His Reluctant Luna novel Chapter 24

Alice -

I awoke to the chirping of birds on the windowsill. I checked my watch instantly. It was 5 am, still quite early. I turned my head towards the lovely sound, usually, the windows remained closed for security reasons. I wondered who opened it.

"Good morning, dear," Lucian's voice called out from across the room.

Startled slightly, I turned towards the source of his voice, instinctively pulling the sheets over my body as I caught sight of him. He disengaged himself from the chair near the fire, looking extremely stiff and haggard. He sat down near the bed and smoothed out the bed covers before him. He looked very exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes.

"Are you ok?" I asked, concerned.

He reached out to rub my foot through the sheets. He wanted comfort; I could sense that. Wolves like to touch each other when they are stressed. 

"You look like, hell! What happened?"

He ran his hand through his hair, "I didn't get to sleep last night."

"Why?"

"There were few rogues on the campus, I had to deal with them." He replied moodily, eyeing me hungrily.

"Oh! I hope they didn't cause any major damage?"

"One of the trackers, Peter, was injured, but he is fine now. Getting treated in the infirmary." He replied.

My wolf was urging me to comfort him, despite my reservations I could not stop the wave of sympathy which coursed through me. I quickly scanned his body (he was half-naked anyway) for any visible injuries. There was nothing apart from some scars. Perhaps, I would ask about them someday.

"Well, I am going to catch some sleep," He said, bringing my hand to his lips, kissing it lightly.

Then he stood up to walk away.

"Wait," I called, as Lucian turned to go to, I do not know where.

"Yes?" he asked, turning back to face me.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"To retire, I'm exhausted," he replied.

"I thought this was your bedroom," I said, nervously twisting a lock of my curly hair between my fingers.

"Well, yes...," he stammered, looking a little uncomfortable.

"Then where are you going?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

"I want to avoid imposing, as it's quite early, and you might want to go back to sleep," he said, peering curiously at me.

"You're not imposing," I said. What was wrong with him?

"You can sleep here," I said nervously.

He blinked, then walked quickly to the other side of the bed and sat down, taking his boots off as quickly as he could. He started to untie the laces of his pants.

"Lucian," I said suddenly, placing my hand over his hands.

"I'm sorry, I should have made myself clear. You can sleep here because you look exhausted...... anything else you had in mind will.... well, it's not happening now," I said, my cheeks glowing pink in embarrassment.

 "Fine," he groaned in exasperation, falling back heavily against the mattress.

"Sorry," I whispered as I watched him lay against the pillows. He twisted this way and that, mumbling to himself as he tried to get comfortable.

Honestly, the reason I had asked him to sleep next to me was that he looked vulnerable, and I could not stop myself from feeling a surge of sympathy for him. I laid back on my pillow, turning another side. After a few minutes of silence, I spoke. "Lucian?"

"Yes?" came a sleepy reply.

"Can you hold me?" My voice was, barely above a whisper.

Lucian did not answer, he did not need to. I felt the mattress dip as he moved behind me, his strong-arm cradling my waist as his other hand touched my head lightly, running his long fingers through my hair. I felt the light touch of his lips against the back of my neck.

"Lucian, no," I said warning.

"It won't get any easier until you are probably mated," she said, eyeing my unmarked neck," We've been waiting a long time for him to find a mate. Why hasn't he marked you yet?" She asked cautiously.

I choked on my eggs at her question.

"We are taking it slow, still getting to know each other," I fumbled.

Savannah stared at me for a minute. "Well, I'm glad he found you finally."

After breakfast, they took me to the pack's well-equipped gym. It was quiet, but a few wolves were practising. I got some more stares. I rolled my eyes.

"Look who is here," the sneering voice broke my reverie, and I turned towards its source.

"Eliza," I said rather stiffly. 

Tightly bound in her Lycra gym bra and shorts, she oozed sensuality. I did not notice it earlier; she was beautiful, with all curves and muscles in the appropriate places. She was a beta, wasn't she?

She bowed with a smirk. 

"What an honour to see you here," she added mocking," Madam Luna."

"Hello Eliza, how are you?" I asked as politely as I could. She disliked me, it was pretty apparent.

I could feel Katherine and Savannah shifting uncomfortably beside me.

"Let's proceed to the other areas, madam Luna," Katherine said quickly.

"She is not one of us, she can't just step in without a challenge." Eliza suddenly said.

I could barely contain my fury, my claws digging into my palms. This woman had no right to question their Alpha's chosen mate. Rage and jealousy filled my body, and my wolf growled.

"Okay," I said over the shocked whispers. "I accept your challenge."