Page 34 of A Luna's Dynasty
“Well?” Kristen asked, and Lita realized she had zoned out.
“I’m sorry, what was that?”
“What was it like? Fighting against those wolves? I’m not a fighter … at all. My wolf isn’t dominant.”
“It was ... intense,” she began, her green eyes distant as she recalled the chaos of the battle. “Everything happened so fast, but at the same time, it felt like time slowed down. I could sense every movement, every threat. I probably could have fought better. Maybe next time, not even get hurt. I just need more experience.”
Kristen listened intently, her eyes wide with admiration. “That sounds incredible. You should be so proud of yourself!”
Lita shrugged. “Proud of myself?” A small smile played on her lips. “It’s just ... I’ve always been on the outside, you know? Even as the alpha’s daughter, I never quite fit in. I used to go above and beyond for acceptance, but it didn’t matter. And now, I guess a part of me wonders if I’ll ever be good enough, strong enough … if I can really be accepted.” It was a first, but she was finally opening up. She looked up at Kristen, wondering what she thought, but there was something in Kristen’s eyes that made it seem like she understood.
“This is something I don’t talk about much now, but … I’m an omega. I’m not a strong wolf, and I thought that meant I was destined to be alone. But Garrett didn’t care about my strength. I thought my fated mate would reject me, because no one wants an omega for a mate. Did you know that Asher is my cousin? Weird how he’s an alpha, but I’m weak. My wolf took after my mother’s side of the family. She wasn’t weak, but every once in a while, the weak gene pops up. Genetics.” Kristen looked up at the ceiling. “I understand you. In this pack, weakness is frowned upon. I was never cast aside. Even omegas have a role here, butas far as mates go, I’d accepted I would be rejected.” She grabbed a dress and held it up, looking at the mirror. “I was at one of the pack’s bonfire parties. It was a time to wind down and relax. I was playing with the children when Asher came down with his officers. I knew Garrett, and we weren’t friends but he was nice to me. I always thought he was cute but out of my league. I remember hearing him brag about wanting a powerful female by his side.” She pursed her lips as she stared at her reflection.
“My mate sense woke up that night. I remember smelling the most amazing scent, and then my eyes met with his. And I remembered feeling so much pain, because I knew what he wanted, and it wasn’t me. I left the party immediately. I didn’t want to be humiliated publicly. He followed me down to the lake. I remember staring at the moon on the water and begging the Moon Goddess to make it as painless as possible. And you know what?” She turned and looked at Lita with misty eyes. “He apologized to me, and I thought, ‘this is it, here comes the rejection.’ But then he said he was sorry that he was my mate, and he understood if I wanted someone better. If I wanted someone better?! I stood there, just gaping at him like an idiot because I was in shock. He told me that he’d had a crush on me for a long time but never had the courage to tell me. He was so happy that we were mates, but he could see I was disappointed and wouldn’t force the bond on me. He thought I was disappointed.” She let out an airy laugh.
“I told him I’m not strong. I’m weak, afraid to fight, and the sight of blood makes me run. I was not the person he wanted as his mate. I told him I came to the lake so that he could reject me privately. I remember how he came up to me and cupped my cheeks. He was angry. He told me to never speak that way about myself again, and I would be doing him the honor of being his mate. He promised to dote on me and be my shield. I didn’t ever need to worry about fighting, because he would fight for the bothof us. He told me that our bond wasn’t about rank or strength. It was about who we were together, how we complemented each other.” She wiped her eyes with a smile. “He might frustrate the hell out of me sometimes, but I love him to pieces. I was someone special to my mate. I was the person he needed. Garrett was made for me, and I realized that I was made for him, too.”
