Chapter 15 Chapter 15

Chapter 15 Chapter 15
MIRA

Three days after Kade's mother's visit, I was finally allowed out of bed. Dr. Hayes cleared me for light activity, with strict instructions not to overdo it.

Nina took me on a tour of the parts of the pack house I hadn't seen yet. The kitchen was massive, with industrial equipment and a staff of six. The dining hall could seat over a hundred people. There was a gym, a weapons room, even a small movie theater.

"Perks of being in a wealthy pack," Nina said as we explored.

"How does the pack make money?" I asked.

"Investments mostly. Kade's great-grandfather started a tech company back in the day. Sold it for millions. The pack's been living off those investments ever since, plus they own a lot of real estate in the area."

"So Kade's rich."

"Extremely. Not that you'd know it from how he lives. He's pretty modest for a billionaire Alpha."

A billionaire. I'd been sleeping with a billionaire and didn't even know it.

We ended up in the pack library, which I'd been dying to get back to. The mess from before was gone—someone had continued organizing while I was confined to bed.

"Who did this?" I asked.

"The Alpha. Every night after his duties, he'd come in here and sort books. Said it helped him think."

Something warm bloomed in my chest. Kade had continued my project. Had spent his evenings doing something I cared about.

"That's really sweet," I said.

Nina grinned. "Told you. The man's gone for you."

I ran my fingers along the newly organized shelves. The books were sorted by subject now, with history and legends in one section, pack law in another, fiction in a third.

"He did a good job," I admitted.

"Of course he did. Kade doesn't do anything halfway."

We spent the next hour exploring the library. I found books I'd missed on my first visit—ancient texts about wolf mythology, modern guides to pack politics, even some romance novels tucked away in a corner.

"Margaret was a romantic," Nina said, seeing where I was looking. "She always said even Alpha's needed love stories."

I picked up one of the books. It was well-worn, clearly read multiple times. The cover showed a wolf and a human woman under a full moon.

"Is this about a wolfless woman?" I asked.

Nina looked. "Oh, that one. Yeah. Margaret loved that story. It's about a woman who couldn't shift but could communicate with all wolves telepathically. She became the bridge between packs, helping them understand each other."

"That sounds amazing."

"It's fiction, but Margaret believed there was some truth to it. She thought wolfless wolves had their own kind of power, just different from shifting."

"You really think that?"

"I think the moon goddess doesn't make mistakes. If you're wolfless, there's a reason. Maybe you haven't discovered your gift yet."

I wanted to believe her. Wanted to think my inability to shift meant something more than just being broken.

"Can I borrow this?" I asked, holding up the book.

"Of course. Everything in this library is yours to use. Alpha's orders."

I tucked the book under my arm and we left the library. As we walked through the hallways, I noticed wolves stopping to stare at me. Some looked curious. Others looked hostile.

"They're not used to humans in the pack house," Nina explained quietly. "Or wolfless wolves, I should say. Give them time."

"How much time?"

"However long it takes. You're under the Alpha's protection. They'll come around eventually."

We passed a training room where several warriors were sparring. One of them, a large man with a scarred face, looked up when we passed. His expression was cold.

"Who's that?" I asked.

"Marcus. The Beta's second. He's... old-fashioned. Doesn't think wolfless wolves should be in positions of power."

"Good thing I'm not in a position of power then."

"You're carrying the heir. That's power whether you want it or not."

We returned to my room, and Nina left me with instructions to rest. But I couldn't rest. My mind was too active.

I opened the book about the wolfless woman and started reading.

The story was beautiful. The main character, Elena, had been rejected by her pack for being unable to shift. But she discovered she could enter the dreams of wolves, communicate with them in ways others couldn't. She used this gift to prevent a war, bringing together packs that had been enemies for generations.

It was just fiction. But it made me wonder—was there something I could do that shifted wolves couldn't? Some purpose I hadn't discovered yet?

I was still reading when Kade knocked on my door that evening.

"Come in," I called.

He entered carrying a folder. He looked nervous, which was unusual for him.

"We need to talk," he said.

My stomach dropped. "That sounds ominous."

"It's not. Or I hope it's not." He sat down across from me. "Derek's formal complaint to the pack council goes to hearing in two weeks. They're going to investigate his claims that I'm harboring you illegally."

"What does that mean for me?"

"Potentially, it means they could order you to return to Silverpine territory. Or to neutral ground while they investigate. Either way, you'd be vulnerable."

Fear spiked through me. "You said you'd protect me."

