"Get off your lazy ass and get downstairs!" Kal yelled, throwing open the door to Greyson's bedroom.
He walked over to the bed, where Indianna was lying down and reading a book.
"Huh?"
"I have orders to get your unsociable butt downstairs," Kal shrugged. He snatched the book from Indianna's hands and threw it onto the floor. "Up, let's go."
"Orders?" Indianna wondered. "Greyson?"
"The one and only," Kal nodded. "A bunch of us are ordering pizza, watching some movies and you're joining us."
"B-but—"
"Hush," Kal said. "It's a movie. Unless you're one of those extremely irritating people, you don't speak much while watching a movie. You just sit there, eat some pizza and chill out. The pack wants to get to know you, Indie. Give them a chance."
Indianna sighed. "How many people?"
"A few."
"The way we interpret that word is very different," Indianna said, and Kal smirked.
"I've been told I can use force," he said.
Indianna raised her eyebrows. "Really?"
"Yep," Kal grinned.
You said you would try, Greyson's voice flooded her mind, and she groaned.
We can start tomorrow?
Fine, Greyson said, and Indianna frowned. He had given in very easily.
If you can start tomorrow, then so can I. Yes?
Yes.
Great. Then you can't be pissed off about what I'm about to make you do.
Indianna frowned and looked at Kal. He wasn't paying attention to her. He had a dazed look on his face, and Indianna knew he was mind-linking someone.
Kal suddenly smiled slyly and looked at Indianna.
"Don't be annoyed at me. I'm only following orders," Kal said.
Suddenly, he grabbed Indianna and threw her over his shoulder.
"Kal!" Indianna yelled in shock. "Put me down!"
"Sorry, Alpha's orders," Kal laughed as he walked towards the door.
"Oh, the asshole!" Indianna gasped and hit Kal's back. "Please?"
"Nu-uh," Kal smirked as he headed for the stairs.
Indianna squirmed and struggled in Kal's hold, but he was much stronger than her.
"Please don't make me drop you. I think Greyson would kill me."
You sneaky bastard! Indianna said.
You're the one who said I could start tomorrow, Greyson replied, his tone smug.
I hate you, Indianna grumbled.
Greyson laughed.
Have fun.
Indianna focused on Kal, who was heading towards the lounge. He entered, and Indianna could hear many voices. Her world spun as she was dropped onto a couch.
She gasped and looked up at Kal, who grinned innocently at her.
Her eyes flickered around the room. There were around twenty pack members, all chuckling at Kal's actions.
Indianna grew very self-conscious and shrank back into the couch. She tried to tell herself there was no reason to feel awkward, but she couldn't help it.
Kal sat down next to Indianna, and she punched him on the arm, smirking when he yelled out.
"Dude, I was following orders!" he whined.
Indianna shrugged and smiled sweetly at him.
"You've got a good punch," Kal commented.
"Luna," a girl called, smiling kindly at Indianna.
The girl was seated on a loveseat, her legs draped over a guy Indianna recognised. She also noticed that the girl was human.
There was an obvious lack of girls in the room.
"Indie," Indianna said timidly. "Not Luna."
The girl nodded and held up several DVDs.
"Your choice?"
Indianna took a deep breath and forced a confident smile.
She could do this.
She hoped.
Halfway through the second film, the pizza arrived. The film was paused so everyone could eat.
Everyone was talking and laughing, and Indianna no longer felt extremely awkward.
Only slightly.
Indianna was taking a bite of pizza when she spotted Ellie standing in the doorway of the lounge, looking tired and distressed.
It was getting late, so only the teenagers who lived at the pack house remained. The younger pack members had gone to sleep a while earlier.
Indianna frowned and put down her pizza. She started to stand, but Kal stopped her.
"Indie, you're doing so well—"
"I'll be back," Indianna said.
Kal followed Indianna's gaze and nodded when he saw Ellie.
Indianna headed over to Ellie and took her into the hallway, where it was more private.
"What's wrong, Ellie?" Indianna asked.
She sat down on the stairs, with Ellie beside her. Now that they were closer, Indianna realised that Ellie had been crying.
"I just had a bad dream about the man who..." Ellie sniffed and squeezed her eyes shut. "Indie, I can't close my eyes without remembering how my life used to be. It wasn't even a life. I was just existing."
"Oh, Ellie," Indianna gasped and hugged the little girl. "I'm glad you came to me. If you have any problems, I'm always here, Ellie."
"Thank you," Ellie whimpered. "I've never had someone looking out for me before."
"Now you have a whole pack," Indianna smiled.
Ellie nodded. "I'm so tired, Indianna, but I can never seem to sleep properly. I always get woken up by these d-dreams."
"Ellie, I have something that might help," Indianna said and stood up. "Go to the kitchen and put the kettle on. I'll meet you there."
