Page 57 of His Fated Luna

I should stop being an idiot and accept our bond.

“This isn’t your fault,” Rose said quickly. “ I can feel your emotions radiating towards me, Aiden. You feel like it’s all your fault. But it’s not! I should have been more careful. From now on, I’ll—”

“You’re not going anywhere without me or another pack member,” I cut in. “We attend the same university. I’ll take you to your lab and bring you back home. The rest of your days, you work in the pack clinic which is safe. We can coordinate our schedules. If I’m not around, Layla will take you. You aren’t going anywhere alone anymore. At least not until I mark you.”

I sucked in a breath. I hadn’t meant to say that last part yet.

“What?!” Rose exclaimed loudly, completely floored. “Mark me?! You said it was too intimate for…for…” She stopped talking, utterly flabbergasted by my statement.

“Please, Rose, we need to do this. It’s for your safety. You’re the one who said you were tired of all our rules. Once you’re marked, you can go wherever you want. You’ll have your freedom back. I’ll be able to tell where you are and if you’re in danger.”

“Wouldn’t I have to change first? And…and…Josie said werewolves administer the mark after the mating ceremony,” she insisted.

“You don’t have to be a werewolf for the mating ceremony or to receive your mate’s mark,” I hedged. “Think about it, human mates can be marked too. But I’d have to wait until you turn to mark you so that our bond would be stronger. I can mark you before your turn, but it wouldn’t be as effective. When I mark you after you’ve turned, I mark your wolf as well. Marking you before your change only marks your human form.” I kept my voice even, almost business-like.

Inside, though, I felt shame. I’d always thought I’d mark Lexia and have a mating ceremony with her. I was going back on my promise to her. But…I didn’t feel as bad as I should have. I didn’t even feel heartbroken over losing Lexia. Why? Because I was developing feelings for Rose. Because something in me was screaming that her safety took precedence. Nothing mattered if my mate was in danger. All that mattered was keeping her safe.

Rose clenched her eyes shut briefly.I knew she was taken aback by my words. So was I. Marking her had been the last thing I ever wanted to do. But even if I was fine with this, was she?

“I need to think about this whole marking thing,” she said evenly.

“You can think about it.” I inclined my head.

I wanted to yell at her that she had no choice in the matter, but knowing Rose, she’d only rebel further. I’d ask Ezra to reason with her later.

Hesitantly, I reached out and skimmed my fingers lightly over her cheek, where the handprint had now disappeared. Her eyes fluttered closed, and I felt warmth spread through me at the sight of her feeling safe. She unconsciously leaned into my touch and it took all I had in me not to cup her beautiful face in my hands.

“You’re so brave,” I whispered. “But I’m going to take care of you. Don’t worry. I’m not going to let anything like this happen to you again. You’re my responsibility.”

Her eyes snapped open, and I saw something shift in them.

“A marking should never be about obligations and responsibilities,” she whispered, pulling away slightly. “I'm sorry, Aiden. Once I’ve turned, I’ll leave. I won’t trouble you anymore. If I had never come back, none of this would have happened, and you wouldn’t be forced to—to…” She stuttered before taking in a shaky breath.

“Stop,” I said forcefully. “Stop right there. You’re a wonderful person. You saved my sister, my family loves you…you’re…” I swallowed hard before pushing through. “I’d like to think you’re my friend…”

It was true. Somewhere between study sessions, dinners at my house, and trying to collectively figure out a way to break this mate bond…we had become friends.

“Werewolves don’t mark friends out of a sense of moral obligation,” she said bitterly.

“They do it if they want to help their friends,” I countered, trying to coax her into understanding.

She let out a small huff, crossing her arms.

“I’ll see you later, Princess. Dr. Danvers said you’ll be out of here in a few days.” I smiled and turned to leave.

“Alpha Aiden,” she called.

I turned back, giving her a sad smile.

“You can call me Aiden, Princess.”

“Alpha,” she said stubbornly.

She still hasn't forgiven me for yelling at her to call me Alpha nearly two years ago. The regret hit me hard. I’d been an idiot.

“They said they had a boss,” she spoke hesitantly. “Ray, the one that hit me…he said he was hired.” She took a deep breath. “No one’s been asking me anything since Dad tried, but…” She paused, gathering herself. “I’ve had time to process things. I mean… It was horrible. I just…needed time to process through it,” she finished. “But the man who tried to…tried to…” She shuddered, unable to say it.

My fists clenched. My only solace was that the bastard was dead.