Page 25 of A Luna's Dynasty
"I understand there's hurt here," he acknowledged. "But there's also strength, and a promising future for our pack. We should want what’s best for our alpha.”
Felicia's face crumpled, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I—I just want what's best for Asher," she choked out, her voice wavering. "I've always wanted that."
With a dramatic sob, she turned and fled, her retreating form disappearing into the trees. The pack watched her go, a mix of emotions playing across their faces.
She's good, Lita thought.Even now, she's trying to paint herself as the victim.
Asher's silver eyes locked onto Lita's, his jaw tightening as he strode toward her. The crowd parted, murmurs fading into a tense silence. When he reached her, his large hands cupped her face, thumbs brushing her cheekbones.
"I'm sorry. This day was supposed to be about you.”
“That wasn’t entirely your fault, but I think you need to really consider your choices here. You don’t know everything about me.”
“I don’t have to. You’re my mate, my luna, my everything. Nothing will change that. As long as you want me—” He stopped, staring into her striking emerald eyes. “Do you?” She nodded her head, and a broad smile spread across his lips. “That’s it, then. It’s settled.”
“But Asher—” He prodded her nose.
“It’s settled. I’m going to resolve this with Felicia. I’ll make sure she understands it’s truly over.” Without a moment of hesitation, he took off in the direction Felicia had headed.
Lita stood rooted to the spot, her gaze still fixed on the treeline where Asher had vanished, and a gentle hand on her shoulder startled her. She turned to find Caden's warm, brown eyes regarding her with concern.
“Consider me your official bodyguard for the time being. Asher's orders, though I'd have volunteered anyway.”
“I don’t need a bodyguard.”
“Until you’re marked and made a member of this pack, you do. Well, think of me as your best friend, not your bodyguard.”
Lita felt a genuine laugh bubble up from her chest. "Is that what we are?"
"Oh, absolutely," Caden grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "The comedic beta and the healing luna. We're practically a supernatural movie waiting to happen."
She glanced back to where Asher had disappeared to. As annoying as Felicia was, she felt for her. She was discarded, and she knew what that was like. It must have been painful to watch the man you love reject you for a stranger, all because of the mate pull.
The mate bond is powerful, Mira reminded her.But is it powerful enough to override true love?
What are you saying?
I’m saying that his feelings for her had to be shallow.
The mate pull could change a lot. After all, she never wanted to find a mate. She was determined to resist the mate bond. She even ran away from Asher. But if she was being honest, she wasn’t running away from Asher. She was running away from the pain of rejection. It wasn’t that the mate bond had changedher, but that it allowed her to realize what she really wanted. She wanted a mate … she wanted HIM.
What else did she really want? This. To belong. And that scared her even more, because if Asher rejected her now … how badly would she be broken?
Chapter 14
Lita greeted the unfamiliar faces one by one. They all offered welcoming smiles and were excited to meet her. Caden was byher side through it all, offering his comforting presence. She was surprised by how normal it all felt.
"You're a natural, Lita," Caden murmured, his brown eyes twinkling with amusement.
Lita laughed, the sound tinged with a hint of wonder. "I'm as shocked as you are. It feels ... right, somehow. Like I've finally found my place." Not meaning to say that last part out loud, she quickly clamped her lips shut. But it was how she felt. Here, among these strangers, who looked at her with such open acceptance, Lita felt a warmth blooming in her chest that she hadn’t expected. It was a stark contrast to the cold silence she'd endured in her former pack.
A flash of golden hair caught her attention, and Lita turned to see a man approaching. He moved with fluid grace, his presence commanding yet not overpowering. As he drew near, he bowed his head respectfully, a kind smile playing on his lips.
"Luna Lita," he greeted, his voice a melodious baritone. "I'm Caspian Green. It's an honor to finally meet you." He was undeniably handsome, with chiseled cheekbones and eyes as blue as a summer sky. A part of her couldn't help but compare him to Asher, noting the stark differences between Caspian's golden warmth and her mate's dark intensity. Caspian was very attractive, but not quite at Asher’s level.Was anyone, though?
"The honor is mine," Lita replied, surprised by the steadiness in her voice. "I'm still learning everyone's names and faces. I hope you'll forgive me if I'm a bit slow on the uptake."
Caspian's laugh was rich and genuine. "There's nothing to forgive, Luna. We're all just thrilled to have you here. Besides, I plan to make it a point that you remember my name."