Ellie nodded and went to the kitchen. Indianna headed upstairs and went into her room.
She found the packet of herbs she had been given to help her sleep better and hurried back to the kitchen.
"I was given these to help me sleep," Indianna explained and looked at the herbs in the bag. She could have sworn there had been more when she was first given them. "I never actually tried them, but they're meant to help."
Indianna poured some of the herbs into a mug and mixed them with hot water from the kettle. She stirred the drink before passing the steaming cup to Ellie, who smiled gratefully.
"Thank you," Ellie said.
"That's okay. How about you come and watch films with us until you fall asleep?" Indianna suggested.
Ellie shifted awkwardly on her feet.
"I... Um... I'd rather... Er—"
Indianna laughed and cut Ellie off.
"I know exactly how you feel. Don't worry," Indianna smiled. "I'm not very good with lots of people either."
Ellie nodded. "They're all older as well. I'd rather just go back to my room."
"That's fine. I completely understand," Indianna said and rubbed Ellie's arm comfortingly. "I'm afraid I have to go back, or I think Kal will drag me back into the room."
She rolled her eyes.
"Did you want me to come upstairs with you quickly, or are you okay?"
"I think I'll be okay," Ellie said. "Thank you, Indie."
"Anytime," Indianna said with a smile.
Ellie headed towards the kitchen door.
"Indie?"
"Yes, Ellie?"
"You're a great Luna," Ellie said softly before walking away.
Indianna couldn't help the smile that formed on her face. She made her way back into the lounge and took a seat next to Kal.
"Is everything okay?" Kal wondered.
Indianna nodded. "Yep. Everything is fine."
Greyson joined everyone around midnight. He walked into the lounge, swiped a piece of pizza from the table and then looked at Kal, who was sitting next to Indianna.
Indianna had fallen asleep.
She looked adorable.
Greyson kicked Kal's foot.
"Move."
"Dude, I'm comfortable," Kal whined.
"Dude, I don't care," Greyson mocked. "I want to sit next to my mate."
"As you wish," Kal said dramatically and stood up, walking over to a spare chair.
"Wait."
Greyson caught Kal's wrist and pulled him to a halt.
"How is she doing?"
"Actually, rather well. She's been quiet and shy, but she's been talking to a few people. Not in very long sentences, but it's better than nothing," Kal informed Greyson.
"Good," Greyson nodded.
He took Kal's seat next to Indianna. He looked down at her and ran his fingers through her soft hair.
Indianna sighed softly in her sleep and snuggled closer to Greyson, feeling the tingles even while she slept.
Greyson smiled slightly and wrapped his arm around Indianna, holding her close.
"Alpha," Derek, a pack member, called. "We all just wanted to say that we think Indianna is great. We don't know her that well yet, but she's kind, thoughtful and caring. She has all the qualities a good Luna should have.
"We want you to know that we'll do anything to protect her from Rogue. She's our Luna, and we'll give our lives for her."
Greyson felt immense pride as Derek spoke.
"Thank you, Derek," Greyson nodded. "Your words mean a lot. And we will catch Rogue... or I'll die trying."
The room was completely quiet. Nobody dared to speak. The lights were out, and the glare from the television was blinding.
Kal hid behind a cushion, and the few girls in the room cowered against their mates' chests.
Greyson looked over at Kal and rolled his eyes. The horror film didn't affect him at all.
He silently wished that Indianna would wake up and be forced to watch the frightening film. He loved seeing her scared. It meant she went to him for comfort.
Emma, a pack member's mate, yelled out in fright and covered her eyes, blocking the television screen from her vision. Her mate chuckled softly and hugged her.
The room went quiet again, and Greyson started to grow bored. He looked down at Indianna, who had moved in her sleep so that her head was resting in his lap.
He ran his knuckles down her cheek and couldn't stop a smile from forming at the sight of his beautiful mate.
She looked so peaceful.
So calm.
"Get out of the fucking car!"
Greyson frowned when he heard shouting, and everyone else looked towards the lounge door.
"I fucking hate you, you asshole!"
"Ah, Brooklyn," Greyson muttered and shook his head.
"Take me home, now, Harry!"
"Get in the fucking house!" Harry yelled.
There was a loud bang as the front door flew open. Greyson looked towards the hallway and saw Brooke being pushed forward by Harry.
Brooke yelled angrily and shoved Harry backwards.
"Just piss off!" she shouted.
Indianna started to stir in Greyson's lap.
"Don't walk away from me, Brooklyn!" Harry scowled and grabbed Brooke's wrist.
"It's your fucking house!" she yelled. "Where the hell am I supposed to run off to?"
"What is going on?" Indianna yawned as she sat up. She rubbed her eyes and looked towards the shouting.
"They're having an argument," Greyson shrugged.
"Keep your voice down!" Harry hissed.
