Page 2 of A Luna's Dynasty
She giggled and looked up at him. “You want to die a martyr?”
He let out a sigh as he stared into her naïve eyes. Her fresh-faced innocence only added to her charm, though it pained him that she seemed oblivious to his true feelings. She had a way of brightening his day with just a simple smile, and his thoughts were constantly consumed by her. Being near her brought him a sense of peace and contentment that he couldn’t find anywhere else.
She didn’t look at him that way. To her, he was just a friend, like an older brother. The pack’s tradition held strong—findyour fated mate, not a chosen one. The idea of being bound to someone by fate was exhilarating. To find that special person who would make you stronger and who you would produce stronger pups with. This type of love was not simply a choice, but a divine gift bestowed upon those who were meant to be together. Because of this, most kept things casual or had friends with benefits. They attended mating parties regularly to allow everyone the chance to find their mates. Lita never went to the parties because she said she didn’t care to find her mate. And he was getting tired of waiting for his fated mate, especially when everything he wanted was right in front of him. So maybe … maybe she would consider him.
“This is nice … having you all to myself for a few moments.” Teo rubbed her shoulders as he stared into her beautiful emerald eyes.
“It’s nice like this,” Lita said with a content smile. “It’s peaceful … I wish it could be like this all the time.”
Teo wrapped his arm lightly around her. “Why can’t it be?” he asked, his breath stirring her hair.
Lita shook her head, unable to meet his gaze. “You know why,” she said, fighting to keep her voice steady. “Drew’s going to claim his mate soon, and then you’ll—” She broke off, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat.
“I’ll what?” Teo prompted gently.
“You’ll both move on. Find your mates, start your own families. And I’ll be … well, who knows what the future holds,” she said quietly.
“What does that mean?” Teo slowly began to play with her hair.
“Just some things I’ve been thinking about. My place in this world … Dad will travel the world, and … with you and Drew having families, my little world will vanish. I don’t know if there’s a place for me here.”
“Lita!”
“Teo, I’ll be alone. Let’s face it. Your mate won’t want you to talk to me anymore and you know it.”
“Who says I’ll find my fated mate?” he said softly, his fingers absently tracing patterns on her arm.
Lita’s brow furrowed, her green eyes searching his face. “What do you mean? Everyone has a fated mate, don’t they?”
A wry smile played at the corners of Teo’s mouth. “Maybe. But what if … what if I’ve already found someone I care about? Someone who isn’t my fated mate?”
“Wow, really? Who is it? Do you think they like you too? But what about your fated mate? And her fated mate? I don’t know, Teo … you know how the pack feels about that. And you don’t want to rob her of finding her fated mate, either.”
Teo let out a quiet laugh. How did she not understand his feelings? “You’re missing the point, Lita.” He stared into her green eyes. Teo’s expression softened, and he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. “What if she doesn’t want her fated mate and avoids trying to find him? Do you think I should tell her how I feel then?” He hoped that, with this puzzle piece, she would finally put it together and see that she was the person he cared about.
Chapter 2
“Lita!” Nathon’s voice rang out by the door. “I can’t introduce you if you aren’t in here.”
Lita jumped and quickly turned to head inside. She glanced over her shoulder at Teo as he followed her. She wondered who he was talking about. She would make sure he spilled it to her later.
As she approached the door, Nathon gently tucked her arm over his and led her inside. “This is my daughter, Lita. Isn’t she beautiful?” This was what her father said on repeat as he guided her through the many rooms of the building. “Ladies, gentlemen, you must meet my daughter, Lita.”
Nathon beamed. “She’s a healer, you know. Youngest in pack history.”
Lita was grateful when Kennedy finally arrived because Nathon had to leave to introduce her brother Drew and his future luna. The ones who would be taking over the pack. He was saving their introductions so he could introduce them both together. Lita used this moment to escape to the side kitchen, though on her way out, she overheard someone talking about her father’s mental strength after having lost two mates.
Her father lost his first mate, Drew’s mother, in a fight against rogues. And his second mate, her mother, was killed by wolves during a thunderstorm. She took in a shaky breath as she pushed the memories away. She was there the day her mother died. It was one of the reasons she had panic attacks during storms.
As she rounded the corner, Teo was waiting there, a glass of something dark in each hand. He didn't speak, just handed her one and offered a wry little smile. “Survive the gauntlet?”
“Didn’t even cry.” Lita grinned and quickly gulped down the contents, shifting her thoughts to today. It was strange for her to be at a party like this. Everyone was being so nice to her. If they knew about her secret, though, none of them would want her there. Just like the other members in her home pack.
“You ready to go back in?” Teo asked, draining his glass.
“Not yet.” Lita felt Mira pacing frantically in her mind.
“Your brother is summoning me. Guess it’s my turn to be paraded around. But if your brother doesn’t call me beautiful, then I’m rioting.” Teo chuckled as he prodded Lita’s nose. “Be good and wait here for me.”
