Interstellar
2

Nova and her guides entered a small village as the sun began to set. She was lead through a clearing, a handful of quaint cabins circling the Alpha’s quarters. The clearing was full of footpaths cutting through the fragrant field flowers, and each step caused the sweet scent to waft up around her.

Cohen jogged toward the Alpha’s quarters while Elise and nova casually discussed her journey. It wasn’t long before Cohen returned with a slightly older couple, both of whom approached Nova with firm yet welcoming expressions.

Cohen quickly stepped forward to perform introductions. “Nova, I’m honored to introduce you to our Alphas, Leon and Stella. Nova has requested asylum while she recovered from her journey, and until we can guide her to the nearest sanctuary territory. Elise and I are happy to offer our lodging during her stay.” Leon huffed and hardened his eyes at Cohen, an action his mate, Stella, saw clearly.

“That won’t be necessary,” Stella asserted. “Leon and I would welcome the opportunity to host our quest. Please, Nova, come with me. I’m sure you are ready to rest.”

Nova followed Stella back to the Alpha’s quarters, turning back to look at her guides while they spoke in hushed tones with their Alpha. She knew she was not trusted but was thankful that Elise had given her a chance. She had not slept a full night, or eaten a hot meal, since leaving her pack. It was easy to survive in the forest when she shifted and did not require creature comforts, but she would not deny the excitement of getting to sleep in a warm bed. As they entered the quarters, Stella provided a tour of the common areas before showing Nova to one of the guest rooms. There was a loft that was not included in the tour, and Nova assumed it was their den.

“I hope you replace this suite to your liking. Feel free to roam around as you please and help yourself to the kitchen. I’ll be in the library this evening if you need anything, Nova. Welcome to our home.” Stella smiled before exiting the room, leaving Nova to stand in the middle of the modest accommodations. A sense of calm washed over her, and she quickly dropped onto the bed. She sank into the soft mattress and wrapped herself in knit blankets.

Hours passed before Leon returned. A layer of sweat slicked his skin; he removed his shirt, using a dry portion to wipe his brow. He then stuck his head in the library looking for Stella but moved on when she was not there. He stopped at the bottom of the loft stairs and looked to hi right, staring through the open door to Nova’s suite as she slept. Soft snores escaped her and rang sweetly in his ears. He tossed his shirt over the banister before he approached her room and stood in the doorway, waiting for his presence to wake her. It took less than a minute before she opened her eyes and look at him under heavy lids.

“Good evening, Alpha. Thank you-”

“You will call us by name. We have no hold over you.” His expression was still firm, but his tone was much softer than he appeared. Nova sat up and nodded in understanding. A hint of a smile glossed over his face. “Good. How are you settling in?”

“Very well, thank you. I appreciate the hospitality you and Stella have shown me.”

Nova’s eyes widened slightly as Leon entered the room. He shut the door behind him before sitting at the edge of the bed. She had limited experience with Alphas, as her own pack had never successfully established a hierarchy. It was the primary reason for all the violence and division within their ranks. But what were his intentions? Nova had already overheard Cohen’s concerns that she would be problematic, and now she wondered if this wasn’t the first time Leon had sat on this bed with females that were not his mate. She could not deny the warm brewing in her stomach as she took in the shirtless man before her. The thought crossed her mind that it would be all too easy for any lonely woman passing through to get wrapped up in his bright green eyes and rolling expanse of thick muscle.

“I have always craved to run with a bear. We stick to ourselves here and rarely get guests, even rarer to get guests who aren’t wolves.” Before she would respond, he raised a hand to silence her. “Not tonight. But soon, we will run.” Leon saw her hesitance and grinned. He felt a pull toward her, a stitch deep within his core that set him aflame. Rather than act on it, he stood and left her room as quickly as he had come in. Nova sat on the bed, still wrapped in the knit blankets that now carried his scent, and stared at the door for what felt like an eternity.