Both he and Brooke looked into the lounge, where they had the attention of everyone in the room.
"Everything okay, man?" Greyson called.
Harry gritted his teeth.
"We're all good. Aren't we, Brooke?"
He looked down at Brooke, who glared at him.
"We will be if you stop being a privacy-invading dick!" Brooke snapped.
"You're my mate, and you're keeping things from me! I was worried. I apologise for worrying about you!" Harry growled.
"I'm fine!" Brooke yelled, and Indianna noticed tears forming in her eyes. "I'm fucking great, Harry!"
"No, you're fucking not! You keep everything bottled up and don't tell anyone! You need to talk to me!"
"I don't need to talk to anyone! Nothing is wrong with me. I'm fine. I've never been fucking better!"
"Ever since Rogu—"
"Don't!" Brooke hissed.
Indianna realised why Brooke was so upset.
"Do not say his name!"
"You can talk to me about it!" Harry exclaimed.
"I don't want to fucking talk about it!" Brooke screamed, and a few tears trickled down her face. "Stop bugging me about it!"
"No, not until you sit down and actually tell me what's wrong. You keep everything to yourself, and it's not good for you!" Harry yelled.
Indianna gulped. She imagined Greyson being that angry at her—red in the face, with gritted teeth and black eyes.
She would crumble with fear.
Harry looked terrifying, and Indianna wondered how Brooke wasn't frightened. Then she remembered Brooke explaining that she dealt with Harry's anger better than other people did.
Harry knew that he could get angry without frightening Brooke.
So he got angry.
Very angry.
Indianna had thought Brooke was recovering well after what Rogue had done to her, but now she knew that she wasn't.
She was just pretending.
Pretending not to be in pain.
Pretending not to be scarred.
It was what Brooke did. She covered everything up and acted as if nothing was wrong.
Brooke looked at Indianna with tear-filled eyes.
"Indie—"
"No, you're talking to me and only me," Harry said sternly.
"I don't want to talk to you!" Brooke hissed. "I just want a friend!"
"You've got me, and you're fucking stuck with me," Harry said lowly and grabbed Brooke as she tried to step backwards. "Just talk to me."
Indianna swallowed and swung her legs off the couch.
Brooke had been scarred by Rogue.
Both girls had endured horrors at his hands.
Indianna had to try to help.
"I don't think so," Greyson grunted and grabbed Indianna around the waist, pulling her back down onto his lap.
"No, Greyson, let me—"
Greyson covered Indianna's mouth with his hand and pinned her against his chest so she couldn't get up.
"I know it seems bad, but Brooke needs to open up to Harry," Greyson whispered into Indianna's ear. "She needs to let him in."
"Greyson!" Brooke snapped. "You ass!"
"Sort things out," Greyson called.
Indianna squirmed in his hold. Now that she was a werewolf, he had to work harder to restrain her. She was a lot stronger now.
"Quietly," Greyson added and tightened his hold on Indianna. "People are trying to sleep."
Harry nodded and gave Greyson a grateful look. He nudged Brooke towards the stairs and raised his eyebrows challengingly.
"Walk, or I will force you," he warned.
"I'm not going anywhere with you! I don't want to talk to you about it!" Brooke scowled.
"Brooklyn!" Greyson called sharply, his tone deepening as his Alpha side showed. "I understand that you're arguing, but you two aren't the only people in this house. Lower your voice. People have to be up early tomorrow, and I'm pretty sure they won't appreciate being woken up by you and Harry yelling at each other."
"We're sorting this out," Harry said lowly. "I don't care if I have to tie you to the bed to make you stay."
Brooke gasped, and Harry grabbed her, easily lifting her into his arms.
"Harry—"
"Brooklyn, babe, all I want is for you to talk to me. You'd talk to Indianna about what happened, so why not me?"
Brooke gulped.
"Promise you won't hate me?"
"I could never."
"I was scared you wouldn't want me. Not after what Rogue did to me—" Brooke stopped talking and burst into tears.
She wrapped her arms around Harry's neck and cried into his shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I was scared that if I opened up to you about it, you wouldn't want me anymore."
"Shut up," Harry said as he started walking up the stairs. "Do not say that. Ever. I love you, Brooke. Nothing could ever change that."
"Well, shit," Kal breathed once Harry and Brooke were gone. "I think that was the quickest they've ever sorted out an argument."
Greyson removed his hand from Indianna's mouth, and she wriggled in his hold, trying to get off his lap.
Stop squirming, or there shall be a repeat of earlier, Greyson said, smirking when he read Indianna's thoughts.
"Get out of my head!" she mumbled, and Greyson laughed.
I'd rather not, especially when you're thinking that.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Oh, really? Greyson raised his eyebrows at Indianna and smirked. So you weren't just thinking about how you'd love to kiss me right now?