Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty-Three

"How long have you known?" I took a step away from Luke who was looking awfully too smug for my liking.

After we had kissed, I dragged him out the hall and into a separate room, this ordeal wasn't something the whole pack needed to know about yet. I could already imagine we were the topic of conversation though after everyone seen us exchange such a passionate peck.

"Um…" He looked like he was pushing back the urge to laugh, and I stepped even further away, shaking my head.

"I can't believe you." I turned away from him, going to walk out the door but was stopped by his hand grabbing mine. The fireworks were back, dancing between us and it felt like I had waited all my life to feel his touch. "Let go of me." I didn't want him to. "Stop." I wished he would never let go.

His body came closer to mine, closing the space between us and I blew out a shaky breath, anxious for what was to come. It was so much to take in and process. "I've known long enough."

My head tilted up towards his. "And you didn't think to tell me? Here I thought that you hated me, but all this time you knew you were my mate and didn't say…how can I trust you now?"

His fingers brushed under my chin, and it took all of my control not to nestle into him right there and give in, but I was stronger than that. This man had lied to me. He was a fraud.

"I so wanted to tell you Clover. You have no idea how much."

"And why didn't you? Instead, you toy me around like some game?"

"No." Our eyes met, and I fell back into his soul. "I didn't trust myself around you. That's why I sent you away. I was scared you would think I was too forward, and I wanted you to fall for me of your own will, not because I told you that we were mates. Please understand why I had to do it."

I shook my head and pulled away from him again, walking across the room and taking a seat in a large armchair. "I don't know. I'm conflicted. I mean, I've never heard of an Alpha being mates with someone like me."

"Someone beautiful?" He stepped closer and I chuckled slightly at him. "Someone hot? Sexy? Compassionate? Kind? Ravishing?"

My head lifted up and I pulled a face at him. "Ravishing?"

"Yes. Ravishing." He was now standing in front of me, attempting to plea to me how we were destined to be mates but I didn't make anything of it.

"Ravishing...like how I want to rip your clothes off, take you right here and then listen to you tell me stories of your life afterwards." He paused for a moment, motioning to me. "Ravishing."

Heat rose from me, and I could feel my cheeks getting red with embarrassment, but also lust. It hadn't even crossed my mind that we would lie with each other. I mean, it was every girl’s dream to lie with the Alpha and bear his pups, but I had never even pondered the idea until now. I had my first kiss mere minutes ago and we were already speaking about sex.

I stood up, choosing to stand my ground and keep my dignity. "We will do no such thing right now. Is that understood?"

His excited eyes turned almost dark, and his jaw clenched with anticipation, but it softened after I made a face at him, and he nodded at me. "Alright. I will respect your wishes for now, but I'm not sure how long I can last. Being in your vicinity turns me on.” I choked slightly at his words, and he squinted at me. "Do you not feel the same way?"

After letting out an awkward laugh, I straightened myself up. Of course, I felt the same way. The heartbeat between my legs reminded me of that, but I wasn't going to let him have the satisfaction of knowing just yet. He'd need to wait. A bit of patience would do him good.

"I feel like this is a lot of new information, and I'm getting overwhelmed" His hands slipped between mine and rubbed comforting circles in my palms.

"I'm sorry. That was not my intention. I am a gentleman, and I'll wait until you are ready to talk. Until then, we take it easy and see what happens. Does that sound good?"

I was almost taken aback at how calm he was being about all of this, but something told me it wouldn't last long. He was an Alpha, my Alpha, and sooner or later my own wolf would get what it desires, or he would get impatient. I had a feeling it would be the latter.

"Yes, thank you, Alpha Luke."

He placed his forehead to mine and I breathed in his beautiful scent, it was true, I felt that it was made for me. "Call me Luke, I am your mate now, not your leader" After placing a gentle kiss on my forehead he stepped back. "And for now, I must become the Alpha again and get back to the festival. I won't let anyone know about you until you are ready, which I hope is soon. I can't wait to announce you to the pack, they'll love you."

My legs went wobbly at the thought of having to make a speech in front of the pack, which was something all Luna's did. God, I was going to be a Luna. I would marry the Alpha.

My lips pulled together anxiously, and I nodded at Luke. "Okay, I'm just going to go back to your summer house and think about all of this. I just need to think, and process."

"As you wish, my princess. I will have someone drive you there, and I will come for you in the morning. I'll clear my schedule all for you." He tried to comfort me, but my rigid body wasn't having it at all. I didn't know if I wanted Luke to come and see me.

I didn't even know if I wanted to be Luna.