Luna On The Run!

Luna Ariel’s POINT OF VIEW

I can feel Gorgio’s pain in our mate bond. He is distraught, but for some reason, he is keeping it in check. I can feel his iron self-control not to explode into a rage. It almost makes me gasp for air, my chest tightening with tension.

I snuggle up against him as we fly to Midnight Moon in the Royal Jet.

Jace, Alvin and several top warriors have come along, ready to intervene in any misstep by Alpha Zane. Warriors from my father, the Alpha King and the Council are also en route. This seems like a war operation, but I am grateful for it, as it gives Gorgio some reassurance that I will be safe in the other pack.

“My love, do not worry. I know what to do when I meet the Alpha. There is nothing in the pack that might distract me,” I whisper against his neck. His warmth increases as we get closer and his arms are like a vise around me.

“Just know that I love you, my Luna. We made an oath, you promised never to leave me. It would kill me if you did,” he whispers into my hair as his fingers run through my locks.

And then the landing on Midnight Moon’s airstrip begins.

I dare not look out of the hatch, separating myself from Gorgio feels like doom. He’s going through hell and I want to get this over with as soon as possible.

“Sir Walter. Will you stay and wait for me? This conversation won’t take long”.

The Lycan nods in agreement. “Yes, we will all wait here on the airstrip and not leave. Unless you indicate that you want to stay here, of course. But then you have to come back to the same place and tell me about your decision in person. It’s a safety rule.” Perfect, I can do that.

I kiss my mate passionately. “Wait for me, my love”.

His heart is beating like crazy, this is truly an ordeal for both of us. After one last kiss, I take Sir Walter by the elbow and walk out with him. A few feet away, I see the Alpha standing. His eyes sparkle with happiness and he takes a step closer.

“At last! Finally, you are home, my mate. I have waited so long for this day, and now you are here. Welcome, our pack is waiting for us.” He tries to take my hand, but I hold it back. His intention is clear, he wants to activate the mate bond and win me over.

“Alpha Zane. Thank you for your warm welcome. We have a matter to discuss,” I reply formally with a tight smile. The cheer disappears from his face and he frowns.

“Ariel. We are mates. You don’t have to be formal with me. The Moon Goddess brought us together, we belong to one another,” he slowly says. “But let’s go to the packhouse. We have a lot to talk about. Your Luna ceremony, your official meeting with the pack, and also your wardrobe for these special occasions. My parents are impatient to meet you”.

I decide to remain silent and turn to Sir Walter. He nods and I walk with Alpha Zane to the waiting car. As I get into the back seat, he comes over and sits next to me.

“The pack has organized a party for later today. I suggested that you might want to get some rest before meeting them. We have been waiting for you for years.” Again he tries to make physical contact and again I move away.

Within minutes, we arrived at the packhouse where an elderly couple was waiting. Immediately I knew they were his parents. Alpha Zane has the physical features of both of them and it’s not hard to see the family resemblance. As soon as I get out, they walk up to me with outstretched arms.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Ariel. At last. I am Irmy. Welcome to our family, my daughter. At last this pack has a new Luna, I want to retire soon”. The older woman tries to hug me but I keep it light. Under no circumstances do I want to raise hopes with these people. I feel her tensing for a moment at my reticence, but she continues to smile.

“And I’m Michael, the Alpha’s father,” the man next to her chuckles. I hold my hand out in front of him, putting some distance between us. He glares at my hand in surprise until he decides to shake it anyway.

“Luna, Alpha. Thank you. Alpha Zane and I have some pressing matters to discuss. I want to put all this behind us and get my life back on track.” Pity wells up inside me as I see the two in front of me blush, but I have no choice but to stand my ground.

They turn and walk ahead into the pack house, Alpha Zane and I are following.

Eventually, we enter a small room where I see three Elders. They leap to their feet as soon as we enter. “Luna,” they acknowledge my presence, but I ignore them.

As Alpha Zane sits down at the head of the table, I take a seat next to his parents.

“No, Ariel. Your place is next to Zane. There’s the Luna seat, especially for you,” Luna Irmy protests. But Is shakes her head. “No, I am not Luna of Midnight Moon. You are getting ahead of yourself.”

Servants enter, bringing refreshments and placing them on the table. They cast furtive glances at me, curious to see who their Alpha’s mate is. Impatiently, I tap my foot on the floor, waiting for them to leave.

Before Alpha Zane starts his annoying introduction, I raise my hand to stop him.

“Alpha Zane. The day we first recognized each other as mates, I fled this pack in horror. I never thought it would be possible for me to have two mates, especially since I am already marked and fully mated, my mate and I have completed the process.”

The tension in the room is palpable, everyone hanging on my every word.

“What I am trying to say is that I love my mate with every fiber of my being. We are one, and we swore allegiance to each other on the day of our mating ceremony. There is no room for a third party in our relationship, I have no intention of cheating on Gorgio”. I paused for a few seconds to let my words sink in.

“I don’t know what Selene had in mind when she forced you on us. But I am really sorry, I cannot be your mate or Luna of this pack. I have my own pack, Eclipse Howl. That’s where I’m at home, that’s where my mate is.”

I can feel the aura in the room moving in different directions, depending on everyone’s mood.

“That is why I am forced to do this. I, Ariel Vasconsellos, daughter of Alpha King Petric and Alpha Queen Anja and mate of Gorgio Vasconsellos, reject Alpha Zane of Midnight Moon as my mate. We will have nothing to do with each other from this day forward.”