My Luna's Revenge

Chapter 3: Just Dean

-Dean-

I thought I had met the love of my life the first time I laid eyes on Skylar. I was certain from that moment that we were mates. There was no other explanation for the way I felt toward her. She was so light and beautiful that I was completely mesmerized.

Yet, despite my feelings, she had never been able to look me in the eyes. Now, I was sitting in front of this formidable female, who had no trouble meeting my gaze while threatening to cut me to pieces. And I heard my wolf’s voice as clear as day, Mate.

How could this be? Skylar was my mate. I had always believed that, but it had only been two years since we both turned eighteen, and I had never heard my wolf say the word. I had assumed my wolf wasn’t ready to utter it, but one look from this female, and he had said it. He knew. She was the one.

“Dean,” I said, after she had asked me a third time who I was.

“Dean? Dean what?”

I bit my lip. I felt like no one anymore.

“Just Dean.”

She raised an eyebrow, withdrawing her hand but still holding the large knife, though her stance was more relaxed now.

“Tell me, just Dean, what are you doing in my territory?”

I glanced around. Her territory? I hadn’t heard of any females claiming territory in this area. To be honest, I wasn’t sure exactly where I was, but I couldn’t be too far from my father’s land. I didn’t know of any female rulers in this region. In fact, I had never heard of a female ruling alone, and this one wasn’t marked. I would have been able to smell her mate on her, but all I detected was her lovely, sweet, mouthwatering honey scent.

“Your territory?” I asked, surveying the females around me.

They were all dressed similarly, in dark leather and black clothes, and clearly armed to the teeth. Many bore scars and wore grim expressions. Their eyes revealed deep pain, and I was all too familiar with what pain looked like. Who were these females?

“Yes, my territory. What are you doing here?”

What was I doing? I had no plan, no pack, and no direction. After Kyle and Carter had escorted me away, I had simply walked without purpose. I had no idea where I was going or what I was supposed to do… I had no purpose or meaning anymore. I was just Dean—nothing more, nothing less.

“I didn’t know it was yours,” I said.

She raised an eyebrow, studying my eyes for answers. It was strange having this female look me directly in the eyes. The others in the room couldn’t do the same—only my father, my sister, and my mother had ever been able to meet my gaze, and now my mate as well. Though she didn’t seem to acknowledge our connection. Was that so surprising? We had just met, and she didn’t seem too pleased with what she saw.

“Really? Then I guess I’ll just kill you for illegal trespassing,” she spat, her smile conveying more than just pain—it spoke of hatred.

Did my own mate hate me? But why? I couldn’t delve into her deep fears as I could with everyone else. She was completely closed off to me. All I saw was my own reflection.

“But I haven’t given you any reason to kill me,” I said.

Her cruel smile remained as she tilted her head slightly. “You’re a male. That’s reason enough.”

Her response surprised me. It seemed she harbored a lot of pain, and the scar running along the side of her jaw hinted at the hardships she had likely endured. She brushed some dark brown hair, loosened from her ponytail, away from her face and crouched down again, placing the knife against my throat.

“I hate every male,” she said with a voice full of venom.

“Even your own mate?”

-Cara-

What did he say? Mate? I lost my smile as I stared at Dean. Was that the reason for the intense feelings I was suddenly experiencing? Was that why I felt so drawn to him? I grabbed him by the throat, struggling to encircle it fully, and pulled him close, growling softly as I scented the air around him. His scent was intoxicating. How had I missed all the signs? I quickly shoved him away. He barely moved as I stood up and began to pace back and forth.

“Luna, what did he mean by that?” Zoe asked.

I glanced at her. She looked confused, as did Scarlett and the other two females in the room. What could I tell them? They had heard him just as clearly as I had. Was there anything more to say? I shook my head, feeling my wolf stir beneath my skin. For the first time in years, we weren’t in sync. I wanted nothing to do with this male. I wanted him gone, yet my wolf seemed to see things differently.

“Nothing. It means nothing!” I exclaimed, stopping my pacing and glaring at the stranger on his knees.

I could just kill him and be done with it. I wasn’t about to let myself be weakened by any male, especially not my mate. I tightened my grip on the knife and aimed it at him. I could hear my wolf screaming in my head, trying to halt my movement, but I had come too far. I couldn’t let myself be distracted now.

But just as I swung the knife through the air, a powerful hand seized my wrist. His body shifted to the side, overpowering me. I lost my footing and fell to the ground on my back. A strong, broad frame loomed over me as he secured both my wrists to the ground.

“Careful,” he said in his deep voice. “You might get hurt.”

How had he done that?