Hunter's Moon

O N E

9 YEARS AFTER THE WOLF MOON

Ares

"Are you sure you have everything?" Kassi asked anxiously as she paced back and forth "Your textbooks? Clothes? Snacks for the road?"

I closed the trunk of my car and leaned against it as I watched my sister go into full freak out mode.

"Kass" I laughed and grabbed her by the shoulders "Relax and try to take a deep breath"

She gave me a worried look but did as I said, closing her eyes and inhaling a huge breath of air through her nose

"You okay now?" I asked with raised brows "Because if not, I can call Rhys out here to take you home"

She sniffled "I'm going to miss you"

"Awe" I pulled her in for a hug "I'm going to miss you too"

Her arms wrapped around me tighter

"Why'd you have to choose a college so far away?"

"It's in California Kass" I snickered "Not so far away"

"And you couldn't pick a college here?" Kassi sniffled "Like I did?"

"It's a three hour flight Kassi" I sighed and pulled away "Plus, I like California. I'm kind of sick of Texas"

"But your whole family's here"

"That's the point Kassi" I said "I need to experience all that life has to offer and I can't do that when I have you, Orion, Mom and Dad, AND the whole werewolf community breathing down my back and watching me like hawks, waiting to come to my rescue whenever you feel like I'm in danger"

"We don't do that!" Kassi defended

I gave her a look

"Yes you do"

"Okay... maybe we do coddle you to much" Her shoulders slumped in defeat "But we have a good reason to coddle you"

"Kass" I grasped her shoulders "I know I wasn't the most healthiest child when I was younger but ever since I shifted, I've been fine. We got to chalk my illnesses up to not being surrounded by a Pack"

"Okay, you're right. I'm overreacting" Kassi sighed and ran a hand through her hair "But did you have to make a road trip out of this?"

"I think it'll be fun" I defended