#2 When the Moon Turns Red
Chapter 23

Evie

After another hour or so, the Wolf’s Den was crowded with people. It was starting to get easier to pick out the humans from the wolves, and Noah was right, most of them were shocked to see me on his arm. Sawyer, Molly, and Greyson eventually arrived and the five of us sat at a high top table. It took about 45 minutes for Molly to be on the dance floor. Sawyer was shaking his head at his sister while Noah and Greyson were sharing a chuckle.

“That girl is a handful.” Sawyer sighed, taking a long swig of his beer. Noah downed the last of his drink and stood up, holding his hand out for me,

“Care to dance?” He asked. I shook my head vigorously,

“No, not really.”

“Come on.” Noah chuckled. I groaned and took his hand.

“I thought you didn’t like dancing.” I complained as he led me to the dance floor.

“I don’t. But, look at how much fun she’s having,” He said, nodding towards Molly,

“It can’t be all bad.”

“I beg to differ.” I grumbled. When we reached the dance floor, Noah turned me in his arms and held me close to his chest.

“Trust me?” He asked in a deep, husky voice.

“Always.” I replied dazily, lost in his olive eyes.

Noah’s hands went to my hips as mine rested on his chest, we swayed to the music. I looked around the room nervously, observing what the other couples were doing. I sighed deeply and let out all the tension in my shoulders, deciding that I needed to relax a little and go with the flow. I started to sway slowly in Noah’s arms, he grinned in approval and matched my movements.

It only took me a few hours, and a few more drinks, to completely unwind and enjoy myself on the dance floor with Noah and some of his packmates. It felt nice to get to know some of them without the pressures of being their Luna or anything else official.

However, Noah growling at all the guys who looked my way did make getting to know the male members a bit difficult.

“How do you expect me to get to know anybody if you’re always growing at them?” I rolled my eyes at Noah as he growled mine for the fifteenth time.

“Don’t worry about it, Luna, that’ll calm down a bit once he marks you.” One of the he-wolf’s chuckled before disappearing on the dance floor.

“Once you what?” I looked at Noah pointedly. Noah shook his head, glaring at the spot where the he-wolf once stood.

“Let’s talk about it later.” He whispered in my ear.

He was right, the bar was impossibly noisy and crowded. Not the best place for a conversation. I nodded at him with a look that said I wouldn’t forget about it. He smirked at me and twirled me around so my back was pressed against his. I moved my body to the beat of the music.

“Alpha.” Sawyer and Greyson suddenly appeared at our side with very serious looks on their faces. I felt Noah’s arms tighten around my waist as our bodies stilled.

“What is it?” He asked sternly.

“There’s someone at the packhouse who wants to see you.” Greyson said.

“Who?” Noah asked, a little wrinkle of concern staining his forehead.

“I don’t know, Alpha. Lucas and Jack mindlinked me saying there was a stranger on the border. He wouldn’t give his name, just that he was an Alpha. They took him to your office and are guarding the room.” Greyson explained. Noah glanced down at me and then back to his second and third in command.

“Go get the car.” He ordered. Greyson and Sawyer nodded once before disappearing. Noah pulled me away from the crowd and back towards our table. He picked up my jacket and helped me shrug into it.

“I’m so sorry, Everleigh, but I have to go handle this.” Noah sighed, clearly concerned.

“It’s okay, I understand. I’m sure I can replace someone else to take me home.” I shrugged. Noah quickly shook his head,

“I’d like to ask you to come with me,” Noah surprised me by saying,

“I don’t know who this intruder is or if it’s safe. I won’t be able to think clearly if I don’t have you within arms reach, safe and sound.” Noah’s voice sounded scared and I couldn’t help but give in to him.

“Okay.” I sighed, defeated.

“Thank you, Everleigh.” Noah was so relieved as he led me outside. Greyson and Sawyer already had the car waiting. I slid in the back seat with Noah.

“Evie’s coming with us?” Sawyer asked from the passenger seat, turning around to face us. He had a huge smile on his face.

“You’ll stay with her, Sawyer.” Noah said instead of answering him. Sawyer’s face grew serious as he nodded.

“Why are you always sticking me with Sawyer?” I asked. The car filled with the guys laughter,

“He’s your protector, Evie, it’s his job.” Noah said and I caught Sawyer’s eyes in the rearview mirror.

“What?” I asked plainly.

“The Beta of the pack protects the Alpha,” Noah said with Greyson piping up in the front seat,

“That’s me!” He said proudly. Noah rolled his eyes and continued,

“And the Gamma protects the Luna.”

