Mysteries of the Moon - Dreame best-chosen series

Book 1 Chapter 4 | Defying Fate

Blair’s POV

I smiled, my heart dancing with the excitement that comes with being sixteen—a milestone that had seemed so distant until now. Today held the promise of something new, something different. Before I knew it, the school hallway surrounded me, a chaotic stream of students shoving and glaring, their glances sharp as daggers.

Their anger burned fueled by my earlier oversight—I had completely forgotten to prepare breakfast this morning. A frustrated groan involuntarily escaped me as I swung my bag over my shoulder, the weight of the morning’s chaos pressing down on me like a heavy burden.

As I eventually reached my locker, a soft sigh of relief tiptoed past my lips, a small, soothing exhalation that seemed to dissipate some of the built-up tension within me. The clatter of the metal door echoed in a way that felt almost like a welcome embrace, as if the familiar sound itself offered solace amidst the whirlwind of the morning’s challenges. With careful tenderness, I nestled my bag within the locker, a gentle touch that conveyed not just the act of stowing it away, but also a touch of self-assurance for having successfully maneuvered through the initial turmoil of the day.

As I stood there, a faint sense of accomplishment bloomed within me, akin to a delicate flower unfurling its petals. It wasn’t a grand triumph, but rather a subtle recognition of my ability to navigate adversity. With renewed determination, I propelled myself forward, each step I took down the bustling hallway a testament to my resilience and my commitment to face whatever lay ahead.

Eventually, I found my way to the familiar back corner of the classroom, a space that had become my sanctuary within these walls of education. Settling into my seat, a blend of familiarity and anticipation embraced me.

Today’s subject was the Civil Wars, but my mind wandered, the relevance of these historical details feeling distant and detached from the world around me. A low growl emanated from my stomach, a reminder that sustenance was necessary. And then, like a siren’s call, a fragrance enveloped me—the intoxicating blend of chocolate and strawberries, my favorites. Without conscious thought, my feet guided me toward its source.

Eyes closed, I tilted my head back, basking in the aroma that seemed to caress my senses. Abruptly, my reverie shattered as I collided with an unexpected presence. Opening my eyes, I was met with an intense gaze of forest green, locking onto me with a mix of disbelief and recognition.

“Mate, mate, mate,” my wolf whispered urgently within me.

Jaw clenched, I turned away, fleeing the cafeteria. But fate had different plans, as I found myself pushed against a wall, hands pinning me in place. The touch was electric, sending shockwaves through me. Before me stood Blake, his expression contorted in a sneer. His words cut deep, questioning the Moon Goddess herself for pairing him with what he deemed a worthless human mate, unworthy of his werewolf lineage.

Those words shattered something inside me—my heart, perhaps. I shouldn’t have felt this pain. I had never asked for a mate, had never wanted this entanglement. Blinking rapidly, I fought to hold back the tears, refusing to give him the satisfaction of my emotional turmoil.

Blake’s contemptuous words continued, severing the fragile connection that had momentarily linked us. “I, Blake Grayson, soon to be Alpha, reject you, Blair Rosewood, as my mate and future Luna,” he declared, avoiding meeting my gaze.

With a voice that trembled but held an unexpected strength, I responded, “I don’t care.”

Taken aback, he recoiled, his gaze now firmly fixed on me. I could sense his surprise, his confusion at my defiance. He expected me to plead, to beg for his acceptance, for a chance to be his Luna. But that was not the path I would tread.

The weight of his rejection bore down on me like an unrelenting force, a crushing weight that threatened to suffocate the very air from my lungs. It felt as though the ground had given way beneath my feet, a chasm suddenly gaping wide and pulling me into a realm of profound and desolate solitude. The pain that radiated outward seemed to emerge from a depth far beyond the confines of my heart—a place where the threads of my identity were intricately woven with a destiny I had never invited nor sought.

“I, Blair Rosewood,” the words trembled on my lips, each syllable a struggle against the surge of anguish that accompanied them, “accept your rejection, Blake Grayson.” As the utterance left my lips, it carried not just the weight of my voice, but also the burden of every unspoken emotion that had led to this moment.

In the echo of those words, I sensed the convergence of countless complexities—of emotions left unexplored, of hopes dashed against the jagged cliffs of reality. It was a moment of profound vulnerability, as if my very soul stood exposed, stripped of its armor and laid bare for examination. And in that vulnerability, I glimpsed a sliver of strength, a determination to face the shattering pain head-on, even as it threatened to consume me.

Each word felt like a sharp blade, slicing through the already wounded fabric of my emotions. My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms as I battled the torrent of emotions surging within me. I turned away, needing to escape the suffocating presence of the one who had just shattered my world. However, before I could put more than a foot of distance between us, he seized my wrists, his touch a delicate mix of torment and lingering desire.

Suppressing a sigh at the lingering effect he still had on me, I allowed him to turn me around, his grip surprisingly gentle as he drew me closer. Our eyes locked, and in that gaze, I glimpsed the turmoil within him—a battle between the human facade and the primal wolf within.

“You’re so beautiful,” his words were a whisper, his fingertips grazing my cheek. Heat blossomed beneath his touch, a flush coloring my skin. His hand cupped my chin, tilting my face toward his, and in that moment, understanding dawned upon me. His shifting emotions, his unpredictable behavior—it was all tied to the fierce struggle of his dual nature.

The air seemed charged with tension as I remained locked in that gaze, uncertainty swirling between us. And as his eyes flickered with the shifting hues of his wolf’s influence, a realization gripped me—Blake Grayson, soon-to-be Alpha, was on the precipice of a choice that could alter both our fates in ways we couldn’t yet comprehend.