Merciless Luna

Chapter 3

My eyes widen in shock as she asked me. I wasn’t sure whether to feel anger or resentment for even asking me that! She raised her hands as she saw my expression. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to offend. Normally people like us live in a pack, and those that are on their own are usually coined rogues” Sighing, I sat down on the bed. “It’s fine...I’m not used to being around people like me. I’ve lived around humans my whole life except for my mother, so I don’t know what I’m considered.” She looked at me apologetically and walked closer to me, giving me a hug. I stiffened at the embrace. I wasn’t hugged like this, and the only one that did was my mother when she wasn’t high as a kite. She pulled back and grinned, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

“Well Raj...can I call you Raj...maybe jay? Oh, but Raj sounds so cute” Maya rambled. I rolled my eyes and chuckled. “Raj is fine” I interrupted her. She kept grinning as she grabbed my hands. “Well from now on you’re an honorary pack member! The Blood Rain pack!” she said loudly. I hissed and motioned for her to keep her voice down. I wasn’t sure how many more wolves were here but I didn’t want the humans to think we were crazy. She laughed bubbly and sat back on her bed. Just then a knock was heard on the door and she jumped excitedly. “He’s here!” she squealed and ran to the door, opening and jumping on whoever was on the other side. I could make out a few giggles and, growling? Raising an eyebrow, I see a rather slender man who’s taller than myself practically lifting and dragging Maya into the room, their lips locked in a heated kiss. I rolled my eyes and looked everywhere but at them, feeling the awkwardness and the flush rising to my cheeks. He wasn’t bad looking, from what I could make out between the shuffling. Tall, dark hair, a shade darker than a tan, with lean muscles rippling over his arms. I eventually cleared my throat when I saw them tumble on the bed.

“Oh that’s right...” Maya said between kisses as she pushed him away. The guy pouted slightly and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the too. That seemed to bring his attention to me and raised his eyes in an ‘oops’ fashion. “Uh..hi..I’m Colton” he said embarrassed, extending his arm. I shook his hand and nodded, trying to keep my face neutral from the awkwardness. “Rajeira” I answered back. Maya grinned and pulled his attention towards her. “She’s one of us!” she said excitedly. He rolled his eyes in a loving manner before sitting down on the bed. “I figured that from her scent, but I've never seen you around this town or in school before” he trailed as he looked at me and then at Maya.

“I’m from out of town...just moved here for school. So, I take it you two are…err...mates?” I asked, feeling the flush run to my cheeks. They both grinned in unison as Maya wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yep...he’s my mate...and he’s also the beta of the pack we’re in.” she answered dreamily. “Have you found yours yet?” asked Colton casually. This was definitely not the topic I wanted to enter after meeting them both. I shook my head no and shrugged, not really caring much for mates.

“I prefer to be mateless...too much hassle” Colton and Maya raised their eyebrows at me, not buying it. “Once you find your mate...everything changes” Maya retorted with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “And I know the perfect place for that” she added with a devilish grin. Colton looked at her confused before it seemed to dawn at him too and he was doing the same grin. I suddenly had a bad feeling about their train of thought...

The days seemed to pass by a blur during the first week on campus. Maya and Colton quickly became close friends of mine, whether I liked it or not. I have to admit though, it did feel nice to be with other wolves and not be judged. I grew up afraid of being outed, hurt, betrayed. The way my mother became made me wonder if her pack caused her demise, and then losing her mate must’ve pushed her over the edge to her addiction. Still, Maya and Colton have yet to tell me of this plan of theirs for finding my alleged ‘mate.’ I’ve lost count how many times throughout this week I refused to even talk about mates, but they ignored my pleas and continued with their plans.

“So Raj!” Maya chirped cheerfully as we sat outside the café area of the school, eating our lunch under patio table with an umbrella. I already sense it was her usual favorite topic and I continue eating my sandwich. “I already said no Maya. I don’t need a whatever you call it” I retorted boredly. Maya pouted as Colton sat next to her. “Colton...help meeee” she whined at him. He shifted his gazes between us and I could see his expression of a deer caught in the headlights. Snickering slightly at the two I finished my meal, waiting for a response. After a few minutes Colton sighed and turned his attention to me. “Hey, there’s a party this Saturday here on campus. This school, as you can see, is diverse. There’s a lot of ‘us’ here studying, so I’m sure you would find a mate or “Colton raised his hand when he saw I was about to reply. “Let me finish before you rip my head off...at least some more friends like us?” he finished. I pursed my lips together, knowing that he did have a point on meeting more wolves. I honestly wanted to meet more of my kind, and see how their everyday lives compare to my own boring and pathetic one. Maya looked at me pleadingly, both of them seeming to hold their breaths for my answer.

Sighing, I close my eyes in surrender. “Fine, but!” I interjected as they both were about to squeal. “I can’t stay late. I promised my mother I would visit her this weekend before the blood moon was at its highest” I added. They looked at each other confused before Maya broke the silence. “Why before the highest peak? And why during the blood moon?” she asked. To be honest, even I didn’t know why it had to be before the highest point. I never really questioned mother, so I didn’t have an answer for them. I shrugged, honestly not know how to respond. “It’s my birthday, so I’m guessing she’s gauging time by the peak of the moon?” I answered, more to myself than to them. Maya’s eyes went wide and she grinned from ear to ear again. “It’s your birthday! Then it’s settled...you just have to come with us Saturday. We'll make this into a secret birthday party for you” Oh dear goddess, what have I gotten myself into?