and we're back

A few weeks later, everything went back to normal. Or... not.

When we came back from our trip, everything was a mess. We were informed of multiple attacks made by unnatural rogues called Strays.

It was terrible, small and weaker packs have been destroyed and some have had considerable damage. As the strongest pack of the western territory, of course we had to investigate and send out most of our pack warriors.

I had a bad feeling about all of it, the Strays, could it be what the moon goddess was talking about? I knew I had to look into it.

Because of the attacks and the mysteries surrounding the Strays and because he took a few days off, Archer had been extremely busy.

When I woke up in the morning, he wasn't by my side anymore, but he always left me breakfast to eat before I headed out myself.

When lunch time came around, he would come and pick me up wherever I was and we'd spend an hour or two together. I tried to help him with what he had to do and that's when I saw how bad the problem was.

The death toll and destruction was on a level that we'd never seen before and I convinced him that I'd help him, but he said that I already had my hands full with learning about the pack activities and I had to agree.

But still, something about the Strays just didn't sit well with me, my heart would literally drop and I would shake when I see the destruction that they've done.

"We were planning to hold the Luna ceremony at the soonest, but the recent attacks make it hard to do so, I'm sorry Hazel." he tells me as when he put his cup down the table.

I peered at him and shook my head. Right, the Luna ceremony. It wasn't held yet and people may have been wondering why it was pushed back, but I was thankful that Archer pushed it back until he was sure that I was comfortable within the pack.

"It's fine, other packs matter more, I understand." I smile at him.

When it came close to dinner time, we would either eat together at home or in his pack office. Although the pack could easily prepare a meal for us and for us to eat with them, we liked to spend time together alone so I usually cooked for dinner and he would come home.

When the work was too demanding, I packed the food and brought it to him where he would take a break and we ate together while I continued to help him or he helped me with a task I had a hard time with.

The days passed by quickly as if they were racing against time itself and we tried our best to keep up. Amidst our busy schedules, Archer made sure to always make time for me and that alone made me happy because I could feel his sincerity and effort.

I had also come to notice that Jessica was rarely to be seen anywhere. I'm not sure how Archer talked to her, but I was sort of relieved that she stopped clinging on him and stopped antagonizing me. Although I also felt bad for her.

In a way, I think I understand how she feels. To be raised to be a perfect person for a position, I knew how that felt, the overwhelming pressure, the overbearing expectations, living vicariously.

I knew exactly how that felt and sometimes I couldn't help but wonder that maybe we could have been friends if some things weren't the way they were.

There was one time I met her when I was teaching some junior classes some self defence techniques and all she did was stare at me and then leave.

It looked like she wanted to talk to me, but chickened out in the end. I couldn't blame her though, we weren't exactly in the best of relationships to have deep talks with each other.

And I would be lying if I said that I didn't feel an ounce of worry for her, although she stopped sticking herself to my mate, I heard that she had been having break downs and so Frances had assigned Polly to keep an eye on her because she might do something to herself.

I was tasting the soup that I was making when Archer barged in the kitchen, panting as he rushed all the way here.

"Hey there, is there something wrong?" I asked immediately. He had a worried expression on his face as he walked towards me and gave me a tight hug.

Suddenly, my heart started to beat faster, not from affection, but from fear. I could feel that Archer was here to deliver bad news.

"Aeternum," he started saying my pack's name and my eyes widened in horror as I waited what he was about to say next, "your pack has been attacked by the Strays." he said.

My hands flew to my mouth as I took a step back away from him, finding the news unbelievable.

"Wh-what did you say?" I ask, shock and unbelief coursing through.

"They were attacked just this late afternoon, but the reports says that there isn't much casualty, I've already prepared a Voca Orb for you to contact them." he says and bid me to the pack house.

I didn't forget to turn off the stove as we rushed to the pack house.

Just as he said, the Voca Orb was already set up and thankfully, my parents and my brother answered quickly.

