Merciless Luna

Chapter 7

*Raj’s POV*

 I stood behind my mother, eyeing the windows around us. In that instant a shadow smashed into the window, snarling at us. It all happened so fast. One minute my mother was before me, the next she was in front of the shadow, her hand slicing the space between them. A yelp and gurgle later, the shadow slumped to the ground. Mother raised her hand, looking at the blood dripping from her claws. Claws? My mother partially shifted? I blinked a few times as she quickly snapped her wrist, flinging the blood from her hand as she looked at me, her expression hardening.

 “You have to go now” she ordered me. “What is going on mom” I asked her in reply. Her eyes shifted again, hearing the howling and the growling getting closer. Mother looked at me one last time as she pushed me towards the door. “Wait! You can’t. I can’t leave you mo...ther?” my eyes widen as I felt a sharp pain in my gut. I stumbled backwards, the door opening behind as she pushed her claws deeper into me, pushing out of the cottage. I didn’t understand. Why did she do this? Why was she trying to kill me? My eyes began to burn as I felt the tears begin to flow. I fell backwards until I felt warm hands embracing me. What just happened? Bumping into something soft, with a comforting scent. It was surreal as I slowly looked up to see who was behind me. That’s when I saw him, that man from the party. How did he find me? “You” I managed to whisper. Something felt strange, why was his eyes so wide and filled with fear? Panic? Worry? I began to have tunnel vision and could only hear a faint voice calling my name before everything faded to black.

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Everywhere I looked was covered in darkness. Am I dreaming? Is this for real? I could hear faint howls. Was the fighting still going on? I needed to open my eyes. ‘We are safe’ a voice whispered, surrounding me in its echo. ‘Who are you?’ I questioned. I heard that voice in our home. It had told me to not take the medicine. ‘This is your fault! Why did I listen to you?’ I shouted angrily. ‘If you hadn’t listen to me, you would be dead regardless’ she hissed in return. ‘What is going on? Why did it end this way?’ a low growl snapped my attention. ‘It had to be done. We must become one Rajeira. I am your wolf, and I should’ve been your wolf for years. You are supposed to get stronger, faster. But without me there, you’ve become weak, useless.’  I glared at the nothingness before me. I was not weak! I was not useless….but then why? Why do I feel such pain? ‘I cannot heal you yet. But once you learn to accept me, we will be a force to be reckoned with’ I sighed, feeling cold and alone. ‘What’s your name wolf?’ I asked gently. A soft purr rolled out before she spoke. ‘Ember’ as in fire? ‘Like fire?’ I questioned. She chuckled softly. ‘Like the fires that will fall from the sky and destroy the earth below us…when we’re ready’ she warned. Destroy? Why? ‘No…we can’t destroy! Maybe my mother was right in sealing you this whole time’ Ember snarled angrily at me. ‘She denied my awakening! She denied our path! She was wrong keeping me from you!’ She snapped. ‘No worries…she will never harm us again” she snickered. My eyes widened at that. ‘What do you mean? What happened to mother? Mother? Mother!’

 “Mother!” I shouted, suddenly opening my eyes and sitting up. I hissed, holding my stomach as the pain seared through me again. I felt movement to my right and quickly raised my arm in defense. “Easy…you’re going to open up the stitches” I heard. That voice? I lowered my arm, my gaze traveling from the side of the bed, trailing the body of a man…his hands before me in a signal of not bringing any harm. He was wearing dark sweatpants, and a black shirt. My gaze continued to move upwards, towards his shoulders, his neck, his jawline that was defined, lips...my goddess those lips. I reached his eyes and it dawned on me on who this person was. “Arkyn?” I questioned softly. He smiled slightly, nodding his head as he sat back down.

 “You’ve been out a few days. The doctors were able to stop the bleeding and stitched you right up. Once your healing abilities kick in, there will be nothing but a thin scar.” He explained. I looked around the room confused. This wasn’t my home. The walls were white, beeping noises came from the machines around the bed, and the windows had the curtains pushed back.

 “Where am I? Where’s my mother?” I questioned alarmed. “You’re in the pack hospital. I didn’t know where else to take you, so I brought you to my home. You’re currently in the Blood Rain pack grounds” he answered, straightening up on the chair, his expression suddenly becoming unreadable. “As for your mother” he hesitated for a moment. I felt a lump in my throat. I knew…I already knew the answer.

 “No…” I whispered, my eyes burning once again from the tears that threatened to spill out. “I’m sorry…there was nothing we could do to save her. She died, protecting you” Arkyn answered. I looked at him, feeling a tug in my chest. I wanted him to hold me, comfort me, but wasn’t sure why. Then I heard the snickering in my head, my eyes gazing past Arkyn to the wall behind him. ‘We found him Raj…you know who he is…claim him’ I took a deep breath, realizing who this man was to me, and wondering if he knew the same.

 “Thank you for everything, but I would like to be alone” I managed to say, avoiding his gaze completely by turning my head back straight and staring at the wall. I will not cry in front of him. I will not mourn my mother in front of this man, this alleged mate of mine. I will not be bound to a mate, to feel the need to be protected. Now that my wolf is awakened, I can take care of myself by myself, without the need of having a fated mate. “Raj…” he started.

“Please leave” I cut him off, this time not as a request. I felt him stand up, not saying a word. I could feel his gaze, burning through me, as if trying to get my attention, but I had to keep strong and show this bond we have has not affected me yet. “Very well. My beta will be here shortly to discuss your temporary living arrangements” Arkyn mentioned in a cold manner. I wasn’t sure why that stung more than his hardened gaze. But I can’t afford to have a mate. I need to know why mother was hiding my wolf, and why were we attacked once I was awakened. I needed to figure out what exactly is going on in my life and where I belong, and I am planning on doing it without him.  He turned to leave and once at the door he suddenly stopped.

