Fight For Luna

Loosened Up

Arlo’s POV

I’m finally able to pull those gold digging girls off the guys so we can go up and get ready for tonight. None of us brought anything to seduce a mate and surprisingly Atlas is the first one that speaks up.

“I’ve got nothing to impress her and y’all aren’t going to be looking like fools and bringing me down. Ezra, go get the car. Arlo, find the nearest legit suit shop. I’m not talking about Mens Warehouse.”

Well, looks like I’m about to get a suit bought for me that’s going to be quality. Although, I don’t think he’s thinking of wearing all three pieces tonight, but he’ll buy the set because it’s a ‘better deal to buy them all together’. He’s probably going to want us in nice slacks, nice leather belts, nice leather shoes and a nice dress shirt that is unbuttoned casually with the sleeves rolled up. Ezra texts that he’s waiting in the parking garage and we head down. I kick him out of the front seat because there is no way I’m letting him drive in a city like Las Vegas. We head down to the Gucci store because I know Atlas is going to want to scream money.

After what seems like forever in this stupid store, and probably close to fifteen thousand dollars later, we walk out with everything but our jackets. They will tailor them before the weekend is up and we’ll come back for them. Atlas leads us into Valentino and buys a black chain necklace with studs on it for $1400 and finally walks into a Rolex store and drops thirty grand on a watch with an aquamarine face. I shake my head because although I don’t know Luna super well, I really feel her energy and it’s not “impressed by money” energy. He’s doing so much and it’s probably not even going to be noticed, if it is, it’ll be in passing, she isn’t going to dwell on it. He’s mistaking her for her gold digging friend. Well, at least Ezra will get laid tonight.

We head back to the hotel and get ready for the night. The bar isn’t too far from our hotel so we will probably walk there. Atlas is annoying the piss out of me as we are getting ready.

“What did you all talk about while you were in the pool? Is she dating anyone? Did she express interest in me?” He walks in looking in the mirror over the dresser as he combs his hair meticulously to the side.

“You know, you would know all of these things if you had taken that blonde bimbo off you and joined her like she asked,” he glares at me through the mirror and I roll my eyes. “She just asked what I do for work, I asked her about her music and then she said I look 25.”

He’s looking at my face to see if there are any lies from me. “You could’ve gotten more information for me, ya know. Ya know? Like what I should wear tonight.” He says nonchalantly as he walks out of my room. I drop back onto the bed. F*ck, how in the world am I going to tell him about her?

Just f*cking take her, you wimp! I don’t know why you humans care so much about feelings! Flint commands. My wolf, apparently, wasn't raised like me and says we are powerful and constantly tells me to challenge Atlas. But I know that chasing power gets no one anywhere. If I’m meant to have power, it will be bestowed upon me. I won’t have to chase it and murder people for it. My wolf rolls his eyes and sticks up his nose at my internal dialogue.

You know, you seem to be awfully caught up in the FEELINGS of the mate bond, demanding I take her. He says nothing in return knowing I’m right.

“Let’s go f*ckers!” I hear Atlas scream from the bedroom. I roll my eyes as I pull myself up. I head over to my drawer and grab one of the alcohol bottles and take a couple big swigs straight. I’m going to need this. I put on my most supportive Beta face and head out into the common space of the hotel and we head down to the bar Luna is performing at.

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We walk in and immediately sniff out Hazel, Amelia and Isla. I head that way hoping to spend some time getting to know Isla since she is Luna’s best friend. Atlas yanks me back by shoulder.

“F*ck no. I hate those girls and I’m not giving them a chance to c*ck block me again from Luna.”

“I don’t think you need the girls to c*ck block you. I think Luna will do that all herself, she isn’t like your normal lay Atlas,” I am annoyed at his used of c*ck block. Luna makes her way onto stage and starts performing. She is incredibly talented, however, I can’t help but notice Atlas chatting up the waitress every time she comes around to refill drinks. He’s such a tool. If he cared about his mate, he’d be paying attention so that he could discuss her music with her. I’m sure he’ll expect me to save his ass if she ever asks him what he thinks. Luna finally gets off stage and we continue to wait for her to come back from backstage. She steps out and Atlas this time is the one that is held back.

“What the f*ck man?” He snaps at me angrily.

“Just watch,” I motion to her. I noticed the moment she opened the door that she saw some patrons and her face lit up. She goes up to them and they start talking about the show. They aren’t friends of hers, but this also isn’t the first time they’ve met, they are true fans. Luna makes her way towards her friends, being stopped every few feet by doting fans, and as she inches closer we stalk her like prey. She finally makes her way to Isla’s table and we are about 10 feet behind her.

