The Alpha's Unwanted Luna (by Miss L) novel Chapter 277

Chapter 277

27 – Finn

A gruff “jackass” muttered from one of the men nearby catches my attention. I fight back a smile, barely managing it. “The Luna said you needed help. What can I do? The Alpha’s already plotting how to rip my head off for leaving my partner alone to guard the Luna…” I say, half-joking.

“WHAT?! Why on earth would you leave her?” The bigger of the two warriors steps forward, his expression hard.

I throw my hands up in surrender. “Because she threw a full-blown pregnant tantrum about rescuing these kids! I figured it was better to annoy the lesser of two evils. Have either of you ever dealt with a pregnant she-wolf?” Both men freeze for a moment, exchanging a look before bursting out laughing.

“Wait, what did I miss here?” one asks.

“Let me guess—you don’t have kids?” the leaner man questions.

“Nope,” I reply.

“The Luna’s intense enough on her own, but the pregnancy hormones are making her ten times worse,” the larger warrior explains, extending his hand. “Name’s Samuel.”

I shake his hand, a little surprised. “Finn. Nice to meet you, I guess.”

That’s it? Just telling them their Luna scared me stiff, and suddenly I’m not a threat? Interesting.

The leaner man follows suit, offering his hand. “Seth. We found these kids on a routine patrol. There are four of them. The oldest can’t be more than ten, but they won’t give us any information, and they refuse to leave the youngest behind.”

“What’s wrong with the little one?” I ask, falling in step with them.

As we near the small group, I take in the surroundings, trying to put myself in the kids’ shoes at their age. They’ve done a solid job here. The spot is defensible with a clear escape route. I notice signs of a recent fire, which piques my curiosity—how did they start it? To a kid, this place must feel like a fortress or a secret hideout. That’s my angle.

I approach the oldest boy, keeping an eye on the area. He stands protectively just ahead of a smaller boy and a little girl. His posture is confident, and his broad shoulders suggest he’ll grow into a strong warrior someday. His caramel eyes watch me intently, unblinking.

“Did you have to clear the opening here, or was it already like this when you arrived?” I ask, nodding toward the cave-like gap in the brush. He doesn’t break eye contact.

“When my pack was attacked, and I had to hide in the woods, there was nothing like this,” I add, tapping the sturdy structure. It’s well built—I admire their resourcefulness.

Taking a deep breath, I continue, trying to sound casual. “Mind if I sit? Looks like we might be here a while, and I’ve already had a long day on the road.” I don’t wait for an answer.

Seth, Samuel, and I settle around the fire pit. I’m pretty sure they introduced themselves already, but I offer, “I’m Finn. Nice to meet you all.”