Page 86 of His Fated Luna

“I figured it’d be bad form to fall asleep during the session. So I went down to the pool instead.”

“Well, I took some notes. I can share if you’d like,” I offered.

Ava gave a half-shrug, clearly indifferent. “Ron handles all that. I work more with orphanages and families in our pack. Politics really isn’t my scene.”

“I heard you have a fantastic warrior training program,” I ventured carefully, thanking the waiter as he set down my salad.

By the time the day came to an end, I felt like my brain had been put through a blender.

“Tomorrow we get divided into working groups,” the host announced as everyone stood.

Aiden stood as well, removing his navy blazer. My gaze betrayed me, skimming over the way his dress shirt fit his shoulders, the glint of silver cufflinks at his wrists.

“I need a run,” he announced, and I heard a few alphas murmur their agreement. Then he looked at me. “Do you want to go out back to the grounds, or would you rather stay in your room?”

Like I could ever say no to seeing his wolf.

An hour later, I was curled up on the back lawn of the hotel, the designated area where the alphas and lunas could run or relax. I’d changed into a dark navy sundress, thin spaghetti straps leaving my arms bare. Aiden’s wolf trotted toward me, brushing up against my legs and licking my skin.

“Oh, he really adores you,” Ava laughed behind me. I turned around, startled to find her standing there in nothing but a terry cloth robe.

“There was no point in wearing clothes when I’m just going to shift,” she explained with a grin.

Then Ron appeared, casually wrapping his arms around her waist. He was also in a robe. Aiden had walked down wearing a T-shirt and shorts, slipping into the woods quietly to shift out ofsight. Probably for my benefit more than his own, I realized now. Ron pressed a kiss to Ava’s cheek before disappearing into the trees.

“You can’t shift yet, can you?” Ava asked softly when she came to stand beside me.

Aiden—Aiden’s wolf—who had been basking under my hand while I scratched behind his ear, suddenly went still.

“I… I’m part human,” I admitted, not really seeing the point in pretending. They’d figure it out soon enough when I didn’t shift.

“Oh. That explains a lot,” Ava said gently, waving goodbye before heading after Ron into the woods.

I tilted my head. What explains a lot? I glanced toward Aiden, confused, but he clearly understood what Ava meant. He nuzzled his nose into my hand one last time before stepping behind me and nudging my back.

He wanted me to get up.

When I stood, he nudged the side of my thigh more insistently. He wanted me to run with him.

I had done it before, back when I was younger—running in the woods with Dad and Aunt Hilda. It had been exhilarating, but now didn’t feel like the best time. He probably wanted to sprint through the trees and blow off some steam after a long day. I couldn’t keep up.

“I don’t think I could keep up with you,” I laughed, stumbling a little as he gave me another strong nudge.

Aiden wasn’t taking no for an answer. Next thing I knew, I had set my book down and followed him into the woods. The wind played through my hair, cool against my sweaty skin as we ran together, my lungs burning in the best way.

I stopped to catch my breath and let out a light laugh. “You don’t have to stop for me. Go on.”

But Aiden stayed close, circling around me like a sentinel. He wouldn’t leave me alone out here. He dipped his head and licked my ankles affectionately, making me giggle again.

“You’re so much nicer in wolf form,” I teased, scratching behind his ear.

He gave me a gentle nudge again, coaxing me to keep going.

About half an hour later, I trudged back into the clearing. Aiden lopped off to continue his run, and Ava came to sit beside me, still in her robe, looking absolutely glowing.

“That was amazing!” she said, tilting her head back with a pleased sigh.

“What did you mean earlier?” I asked quickly, still wondering. “When you said… that explains a lot after I told you I was part human?”