"I will. But I need your help to do it." He opened the folder. "I've been talking to pack lawyers. There's a precedent—rare, but it exists—for naming someone as Luna without a mate bond."

I blinked. "What?"

"In ancient times, some Alphas would name advisors or protectors as honorary Lunas, giving them status and protection without romantic involvement. It hasn't been done in over a century, but it's still technically legal."

"You want to make me your Luna? Without mating?"

"Yes. It would give you unquestionable status in the pack. Derek would have no legal grounds to claim you. The pack council would have to respect the designation."

I tried to process this. "But wouldn't the pack think that's weird? A Luna who's not the Alpha's mate?"

"Probably. But they'd accept it because I ordered it. And eventually, if you wanted..." He trailed off. "If you ever wanted to make it a real mate bond, we could. But only when you're ready. No pressure."

This was insane. But also kind of brilliant.

"What would being Luna involve?" I asked.

"Officially? Representing the pack at gatherings, helping with disputes, organizing pack events. Basically being my partner in pack leadership."

"I don't know anything about being a Luna."

"You'd learn. And you wouldn't be alone. My mother would help. Nina would help. I would help."

"Your mother barely tolerates me."

"She'll come around. Especially once she sees you're serious about this."

I stood up and walked to the window. Outside, the pack grounds stretched into the forest. Wolves in both forms moved through the darkness, comfortable and confident.

This could be my home. My pack. My purpose.

But it would also make me a target. If I became Luna, even an honorary one, Derek's enemies would become my enemies. I'd be stepping into a political nightmare.

"Can I think about it?" I asked.

"Of course. But I need an answer in three days. That's when the pack council's investigators arrive."

"Three days. That's not much time."

"I know. But it's all we have." He stood and moved to stand beside me. "Mira, I'm not trying to trap you or pressure you. This is about protecting you and the baby. That's all."

"I know."

"And if you say no, we'll find another way. I promise."

I looked up at him. In the dim light, his face was softer somehow. Less scary, more human.

"What do you want?" I asked. "If this was just about what you wanted, no politics or complications, what would you choose?"

He was quiet for a long moment. "I'd want you to stay. As Luna, as mate, as whatever you were comfortable with. I'd want to build a life with you, raise our child together, see where this thing between us could go." He touched my face gently. "But what I want doesn't matter if it's not what you want too."

My heart was racing. "I need time to think."

"Take all the time you need. Within three days."

He left, and I sank back onto the bed, my mind spinning.

Becoming Luna would solve so many problems. But it would also create new ones. The pack would expect things from me I didn't know how to give. Derek would fight even harder. And Kade...

Kade would be stuck with me. Not because of love or attraction, but because of politics and protection.

Was that fair to either of us?

I picked up my phone and called the one person whose advice I trusted.

"Mira?" Nina answered. "Everything okay?"

"I need to talk. Can you come to my room?"

"Be there in five."

She arrived in three, looking concerned. "What's wrong?"

I told her everything—about Kade's proposal, about being named Luna, about the three-day deadline.

Nina listened without interrupting. When I finished, she said, "What does your gut tell you?"

"That I'm in way over my head."

"Besides that."

I thought about it. "That maybe this is what I've been looking for my whole life. A place to belong. A purpose. A real home."

"Then that's your answer."

"But what about Kade? What if he regrets this later? What if he meets someone he actually wants as a mate and I'm in the way?"

Nina laughed. "Have you seen how he looks at you? Trust me, you're not in the way. You're exactly where he wants you to be."

"He's just being protective because of the baby."

"Keep telling yourself that. Maybe eventually you'll believe it." She sat beside me on the bed. "Mira, I've never seen Kade like this. Happy. Open. Almost human. You're good for him. And I think he's good for you too."

"This is all happening so fast."

"Sometimes the best things do. You can spend your life being careful and safe, or you can take a chance on something amazing. What's it going to be?"

I looked down at my stomach, where my baby was growing. My child deserved security. Safety. A pack that would protect them.

And maybe, just maybe, I deserved those things too.

"I'll do it," I said. "I'll become Luna."

Nina squealed and hugged me. "This is going to be amazing!"

"Or a complete disaster."

"Either way, it'll be interesting."

After Nina left, I sat alone with my decision.

Luna. Pack leader. Mother. Partner to one of the most powerful Alphas in the region.

A month ago, I was a reje
cted, wolfless nothing with no future. Now I was about to become something I never imagined.

It was terrifying.

It was also the best thing that had ever happened to me.

I just hoped I was strong enough to handle it.