"Mom, dad! How are you?!" I ask, almost crying. The worry overtaking me as I searched for any signs of bruise or injury in them through their images.

They had sullen looks in their faces which clearly told me of their distress, but upon seeing me, they tried to smile.

"It's so nice to see you, my love." my dad started looking straight through me. His tone broke me, there wasn't any hint of vibrance. I could see that the attack had shaken them up.

"How is everyone?!"

"We're fine, Hazel. The Strays managed to break our barrier for some reason and we're already reconstructing layers of barriers. There were a few injured people, but no one was killed or severely hurt so don't worry too much." my brother clarified although that did not lessen my worries any less, if anything, it only relieved me that nobody died.

"I'll go there right now, I need to make sure everyone's fine." I announce. I felt Archer's hand rubbing my back, comforting me and calming me down.

"Honey, it's fine. You stay there, you have your own pack to take care of. You heard your brother, no one got hurt that bad. I'm just glad everyone's safe." my mom said.

I looked up and sighed in frustration. I wanted to see them, I wanted to see for myself that they were doing fine. I missed them, didn't they miss me too?

"But mom-- I should be there for you, for everyone. Aeternum is still my home." I protest.

"Of course we know that, but you should stay there Hazel. It's dangerous right now Hazel, you never know what will happen. If anything happens to your pack, you should be there. They are your home now." my dad reasoned out and of course I understood where he was coming from.

I just... I just wanted to see for myself that they were doing fine.

I felt Archer reach down for my hand and squeezed it lightly as if telling me that everything would be fine.

"Alright, j-just... tell me if you need help, I'll come right away." I tell them.

"We can send our pack warriors to help for reconstruction." Archer said.

My eyes widened, I knew that we were coming short of warriors because of the number of packs that have been attacked.

"That's very much appreciated Alpha Archer, but we'll have to turn it down. I've heard you've sent numerous of yours warriors throughout the western territory to protect the smaller packs. You should keep some for yourself in case they try to attack you as well." my brother politely declined.

Archer looked like he wanted to retaliate, but even he knew that what my brother was saying was true.

We stayed in contact for a few more minutes before finally bidding my family goodbye.

"If you want to go, you can, I'll go with you." Archer started as he led me to sit down on his chair.

I shook my head before resting it on the cushioned chair.

"No... my parents are right. I have to stay here, who knows what can happen."

Archer sighed and leaned against his table, facing me.

"If ever anything like that happens, we can manage." he assured, sounding confident.

Well, it's true that if Archer would be here, he'd be able to protect the pack. I've watched him train and I've watched him fight and it's no wonder why he was able to inherit the pack right away after reaching adulthood.

"I know, but I'm their Luna, they need me too." I say.

Despite how much I wanted to visit my home pack, I knew that what my parents said were true. I am one of Luna Flumine now too and I am their Luna.

I have to fulfill my duties and most importantly, I had to be here for them, to stand as a mother to the pack.

"You know, it's okay." Archer said and I shook my head again and smiled at him. I was relieved that he was comforting me with those words.

"It's really fine, Archer."

"Your home pack has just been attacked Hazel, your family and friends were endangered even if it was for a short while, it's not fine. If you want to go, you can, if you want to stay for the pack, you can also do that, just don't..." he drifted before sighing, "just don't try to bear everything on your own. It's okay to admit that you're having a hard time or that you're worried. No one will judge you."

I was taken aback by his words and I didn't really know what to say.

I've always been used in suppressing my own feelings and dealing with them on my own, other people have their own troubles and I knew that.

With a smile on my face and a warm wholesomeness budding in my chest, I reached out for his hand. "Thank you. I will keep that in mind."

He pulled me towards him and embraced me tightly, I could feel his emotions, he was worried and anxious, but he seemed to be relaxing now.

"You have me, you know." he reminded again. My arms also wrapped around his waist.

"I know."