The Luna and The Beast

Jealousy

Maya POV

“So, what are the plans for next weekend?” Jason, one of Adrian’s friends asked, eyeing them. Adrian had his arm casually draped over Maya’s shoulders as they stood near one of the campus cafés they often frequented. It was one of his more affectionate days.

Maya’s gaze landed on his face, and she couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips. He was so perfect in his blazer. His dark blonde hair was combed back and he was clean-shaven. She leaned forward and pecked his lips, causing his eyes to darken.

“What was that for?” he asked, with an edge to his voice. She knew he hated public displays of affection, but she couldn’t help herself. She loved it when he made her feel like his.

“Just because,” she shrugged with an easy smile playing on her lips.

“Will you look at these two love birds,” Jason chuckled, elbowing one of his other friends in the ribs.

“Before you know it, they’ll be mating and marking each other,” another one chimed in. A blush crept up on Maya’s cheeks at the thought of them—together.

Adrian’s lips curled into a smug smile. Just when his mouth opened, the distant sound of roaring engines broke through their moment, and Maya’s heart skipped a beat. She turned toward the source of the noise just as two motorcycles pulled into the lot, their riders commanding instant attention.

Gabriel’s unmistakable figure led the way, his leather jacket catching the sunlight as he smoothly parked his bike. A woman climbed off behind him, her laughter carrying through the air as she tugged off her helmet, her dark hair cascading down her shoulders.

Was that Mia?

Their friend followed closely, and parked next to them, before removing his helmet—an easy smile on his face.

Mason?

Maya’s jaw tightened. What were they doing here? And why was Mia on the back of Gabriel’s bike?

Adrian’s arm tensed slightly around her, his smile freezing as his eyes tracked Gabriel’s every move. “Looks like the circus just rolled into town,” he said, his tone light but edged with disdain. The group of friends laughed at his insult.

Maya didn’t respond. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from Gabriel, who seemed completely unfazed by the attention their arrival had garnered. His intense gaze swept the crowd until it landed on her, locking her in place.

Gabriel slid off his bike with practiced ease, shaking out his hair as he removed his helmet. His eyes never left Maya’s, even as Mia and Mason broke off to make their way toward her.

“Maya!” Mia called out cheerfully, her smile wide as she jogged the last few steps. “Didn’t know you’d be here!” She pulled Maya into a warm embrace, her eyes flicking briefly to Adrian with a cool, assessing look.

“Hey, Mason,” Maya greeted him as he approached, his usual laid-back grin firmly in place.

“Surprise,” Mason said with a shrug."We’ve officially transferred to this college. Figured it was time for a change of scenery.”

Mia shrugged, her grin teasing. “Oh, just thought we’d drop by and shake things up a bit. Campus life needs a little excitement, don’t you think?”

Her casual tone didn’t match the pointed look she shot in Gabriel’s direction. Adrian noticed too, his lips curling in a tight, humorless smile.

“Excitement? Looks like you brought plenty with you,” Adrian said smoothly, his grip on Maya’s shoulder tightening slightly.

Gabriel approached at a leisurely pace, his presence commanding attention without even trying. He slid his helmet under his arm, his sharp eyes flicking between Adrian and Maya before settling on her with an intensity that made her heart race.

Mia followed Adrian’s gaze, a loving smile appeared on her face. “You’re right, he is fun, and handsome,” she sighed. Maya’s head shot in her direction, her gaze flickering between Mia and Gabriel, and her suspicion was soon confirmed.

“I couldn’t stand being so far from my boyfriend.” She turned on her heel and practically threw herself in Gabriel’s arms, throwing her arms around his waist with an exaggerated flourish.

Gabriel stiffened for a fraction of a second, clearly caught off guard by the gesture. But when Mia shot him a pointed look, he forced a smile and rested an arm loosely around her shoulders.

Adrian’s eyebrows shot up, his expression a mix of skepticism and joy. “Boyfriend?” he echoed, his gaze narrowing on Gabriel.

“That’s right,” Mia said, leaning her head against Gabriel’s shoulder with a smug smile. “Didn’t you know?”

