Chapter 76

**Rowan**


"So Luna hasn't always been this shy?" I ask Marie.

We need as much advice as we can get right now and who better to provide us with it than our mother-in-law?

"She is shy around people she doesn't know well, but once she knows and trusts someone her real colors show. Now that she has been with you for a couple of days, she will slowly start to open up but the bond has rushed that a little. Unfortunately at Haven, they romanticize things making everything sound like something out of a romance novel. They tell the girls how amazing everything is being part of a pack but not much else. The real stuff is explained to Alphas so they can be prepared for everything. Omegas are taught to follow their Alphas lead." She explains.

I don't like the sound of that. We have a unique situation where we didn't go through the courses most Alphas do, and I'm a little glad we didn't. I want to learn how to help Luna but I also don't want to have expectations that may not apply to each Omega.

"It sounds like you didn't like how they taught the Omegas at Haven," I say.

"I admit I am not a fan, but as a parent to an Omega, we have no choice. Havens are safe but they also teach Omegas that they are too special. They don't teach them special skills or how to have a life outside of their packhouse. They are to be a part of the pack and let the Alphas lead them in every way. That is something me and Bailey's father did not agree with, but Haven rules are specific and our girls needed to be kept safe. That didn't stop us from teaching our girls ourselves though. It also explains why they were the more wild ones in the group." Imagining Luna as a wild kid puts a smile on my face.

"So do you have any advice on how to approach Luna when she's this upset?" Bennett asks.

He looks especially worried, but my worries have lessened knowing a little more about what's going on.

"The thing about Luna is no matter how mad she is or how big of a blow-up she has, she will always apologize. She hates conflict and will do anything to make up for how she acted. I'm not happy about that because sometimes she has a right to be upset but that's just how she is. So give her a little time and when she apologizes be sure to remind her that it isn't her fault. She will blame herself and even feel guilty for a while after, so be kind and patient." Marie explains.

"We will. Any other advice?" Kai asks.

"Just be patient. Luna is a beautiful soul that has been through some terrible things, so she needs time to adjust. She is going to feel like a burden to you no matter what you do, so just keep trying. Actions are better than words, and since Luna is deaf actions mean that much more. You will get the hang of things in no time and Luna will open up soon. Probably more so now that she knows she can't hide anymore." Marie chuckles.

"I'm sure Luna would love to see you. Are you free for a visit? Our tour dates have been moved up and we leave next week, so I'm sure she would love to see you before then." I offer.

"That would be wonderful. Today?" She asks.

"Yeah! We have an appointment this afternoon but we are free until then." Bennett adds.

"Of course! Ben and I would love to visit." Her voice sounds cheerful now and it fills me with a strange warmth to know such a happy woman raised Luna.

"I'll send you the address then!" Bennett replies.

"Thank you boys so much! We'll see you in a little while." We quickly say our goodbyes.

"So who's going to give our girl the good news?" Kai asks.

Milo rolls his eyes and heads out of the room to do the honors.

"Look I know there is a lot we don't know about Luna but I can honestly say I like her feisty like that," Declan says with a smirk.

"You would," Kai says shaking his head.

"I'll be glad to see all her sides because that will mean she's comfortable around us enough to be herself," I add and the rest of the guys agree.



**Luna**


By the time I storm to the nest most of my anger has fizzled away. Maybe I overreacted a little, but at the moment, I was too angry to care. Now the guys must think I have gone crazy or something.

Uh! I can't believe I blew up like that! I have been so good about keeping everything under control, but not today.

The light above my door flashes telling me someone is at the door and I feel terrible that they think they need to signal to come into the nest now. I shuffle over to the door and open it to see Milo standing there. The guilt hits me hard as soon as I see him and I end up rushing forward and clinging to him in a huge hug. He wraps his arms around me and holds me to him just a tightly as I am. When I pull away I immediately jump into my apology. My hands are moving so fast that I doubt he can understand a single word. I only stop because he reaches out and gently grabs my wrists.

He shakes his head and lets me go. "*Don't say sorry. You were upset and that's okay. We are not angry with you."*

*"You should be angry. I was being silly."* I sign back.

*"You were not being silly. This will take time to get used to. Are you okay now?"* he signs back and I give him a small nod.

I know he says I shouldn't feel bad, but until I have apologized to the others I won't feel any better. They didn't deserve me blowing up at them.

*"We have a surprise for you."* Milo signs and I beam up at him.

He gives me a small smile, no doubt feeling the sudden change in my mood.

*"What is it?"* I sign back quickly.

*"Your mom is coming to visit."* My whole body stills and a lump forms in my throat.

I have been trying so hard to adjust here that I didn't realize how much I missed my mom until now. My eyes start to burn from the tears threatening to turn me into a sobbing ball of goo at any second, but I hold them back for now. I know the second I see my mom there will be no way I could hold back and I'll be crying all over her. So even though I already hugged Milo I can't resist giving him another for this amazing gift.

When I step back I'm quick to apologize for all the hugging.

*"Why are you sorry?"* He signs when I do.

*"I'm not sure if you like hugs or not. I never see you touch anyone else or them touch you."* He isn't the only observant one.

*"It's true I don't like to be touched, but I like it when you touch me. Just you."* He signs back and there go the tears again.

*"Really? Are you sure? I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."* I may have been a little too spontaneous just now but I really do want to respect his boundaries.

Even though we were together and he marked me, he initiated all the touching.

He doesn't answer my question with words, instead, he reaches out takes my hand, and rests it on his chest. I feel the urge to pull my hand back just in case, but he holds it firmly in place.

When he lets go I leave my hand there on my own and he signs, *"Only you." *

I step closer to him taking a chance and letting my hand move down from his chest to his stomach. I watch the muscles flex and shift under my hand and when I glance back up at Milo I see a dark look in his eyes. A sudden rush of lust hits me from our bond and then he takes my mouth hard and fast. It's like a flood gate has been opened and all I want is to be wrapped around him. He has my face in his strong hands and one slips through my hair making me shiver. Then he wraps some of my hair around his fingers and tugs hard enough for my head to fall back while his other hand makes its way to my hip. He squeezes my hip a little before pulling me flush against him. The hand in my hair releases me and soon both hands slid down to the top of my thighs and he lifts me off the ground.

I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist all without breaking our kiss.