Temptations of a Luna

Belong

The sun gradually set over the horizon, and Hailey sat in the dimly lit sitting room, her eyes filled with tears. At this point, she was not sure if this was the mate bond all the other girls had been so crazy about. The one that made their hearts flutter. The way they fell madly, instensely in love.

She was trying hard, as hard as she could to at least not end up with an enemy. But every time, no matter how much she tries to not let it affect her, it always comes right back around.

She swallowed hard, then lay on the couch, her eyes slowly closing as a tear drop fell. She could feel the cold of the evening settle in, but she did not have enough strength in her to take a blanket.

Archer sat in one of the bar stools, his eyes gradually closing from the amount he had drank. He grabbed another glass, just as a blonde girl came to sit next to him. She had full makeup on, and her dress showed off so much skin she could have as well been without it.

"I missed you last night, Alpha. Where were you?"

He looked up to her, but said nothing, his eyes slowly drifting back to the glass.

"Alpha.." Her voice trailed off as she leaned forward, then started to rub her hand on his arm, tracing forward. Slowly, she leaned forward, about to kiss him.

Archer closed his eyes, his fists clenching beside him. The same question roamed his mind. The same position. Two different women. One in the past, the other...

He slowly pushed her away, then shook his head. "Don't touch me."

"But, Alpha..."

"Don't touch me!" He yelled, smashing the glass on the table. It pierced his hand, but like he couldn't feel it, he stood, pushing the wolf in front of him away. He didn't even bother with the surprised girl and made his way out of the crowded bar.

With draggy, unstable steps, he walked back to the palace, his hand trickling with blood all the way.

Hailey jolted awake as she heard the door creak open. She stood up immediately, then walked to the door just as Archer walked in. He closed the door, then leaned on it, a small sigh escaping his lips.

"A..rcher?"

He turned to her, then swallowed. "Are you...happy?"

Her brows furrowed. "What do you..."

"Are you happy I am like this? Are you happy I can't get past a day without getting drunk?"

She took a step back as he moved forward. He took another, closing the distance before she could move, then wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing her back to him.

"Three years. Three damned years I have been trying to forget that the mate bond even existed. How dare you force yourself into my life? How dare you ever give me hope for a second chance? For another mate?"

She swallowed, her lips parting, her chest heaving with fear. "Archer..I..."

"How dare you call me Archer?" His voice was low now, and he moved, then brought his hand to cup her face, his body moving so there was almost no space between them. She felt her fear slowly ease, his scent hitting her, his body warming her up.

The bond between them was undeniable, and it hurt more. Especially for Archer. How could he bring himself to push away someone he was fated to love?

He moved slowly, his lips almost touching her lightly quivering lips. She swallowed as she met his eyes, and in them was a turmoil she had never seen. She started to see a depth to the man she had written off as nothing but a womanizer. Someone who couldn't keep himself to one woman.

His eyes met hers again, before he drifted back to her lips. He'd forgotten how it felt to taste a person he loved, someone he was mated to. He had forgotten how to even be a mate, and now that she was here, all the signs pointing at her being his mate, he could not bring himself to refuse.

He pushed forward, causing her to take a step back, her legs hitting the couch. She swallowed, as his hand grazed her cheek, leaving a trail of blood in his path.

"How am I supposed...to let you go now?" It was a whisper, and it sent tingles to her lips. Tingles she had never felt, tingles she yearned to feel again and again and again.

Strangely, she felt it wouldn't be the same with anyone else except him. Strangely, she felt only him could make her feel this way.

"Why...would you need to let me go?" She asked, dreading the question and the answer she imagined it would bring forth. What if she ended up alone, with nothing again? What if she ended up...left out, abandoned, cold?

He moved his hand, and her eyes closed briefly, savoring the pleasure of his touch. "Because you will die if I don't."

She swallowed, then nodded slowly. 'Would you rather I leave? Let you be what you can be while I...strive for a life I don't know?"

He said nothing for a while, his lips moving slowly, seeking hers. They were only a mere half inch apart when she pulled away, then moved out of his grip, his hands falling to his sides.

"If that is what you want, Alpha Morales. You have shown me enough to know that...I just might not belong here too. Maybe I don't belong here too. Maybe I don't belong anywhere."

She swallowed, then turned away, taking a step towards the door. She felt an obstruction, and turned towards him. His hand was holding hers, and he was facing away, his head lowered.

"What do you want from me?" She asked, feeling raw anger fill her chest.

He slowly covered their distance, then cupped her face again. "You don't belong anywhere. You...might just belong with me. To me."

She raised her eyes to meet his, and the intensity in them sent her burning in places she never knew existed.

"Stay with me tonight."

Before she could reply, he dropped his hand and fell into her shoulder, his eyes closing as a small sigh left his lips.

Hailey let out a small shaky breath, her eyes blinking rapidly. Her heart felt like it was on overdrive, her chest clenching with unfamiliar emotions. She turned to Archer's sleeping face, then swallowed again.

Maybe...he wasn't the mistake. Maybe he...maybe he was the right place for her. Maybe he was where she belonged.