I Thought She's My Luna

CHAPTER 2

Jessica

Still dazed, I flumped into the piano chair. The tears I tried very hard to hold back also began to fall.

Was it a form of rejection? But he was the one who initiated the kiss! And from the way he devoured my lips, he obviously wanted me.

Using my thumb, I slowly wiped my lips and sighed.

"What's running in your head, Wes?!" I grumbled.

Frustrated, I grabbed my cell phone from the piano and dialed Wes's number. It rang.

"Come on pick up!" I muttered as the phone kept on ringing.

"The person you are calling is currently unavailable. Please try again later," the operator said. The call didn't even get redirected to his voicemail.

What the hell?

I tossed my phone to the piano and got on my feet. When I was about to leave, Mom entered.

"Why are you alone? Where's Wes?" Mom asked.

"He left, and I'll be in my room," I grumbled. I couldn't hide my annoyance, causing me to stomp out of the ballroom and head straight to my bedroom.

Hours passed, and I didn't hear anything from Wes. So I tried calling Wes's younger sister, Rachel, but she wasn't reachable either.

What's with the Morgans today? Are they okay? Their pack must be facing some serious problems.

"Jessica, sweetheart. I brought you dinner." Mom said, behind the door.

I swung out of bed and opened the door for Mom.

"Thanks, Mom." I took the tray from her hands.

About to close the door, I felt resistance. Mom was holding on to it firmly.

"May I come in?" she asked sweetly.

I stepped aside. "Sure," I replied, strode to the coffee table by the window, and placed the tray. Before I could leave, Mom grabbed my arm and slightly pulled me down to the couch.

"Let's talk," she said, and sat on the armrest.

"What's bothering you, my dear?"

I looked up at her. "Wes was acting weird this afternoon. He kissed me, apologized, and left. I tried calling him, but his phone was off—even Rachel.

"He kissed you?" Mom repeated.

Why did I say that?!

One day, my slippery tongue will put me in trouble.

"He did," I confirmed. I couldn't take my words back.

Mom smiled, which I wasn't expecting because of her relationship beliefs. "Maybe he got nervous. That's why he left."

I hugged her waist. "You're not mad?"

"Of course not. A kiss is fine, but going further than that, you and Wes will have to face my wrath," she warned, but with a smile.

"You don't have to worry about that, Mom. I know I should keep it safe until the right time comes," I assured her.

Mom kissed me on the forehead. "I'm not worried."

"But Mom, is something going on in the Blood Moon?" I unwrapped my hands from Mom and leaned backward to see Mom's face better.

"And the way he said sorry, it seems like there's more to it," I continued.

"I'll be honest with you, sweetheart, Blood Moon is facing some problems. I can't tell you the details, but all I can tell is that you try to understand Wes. He needs a friend outside his pack to lean on," Mom explained.

Wes could just tell me. He didn't have to act strangely and made me feel miserable. However, there was one thing I was worried about.

"Can they make it tomorrow?" I took my Mom's arm and clasped it like a Koala.

"Can Wes make it tomorrow?" I noticed my voice sounded gloomy. I sucked at masking my emotions.

My best friend Tricia couldn't be there anymore since she left the pack one year ago as per her mystery boyfriend's request, whom she had been dating for three years. If Wes couldn't make it too, there was no point in celebrating my birthday alone.

"He will, my dear." Mom stroked my hair. "He will."

***

I've been waiting for this day to come—our 19th birthday!

"Good morning, Jessica," a voice greeted me in my head as soon as I opened my eyes.

My cheeks stretched upward. "Good morning, my dear wolf. I'm glad to hear your voice."

"I've been waiting for this moment and can't wait to meet our mate!"

"So do I, and I hope it's Wes." I giggled.

"I don't care who he is, as long as he's our fated mate." I raised an eyebrow.

"You sound harsh and practical," I smirked.

"Because we don't fall in love. We accept whoever the moon goddess gives us," she pointed out.

"Well, you are right, but remember that your human side can," I contended.

"I know that's why, don't mess up. I want only my mate."

"OUR mate," I corrected. Why did the moon goddess give me such a snobby wolf?

"Make sure to look pretty tonight, as pretty as your wolf." My wolf's confidence level was exceptional, but I immensely enjoyed it. With this kind of character, she must be strong.

"Will sure do! Catch you later, pretty wolf," I chuckled and blocked our connection. She'd definitely bug me if I didn't do that.

