Page 56 of A Luna's Dynasty
Lita felt her chest constrict as Felicia voiced the words she'd been worried about.
“He chose me without the mate bond. We weren’t forced together … we just were. We came together naturally. But the Black Ice Pack would never forgive him if he rejected his fated mate. After all, we’ve made it our goal to become stronger. It’s common knowledge that fated alphas and lunas make a pack more powerful.” She looked down and shook her head. “He didn’t have a choice. He had to take you as his mate even though he loves me. I’m the one he wants … I will always be the one he wants. When he’s sleeping with you, I’m the one he’s thinking of. His heart will always belong to me.”
“Felicia, what exactly is the point of this conversation? Why are you talking to me about it? Do you want me to feel guilty? I was the one who was dragged here from my home. I never forced him—”
“You are his fated mate. He didn’t have a choice!” Felicia turned and glared at her. “Why am I telling you? Well, because I want you to understand.” Her lips curled up in a poisonous smile. “One day, he will get his pups from you … the next generation that’s needed for our powerful pack. After that, he will start coming back to me. He won’t be able to deny his heart, no matter how much his instincts pull him to you. Logic chose you, but his heart chose me. Logic can’t convince the heart. Remember this talk when that day comes. And remember that you stole him from me first.”
Lita blinked, a fire igniting inside her. “Are you telling me … to my face … that you will sleep with my mate?!” The audacity of this woman. So this is how two women fought over a man. Oneof them becomes hostile and disrespectful, and regardless of the situation, the other must defend themselves. It isn’t so much about the man as it is their own self-respect.To kill her or not to kill her,she thought to herself.
Thumbs down. Thumbs down. Thumbs DOWN!Mira came to the surface, shouting as if she was Caesar deciding Felicia’s fate.
Felicia smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “I'll be there for Asher—always just a whisper away. Whenever he needs solace from his ... obligations. If Asher wants to hold me, then I’m his, whenever he wants—” SLAM! The impact of knuckles on flesh resounded like a clap of thunder, a physical manifestation of Lita's wrath. Blood began to trickle from her nose and she let it run down her face without wiping it.
Lita was trying to maintain a level of control, even though what she really wanted was to teach Felicia a lesson. “And here I was feeling sorry for you. But right here tells me everything I need to know about you—”
“You know NOTHING! I love him. I’ve been in love with him. Why wouldn’t I give myself to him? You think because you’re his fated mate that I should just step aside? Even if he wants me?!”
“Felicia, do I look like the type of woman who would EVER share her mate? If Asher wants you, then he can have you. I won’t be part of any situation where trash like you is my competition.”
“So now I’m trash because a fated mate showed up?!” Felicia growled between clenched teeth.
Lita stared at her cooly, keeping her composure. “Not at all. You were trash before I showed up.” She watched as Felicia’s eyes widened and she clenched her fists.
“The stupid mate bond!” Felcia began to cry hot tears. “It’s the only reason he’s with you! He still wants me, and I will still give him pups one day. You might as well get used to it. You can go ahead and ask him about it. He will deny it, but deep down,you know it’s true. You know he only wants you for the sake of his pack. It isn’t you he wants. It’s all about making the pack stronger. You know … if he wasn’t the alpha, then he could be with me freely. He chose the pack over me, and he would choose the pack over you! Don’t be fooled with his honeyed words. In the end, you’re a pawn. A strategic piece he needs.”
"Listen to me, Felicia," Lita began, her voice a low thrum vibrating with unshakable conviction. "I will not be swayed by your tears or your anger. Asher is my mate, and I am his luna—not by some twist of fate, but by a bond that the Moon Goddess herself decided. Maybe Asher chose me to strengthen the pack, but this is just the start of our journey. I will tell you that I will never share my mate. I will make this point perfectly clear. Love is not a game … it isn’t a possession to be won or lost. It’s a bond. Whether it’s fated or not, the bond should be fortified with trust, respect, and love.”
Lita decided then and there that she would call Asher on his bluff. He would choose her or the pack. Enough of these damn head games. She wanted to know which one he wanted the most—a strong pack or her. Maybe it wasn’t fair to ask, but how else could her heart be sure?
A strange scent hit Lita’s nostrils, a scent she’d encountered just the other day. Her eyes widened as she began to look around. They had reached the border of the pack territory. She didn’t realize they had come so far during their fight. The bushes to the far side started to shake, and two strange wolves stepped into the clearing. Felicia took off running in the opposite direction, not toward the pack house but through the border.Damnit!Lita quickly ran after her. She was going to get herself killed by acting irrationally.
Mira, get ready. We’ll have to fight, but we’ll wait and take them by surprise. They don’t know how big you are.
I’m ready when you are.
Lita sprinted through the high brush, trailing Felicia. She heard growling up ahead and realized she was surrounded by rogues.How in the hell did that happen? I didn’t even sense these other ones.Lita looked around but didn’t see where Felicia had disappeared. Hopefully she got away, but now she was the prime target.
There were now seven wolves, and it was too many to handle at once.Mira, if this is it, let’s give them hell before we fall.
Don’t kill us off just yet. Smell that?Lita picked up on the scent the instant Mira uttered the words. It was a strong smell, one she wasn’t familiar with—that of pine and spring water. But then the sound of galloping came crashing toward them. In a magnificent display, centaurs burst from behind the trees, sending the rogues yelping and running for their lives. One of the centaurs stopped in front of Lita protectively. He growled as he pointed his spear at her.
“What are you doing out here?! And alone?!”
Lita blinked at the half-man half-horse. “What am I doing out here?! What are you doing out here?” She stayed on guard but was secretly excited. She had never seen a centaur before, and now, one was speaking to her. Suddenly, little brownies jumped from the tree above her and landed on her arms.
The centaur chuckled. “Looks like they’re excited to see you. It’s the same reason I’m here. Where is your guardian?”
“He hasn’t arrived yet. How are you connected to the fairies?” He was not a fairy but was clearly in league with them.
“There are many different creatures that are aligned with fairies. Some are more than allies … they are protectors. Centaurs have a kinship with fairies.” The wind blew, and a cold chill swirled in the air. “It isn’t safe for you here. Let me take you back with me.”
“This is my pack territory. I’m okay.” Lita motioned behind her and heard the slight scoff from the centaur.
“They aren’t doing a good job taking care of you if you’re out here all alone. I insist you come with me until the guardian arrives.” The centaur reached out his hand to Lita.
Lita stared at his hand, then backed away from him. “You’re correct in being cautious, young fairy.” He reached down and a few brownies hopped onto his hand. “Do you not trust your kind? They know I’m trustworthy. Please come with me.”
“You may be on my side, but I still can’t leave. I belong here with my mate and my pack.”
