My Only Luna

Chapter 8: Stronger Than the Bond Between Luna and Alpha

Hailey's POV

I pull away as far as I can, aware that for now, anything that reminds me of Owen represents danger. His kisses, the warmth of his hands, and his minty breath that suffuses everything, since when did I become so weak? If I knew he would have control over me when I was around him I wouldn't have come back, but well, there was that whole "the pack needs us and now more than ever we must stick together" thing going on, so I came back.

Sabrina kept saying that for sure this time would be different and I missed my dad and my friends to death, so I thought that was enough isolation. No boy should be able to take me away from my family.

But the truth is, it's not just a boy, it's Owen, and I can clearly see that his presence still has some kind of power over me.

Arms crossed I walk away then, feeling like I'm running more than I walk lately, and looking to put distance between the two of us. I need to control myself and breathe, put distance from the world. Probably disappearing for a couple of hours is a good idea.

We live in a small gated community in San Francisco, which paints itself in an air of wealth. This gated community has everything; it is like a small city in itself, but it is inhabited only by shapeshifters, or in any case, by humans who know what we are.

It is guarded so that we can live in peace, without fear that the children will say something they shouldn't at school, or that an incident will cause the strangest problems with the neighbors, when they see the inhabitants of the house next door turn into wolves.

In total, there are about seven packs living here, but each pack has between fifty and two hundred members, so that's no small thing. All in all, the lifestyle is relaxed, and over time we have managed to dispel all doubts and questions from the possibly curious, so we live quite quietly.

Owen's herd, which is crowned under the name "The Amber Luna Herd" is perhaps the largest in the state, and one of the most important, so he is held in great respect. After the death of his father, no one expected Owen to do so well as a leader, but apparently he has lived up to the billing.

“Hey, Hale!"

It's as I round a corner that I hear a familiar voice, and when I turn around I find Angus, apparently coming in from jogging. He's wearing a tank top and has pulled his hair back. His expression is friendly, but as soon as he sees me, he frowns slightly.

“Everything all right? What are you doing out so early?"

As I look at him, I remember what Owen has told me about him, and I wonder if it's a good idea for us to be talking, although he still doesn't seem like a bad person to me. I don't understand the eagerness he seems to have about wanting to go to war, since in my memories, Angus wasn't a bad guy. Maybe a bit of a troublemaker at times, but certainly not so unhinged as to seek such a sizeable feud with humans. And yet, as much as Owen's presence confuses my feelings, I know he hasn't lied about that.

“Hey, Angus. It's all good." I try to pick up the pace, but he follows me easily.

“Is that so? Because your expression says otherwise," he says with a light tone.

“My expression says I need a coffee," I say sighing.

“Great. I'm just going to get a juice. Shall I join you? They've opened a coffee shop not too far from here that's pretty good. Their muffins are to die for."

“I was actually thinking about spending some time alone... You know. I haven't had much time to think since I got here," I say, evasively.

He stops then and looks at me, frowning. A slightly sarcastic chuckle leaves his lips.

“I see. Wow, I didn't know Bullock's influence was still strong enough on you to command you."

“What are you talking about?" I stop, too, and look at him with a frown. “Owen doesn't order me around."

“Yeah. Clearly he's told you to stay away from me, hasn't he?" He raises an eyebrow, and for a moment I hesitate to answer, since theoretically it's true, but it wasn't an order per se.

“He didn't exactly order me..." I start to say, and he laughs.

“Look. It doesn't matter. I thought you were an interesting girl who thought for herself for a change, but I see Bullock has got his claws into you too."

He starts walking, but his comment has hit me like a bucket of cold water. I can't help but stare at him indignantly.

“What the hell is wrong with you?" I reply, annoyed. “Owen has no power over me. He's the Alpha of my pack, okay, but that's as far as it goes. You can't treat me like my opinion depends solely on what he thinks."

“Come on, Hale," he says, as he turns around. “It's obvious you still have a crush on him. We've all noticed." He shrugs then, and affirms. “It's okay, too. I just thought you were past that whole mess of being just the friend who's drooling after his shadow."

“I have!"

A blush creeps up my cheeks, and I can't help it. His tone causes me anger, but in particular, what bothers me is the thought that others may have once perceived me like this, as a girl who let herself be manipulated by Owen because she was looking to be liked.

“It's obvious that you don't."

“And what the hell would you know about it?!" I snap at him, full of anger, and start walking, unwilling to listen to him. He follows me, all in all, and I find it impossible to lose him.

“I only know what I see, Hale. When I heard you were coming back I was glad, because I always thought you were... Cool, I guess. So bold and sure of yourself. And I figured, like everyone else, that it was over between you two."

“And it is over!" I yell at him, but he doesn't stop following me.

“And why are you acting as if it wasn't?" he speculates.

“I'm not!" I snap at him, really wanting to hit him. “It's not as simple as it seems, but without a doubt, my life is none of your business in any way."

“It's true, it's none of my business." He walks beside me, and after a moment, he looks at me. “But I know you are suffering. I know you want to forget it and you can't."

“And why the hell do you care?"

“I care because you're my friend, and I appreciate you." He stops then and makes me stop by placing his hand on my arm. I want to hit him and ask him to move away, but his expression puzzles me for a moment.

“Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. I just don't like what he's doing with you. You deserve better than to be anyone's second choice."

His words disarm me and I end up letting go of him, but I don't walk away.

“I'm nobody's second choice," I say, full of anger, and he nods.

“I know that. But it sucks that he treats you like you are."

“I've got to go."

Turning away from him I start walking, while feeling that I don't have the strength to confront him at this point. And I hate him for it. I hate him for not leaving me alone.

“Hailey, wait."

He comes trotting up and stands in front of me. His expression has changed and his eyes, almost begging me to forgive him.

“Look, I'm sorry for what I said, okay? I don't want us to fight. Everyone's been giving me dirty looks lately because of that as*hole, and I can't help it if anything to do with him makes me jump like I've been poured hot water."

“It's not because of Owen. It's you who wants to go to war." I snap at him, crossing my arms, and he laughs sarcastically.

“Did he tell you that, that I tried to go to war? Wow, he's a bigger jerk than I thought," he affirms.

“What is it then that you're trying to do?" I ask him, while glaring at him, but he denies with his face.

“I can only tell you that not everything is as he says it is. There are two versions to every story."

“Maybe, but nothing good can come out of raising a dispute against humans."

“That's not what I plan to do," he then states, and cuts me off. “Would you be willing to listen to me, if you weren't so blinded by Bullock's opinion? Hales, he blinds you. He does it with everyone," he says, snorting under his breath. “Damn. Sometimes I feel like..." and then, after a pause, he looks at me with seriousness and suspicion painted in his eyes. “Look, I know you might not want to hear this from me... But I can tell you still have a crush on him, Hailey, and nothing good can come of it. You know you deserve better."

I open my mouth, ready to rebut, but then, he cuts me off, while affirming:

“No, wait. There is a way, however, for you to get rid of your feelings for him. I have heard witches say that there is a type of magic that can break the bonds of love, even those between a Luna and an Alpha, so, if you want to get rid of his power over you, talking to them could be a solution."

“Witches?" I blink in amazement, and he nods. “Since when do you deal with witches?" I ask dumbfounded.

“Since I learned that I don't always have all the answers, but that there are some situations that do need a solution."