The Untitled Luna

UNKNOWN TO ME

CLAIRE

Everything in me yearned to run toward my mate, but I started running away instead. It’s not like I didn’t want to know him or refuse the blessing of the Goddess, but along with the overwhelming feeling of the mate bond is the fear for my own mate.

I ran away like hell was unleashed on Earth, but I could still feel his presence nearby.

“Why are you running away from your own mate?” I felt a hand suddenly pull me close. I flinched, not because it was painful but because of how close we are right now.

His eyes gleamed for a moment when our eyes met. I can’t be mistaken; it was the eyes of an alpha. My eyes returned to our hands entwined, and I immediately withdrew my hand.

“Answer me.” His demands felt like boulders in my chest.

I shook my head, “I don’t know.” I answered with complete honesty, and he didn’t look pleased with my answer.

He leaned closer, and I could feel him inhaling my scent. It was normal for us, but I’ve lived alone for almost ten years. It definitely feels awkward that someone of my kind was this close, especially when he was my mate.

“I don’t smell anyone else coming from you. Don’t tell me you’re a rogue?” His question made me cringe once again.

I stepped away from him. It wasn’t unusual for us, but humans were looking, and I’m sure he could hear my heart thumping. It was already embarrassing enough.

“I am. That’s why you didn’t have to give care to someone like me. Reject me right now. That’s what you’re after, am I right?” I know it deep in my heart. A rogue like me shouldn’t be mated to an alpha. I was running away because a part of me didn’t want this connection to end just that, but it was meant to happen.

My father used to tell me that the will of the Goddess chose all alphas and was passed down through generations of alphas. But there were occasions when the Goddess would prefer someone else. They were werewolves adored and selected by the Goddess of the Moon herself.

As much as I yearn for my mate, I know that it won’t work out.

He clicked his tongue, “No wonder you aren’t a bit familiar. What’s your name?”

I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. He was asking for my name so he could reject me. I know that was the reason.

“Claire. Claire Ethridge. You should reject me, and let’s part ways.” I answered without delay. Let this be over as soon as possible. I closed my eyes and waited for it. The mate bond was the deepest bond werewolves could share. Being rejected would feel like a part of myself would never be retrieved, but such a bond should be honed. It would be better if the bond were severed even before it flourished.

Right, I should just accept it and go on with my life. I was used to being alone. It would be better this way.

“Why are you so quick to assume I would reject you?” His question made me startle. Is he teasing me?

I took another step away, “What other reason for you to ask my name?”

“Because I wanted to know my mate’s name. My name is Killian Morgan, the alpha of the Moondrop pack.” I felt my eyes widen. It was the biggest pack in the city. I wasn’t in any packs, but I’m still familiar with the packs around me.

How in the world was I involved in their alpha?!

They say that the Goddess of the Moon was very wise, and I shouldn’t question that, but this is a whole mistake!

I smiled as awkwardly as possible, “Nice to meet you, I guess?” I didn’t know what else I should say. The heavy feeling earlier was a bit alleviated, but I didn’t know what else to say. My wolf hadn’t been speaking with me. At least not more often than in the past. It’s been this way since I was kicked out of my old pack. I can’t blame my wolf. I’d cave in if I had the choice to.

He grinned widely, making my heart unstable once again.

“Now that we’ve made introductions, I want to invite you to spend the full moon with me.” Killian leaned closer once again, compensating for the steps I took away from him.

To spend the full moon outside, running freely and without worry. I can barely remember the last time I did that. It was a tempting offer, but I know how much the packs resent rogues.

We were deemed outlaws— werewolves that didn’t believe in the sense of belonging and the teachings of the pack. Some rogues really do, but there were a lot of rogues that were thrown out of their packs for several reasons.

I may not be able to speak for all of them, but I know the injustice of it.

--

I shouldn’t have agreed, yet here I am, walking in their pack’s territory. Killian wasn’t speaking but didn’t seem dissatisfied with what was happening.

He looks… calm.

There were so many things that I wanted to ask Killian. Alphas are very protective of their pack. Werewolves who enter another pack without an invitation are met with hostility.

I can’t help but look around. Their territory is much larger than my old pack’s, but somehow it feels empty.

“You’re probably wondering why there was no one around. I ordered them to come a bit later.”

I was initially confused, but I later realized why. “You don’t have to go to great lengths to hide that you have a rogue mate. You could have just rejected me.” I started walking away. I can’t believe that he managed to convince me to do this. I really should have run like hell when he saw me.

“Wait.” He held my hand again, “I didn’t care if you were a rogue. I told them to come later because I want to give you time to be comfortable with our place.” Killian answered with a straight face.

I wanted to assume that he was lying, but I was confident he was telling the truth. There was barely any noise around, and I could hear his heartbeat perfectly. Even without that, I could sense the sincerity in his voice. Embarrassment flowed through me after his words. He didn’t point it out again but held my hand, and we started running towards the pack house. It has been a while since I could run this freely. I knew he could run faster, but he kept up with my speed.

We stopped in front of the pack house. It was pretty embarrassing, but I was slightly catching my breath as it really had been so long since I could run like that. I quickly recovered and had time to appreciate the moment.

“You’re smiling. It fits you.” His random comment made my heart skip a beat. He kept a straight face the whole time. I’m starting to wonder how he would look with a smiling face.

He pointed at the house, “Let’s go inside.”

I simply nodded and followed him inside. The place was the grandest pack house I’ve ever been to. I should be feeling intimidated. After all, I don’t belong to this pack, but Killian being around made me comfortable.

Am I even allowed to feel like this? It was terrifying to invest in feelings unknown to me.