The Luna and The Beast

The perfect choice

Maya POV

“How are your classes going?” her mother, Mackenzie, asked her. She video called her parents every once in a while.

“Pretty good. My political theory professor seems pretty cool.” Maya gushed excitedly. It was her senior year at college, and she was taking on quite the workload. She was majoring in both Political Science and Business Administration. She might not be becoming a Luna since her brother was older than her and Adrian was second in line for the Alpha title in his pack, but it would be helpful nonetheless.

She would be able to negotiate treaties between rivaling packs and understand business law in case she wanted to start her own business. She wasn’t sure of any of those things yet, all that she was sure of was that she wanted Adrian as her chosen mate.

He was perfect in all the right ways. She should have rejected Gabriel when she found out they were mates, but her wolf had fought back, and she had so much on her plate—it would weaken her too much right now and possibly endanger her semester. Rejecting a mate was no small thing—it came with consequences. Weakness, emotional pain, and in rare cases, even death

“Have you—run into Gabriel yet?” her mother asked hesitantly. It had been a sore spot for the tight-knitted family of six. Her father Antonio Lopez, Alpha of the Shadow Rock pack, hated, with a capitol H, Christian Hatchett, Gabriel’s father, and therefor also Gabriel.

“No, mom, I haven’t” Maya lied. She had seen him at the party yesterday of course. Her wolf had been howling inside of her mind and Mia had to fight the urge to be near him. Luckily for her, Adrian supported her and was super understanding of her… situation.

“Gabriel,” She could hear her father grumbling in the background while her mother let out an exasperated sigh.

“I wish you would stop doing that and just give the kid a chance,” Her mother started arguing. Oh boy, here they go again.

“How is my boy Adrian doing?” Her father asked, grabbing the phone from her mother’s hands. He loved Adrian and was always boasting about him to anyone who wanted to listen. As second-in-line, Adrian had influence, prestige, and a future of endless possibilities—qualities her father couldn’t stop praising.

“He’s doing great,” Maya smiled.

“Great huh? I don’t see his mark on your neck,” Her father chuckled.

“Antonio Lopez! Stop pushing her!” Her mother scolded.

“I wasn’t, I was just saying that—” Her father spluttered. Oh ho, he was in trouble now.

Her mother went on a rant about the mate bond and how they had almost lost out on their chance because of Antonio’s stubbornness.

“I think I might go, I have class in a bit,” Maya stated, hoping to avoid—

“Don’t be angry….You know I love you, Kenz. Let me show you just how much,” She heard her father’s husky voice and her mother’s giggle and quickly ended the call.

“Gross,” She said, making a disgusted face. That was there thing. Fighting and making up. Maya had never understood her parents relationship. Lucky for her, she and Adrian never fought. They understood each other completely.

It was like they were made for each other. Why they weren’t fated mates, Maya would never understand.

She gave herself a once over in the mirror and raked a hand through her long wavy brown hair. Quickly throwing on a blazer, she grabbed her bag and left for class.

As usual, Adrian was waiting for her outside her dorm building, his posture relaxed yet perfectly composed. His tailored blazer hugged his frame, exuding effortless confidence.

“Hey, beautiful,” he greeted with a smooth smile as she approached.

Maya leaned in for a quick kiss, but Adrian gently cupped her elbow, keeping the kiss brief and poised.

“You look stunning today,” he murmured, his fingers grazing her sleeve as though adjusting it. “Ready for class?”

“Always,” she smiled, feeling seen, though something about the small correction lingered, but Maya quickly pushed it away. She knew Adrian hated public displays of affection.

They walked to class together, hand in hand. Maya couldn’t help but feel a sting of satisfaction at the jealous looks they received from others. They were a power couple and everyone knew it.

“I’ll come and find you later,” Adrian promised, leaving her at the door to her auditorium. Maya smiled at him before entering her class and looking for her friends.

When she’d first arrived at college, she’d felt so lost and lonely outside of her pack. But Adrian had found her and taken her under his wings, introducing her to higher society circles and his friends had quickly become hers as well.

“Hey, Camille,” Maya greeted on of the girls from her friends group. She quickly took her seat next to them but could quickly feel eyes on her. She looked back to find Gabriel Hatchett watching her from a few rows away.

When their eyes met, he nodded at her, with a smirk on his handsome face. He was goodlooking, she had to give him that, but Adrian was right. He was just all looks, nothing more.

She was wondering what he was doing in her law class, when the professor walked in.

“Welcome to Environmental Law and Policy,” the professor announced, setting down her briefcase. “Let’s start with a foundational question: What is the greatest legal challenge facing environmental preservation today?”

Maya reached for her notebook, already forming an answer.

“Mr. Hatchett,” the professor continued, her sharp gaze landing on Gabriel, “since you seem particularly attentive, would you care to share your perspective on today’s topic?”

Gabriel straightened, his expression unreadable. “The conflict between corporate land development and indigenous or protected territories,” he said smoothly. “It’s where profit and survival collide.”

Maya blinked, momentarily stunned. How does he know that? He wasn’t supposed to be... competent. That answer had been… insightful. Sharp, even. Not what she’d expected from someone she’d dismissed as nothing more than a reckless bad boy with good looks.

She straightened in her seat, her pen hovering over her notebook as something unfamiliar twisted in her chest—annoyance, curiosity... or maybe both.

This could be interesting, she thought, her competitive spirit sparking to life.