Kristen’s eyes suddenly lit up, a radiant smile spreading across her face. “You know, Lita, it was at that moment when I finally accepted myself that I truly felt the strength of our bond. It was like a surge of warmth and power, connecting us in ways I never imagined possible. I realized then that I wasn’t just Garrett’s mate. I was his equal, his partner in every sense. Our love wasn’t about fixing each other’s weaknesses but celebrating our strengths together. I could be me … I was enough. And that’s what you need to remember, Lita. You are enough, just being you. Despite what you think, you’re the person Asher needs, and he’s who you need, too.”
“Thank you for telling me your story. There are things that I need to talk with Asher about, and then it will be up to him. My own pack didn’t want me because of my secret, and I wouldn’t blame Asher if he felt the same way. Sometimes, even if you want something, for the good of the pack—”
“Not my cousin.” Kristen giggled. “Asher has his heart set on you. Plus, he’s heard the stories from his parents about how fated mates are a blessing and to never ignore the mate bond. He lost his parents, just like I lost mine in the battle several years ago. You’ll notice a lot of the more mature wolves in this pack are gone because of it. These last few years, Asher has been dedicated to making this pack even stronger, and you are someone who can do that for our pack.”
Lita knew that Kristen’s words were meant to reassure her, but it made her think of what Felicia said. Was he ignoring how he felt about her so he could strengthen the pack? Mira wasright, though … the mate bond was only as strong as you wanted it to be. And if you wanted a chosen mate because you loved them, you could ignore the mate bond and reject it. Asher could ignore the pull if he wanted to. Were his feelings that shallow for Felicia, or did he desire strengthening the pack that much?
As much as Lita wanted this, to have a home, she wanted it for the right reasons. She didn’t want to be accepted because she would level up the pack. Was it too much to really want to be loved?
She looked down at her feet and couldn’t believe her thought process. Love. She wanted love. After telling herself for years that she didn’t, and thinking she could convince herself otherwise. Deep down, her heart told her what she wanted, and she wasn’t going to fake out her mind. It was more than belonging to a pack. She wanted to be loved by Asher. Damn … she was really setting herself up for hurt now.
“Lita,” Kristen said, her voice filled with sincerity, “I want you to know that I’m here for you, as a friend, whenever you need me.”
A lifetime of loneliness and rejection from Lita’s own pack came crashing down around her, and suddenly, she found herself enveloped in Kristen’s embrace. This stranger was showing her more kindness than she’d ever experienced from her own pack.
Hot tears spilled down Lita’s cheeks as she clung to her newfound friend. “Thank you.”
Just then, the door burst open, and Asher’s silver eyes flashed at Lita’s face.
Asher’s gaze snapped to Kristen, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “What did you do?” he demanded, his protective instincts flaring. He rushed over to Lita, cupping her cheeks with his hands. “Are you okay?”
“Kristen didn't do anything wrong. She … she was really kind to me. I’m not used to it, and I guess I got overwhelmed.” Lita tried to wipe away her tears, but Asher did it for her, softly wiping each wet streak with his thumb. His eyes softened as he brushed his lips over her eyelids.
“You’ll get used to it. Because every day, I will shower you with so much love that you’ll get tired of it.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her to his chest. “This is where you fit the best. Right here, in my arms.”
She nestled closer, closing her eyes and inhaled his scent. A subtle smell came from Asher’s shirt, and she immediately recoiled away. Her eyes began to water and her throat felt tight. That smell. She covered her mouth, fighting the urge to get sick.
“Lita—”
“That smell—”
“Caden is cooking with anise oil, and—”
“Please, I can’t—” The scent overwhelmed her senses. Her mind drifted in a spiral, and she was no longer in the present. She was back in the past … reliving that day.
Chapter 20
Sunlight filtered through the lush canopy as Lita and her mother strolled hand in hand through the colorful forest. The air hummed with life. Butterflies danced on gentle currents,and birdsong cascaded from the branches above. Flowers seemed to outstretch and bloom more as they walked through the grass.
“Mother, do you remember when I tried to catch fireflies in that old jar? I swore I’d keep them as pets!”
