The Unclaimed Luna

Mine to keep

(Emma)

After I left Darius, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about what he had done. He thought that I was stupid enough to give in to him after that kiss, but I was just tired.

Tired of the way he was treating me. Tired of his so-called relationship with Lauren. Tired of feeling unwanted.

I don't know why Darius couldn't just let me go. It's clear where his feelings lie, so why is he so eager to keep me around?

I hated it here. I hated the pack, all I wanted to do was leave, but that's another fight that I'm not sure I will be able to win.

Every step I took down the hallway felt like I was floating. My chest was tight, and my breaths were short and shallow. The kiss replayed in my mind over and over. The feel of it. The force of it. It made me sick. Not because of the kiss itself, but because of what it represented.

Control.

That’s what this was about. Darius thought he could control me. He thought he could decide how I should feel, how I should act. And I hated that he even thought he had the right. I wasn’t some possession he could claim. I wasn’t his to command. I wasn’t his at all.

When I reached my room, I shut the door loudly behind me and locked it. The sound of the lock brought me a bit of relief. I leaned against the door for a moment, taking deep breaths to calm myself.

Why had he done it? Did he think I’d melt into his arms and forget everything? That I’d forgive him for ignoring me, for treating me like I was nothing more than a burden he had to carry? If he thought that, he didn’t know me at all.

I paced the room, my hands shaking as I clenched and unclenched my fists. The anger inside me felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. I couldn’t believe he’d crossed that line. I couldn’t believe he thought he had the right.

I knew one thing for sure—he wouldn’t get away with this. Not in the way he wanted. I wouldn’t let him control me. I wouldn’t let him decide how things went between us. If he thought I’d fall in line, he was wrong.

I then sat down on the edge of the bed, my hands gripping the blanket as I stared at the floor. I thought about the bond between us, the one he seemed to think gave him some kind of power over me. It didn’t. It never would. That bond didn’t describe who I was. It didn’t mean I owed him anything. It didn’t mean he could treat me like this and expect me to stay.

My heart ached, but I pushed the feelings aside. I wasn’t going to cry over this. I wasn’t going to let him see how much it hurt, how much his actions had gotten to me. I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

All I wanted now was to figure out what would happen next. I couldn’t stay here, not with him acting like this. I didn’t know how I’d leave, but I knew I had to. The thought of being around him, of him trying something like this again, made my skin crawl. He had no idea who he was dealing with if he thought I’d back down.

I stood and started pacing again, trying to think through my next steps. If he thought this bond would keep me here, he was wrong. If he thought he could force me to stay, he’d have to fight harder than he ever had before. I wasn’t going to let him take away my freedom, my choices.

I glanced at the door, half-expecting him to knock or try to come in. But the hallway was silent. I hoped it stayed that way. I didn’t want to see him. I didn’t want to talk to him. I didn’t want him anywhere near me. Not after what he’d done.

And if he did come? I’d make it clear where I stood. I wasn’t afraid of him. Not anymore. He could throw his Alpha title around all he wanted, but it wouldn’t change how I felt. It wouldn’t change my decision.

I thought about the pup growing inside me and felt sad. This wasn’t the life I’d imagined for my child. This wasn’t the life I wanted for them. But I’d protect them. I’d protect myself. Even if it meant walking away from everything I’d ever known.

I sat back down on the bed, my legs feeling weak from the emotions inside me. I was angry, yes, but I was also tired. Tired of fighting, of trying to make this work when it was clear he didn’t care enough to meet me halfway. Tired of feeling like I was the only one who wanted something more.

I thought about the moments we’d shared, the rare times when it felt like there could be something real between us. But those moments were always blocked out by his walls, his refusal to let me in. And now, after what he’d done, I couldn’t even imagine trying again.

This was the end for us. I knew that now. No kiss could change it. No words could undo the damage he’d done. And I wouldn’t let him manipulate me into staying.

I wouldn’t let him break me. I wouldn’t let him control me. I was stronger than this. Stronger than him. And no matter what it took, I’d find a way out.

The silence in the room was loud, but it gave me time to think, to plan. I didn’t know where I’d go or how I’d make it work, but I’d figure it out. For me. For my pup. For the life we deserved.

If Darius thought he could stop me, he was wrong. I wouldn't let him, not now, not ever.