Maya’s wolf stirred inside of her as her own eyes narrowed in on where Mia was touching Gabriel. No one other than her parents and Gabriel’s knew they were mates, and Maya wanted to keep it that way—but she’d never expected her cousin to fall for Gabriel.

Her eyes met Gabriel’s and his lips tugged up in a smirk. “Guess the news didn’t travel fast enough.”

“I didn’t realize you two were…together,” she said, her voice carefully neutral.

Mia’s grin only widened. “Oh, it’s recent. But, you know, when it’s right, it’s right.”

Adrian’s grip on Maya’s shoulder tightened almost imperceptibly. “How…nice for you,” he said, his tone clipped.

Gabriel gave Adrian a look that was equal parts amusement and challenge. “Thanks. It is.”

Mason broke the tension with a laugh, clapping Adrian on the back. “Guess we’ll be seeing more of each other now. Should be fun.”

Adrian didn’t respond, but his jaw tightened as his gaze flickered back to Gabriel and Mia.

Maya’s heart raced as she struggled to decipher the strange weight of the moment. Whatever was happening here, she didn’t like the way her wolf reacted—or the way Gabriel’s smirk stayed with her long after he’d turned away.

The whole day, Maya seemed to run into Mia and Gabriel, and every time they seemed to be touching each other. Her wolf growled inside of her mind. Why did she always choose now to get loud? She wasn’t supposed to care. And yet, she couldn’t stop her stomach from twisting every time Mia touched Gabriel like she owned him.

Don’t be jealous. She admonished her wolf, he’s not ours.

Yes he is! Her wolf, Madrid, howled.

Stop it! The Moon Goddess doesn’t always have it right. Adrian is right for us, Madrid.

With a huff, her wolf forced herself to the back of Maya’s mind, clearly agitated by her behavior. As Maya approached her cousins—Gabriel just happened to be there too—she overheard Mia talking to Gabriel.

“Babe, could you go get me a coffee, you know, the one I like,” She cooed, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger.

“Err…sure,” Gabriel said, standing up.

“I’ll come with you,” Mason said, following behind him.

Maya plopped down next to Mia on the stairs to the college. It was a beautiful day. The sun was warm on her face.

“Oh, hey Maya, I didn’t see you there. So, tell me, how are things with Adrian?” Mia asked. Maya couldn’t be angry with her cousin. Not only did she not care that Gabriel was dating someone, she also loved her cousin like a sister.

“Yeah, fine,” She quickly waved Maya off, “tell me how long have you and Gabriel been together?” She asked, wondering if it was before or after he’d found out they were mates.

“Oh, we’ve been together since…” Mia tapped a pencil against her lips, “Oh, it was right after the last Alpha meeting,” Mia smiled. Maya’s temper started rising. That was right after they’d found out they were mates! So, he was only pretending to want her!

“Why are you looking like that? You don’t…like him, do you? Because that would be awkward,” Mia asked with a wary gaze.

“Oh, no, no, of course not,” Maya chuckled nervously. “I was just thinking of something else.”

“Oh, great, because girl, let me tell you, the s*x is amazing,” Mia gushed. Maya shot to her feet, barely holding it together.

“I—I have to go,” she practically snarled, making her way to the surrounding forest. She needed a moment to cool off. She was seconds away from transforming into her wolf and ripping Mia’s throat out. That would not have gone down well within their tight knit family.

Maya spent the next few hours roaming around the forest, chasing wild animals after she’d shifted into her wolf.

We should’ve bitten her, Madrid growled, tail swishing irritably as they prowled through the underbrush. One little nip wouldn’t hurt.

Stop it, Maya snapped back. We’re not biting anyone. Family, remember?

Doesn’t feel very family-like to rub our face in it, Madrid muttered, her ears flattening.

She doesn’t know Gabriel is our mate, and I want to keep it that way. I’m going to reject him soon anyway, remember?

Madrid let out a sound that sounded like something between a huff and whining, before shifting Maya back into her human form.

Heading back to the spot she’d left her clothes, she could hear her phone chiming.

Work on our project in the library tonight?

Great, just great. Now she had to look at his stupid face again.