sight of the boy offering her his treasured marbles. She was about to reassure him that it wasn’t necessary when two women, both with stern, almost harsh expressions, stormed into the lobby. Their faces twisted into angry scowls as they spotted the boy.

“You little brat!” one of them snapped, her voice sharp as she reached out to grab the boy’s arm. “Look what you’ve done! Ruining the Luna’s clothes? You’re in big trouble now!”

The second woman joined in, her tone just as harsh. “You’re always causing trouble, aren’t you? No wonder nobody wants to adopt you!”