Pretty wolf... I must look pretty today, not just pretty but stunning. I wanted Wes to see me as a lady starting today, not just someone he could kiss and apologize to afterward.

Speaking of Wes, should I check on him?

I reached for my phone on the nightstand and searched for Wes's number. But then, something stopped me from clicking the call button. Wes might think I was nagging. Sending him a message would be better.

"Happy birthday to us, Wes! I wish you all the best in finding your mate tonight." Message sent.

Immediately after I sent the message, a message notification appeared. Excited, I opened the text message.

"Happy birthday to us, Jes! I miss you so much!"

Am I a bit disappointed? Yes, but I was happy at the same time to receive a message from my best friend. It had been a year since she left the pack house. It was also the last time I'd seen her.

Her boyfriend banned video calls, scared that he would see me or her mate would pass behind me while we were on a call.

Those two fought their fate by isolating themselves from outsiders. Was it really possible to fight our destiny?

"Happy birthday to us, Tricia! I miss you too. What's your plan for today?" I replied.

"My boyfriend said he had prepared a special fireworks display for me. He usually does it on our anniversary, but this time, he said he would make another one."

"I'm jealous! I hope my mate will be as sweet as your boyfriend."

"Wes will be more sweet, trust me." My heart jumped after reading Tricia's message. She made it sound like Wes was my mate one hundred percent.

I can't wait for the night to come!

Tap, tap, tap. My head jerked towards the door as I heard someone knocking on it.

"Jessica, are you awake?" Mom asked.

"Yes, Mom!" I shouted.

I placed my phone back on the nightstand and slid out of bed.

Mom opened the door. Locking doors were prohibited in the pack house unless you were getting dressed or it was a couple's room. Mom created this rule to prevent unmated young wolves from playing with each other. We all knew what I meant.

"Look what I got for you." Mom flaunted a high, low powder blue dress with a Bardot-type neckline embellished with sparkling light blue crystals.

We met in the middle of the room. "Oh my! It's beautiful! I love it! And it's the same color I wore yesterday." Wes told me I look good in this color. Did Mom know all along that's why she was smiling last night?

"Why did you choose this color?" I stared at Mom, curiosity eating my head.

"Because this color suits your fair skin, sweetheart. Actually, I prepared three dresses for you, but I've decided to go for this one after seeing you wearing that powder blue dress yesterday." Mom continued to stroll to my bed.

"Hold this." She passed the dress and tidied my bed. Then she took it back and cautiously laid it flat on the neatly spread blanket.

While staring at the dress, she said, "You'll be the most beautiful woman tonight."

***

Guests started to come from different parts of the world, and my jaw was already in pain from excessive smiling.

As a host, I had to stand in front of the entrance with Mom and Dad beside me to welcome all the guests entering the ballroom.

"You look lovely, Jessica." Luna Harriet of Black Ship Pack complimented—one of our allies.

"Thank you, Luna Harriet, and so are you. Please make yourself comfortable and enjoy the night." I beamed.

"Will do. Thank you, dear." She gave me a cheek-to-cheek kiss and carried on.

Most guests had arrived, and I hadn't felt the strong pull of the mate bond yet, not even a waft of a distinct scent.

Only Wes's pack had yet to come from the guest list, which made my hopes high that Wes could be my mate.

Oh, my goddess!

Anxious, I leaned closer to Mom and whispered, "Where's Blood Moon? Where's Wes? He's supposed to be here early."

"I know, sweetheart, your dad has already told Beta Ryker to contact them." Mom gently patted my back. "Don't worry, he'll be here."

A sense of relief washed over me as I saw Rachel entering.

"Rachel!" I opened my arms wide and hugged her tight. I scanned the view behind her but couldn't see Wes.

Fear wrapped around my heart like a tight chain.

Rachel broke off the hug. "Sorry, I'm late."

"You're not late," I said, looking past her.

"Where's Wes and the others?" I asked anxiously and gave Rachel my full attention as I waited for her answer.

"Jes, I'm sorry, but Wes can't make it tonight." Dejection clouded Rachel's eyes.

"What do you mean he can't make it? It's our birthday." I noticed my voice trailed off.

"I went to his bedroom this morning to check on him but found a note instead." Rachel handed me a piece of paper.

I opened the paper, and the bones on my legs melted after reading the message.

"I'm cutting all my ties with the Blood Moon Pack and building my own.

P.S. Please tell Jes I'm sorry."