Page 42 of Chasing Luna

“Okay, that would be all.” My grandmother’s voice forces us both out of our seats.

“Hey, walk around with me?” Kenji asks and grabs my hand. With a nod, I hook my arm underneath his and we proceed to the garden.

“You’re joining the ambush later, aren’t you?” I ask tentatively.

“Yes, it’s why I’m here actually. Your grandmother asked for reinforcements from other packs. Of course, I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to see you again, Isabela.”

Stopping underneath the shade of an old oak tree, I turn and face him. “So, what you’re saying is, you’re here for me and not for my family?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Yeah,” he says plainly and grins.

“How shameless,” I retort and push him away, only to be pulled against his chest.

“If I don’t make it out alive tonight, I need you to know something.” He leans in close to me, and I make no motion to pull away.

He'd pull antics like this when we were kids, testing the waters and seeing if I’d get flustered. But after spending summer after summer in our shared vacation home south of the country, I got used to it. Since then, we’d do this to each other for fun. For some reason, my family and Kenji’s family have been good allies with one another, with records of working together dating back as early as the nineteenth century. Though my family views them as a necessary ally, I never saw Kenji as a pawn. I only saw him as a friend.

I move closer to him, and smile. “What is it?” I mutter.

“I know why the Midnight Walkers are attacking your family. But I can’t tell your grandmother yet unless I confirm something. I need to see it for myself later,” he reveals and pulls away.

“What? What are you trying to confirm?” I hold my breath.

“If the Alpha is the Queen’s first mate or husband, something like that.”

Chapter Forty-One

I think someone up there must hate me. Otherwise, my life would be so much easier. I sigh. “What are you talking about? My grandmother didn’t marry anyone else except for my grandfather.”

Kenji looks around and puts an arm around me. “You little cutie, so naive.” He directs me to the edge of the garden, away from the direct view of the people inside the estate. He cups my face gently. “Your grandfather is the second mate, the side chick if you will.”

I let out a strangled laugh at that. “Shut up! I thought you were serious.”

He stares at me, wide-eyed and unyielding. “I am serious, Isabela. The Queen had a mate before she took over the Raging Demons pack.” He leans his weight onto me as he drapes an arm over my shoulder. “However, after a few months of being together, he disappeared. Some said he couldn’t take your family’s wretched ways.” I clear my throat at his choice of words, and he grins sheepishly. “And so, he ran away. However, some said that he died suddenly, and was buried right here in your estate.”

What? Is he really serious about this?

He shrugged. “No matter the reason though, it was still strange how one day, he was just… gone. After that, the Queen united with your grandfather, and here you all are.” His eyes flicker somewhere beyond me and he beams. “Anyway, I have my duties to fulfill tonight.” He pats my head lovingly. “I’ll see you after all of this is done.” He leans in as if to kiss me, only for a hand to suddenly appear between us.

I take a step back and look at the owner of the hand. “Please refrain yourself from committing any indecent act, especially if it makes Princess Isabela uncomfortable.” Gregory’s hard stare appears intimidating from where I stand, but Kenji stares back at him, amused.

Kenji directs his attention again to me. “Isabela, I’ll see you tonight.” He sneakily maneuvers his way around Gregory’s hand and quickly gives me a kiss on the cheek, to my surprise.

“That is, if you make it out alive.” I smirk.

“Oh, I will.” He winks at me and walks away, leaving me and Gregory alone.

I start walking back to the estate, and Gregory follows me close behind. “Are you okay?” Gregory asks after a while.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I stop abruptly and spin to face him.

“Because he kissed you.”

I smile at that. “It’s fine. Kenji is my friend. He’s done that since we were kids.” I shrug and he continues to follow me until I reach my room.

“Iwasyour childhood friend, too,” he mumbles softly.

“Yes, that is true.” I reach to open my door, but he tenderly pries my hand away from the doorknob.

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