My Powerful Luna

05 | DON’T GO

*Victoria’s POV continues*

“I-It wouldn’t be respectful—” I whispered to him. He was looking at me so tenderly. If I didn’t know better, I would swear he was staring at my lips, making me blush slightly. I bit on my bottom lip subconsciously.

“Victoria.” He sighed. “I don’t know how you will take this—but.” he said, hesitating slightly. I panicked, hearing him hesitate, immediately thinking that he would tell me that I wouldn’t be able to stay in his pack anymore. But that didn’t make any sense… Why would he want me to call him by his name and kick me out at the same time?

He moved his hand slowly towards my cheek and rubbed it softly. That felt so nice. Why do I feel so safe around him? Maybe he doesn’t want me to leave... “You are my mate. The one I have been waiting for all my life. I need you—” He said, making my eyes grow wide.

I blinked several times as I tried processing what he said. How could this be? How could he know this if I am not eighteen yet?! “How—” I began to say, not knowing what else to say. Can I believe him? Trust him even? I mean he doesn’t seem to have any evil intentions—But mates? Wow!

“I’m an alpha, Victoria, and even though you don’t have your wolf yet, as an alpha, I can sense the mate bond already. Usually, alphas can start sensing an attraction first and then, little by little, as you become of age, you can start sensing your scent. Your scent has been driving me and my wolf crazy since we met you. Even though I know you are my mate, I will never pressure you to do anything, I promise. Someday, I hope you will trust me enough to share your story with me though.” He said as he smiled lovingly at me. I love that smile of his. Why do I feel so comfortable with him? Is it the mate bond?

“Victoria, I promise to protect you and respect all of your decisions. Will you trust me?” He asked me with hopeful eyes.

“I can—try my best. I have had a tough life and it is very hard for me to trust anyone.” It really was very hard to trust others. After my father died when I was ten, I was treated very poorly at Dark River. The only family I have left are my aunt and cousin, but they treat me just as badly as everyone else. I was their own personal slave for all these years. My dad was the only person to love me and treat me like I mattered. I really miss my dad.

“Thank you. That is all that I ask.” He told me. He really was so gentle, and something told me that I could really trust him. He hadn’t done anything to make me fear him. Maybe I really could trust him. I sighed and smiled at him as he let go of my cheek.

*Xavier’s POV*

I was still looking at my woman as she was processing what I was telling her. I hope that I didn’t scare her off, but I needed her to know. I need her. She will confirm what I am saying soon, and I really hope that she can trust me enough to give me a chance. I would love to hug her, kiss her…

I felt the need to tell her so that she could understand why I was and would continue being extra protective of her. I couldn’t bear if anything happened to her.

“I can sense her wolf—” Maximo said excitedly.

“When is your birthday, my love?” I asked her softly. I wanted to be as tender as possible with her. She seemed to have suffered so much and I wouldn’t want to scare her away.

“It’s on the 23rd.” she said, looking nervously at her fidgeting hands.

“That’s tomorrow!” I said as my heart started beating faster. That’s why the mate bond was so strong already. Tomorrow she will feel the mate bond as I am feeling it. Actually, once she becomes of age, we will both feel an uncontrollable need to want to be together and mate. How will I be able to keep my hands to myself? The mate bond will be so strong tomorrow and I will be able to sense everything to another level!

I pray to the moon goddess that she helps me keep control of Maximo! My wolf was just begging to claim her already. How could he not if she was so beautiful, innocent, and perfect!

“Are you hungry?” I asked her as I tried to change the subject. I wanted her to know that she was mine, but I knew I had to have some patience. She quickly gave me a short nod.

“Let me get the doctor and see when I can take you to the pack house. I will have someone prepare you something there.” I pulled my hand away from her hand, but she reached back to grab it again.

“Please don’t go… I-I don’t know why I feel warm and… I guess happy when you are around.” She said, making Maximo instantly go crazy in my head. I won’t lie, I was so happy to know that she felt that way already. Maybe she will let her guard down sooner than I thought!

I squeezed her hands and looked into her eyes. “Don’t worry Victoria, I won’t. I will always be by your side, respect you, and protect you. You are my mate, and you will feel the full effects at midnight, then you will understand how I feel.” I leaned down to kiss her head and felt a tug at my heart. I could already tell that she would have me wrapped around her fingers. So much for being a big bad alpha like Brooklyn always calls me. I chuckled just thinking about it.

I quickly mind linked Doctor Jacobs but found him walking through the door at the same time. He definitely had great timing!

