His Reluctant Luna

"I am fine, Rick, honestly. Lucian saved my life for the second time." I told my brother.

Rick frowned and glanced at Lucian, then me.

"Second time?" He asked.

"Yes, when dad died in that hotel fire. Lucian was there. He saved me. I

remember everything now."

I explained how we met in that burning hotel when we were kids. Rick blinked as if trying to comprehend the information.

"How did you get back your memory?" Rick asked puzzled.

"I don't know, probably because of the repeated incident related to fire. A doctor might explain it better." I replied.

"You saw who killed our father?" He asked softly.

I nodded. Though I did not know anyone by their faces. Rick then turned towards Lucian; he had a much softer demeanour now.

"Thank you for saving my sister's life. I owe you one, Lucian Blake. I wasn't aware that you were also present in that Alpha meeting," Rick said a little stiffly.

I rolled my eyes; I did not understand why my brother hated Lucian.

"I was 13, and my dad started me early for taking over the Alpha role. I had no idea she was your sister and my future mate. I would have done the same for anyone." Lucian said shrugging.

"How are you feeling, Alice? Are you strong enough to travel? Linda and everyone else is worried sick, and the twins haven't stopped asking about you." Rick asked.

"I am fine Rick, but Lucian and me, we need to sort out a few things," I said turning towards Lucian meaningfully.

"I don't have any objection. But I am worried about her security. It's the second attempt on her life...." Lucian started to say.

"Which happened on your compound. I can take care of my sister; she was pretty safe at Jade Moon until you dragged her away against her wish." Rick snapped.

"What do you mean dragged her away, she is my mate! She came here with me as per her wish." Lucian retorted, anger emanating off him.noveldrama

"Oh! Stop it, both of you!" I finally lost my patience.

"I don't care what issues you both have, but for God's sake, stop quarrelling like kids. I am old enough to make my own decisions." I stood up from the bed and glared at both Lucian and Rick. Both towered over me by at least 1 foot, but it was comical the way they both shut up after my outburst.

"Rick I will return with you, but first I need to clarify a few things with Lucian," I turned towards Lucian who had an unreadable expression.

"Very well, I will wait for you," Rick replied.

It was a similar scene again. Rick waited downstairs while Lucian and I were in his study, sitting across the table as if ready for another negotiation.

"Go ahead," I prompted when neither of us said anything for several minutes.

He cleared his throat as if waking up from a daze.

"Well, as I was saying. I agree with you, we must reject each other?" He said stiffly as if fighting with himself.

"So, you are rejecting me?" I could feel a lump in my throat. Lana was restless and mourning.

"You brought his upon us!" She hissed.

He did not reply, instead fished out something from his pocket. He opened his palm and revealed the ring. My engagement rings!

It was smudged a bit with soot, but after a little cleaning, it would be as good as

new.

"You found my ring!" I blurted.

"The Betas found it while dousing the fire," he looked down at his palm, "it survived the fire, miraculous, isn't it?" He said softly as if talking to himself.

"Lucian...."

"Take it," he ignored my remark and placed the ring in my palm.

The ring weighed heavy, not due to its physical weight, it was a symbol of my arrogance and stupidity. I closed my hand tightly, hoping to crush it.

"So, that's it?" I asked questioningly.

He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. His lips twitched into a slight smile.

"Isn't that what you wanted, mate? To be free? I am rejecting you, Alice, you are free to leave. I hope you have a good life. Ex-mate."

The impact of those words was so strong, it knocked the wind off my lungs. I placed my hand on my chest, as it was ready to explode with pain. I deserved it.

"I am sorry, for everything," I managed to say through the lump which was hurting my throat.

"Me too," He said.

That is it? Here I was sitting with a heartache. I should have been happy; this is what I had always wanted. Stay out of this mate business. Instead, what I got in return was a life of loneliness and despair. Lana was so miserable she was not even talking to me.

"What about your pack? I mean, what will you say to them?" I was already missing Katherine, Savannah and Rain with her witty blabbering.

"Don't worry about them, I can handle them. They will obey my command." He said with a determined look.

I felt hurt, how could he let me go so easily? Then cursed myself for being so selfish.

***************

A few hours later, I arrived at the Jade moon pack. Rick had gone overboard with security. There was not an inch of campus or a common area that did not have CCTV cameras. It was due to the rogue attacks and intrusions, according to him.

"I am so glad you can join us for Christmas," my sister-in-law Linda said, hugging me as I entered the living room.

"I am glad to be back as well," I smiled, another person caught my attention. Someone unexpected.

"Aunt Flora? When did you arrive?"

She gave me her serene smile, while daintily nibbling her fruit platter and staring at the TV.

"Oh, hello dear," she said casually as if I never left London.

"Why didn't you tell me aunt Flora was here?" I asked Rick.

"She surprised us as well, she said she is needed here when she suddenly

landed two days back. I forgot to mention her in all the excitement at the crimson shadow." He said while shrugging his shoulders.

"Excitement? What happened?" Linda asked.

"Nothing serious, we'll talk about that later, Love," Rick replied to her and proceeded with her towards the kitchen, asking me to join. I replied I would join them after meeting with Aunt Flora.

"Aunty, what are you doing here? I didn't know you were planning a holiday; we could have left London together." I said, casually plopping down next to her.

"Oh, I didn't know I would be needed here at that time. And I had to take care of your apartment and the luggage. I have shipped all your stuff and your apartment has been rented out."

"WHAT! " I almost shouted. "You did what?" I wanted to knock my head. Was I hearing right? "Where am I supposed to live when I go back?"

"Oh! You are not going back, dear." She smiled calmly.

"Aunt Flora....how could you?"

"Shhh, let me watch my soap opera. It's at a very crucial point." She shushed me and continued watching TV.

I was livid with rage, but talking to aunty was like talking to a wall. She responded

only when she wished. I suddenly recalled Lucian's words.

"Aunt Flora, can I ask something?" I asked softly.

"Uh, uh," she responded without removing her eyes from the screen.

"Are you a witch?" I asked cautiously.

She turned towards me; her blue eyes had an amused look.

"Of course, so was your mother." She winked and turned back towards the

screen.

"So, does that make me a witch or something?" I asked again.

She chuckled and held her palm on my cheeks.

"You are just a wolf, Alice, a stubborn wolf."

I had no idea what that was supposed to mean, but I was relieved, Lucian did not

lie to me. Thinking about him gave me another round of depression and I went to my room to cry it out. After a good round of crying, I caught up on my emails and phone messages to distract myself. I had not checked them in ages. There were several frantic voice messages from Mark, which was expected. I needed to talk to him, I was unfair to him as well.

"Baby, where are you... I am so worried, I am taking the next flight to Florida...."

"I am at the airport; I think I have your brother's address. Call me dear." The voice message said.

What no! Mark was coming here. Shit! I was not ready to deal with this new

problem.

I scanned through my emails. He had sent me his flight details; Mark was landing tomorrow!

Damm! I needed to talk to Rick, or Emma, anyone.