A Luna's Power

Chapter 9: A Visit

-Lara-

I sat in my father’s office, a pen between my fingers. It went back and forth, tapping against the table with a rhythmic, annoying sound. Others might find it irritating and ask me to stop, but I was luckily alone in the office that was now mine. I felt restless—maybe a bit nervous. I had gambled with powerful alphas who would view my actions as a threat.

I sighed, placing the pen down and rubbing my hands over my face. I knew I should be working, but I couldn’t concentrate. I had seen James at the meeting earlier today. Why did it have to be him? I wouldn’t be able to avoid him now. He would always be around. After all, he was one of the king’s most trusted advisors—and had been for years! And he stirred something deep within me.

“F*cking hell…” I breathed, leaning over the table.

There was a powerful throbbing deep inside me that hadn’t ceased since I had found my mate in James. It was distracting—and time-consuming to manage. I had never considered taking care of myself or letting others do it. I had always been focused on surviving in this house, and none of the people around me ever awoken that part of me.

But James… Goddess, just the sight of him was almost enough to make me whimper in need. It was unfair! It was a distraction, and I couldn’t afford to be distracted!

“Mates made you weak…”

It was that simple. Just look at everyone else—look at James himself. Losing his mate had destroyed him. I bet that even though he had regained his strength, he was still haunted by that loss. Therefore, the next time I saw him, I had to turn him down. I couldn’t end up like him, but a powerful pain shot through my body, and I rubbed two fingers over my heart. It hurt like hell!

“Stop it!” I told myself.

I glanced down at the work in front of me—a request from someone wanting to join my pack, a lone wolf—but I could barely concentrate on what it said. I needed to distract myself, both from the pain and the overwhelming need for him.

I stood up from my chair, leaving the request from Cecilia Clark on my desk for later. For now, I needed to go for a drive.

I hurried down to my bike, and without a helmet or jacket, I sped out into the half-dark evening, relishing the late spring air. I felt truly free only when I was on the road, breaking the speed limit and just… living. Not thinking. Not caring. It was just me. There was no one else, yet somehow I found myself taking a route I hadn’t planned.

I turned deeper into the woods, heading toward a specific house I hadn’t visited in months. In fact, I had only been there once before…

“Lara?” my father says as I step away from the hallway and into the living room where he was reading. I know he is surprised. He probably didn’t expect a visit from me, knowing my hatred for him.

“Father,” I greet formally, just as a taunt.

“What are you doing here?”

“Relishing.”

“Relishing what?”

“Your fall from power,” I snap.

He narrows his eyes, slowly putting his book away. “I see.”

“It’s all gone now. You can’t rule us anymore. Not me or Selene.”

“Is that what you think? Have I not taught you a thing about the power of alphas?”

“You have, but now I’m going to teach you the power of lunas,” I snap.

“Power of lunas?” he echoes with a mocking tone.

“Exactly, and I will be right there in the front, showing you what we can do. Enjoy your isolation while I enjoy a new era.”

I slowly brought the bike to a stop in front of the large cottage, which resembled a mansion. I shook my head at the sight of it. Why Selene hadn’t just chained him up in a cave and left him there to rot, I would never understand. But of course, at the time she had requested isolation, she was still a joke in our society.

I turned off the bike, noticing a few shadows moving around me, but no one appeared. They knew it was their luna visiting her dear old father. But he had never been a father to me.

I slowly walked toward the house, telling myself I shouldn’t be this nervous—almost scared. I reminded myself that I had nothing to fear. I was in charge now. But he was the monster under my bed, the person I had tried to please all my life, always told I would never be enough. I would never be Selene.

I grabbed the handle and walked inside. I didn’t owe him a knock. The house was dimly lit, but of course, only one person lived here. As I passed through the entrance hallway, I found the first living room, complete with lights and a nicely lit fireplace—but no Michael.

“What a nice surprise.” I turned at the sound of his voice. He stood a little way off, holding a cup of tea, dipping the teabag to steep it, giving the water more flavor.

He extended the cup toward me. “Tea?”

I shook my head, and he shrugged slightly before taking a sip of his tea and walking past me into the living room. He settled into a large, comfy chair by the fireplace, a book in hand.

“A bit warm with the fireplace, don’t you think?” I said.

He glanced at the fire briefly. “But it gives a cozy feeling.”

He looked down at his book, but when he noticed I wasn’t moving or planning to leave, he lifted his eyes, closed the book slightly, and smiled that eerie smile I remembered from my childhood—one that always signaled a punishment was in store.

“Was there something you wanted? Or did you just come for a nice visit?”

“You think I would waste my time just to visit you, Michael?”

“You haven’t changed, Lara,” he replied, his cruel smile widening as he placed the book on the small table beside him.

“Actually,” I said, crossing my arms, “I’ve changed a lot. I’m a luna now.”

“Ah yes… luna,” he half-laughed. “As if you’re going to last.”

His words shouldn’t have hurt me, but they did.

“I have a seat on the council now, too.”

That only made him laugh harder, which stung even more. The pain sparked my anger.

“Oh Goddess, you won’t last long, then!” he said.

“You’re wrong!” I growled.

The tea beside him trembled slightly on the table as he looked at it, his laughter fading. He turned his attention back to me.

“You always were so… wild,” he said. “Even now, you let your emotions get the better of you.”

“And what about you?” I shot back. “You’ve locked yourself up! I think you should be in a cell to rot!”

“Then why aren’t I?” he asked, a hint of challenge in his voice.

“What?”

“Your sister isn’t in charge anymore. You are, as you’ve already pointed out. So, tell me, Lara, why haven’t you handed me back to the king? I’m sure he’d love to throw me back in a cell for the rest of my days.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, glancing away. Why hadn’t I turned him over to the king? I never wanted him home in the first place.

“Do you want me to answer that for you?” he prompted.

I turned to look at him, narrowing my eyes. “Maybe I just want to watch you rot.”

He shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. “No, that isn’t it.”

“No?”

“No. You like having power over me. You enjoy deciding my fate. It makes you feel in control, like you can pay me back for… making your life miserable? Wasn’t that what you told me before I sent you away?”

“You did make my life miserable!” I yelled. “You made both mine and Selene’s lives hell!”

“And still, it’s Selene who lives with the king. She’s found herself another alpha and has kids who might just become the next rulers if the queen doesn’t provide any heirs.”

“I thought you were disappointed in her choices,” I retorted.

“I was, but I’ve had time to think, and now I see she’s done better than I originally thought. She might end up much more powerful than I ever imagined. And you? You’re headed down a destructive path unless you start thinking like your sister,” he warned.

I leaned my head back and laughed. He was unbelievable.

“There you go again!” I sneered, glaring at him. “Telling me to be like her! I don’t want to be her! I don’t want an alpha or kids! I want what I have! I want to be luna!”

He slowly shook his head, disappointment etched on his face. “No luna has ever ruled on her own. You’ll only get yourself killed. I’m telling you this as your father. Find yourself an alpha to protect you.”

I laughed at his words. “When have you ever acted like my father?” I shouted, pointing at him. “You are nothing, old man! I will prove to you that I can be a luna on my own! I will never submit! I will never give my power to anyone! Now I think I’ll go home and hand you back to the king, just so you’re out of my life for good!”

He simply smiled at me as I turned and walked out the door.