“That’s archaic.” I grumbled. Noah shook his head at me,

“I won’t compromise on your safety, Everleigh.” He told me sternly. I pouted in silence but was pulled out of my sour mood as we approached a beautifully old, salmon colored mansion.

“Welcome to the packhouse of Blood Moon, Luna.” Greyson said from the driver’s seat.

“It’s beautiful.” I gasped, sitting up straighter in my seat so I could get a better view. Scattered all around the mansion were smaller cottages surrounded by clearings that resembled sports arenas.

“I’d like you to go wait in on the Alpha floor.” Noah said as we exited the car.

“I thought I was staying with you.” I whined, grabbing Noah’s hand.

“I know, baby, but I should really deal with whoever this is alone. I don’t know if it’ll be safe for you and you’re not ready to become the Luna yet.” Noah sighed, covering my cheek with his hand for a moment before we entered the packhouse.

The second we entered the mansion a weird sensation filled the pit of my stomach. It was hot and intolerable. I groaned internally as my stomach rolled in waves of nausea.

“Are you okay?” Noah’s eyes pulled together in concern. I looked into his eyes and just like that the pain was gone. I chalked it up to having to do with this mystifying matebond and moved on.

“I’ll go wherever you want me to.” I agreed. Noah dipped his head and pressed his lips warmly to mine before handing me over to Sawyer. He gave me one last fleeting look before heading towards the back of the house while Sawyer led in the opposite direction.

“There’s an elevator?” I gasped watching Sawyer press the up bottom. He chuckled at me. We stepped inside and my eyes widened at the elevator’s control panel,

“There’s four floors?” I said even louder.

“You’re easily impressed, aren’t you?” Sawyer laughed, making fun of me. The elevator doors opened with a soft ding and we stepped through them.

“This is the Alpha and Luna floor.” Sawyer announced.

“This is where I would live?” I asked him, surprised. Sawyer nodded,

“Yep. There’s two master bedrooms so if you wouldn’t be comfortable staying with Noah right away, you have lots of options.” Sawyer explained, pointing towards the first door on our left. He pushed open the door and I looked inside.

“This is the unoccupied room.” He said.

It was a huge room, so big I’m pretty sure my entire apartment could fit in here. It had a four poster bed in the center with end tables on either side; golden lamps stood on the top of the tables. On the far side of the room was a sitting area and TV. On the opposite side of the room as the bed were two doors, I assumed the closet and bathroom. It was decorated in reds and blacks, a common theme I had noticed for the mansion.

“You can wait in here, I can show you the rest of the floor….whatever you want to do. There’s a sitting area out in the hallway too if you’re not comfortable in the bedroom.” Sawyer’s voice interrupted my observations. I turned away from the room and followed him back out to the hallway.

He showed me four guest rooms that were just a smaller version of the master. There was a Jack and Jill style bathroom between each pair of rooms. The last room was Noah’s.

“Wait, we shouldn’t go in there.” I argued as Sawyer started opening up the door.

“Why?” He asked.

“That’s Noah’s private space.” I said obviously.

“Evie,” Sawyer laughed at me,

“Noah doesn’t have any privacy from you.” I glared at him, grabbing the door handle and slamming the door shut. Sawyer shook his head at me.

I walked around him and towards the sitting room he was talking about earlier. It had a large sectional couch facing an even bigger TV. On either side of the TV were bookshelves holding movies, games, books, and video games. There was a basket overflowing with blankets next to the couch and 2 sets of bean bags on the floor.

“These were Noah and his siblings when they were younger.” Sawyer said, kicking one of the bean bag chairs. I sat down on the sofa, chuckling as I imagined a younger Noah fitting on the bean bag. I was about to ask Sawyer to join me when the burning pain returned to my stomach. I doubled over and groaned.

“Sawyer, is it normal to feel a burning pit in my stomach?” I grumbled. He sat down next to me,

“Why would that be normal?” He asked, concerned.

“In case you haven’t noticed, none of this is normal to me. I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel with this mate bond thing!” I yelled at him, slowly beginning to lose my mind.

“I’m sorry, Evie. No, being in this much pain is not normal. Feeling uneasy and anxious when you’re away from him, sure, but not this.” Sawyer explained, rubbing my back.

“Then, I think something’s wrong with Noah.” I said in a cold voice. Sawyer looked at me in shock before we were both running back towards the elevator.