Chapter 58. The Fear Is Still There

Cleo’s POV

After we left the Council compound, we said our goodbyes for now to the people from Winter Mountain, and headed back to our own pack. It was very necessary to get back home and show our faces to the pack members, reminding them that we are indeed real. The packhouse still smells like scorched meat and herbs, as we get in. Desmond and the others head to the stairs, going upward to move us all into our respective quarters. I know he has had some Omega’s clean out Julian’s den ever since the challenge, but I still kind of dread going in there at all.

I walk slowly.

Not because I’m tired, though my body aches in places that didn’t hurt yesterday, but because I need to be seen. The pack needs to see me as I am. Not just Desmond’s mate, not the Luna who appeared one day and was accepted by decree. They need to see me walking these halls like they’re mine. Like I belong.

Because I do. Even if the walls haven’t quite figured that out yet.

A wa