“Good morning, Alpha! I was just coming into discharge Ms. Evans.” He said while smiling at my mate. A growl almost escaped me, but I quickly controlled it. I didn’t want to risk scaring Victoria any more than what she already was. I was very protective over her and didn’t want any male smiling at her, but I was able to find comfort in knowing that the doctor was mated.

I looked back at my mate, as she began moving on the bed to stand. I quickly helped her get on her feet while she reached for my hand, making me beam like a little pup.

*Liam’s POV*

Xavier had me taking over training since he was taking care of the luna. I honestly couldn’t blame him for his obsession with being around her. I would do anything to protect my mate, especially if she was Brooklyn. Talking about Brooklyn… I have noticed that lately, Brooklyn’s scent has gotten stronger, making it harder for me to stay away from her. I am always happy to see her when she comes to training. She frequented training since she is part of the alpha family. It made me so proud that she was a really good fighter too. I still couldn’t help my need to protect her. To me, she will always be a delicate and fragile woman.

Training was usually split into five groups, since there were too many pack members to train by one person. There were about five hundred warriors, including high-rank pack members. Half of the group was trained by Xavier, Wyatt, and I, in either wolf or human form. The other half was trained by our top warriors and Alpha Marco, Xavier’s dad. Alpha Marco has been traveling with Luna Leslie for over a month now, since recently retiring. They should be returning soon though, so when he does, he will continue training his group. Beverly, Wyatt’s mate, has been helping our top warriors with training until Alpha Marco’s return. She was a badass warrior and highly respected, so everyone was happy to train with her.

We were preparing the training room as we waited for our groups to arrive. The last of our group just came in, allowing us to start with our stretching. I looked towards Brooklyn and admired how beautiful she was. As always. Her blonde hair was up in a ponytail while she wore a black sports bra and tight leggings. Fūck anything she wore was sexy as hell. I was so busy eye fūcking her that I barely noticed when Josh walked up to her to help her stretch. Josh was one of our best warriors, but it seemed like he clearly had a death wish. What the fūck was he doing around her anyway? She is MINE!

What pissed me off more was that she didn’t even look comfortable with him. When I saw him slide his hand around her waist, my vision went red. Oh no he fūcking didn’t!

“Okay, enough stretching. Let’s team up to spare! Brooklyn, come spare with Liam. Josh, you can spare with Colton. Easton, you can spare with me. Everyone else, feel free to pick a sparring partner!” Wyatt spoke loudly to the groups. Thank Goddess for him because I was about to do something without thinking. It was not going to be pretty nor easy to explain if I had shredded Josh to pieces. I had to control Cobalt because he was still pushing for blood.

“Thanks bro!” I mind linked Wyatt.

He smirked but turned serious again. “You need to tell her soon or get over her man. What will you do if she finds a mate?”

“I know, I know, but I don’t want to push anything on her. I really do hope that she turns out to be my mate, but if she isn’t then I will respect her decision. Even if she chooses the mate bond. I would reject my mate for her in a heartbeat, but I wouldn’t expect her to do the same.” I said, closing the mind link to focus on sparring with Brooklyn.

“Are you okay?” I asked her as we got into position.

“Can you not go soft on me? I really need to be able to protect myself if I find myself in a dangerous situation. You are always a softy when we spare.” She complained. She was right in that because I didn’t have it in me to hurt her. I could never hurt HER.

“I can’t hurt you, princess.” I said, making her narrow her eyes at me. She twirled around and brought her foot towards me, aiming for my ribs. I quickly caught her foot with my hand and held her in place. She pulled away and faked a few punches. It was cute. I mean she could fight, but I knew all of her moves already.

She barely landed any punches, and it made her get pissed off. I was staring at her and couldn’t help but think that she was so cute when she was mad. I was so busy drooling over her that I didn’t notice when she lifted her hand again and landed a punch under my chin. Fūck, that one actually hurt! I started coughing uncontrollably, causing her smile to fade as she quickly panicked.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean—did I hurt you?” She asked as she covered her mouth and walked towards me.

“It’s okay, princess.” I choked out. I shook it off quickly to get back to sparring.

We started circling each other again and I let her land a few more punches, but they weren’t as strong as before.

“Brook, it’s fine. It didn’t hurt that bad, I promise!” I said while smiling at her. She rolled her eyes and mimicked me, making me chuckle.

“Ok, fine! Defend yourself then! Hit me back!” She said as her chest was moving up and down from the exhaustion. She was sweating and it made her look so damn perfect!

“You know I can’t use my full force on you, baby.” Fūck that sort of slipped out. Kind of, but not really. Hopefully it didn’t make things awkward between us.

