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!

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 avoid me, just because I'm the new Luna." "I will do my best, Luna- er-

the talking. "Oh, what's

took me a moment to realize the rest of the planting group around us had gone silent. I looked up to see Gideon and a group of warriors standing at the end of the garden, watching us. I quickly withdrew my hand from Ian's with a curse. In an instant, Ian was darting down the garden to kneel

Still 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