Convincing The Luna Queen

Chapter 5

Emmet

Zeus roars inside my mind causing my brain to feel like it’s rattling around. I feel dizzy as if I’m about to pass out.

Reject me? Why would she do that?

“I, Athena Monroe, future Luna Queen of the Blood River pack, reject you Emmet Gr-“

“NOOOO!” I bellow at the top of my lungs. I rush towards her in a panic. “Please, don’t reject me! You don’t know anything about me, why would you want to reject me?”

“Because this pack needs an Alpha and that’s certainly not you.” She states plainly, as if it’s obvious. She moves to turn away from me but I grip onto her forearm, making her hiss at the contact. Those tingles return, making me feel giddy inside.

I lean down slightly to murmur in her ear. “I thought wolves were supposed to cherish the bond the Goddess chooses for us. Don’t throw this away before you even give it a chance.”

As I lean back to look at her face, her beautiful eyes are closed, giving me a chance to observe her beauty from close proximity. Her eyelashes are so long, they brush along the tops of her high cheekbones. A cute little nose I just want go poke with my finger. Those luscious lips, I wonder what she would do if I pressed my own against hers. Being this close to her, I realise that caramel and vanilla scent is hers.

“I told you, you aren’t Alpha material. You literally just received your wolf, you reek of a rouge and my father and this pack would never accept you.” Athena opens those stunning eyes and she realises how close we really are. Her vision flicks down to my lips before she steps backwards but I don’t release my grip on her arm. She needs to feel this connection we have, if it’s the last thing I do.

“Your father and the pack would never accept me, or you won’t accept me?”

“It’s the same thing.” She tries to argue but her point is barely valid.

“Hardly! Did you think your mate would be some tall, dark and handsome, muscular, tattooed looking douche bag?”

She tries to pull away from me, forcing me to realise that I’m right on the money with my guess. I decide to hold both her hands instead. Gazing down at them, I see her nails are trimmed short and painted a fiery red to match her hair.

“Look, I know I’m the total opposite of what you expected your mate would be like, but don’t you think I deserve a chance to prove to you that I am worthy? I have many redeeming qualities.” I’m not opposed to begging if it comes to it. I’ll get on my knees and kiss her cute little toes if I have to. The ones that are poking out of the bottom of that incredible dress, painted the exact same shade as her fingernails.

“Like what?” She asks.

“Give me a chance and you’ll find out.” A sideways smirk forms on my face and a teeny tiny smile appears on hers before she quickly hides it away.

“You’re very persistent, you know.”

“One of my many qualities.” I wink, causing her cheeks to flush.

“I need to get back inside, can we continue this conversation later?”

“Sure, mate.” I can’t help but tease her.

“Shh! The walls have ears around here. Remember, werewolf hearing.” She taps her ear.

“Gotcha, mate.”

“Ughh, you’re going to make me murder you, I can already tell.” She rolls her eyes and heads back inside. I admire her perfect ass as she walks away from me, causing my d**k to twitch in my pants.

“Not now, idiot.” I scold him.

Athena

Walking away from my mate is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. He’s right, not giving him a chance to prove himself would be very wrong but I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing that I agree with him.

My father gives me a furious look for keeping him waiting as I join him on the stage. He never gives his welcome speech without me standing by his side. The music quietens down as he is about to speak.

“Ladies and gentleman, thank you all for joining us again for our annual mating ball. I know some of you have travelled far and wide to be here tonight and my family sincerely appreciates your efforts. As you all know, finding your fated mate is sacred. Something I treasured so deeply until my beloved Rhea left us. Something that should have killed me if it wasn’t for my beautiful daughter Athena.

I hope many of you find your mates tonight and I especially hope that Athena finds hers. This old man wants to retire already.”

My eyes are immediately drawn to Emmet’s who is leaning against the back wall with his arms folded across his chest. His intense stare makes me shiver before his eyes turn completely black. Zeus must be itching to come out to play.

“Now, please enjoy the feast and festivities. Sunset will be at eight twenty one tonight with the full moon expected to be at its peak approximately eleven minutes past eleven. Please join us if you can for the Running of the Wolves.”

A loud chorus of cheers and clapping follows my father’s speech as we take our seats. Servers immediately begin placing food in front of myself and our guests.

My stomach is in knots and I don’t think I can eat anything. Alice is seated beside me and notices that I’m pushing my food around my plate.

“Are you ok?” She asks worriedly.

“Huh? Oh yeah, fine.” I attempt to brush her off.

“You know you can talk to me about anything Athena.” She pushes and it sort of pisses me off.

“I said I’m fine.” I snap at her and she flinches away from me. Father glances at me before returning to his meal. Damn werewolf hearing.

After the feast is over, it’s time for dancing. Wolves flood the dance floor with their mates hand in hand. It looks like a giant romantic room full of blurgh! Stupid romance.

My mood has soured greatly throughout the evening and my wolf Anika desperately wants to go back to Emmet and Zeus. She whines in my head as I aim to push her back behind the wall in my mind.

I’m downing the last of my wine when a delicious scent of rain fills my entire soul. He’s near and my body feels it entirely. Deep breaths Athena.

“Would you care to dance?” His sensual voice whispers in my ear. As much as he is the total opposite of what I imagined, my body can’t deny that I want him. Traitor.

“Sure.” I try to sound nonchalant, but even I know it sounds fake.

He takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor before scratching the back of his neck.

“To be honest, I don’t really know how to dance.” Emmet admits, embarrassed.

“Here, let me.” I motion to the band to play a slow ballad before taking one of Emmet’s hands and placing it low on my waist. His eyes turn black again as he follows the trail of his hand. I step into his space before swaying us slightly.

“Hello Zeus.” I say softly looking up into his eyes.

“Hello Athena.” His voice is slightly deeper than Emmet’s. “It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance.”

“The pleasure is all mine. Can I have Emmet back for a little while? I’m sure you’re aching to meet Anika, but you’ll have your time later, ok?” I ask politely.

Zeus looks deflated. “Yes Athena.” He places a delicate kiss on my cheek before his eyes morph back into the stunning icy blue of Emmet’s.

Again, he is the complete opposite of what I imagined but he does have many qualities that have me restraining myself from removing all his clothes right here in the middle of this room and jumping his damn bones.

“Sorry about that. He’s extremely eager to spend time with you.” Emmet admits shyly.

“Understandable. You’ve just received your wolf, you need time to adjust to it all.”

He runs his thumb softly up and down mine as we sway to the music. The tingles travelling between us are indescribable.

“Athena, I was thinking about something. I only found out two days ago that I’m a wolf and you mentioned that I smell of a rogue. I may not know much about all of this stuff but I’ve read enough books to know some of the basics. Can I move here and join your pack?”