Mine to Protect Chapter 71: MOON SHADE PACK

*Hazel*

“I wasn’t really angry at you, your words just reminded me of someone, and I got carried away.”

“You can talk to me about it, if you want to. Sometimes talking to others helps us see things in a new perspective.”

I am not sure I should be pushing him to tell him, after all we haven’t known each other for long, but I do feel a connection to him, like he is family.

He is silent for another long while, and then suddenly starts talking again.

“I guess I should tell you, after all, you are going to meet her soon, and I don’t want to put you in an awkward situation. You see, even though many say that I haven’t found my Luna yet, that’s not true; I have found her, and she rejected me without even a second thought. She had a boyfriend she had loved since they were children, and she was so convinced that they would turn out to be mates, that when she found out she was bonded to me, she rejected me on the spot, not even trying to give us a chance first, just like that. She is now the Luna of the Moon Shade pack, your mom’s pack.”

I stared at him in astonishment. This sounds so much like a romance I once read!

“So, when you said that maybe you didn’t want to be Luna of your pack anymore, I got really mad, because you sounded just like her, unwilling to try, unwilling to give it a chance, to fight for it. Just like with Derek, a blind could see that he loves you, he would move mountains for you, but you still keep pushing him away. Why are you so ready to give up on everything? My biggest regret is not fighting for my mate, I should have refused her rejection, should have tried to win her over. Instead, here I am, alone, with a scar on my heart.”

Lukas sounds desperate and completely defeated, my heart aches for him, I wish I could do something to ease his pain, so I do the only thing that comes to my mind, and hug him tightly, trying to comfort him.

He stays still like a statue for a second, then hugs me back, resting his cheek on the top of my head. We stay like that for a while, until I move back and place my hands on his broad chest.

“You did what was right, not even the Moon Goddess can dictate who we choose to love. I am sorry that you got hurt, but I am sure that you will find someone else, someone more deserving of your love. You are a handsome lad, and an Alpha, I bet you have a swarm of women chasing after you.”

He laughs a little, his cocky attitude back on.

“I see you noticed my good looks too. I do have a lot of women pining for me, but they are just bed warmers, I have no interest in them.”

The feminist side of me wants to hit him on his head, but I refrain myself.

“Anyway, I am sure you will find the right one, you just need to be patient,” I say, trying to wrap up the conversation.

He gives me a long stare, making me raise my eyebrows perplexed, then he turns around and starts running again.

Sometimes men are difficult to understand.

We get back to the house, and have breakfast with Amanda, who has prepared tons of delicious food for us. There are waffles, pancakes, fruits, scrambled eggs, bacon, chiffon cake, orange juice, coffee; everything smells fantastic.

Then we leave for the Moon Shade Pack, which is one hour drive away.

The view on the way is amazing, maple trees, oak trees and a lot of flourishing bushes, perfect hiding spots for small animals. My wolf is pushing me to go hunting, but she will have to wait until my job is done.

We reach the gate of the Moon Shade pack, apparently, not only Derek feels the necessity of barriers for protection. I wonder if other packs are also structured this way, and it is only Lukas’ pack a kind of open heaven.

Lukas gets out of the car to talk to the guards, and they let us through pretty quickly. He stops the car at a huge 4-story mansion, in colonial revival style, and I stare with my mouth agape.

“Is this my mom’s family house?”

“No, this is the packhouse. Although I’ve already explained the reason of our visit, the Alpha still requested to meet him in person at our arrival, so here we are. Let’s just hope this meeting is going to be quick.”

Lukas looks majorly annoyed and on edge, I wonder if he is nervous about meeting his ex-mate.

We climb out of the car and at the same time two figures appear at the entrance of the packhouse, a man and a woman, they are well dressed and hold an air of importance, so I suppose they are the Alpha and Luna.

I can’t help staring at the woman who’s cruelly broken my friend’s heart. She is pretty, with black curly hair and big blue eyes, they remind me of Derek’s.

I haven’t mind-linked him or called him back, he is probably sad and disappointed in me, but I need time to let my jumbled feelings settle down and I hope he understands that. Knowing him, probably not. But it is better this way, so he has a stronger incipit to come collect me and free me from this stupid exile he’s put me in.

“Alpha Walker, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?” the Alpha snob asks Lukas in a very snobby fashion.

Lukas looks extremely annoyed, and his dislike for this man is nearly palpable in the air.

“I announced my visit yesterday and explained the reason of the visit too. So, I don’t think it is unexpected at all. Anyway, you said you needed to exchange a few words with us, and here we are. We are also in a hurry, so I hope we can be done with the formalities fast.”

Alpha snob is not at all impressed by Lukas’ attitude and shifts his attention to me instead.

“Luna Hazel, it is a pleasure to meet you, I have heard a lot about you, both on the news and among the werewolf community.”

I feel my face grow hot at the mention of those stupid gossips spread on the news. I hope he isn’t going to ask me for a one-night stand, his wife is right behind him for calling out loud.

“Those rumors are all lies,” I explain, trying to sound completely unbothered.

“Mmhh, I see,” he comments with a small smile on his lips, “even the rumors about you being a white wolf?”

“Those are actually true,” I reply boldly, curious to see his reaction.

He seemed taken aback for a moment, probably he wasn’t expecting me to announce it so freely. Though, his gaze soon changes to something creepy, which makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable, on edge, I feel my wolf’s need to run away from this man. There must be something wrong with him, but I am not sure I want to know what it is, I have already had my fair share of creepy stuff, thanks.

Lukas looks alarmed, and he’s silently scolding me with his gaze for putting this truth out in the open.

My entire pack has seen me, as well as the Alpha Court’s warriors, don’t you think it is a little late to hide it now?