'Luna, you're in danger.'
These four lines rang in Arya's mind all night.
She had tried to ask the person what she meant, but the mindlink cut off after these words, and now, she didn't know who it was, neither did she know what she meant.
"Eversince dinner, I've noticed you were uncomfortable. Is something wrong?" Alfa asked as they entered the room.
Most of the guests had left, and the others went to their assigned rooms to take rest.
"I received a really weird message tonight... two to be exact," Arya said. "First, Garry told me he was innocent; that he didn't do anything to Vivien. Then, at dinner, someone told me that I was in danger."
"Who?"
"I didn't recognize the voice. But it was a female. Anyway, I'm tired and I think I'll call it in."
"Is that an invitation?" Alfa asked, smirking, as he stalked toward her.
"What are you doing?" Arya asked, as she felt weird.
"Well, Mrs Flowerew, you said you'd like to call it in. I'd like to help you..."
Arya stared at him, then realized what he meant. "Mr Flowerew, call it in is short for call it a night... meaning I'm going to bed."
"Short? I mean, both sentences have three words."
"No, call it a night had four."
"So, we're not... doing anything?"
"Oh yes, we are," Arya said, changing into her pajamas. Alfa smiled and walked towards her. Just as he reached out to touch her, Arya said, " We're sleeping."
Before he could say anything, Arya jumped on the bed and tried to calm down, enough for her now husband to believe she's sleeping.
Alfa gave her a disappointing look. She was now lying down, fully awake, pretending to sleep. Maybe she had forgotten that being marked by him makes her thoughts open to him.
She was now thinking if she had convinced him that she's asleep.
"I know you're awake," he said and heard her heart beat faster.
The next day, Arya woke up feeling different. She felt more alive, and she could sense everyone's thoughts and feelings.
She wore the Moonstone pendant chain back on, which she had taken off for the marking ceremony, which actually turned out to be a wedding ceremony.
The ring that she had found, the crescent moon pack heirloom, she put in a drawer and locked it.
She walked down the stairs, wearing a navy blue dress, her hair in a messy bun, and looking more radiant than ever.
As she neared the dining area, everyone shouted, "Merry Christmas!"
"What? Merry Christmas!" Arya said, surprised that the pack also celebrated this holiday.
"There's a surprise," Alfa said, coming to her side. Two servants revealed the cake from the night before.
"Wait, there was more cake?" Arya asked, her eyes wide with happiness. "Yes, I had it saved for you."
"Thank you."
Alfa and Arya cut the cake together, with the important members sitting at the dining table.
Everyone was there, old alfa Kane and Genevieve. Ronald Sinclair and Dr. Gretchen, Trevor Maddock and Charlotte... even Vivien was there in a wheelchair.
"Luna, she insisted that she came, that's why I brought her here," Dr Gretchen said, smiling.
Arya thanked her and turned to Vivien, "How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thank you for saving me, Luna, but... how did you know I was there?" Vivien asked.
"I heard you through the mindlink. You somehow managed to talk to me."
Vivien seemed surprised.
"I was trying to call you, I thought I'd never be able to reach you..."
"Vivien, I know it's not the right time, but did Garry have anything to do with your assault," Arya asked, straight in front of everyone.
Vivien seemed shocked. "No, Luna, he wasn't there. It was someone else, I couldn't see his face, but he wanted to hurt you," she said slowly.
Alfa instantly stiffened. This was a very big accusation. Everyone gasped, and Garry and Trevor sighed in relief.
"Vivien, what do you mean by he wanted to hurt me?" Arya questioned.
"He thought I had died, and I heard him say 'the future Luna is next.'."
"Can you tell me anything about him that can help us recognize him?" Arya asked calmly.
"No, just the ring that you found." Vivien shook her head.
"Thank you, and I'm glad to see you getting stronger," Arya said. She turned and walked up to Garry and Trevor. "Trevor, Garry, I owe you two an apology. I'm sorry I doubted you. Please forgive me."
Everyone in the room gasped. Both the gamma and future gamma were staring at her, then the floor, their face pale with embarrassment.
"Arya, you're their Luna. You don't need to apologize," Kane said, red with anger.
"Yes, I do. Just because I'm the luna and hold more power than them doesn't mean I can go around falsely accusing anyone without any proof and get away with it," Arya said. Her voice was calm, and she looked at Kane. "I'm sorry for saying this, but this is the exact reason I got angry at Garry at dinner a few months ago. For disrespecting a servant girl."
Arya looked back at Garry. "I shouldn't have come to a conclusion without researching. I'm sorry."
"Luna... I... you did what you thought was right. It wasn't your fault," Garry managed yo say.
"From now on, whatever your rank is, you can not disrespect anyone," Arya said, taking a seat beside the alfa. "We all are one."
Everyone ate in silence. Deep down, Garry and Trevor felt better that their name were cleared, but everyone was thinking one thing. Who wanted Arya dead?
After eating, Arya called her brother. "Happy birthday, Marcus," Arya said after he said, "Hello."
"Arya? Oh God, where are you? I called mom, and she said you were at work!" Marcus asked, surprised.
"I want my present... remember, you said we'll drink wine."
"I'm sorry Marcus, but I won't be able to come..." "But Ar, we had to have this celebration together. Nat and I are almost home, and you're the only one missing. You have to come."
"I can't come today, but I'll make it up to you." Saying this, Arya cut the line. She didn't want to explain anything to him. It was hard enough to explain it to her aunt, and now explaining to him would be a real headache.
Arya stared at her phone, contemplating whether to call home or not. At last, she decided to call.
"Hello, Arya, how are you?" Kimberly's voice came through.