A Luna's Power

Chapter 5: Powerful New Feelings

-James-

I was… speechless. So this was why Lara had wanted this meeting, why she had been so demanding. My eyes shifted from the king to the small but fierce female in front of him. She was pure fire. There was no hesitation, no fear in her eyes as she asked for a seat on the council.

She didn’t even flinch or look away. She was meeting the king head-on, a rarity in itself. The only other female I’d ever seen do that was the queen. How could Lara and Selene be sisters?

“Are you sure this is what you want?” the king inquired.

Lara nodded firmly, without a trace of doubt. Did she truly understand what this meant? The other council members would try to tear her apart. The thought made something dark rise within me—anger, stronger than anything I’d felt in a long time. The idea of anyone hurting her… it made me…

“James?”

I realized my eyes had been fixed on Lara the entire time. Suddenly, I noticed that everyone in the room was staring at me. Confused, I glanced around until my eyes landed on Damian, who had called my name.

“Is everything all right?” he asked.

Why would he ask that? I didn’t understand. Was something wrong?

“You’re growling,” he said.

Growling? I blinked, startled, and finally became aware of the low rumble emanating from my chest. I stopped immediately, embarrassed, and my eyes shot to the little redhead who was now watching me with wide, almost hungry eyes. But I was sure she would never admit to feeling even the slightest bit attracted to me.

“Yes, everything is fine,” I said quickly.

“Are you sure?” the king inquired.

I nodded and cleared my throat, looking away.

“What do you say, my lord?” Lara asked, diverting everyone’s attention away from me.

“If this is what you truly want—”

“It is!” she declared, her determination evident.

The king smiled, and finally nodded. “Very well.”

Her face lit up, and for the first time, I saw her smile. It was breathtaking, as if time itself had stopped. Her pink lips spread to reveal a row of white teeth.

“But it will have to be a trial to begin with. You still need to prove you’re fit for a seat on the council and convince the others.”

“I will!” she said confidently.

“Good. Then I suggest we go find the others and grab something to eat. Your sister has spent the whole day planning this dinner for you,” he said, rising from his seat.

Yet his words didn’t seem to please her. She was an unusual one, wasn’t she? Who could hate their birthday?

Everyone quickly left the office, but I lingered a moment longer. I needed time to gather myself. I couldn’t believe I had acted so… animalistic in the middle of a meeting. I had almost lost control simply from the thought of Lara getting hurt. This wasn’t good. If I was losing control just from imagining things, how long would it be before I claimed this little fire-wolf, with or without her consent?

I groaned in frustration and rubbed my hands over my face. I was a mess… I had been since Jane and my son died. In truth, I had been a mess long before that.

Everything is chaos—fire, screams, and howls fill the night as I try to orient myself, but I can’t seem to figure out where to go.

Suddenly, I’m knocked to the side by a wolf, which stands over me, growling fiercely. I fear this is the end, but then it howls in pain and is pulled off me. I blink, seeing my father, a strong warrior, standing above me with a small smile, yet covered in blood.

He reaches out, and I take his hand. “Didn’t I tell you to get out of here?” he inquires, shoving me forward.

“But what is happening?” I ask.

“We are under attack, James. I need you to find as many as you can, your mother and—” My father doesn’t get to finish his sentence before another wolf jumps out of nowhere and pushes him to the ground.

I hear his screams and watch in horror as he is torn apart right in front of my eyes. It all happens so fast, and then the wolf turns to me. I back away, not even thinking. Then, as if controlled by instinct, I shift and run…

I lost my family at fourteen, and then I had lived like an animal for two years. That kind of experience changes you.

“F*ck you, Goddess,” I whispered, leaning my hands on the mantel of the fireplace and bending slightly forward.

I felt exhausted, even though I hadn’t done anything to bring the sensation forth. But learning that Lara was my mate stirred feelings I thought I had buried forever.

I pushed away from the fireplace and walked over to the bar cart, pouring myself a drink without even checking what it was. I downed it in one go before leaving the office and joining the others in the dining room.

-Lara-

I knew the moment James entered the dining room. We were all seated around the table, chatting, joking, and eating, but I barely touched the food in front of me. Inside, a storm of emotions swirled within me—something I had never experienced before.

For a moment, my thoughts wandered, and I found myself wondering what it would be like to be claimed by him, to submit to his strength. I quickly pulled my eyes back to my plate. I shouldn’t even be thinking such things. He was undeniably a mouthwatering sight for any female, but I wouldn’t let my desires take control.

“So, how is everything at home?” my sister asked, sitting beside me with a smile. She seemed to have accepted that I hadn’t come to celebrate or to visit her.

“I told you, the pack is fine,” I replied.

“Yes, but you must have a lot to manage. Do you have anyone helping you?” she inquired.

“I have Jasper.”

“Maybe you should find another beta,” she suggested. “You know how loyal he was to our father.”

“Well, now he serves me,” I said firmly.

“But—”

“Selene,” I said, meeting her blue eyes with my own dark ones. “It’s fine.”

“I just want you to be careful. If Jasper—”

“Jasper won’t do anything. Don’t worry about it.”

“You’re my sister. I will always worry about you,” she said softly.

I sighed. I didn’t want to have this conversation here, or at all, really.

“Just tell me if you need help,” she said.

“And then you’ll actually give it to me?” I replied, a small smile playing on my lips.

“Yes! Why? Don’t you think I can help?”

I couldn’t help it. I laughed. Selene had never been a real leader. She had always struggled to defy the expectations placed on her or the rules of our society.

“Thank you, but I won’t need help. I can take care of myself,” I said.

The atmosphere shifted, and the dinner became as uncomfortable as I had feared it would be. I sighed and stood up, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Thank you for this, Selene, but I have work to do and a pack to care for. Have a nice evening, everyone.”

My sister opened her mouth to say something, but I turned away before she could and walked out. But I barely reached the entrance hall when I heard someone call out to me.

“You know your sister is trying. The least you could do is meet her halfway.”

I turned around to see the queen standing a few feet away, watching me with her intense silver eyes and arms crossed. Great.