The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna

Chapter 17 "Thank you," I said gratefully. "My pleasure!" he smiled, "Stabbing ice blocks is much easier than the things they usually have me stabbing. I appreciate the change of pace," He gestured at the mud that was prevalent across my clothing and skin, "So, who's winning? You, or the dirt?" "So far, solidly the dirt," I admitted, "but we plan on turning a new leaf soon." "Ahhh, agricultural puns. Classic." The warrior raised his cup in a toast. "Well, my sister told me I needed to get over here and muscle some hedgerows into order, or something like that.

So just point me at your bushes and I'll get to work." Somehow, he managed to slip a cheeky wink in as he said it, and I spluttered on my sip of juice. I think I'm being flirted with? I realized with a jolt. That's not happened in a while. "I'm Avery," I said, by way of introduction. The warrior's eyes widened, and he nearly dropped his cup." "Oh! You're the new Luna." He immediately bowed his head. "Please forgive my informal statements, Luna. I meant no offense. "Oh!" I stared back at him in consternation, "Oh, not at all!

was refreshing to talk to someone like a normal person for once." I admitted. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed it until now. "Well, it's my honor to meet you. I'm Ian," the young warrior bowed again. "And that's my sister, Melody," he pointed at a young woman sitting nearby, who waved. "Very nice to meet you as well, Ian." I said, with genuine feeling, "Please don't feel like you need to

lively one. We spent the rest of the afternoon casually chatting while we worked. Ian told me about his sister and parents, and I talked a little bit about the nicer parts of my life, which is to say, I let Ian do most of the talking. "Oh, what's

around us had gone silent. I looked up to see Gideon and a group

meeting my eyes, Gideon said, "Fifty laps in the training ground. Now." Yes, Alpha." Ian rose, bowed again, and took off towards the training grounds. I strode down the garden towards Gideon, confused. "He didn't do anything wrong! Why punish him?" In Silvermoon, those sorts of punishments were often just another form of bullying. An excuse to pick on someone lower in the hierarchy. I hated that kind of behavior. I won't put up with bullies any longer! I crossed my arms and