 “Once you’re healed we can officially reject each other. It will break the bonds of this mate and you will be free of the burden” My eyes widen as I heard him. So he knew we were mates. And he didn’t want me as a mate either? I swallowed hard, not sure why it felt as a part of me died with his words. I simply nodded in understanding, unable to look at him after his revelation.

 “I understand. Once I’m healed, I will accept the rejection” I managed to reply calmly, too calmly for how I was feeling internally. I heard the door shut, realizing he left. I tried to take a deep breath, causing me to choke, my sobs becoming uncontrollable as I mourned the loss of my only family, my life, and somehow, my mate.

*Arkyn’s POV*

 I closed the door behind me, anger building up as she practically kicked me out of the room. Is this the thanks I get for saving her life? What an ungrateful brat! I paced the waiting room for a few minutes, trying to wrap my mind over what just happened. So she knew we were mates as well. Is it that disgusting to be my mate? Did she have to agree to the rejection so calmly? The longer I stood there the more frustrated I became. I wanted to barge back in there and ask her what the hell her problem was. In fact, that’s exactly what I will do.  Turning around, ready to bang on the door I heard the choking sobs on the other side.

 I lowered my hand, resting my forehead on the doorframe as she sobbed uncontrollably. Of course, it was her 18th birthday and she lost her only family. Her sobbing ached my heart, feeling the pain she was going through even though we did not complete the mating ritual nor marked. Her whole world was turned upside down in a manner of hours. And to top it off she was stuck with me for a mate. Someone who didn’t want to have a fated mate. “Uh, boss?” Maya startled me from my own thoughts as I turned to her. She was standing behind me with Colton, looking at me oddly.

 “She just woke up, but as you can see, is pretty shaken up with the news. I’ll leave you be. I have my duties as Alpha to attend to” I nodded towards Maya and Colton before walking past them. Colton kept his gaze on me as I walked past. I hope this Beta of mine decides for once in his life to mind his business. Arriving at the main house, I stormed the lobby and headed straight for my office, slamming the door shut. I growled and paced, furious at my predicament. Did the Moon Goddess hate me so much that not only would she bestow upon me a fated mate, but also one that hated me? I growled in anger as I grabbed one of the glasses near the scotch and slammed it against the wall.

 “Man, what the hell as gotten into you?” I turned to the door, noticing Colton was standing by the door. “I’m in no mood” I snapped. He nodded, looking at the shattered glass, closing the door behind him. “I noticed” he simply answered. “Why are you here?” I questioned annoyed. Colton rolled his eyes, motioning to sit with him. I grumbled under my breath as I took my seat, with him sitting across. “Why did you follow her boss?” he asked me. I growled in annoyance. “I already told you, to find out why she was hidden in the outskirts undetected. Why are you questioning me? Your alpha?” I snarled. Colton looked at me unamused.

 “You’re acting strange” was all he said. I sighed angrily, getting up and grabbing another glass, pouring myself a drink. “It’s her isn’t it?” he suddenly asked. “What about her” I spat out. “Oh man…it really is her” he said standing up. “Colton you are about 10 seconds away from getting slammed through that wall. So if you have something to say, spit it out” Colton stood his ground, not budging an inch while staring at me with amusement. “She’s your mate” he simply stated. I stiffened as he uttered those worlds. Gripping the glass tightly, I accidently shatter yet another glass of scotch. I growled at Colton turning from him and sitting on my chair.

 “So I’m taking your reaction as being true. Which, ironically sucks” he continued. “What is the coincidence that the two wolves with similar views of mates end up mated together” he continued with a smirk on his face. I shot him a glare, wondering what he was talking about. “What are you getting at fool?” Colton chuckled as he moved closer to my desk. “Raj hates the idea of having a fated mate, about as much as you do. She hates the idea of being bound to someone, who could potentially suffer because of her, or cause her suffering. She has this oddly familiar notion that being mateless and alone is the only way to go” I rolled my eyes as he spoke. Things made more sense, however. It explained why she was so calm when I suggested rejecting each other once she was fully healed.

 Oddly enough, I felt relieved that she was not, in fact, disgusted by me, but that she just had a similar train of thought as my own. Still, the irony of having a mate who thought exactly the same as myself only made me more frustrated. It’s almost as if I wanted to change her mind about mates, that it would be different. Oh but I knew that wasn’t true. Mates especially that of an Alpha, are always in danger and are always targets against potential threats. Did he really want her to be in more danger after everything that happened the night before?

 “Earth to Arkyn” I blinked at the sound of my beta’s voice, realizing he was waving his hand in front of me. I sighed, unsure as to how to proceed with this mess. “I think, we should have her join the pack training.” Colton suggested. “Why?” I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

 “Arkyn, I love you buddy but you’re an i***t sometimes” he said exasperated. “You better calm that attitude Colton before I end up replacing you” I warned him. Colton sighed and stood up, heading for the door. “She hasn’t shifted yet. She just got her wolf, and from the looks of it, she never trained in her life. Do you think she would be safe on her own after she heals? The least you can do, as Alpha of this pack, is show her common courtesy and an opportunity to learn more about what a wolf is about, and also give her a fighting chance when she’s alone” Colton shook his head, leaving the office and closing the door behind him.

 I growled in frustration, because deep down, I knew he was right. I can’t just let her leave without some kind of protection. And I also need to find out what her mother was hiding from her to make her a target in the first place.