My Luna's Revenge

Chapter 5: The Importance Of A Mate

-Cara-

It was torture having him so close, but not the same kind of torture I had grown up with under my father’s rule. No, this was sweeter, even addictive. I liked feeling his strong, muscular body pressed against mine, and the warmth radiating from him.

I had never truly felt safe in my life. My father had been an abusive monster, relishing in my pain and tears. Even after ending his life, I always felt the need to look over my shoulder. But now, here in this male’s arms, I felt a sense of safety. Even with the knife pressed against my throat, I felt secure because I somehow knew he wouldn’t use it against me.

“I’m your mate.”

His words were so clear, clearer than any I had ever heard. They struck deep in my heart, leaving me at a loss for what to do with this feeling. Yes, we were mates, but that didn’t mean I accepted him. I couldn’t! I hated all males, and he should be no exception. So why didn’t I struggle? Why did I lean slightly into his touch, despite my aversion to being touched? His scent was intoxicating, and I wanted to bury my nose in the crook of his neck and inhale deeply…

FOCUS! I shook my head, trying to return to reality.

“So?” I asked, my voice steady despite my inner turmoil.

“So, hating me is like hating a part of yourself. Have you never been taught the importance of having a mate?”

The importance of a mate? My father had loved pain! My mother... I could barely remember her, but I knew she hadn’t been with my father by choice. She had come from a powerful family and had been promised to a strong alpha, but my father had attacked her pack, claiming her for himself, hoping she would bear him strong heirs. Instead, she gave him a daughter—me.

“Why don’t you teach me?” I mocked, unwilling to show that he had any effect on me. My power was mine and mine alone. No one was allowed to take it from me. Besides, what was a mate, really?

“It means,” he whispered close to my ear, his hot breath sending shivers down my spine, “that you and I cannot hurt each other without hurting ourselves. We are connected. Don’t you feel it?”

His arm tightened around my waist, his thumb brushing lightly over the exposed skin just above my hip where my black top had shifted.

“Feel what?” I breathed, sensing the connection but unwilling to admit it.

He chuckled softly beside me, the sound surprisingly warm. It was the first time I had ever felt such warmth in my life.

“You can deny it all you want, Cara, but it won’t change the truth of my words.”

Why did he say my name like that? Ca-ra. He seemed to savor each syllable, and it made my stomach tighten—not in a bad way, but as if I was anticipating something.

“What truth?” I asked.

“You and I are one, and hurting me would hurt you too.”

“I can handle pain,” I stated.

“Not this kind of pain. Trust me, it’s not something you want to experience,” he warned me.

“I don’t trust you.”

“That’s fine, but you still can’t kill me. I have something very important to do.”

“You’ve said that,” I snarled.

“And I suggested we work together. What do you think?” he inquired.

“How about NO?”

“Then I’m afraid I can’t let you go.”

“My warriors will stop you.”

“Even with your life at risk?” he challenged.

I wanted to punch him and bite him for his arrogance. He was so self-assured—so typical of a male. But as I considered hurting him, I felt a sharp pain in my heart. Was this what he meant by pain? Ha! That was nothing compared to what I had endured.

“Who is this alpha you want to hurt?” I asked, playing along for now.

“My father.”

I turned my head slightly to glimpse his face from the corner of my eye. His blood-red eyes were beautiful, the only word I could use to describe them with. But they remained serious, and from the steady beat of his heart, I could tell he wasn’t lying.