“How was it!? Was the sound good?! Was the crowd vibing?! Should I change anything?” She gushes to Isla as Hazel and Amelia roll their eyes and Hazel’s eyes meet mine.

Before Isla can answer, I jump into the conversation, “Do not change anything at all, it was seriously perfect. You are so talented, Luna.” She spins around to see me and quickly envelopes me in her arms again. I could get used to this. There is a faint growl behind me as she quickly pulls away.

“Um, sorry, thank you for the compliment though,” she says quickly and quietly.

Atlas has to open his stupid mouth and makes a comment about enjoying her outfit which only pisses her off.

Luna quickly turns to me, “Please tell me you dance!” I nod my head without thinking and she drags me up to the stage where a friend is DJing, “HEY! BRITTANY! CRANK IT UP!” Luna turns to me and drapes her arms around me and starts grinding her body against me. Thank you Moon Goddess for this amazing mate. I say internally as my wolf howls in agreement. We both agree she is perfect. While I don’t want to fight Atlas, I don’t think at this point I can let her go.

I feel Atlas’ eyes burning a hole in my back, “Hey, let's get back to the guys, I feel bad for ditching them.” She makes me promise to get her drinks and we head back to the table. I immediately leave for the bar.

What in the f*ck ARLO? Atlas breaks into my head.

What? I try to sound surprised at my tone.

You got a thing for MY mate?

I don’t know if you noticed but SHE dragged ME onto the dance floor. Just think, if she likes being around me, you get to be around her more since you certainly aren’t earning her favor.

What the f*ck is that supposed to mean? He snaps at me angry.

Oh come on, the comment about enjoying her outfit? She’s a person not a marble statue for you to oogle.

I’m met with silence as the waitress that Atlas was flirting with gives me my drink order, “Hey, the extra two, the big ones, are for my girl, Luna, you got it? It takes her a bit more to feel anything, I tell her it’s because she’s so damn tall that the alcohol has to travel farther,” she pauses and giggles, “and um, here,” she hands me a napkin, “my number, for your friend.” I take the note, drop a $40 tip, and nod at her.

Without thinking I angrily walk back to the table, “Luna, your bartender friend said you get the extra two big ones,” she lifts her glass towards the bar and yells loudly at her friend, “here,” I aggressively shove the napkin into Atlas’ chest. He takes it and opens it in front of Luna and then looks at me angrily as she squints at him. He crumples it up and throws it on the ground.

“Well, that’s not nice,” Luna says to him, “Don’t worry, I’ve got her number if you change your mind later.” She smiles at him genuinely. “Alright ladies, what's the deal? We staying all night or are we saving money on Battleshots?” She looks around at her friends who frantically start to eye us like they don’t plan on leaving without us. “They can come too. If not, we walk by their hotel, unless they are staying out tonight?” She turns and asks that question to me exactly. I’m too angry to talk so I look at Atlas to answer.

“Are you inviting us to,” he pauses, thinking about his words carefully, “play drinking games?”

“Yea, my place. I figure at this point if you are serial killers you’ll come back and get me sooner or later,” she shrugs and giggles. It’s only now that I realize the 3 shots I bought her and the two extra big ones from her friend are gone. Her friends are still working on their drinks. She isn’t close to being drunk, but she is definitely a little loosened up and carefree. “Oh! And there is a food truck on the way!” Luna exclaims excitedly, I look at Isla warily as I might be wrong on the drunk thing.

Isla catches my questioning eyes seemingly knowing my question, “Not even close,” she laughs.

“Alright, let's go I guess. We want to stop at our hotel first to get our own alcohol.”

“Okay,” Luna is speaking a little more softly towards him now, and a little slower, “But we’re not coming up, we’re staying in the lobby.” She states like she is proud of herself for setting that boundary.

“Speak for yourself, Virgin Mary, if one of these fine men want to bend me over their bed for a 5 quickie minute , you count can me in,” Hazel announces loudly and smacks her hands over her mouth.

Isla, looks at me, “Now her? Totally,” I laugh with Isla and everyone looks at us not understanding our secret conversation.

We all head out of the building and Atlas mindlinks both Ezra and I as we follow the girls. Don’t even f*cking think about indulging in that quickie, do NOT embarrass me like that in front of Luna.

I don’t know why you included me in this announcement. I retort and Ezra stays silent and mad.