“That’s the problem! You keep seeing me as a baby sister!” She yelled impatiently. No, I definitely didn’t see her as a baby nor a sister. She was definitely a grown woman. A very beautiful, grown woman!

“No, Brook, that’s not true!” I said, shaking my head at her.

“Prove it then!” She growled lowly as she crossed her arms. Damn, all I wanted to do was kiss her beautiful lips.

“Okay guys! Same time tomorrow. We will switch with the other group tomorrow and train in wolf form.” Wyatt said loudly. Thank goddess that he just saved my asš—Again! He was really the best of friends, having my back.

Brooklyn grabbed her stuff, storming away before I could even say anything else to her.

*Victoria’s POV*

After everything that I have been through, you would think that I wouldn’t trust anyone anymore, but no, here I was trusting again. I don’t understand why Xavier made me feel so warm and safe. I looked at him as he led me towards the pack house. I was so focused on those sexy muscles to even notice my surroundings. That was one way to get kidnapped.

It seemed like the pack house was a few feet away from the clinic. The clinic was pretty big, but I assumed it had to be since there was a whole lot of people in this pack.

The pack house was so beautiful and unique. It had a modern look to it unlike what I have been used to seeing. The pack house seemed to be wallless since it consisted of only floor-length glass windows. There must be actual concrete walls in the interior though. It looked to be a few stories tall.

As soon as we walked in, I noticed that the inside of the pack house also had a modern vibe to it. Everything was different shades of gray and silver. The first sight when you walked in were two sets of staircases going in opposite directions, making it look royal. There was a big chandelier in the middle and the whole area was an open concept. I looked up and noticed that the pack house was most likely four stories high.

Once we walked past the stairs, a kitchen with a dining room connected to its left-hand side came into sight. The dining room was huge, like double the size of my previous pack. There was about eight long white and silver tables side by side facing the ceiling-length windows. You could see a large crystal-clear lagoon about a few miles out behind the pack house. It was a breathtaking view, making you stare at it in awe. The mountains, lagoons, woods, everything made this place look like a dream! I was definitely going to like it here! Not that I was surprised, but this place already felt like home.

I was so focused on the view that I didn’t notice that there were about fifty pack members looking at me. When I noticed them, I hid behind Xavier, feeling self-conscious.

“Good morning pack members!” Xavier said as he greeted everyone in the room. “As you are aware, I have found my mate and your luna. Please make sure that Luna Victoria feels welcome here at Silver Lagoon!” He said as he looked down at me while a few pack members howled and clapped. “Thank you. You may proceed with your duties!”

Many pack members came by to introduce themselves and greet me. It felt so good to meet so many friendly people! It was nothing like Dark River! I couldn’t believe this was my life now.

***

“Are you okay?” Xavier asked as he looked at me with worry in his eyes. He always seemed worried about how I felt. It made me feel happy that he cared about me.

“I’m just a little tired—Thank you for showing me the pack house. Your pack house is so big!” I said as I yawned. I felt like we had been walking for hours and hadn’t even seen half of the house! Aside from the kitchen, dining room and clinic, he showed me the indoor swimming pool and gym located in the basement and the guest rooms, offices, moving theater, spa, and small grocery store located on floors two and three.

You remember when I said that the clinic was big? Well, the pack house was like four times bigger than that! Apparently, the pack house had five stories, including the basement. Who had a movie theater and grocery store in a house anyway? Xavier told me that they grew their own veggies and fruits. This was the main reason why a few pack members decided to open up a grocery store inside the pack house. That and for any pack members who couldn’t leave the pack house for whatever reason. Not only that, but Xavier said there was a replica of this house next door to accommodate the prior alpha, beta, gamma, and their families. There were also smaller, one-to-four-bedroom homes along the pack territory. This place was like a whole city of its own.

“Ours.” He said with a smile. Huh?

“What?” I asked with my brows furrowed. I was so tired that I didn’t even remember what we were talking about?

“Our pack house, my love,” He said as he leaned down, kissing my cheek. I felt a little electricity when his lips met my cheek. My hand came up to cup my cheek. It felt so nice. When he stood straight, he winked at me, making me blush.

“Thank you.” I looked down, feeling shy again.

He grabbed my chin to look at him. “Do you want to lay down for a bit? If you want to shift tonight, it will drain you even more! I recommend that you rest for a bit, princess.”

By now, I was barely listening to him, since every time that he talked, I got lost in his lips. Those lips looked so yummy. I kept thinking about how soft they would feel against my lips….

Oh, my goddess, I really should place some distance between us. I shouldn’t feel like this when I had just met him!