Page 84 of His Fated Luna

Talking was the last thing I wanted to do.

Now I was down to just my boxers and undershirt, and she kept her eyes glued to my face like it was her lifeline. My eyes locked onto hers.

“You looked gorgeous. Every unmated alpha there was staring at you. All the lunas were too busy gawking at my hot luna, wishing they could carry a dress like that and had curves like you,” I nodded towards her. “Stop second-guessing yourself.” My voice came out rougher than I intended, and I could see the way my words were pulling her in.

And then—I felt it. That spark. She was turned on. She didn’t even know it yet, but I did. And fuck, it made things worse.

Her hand reached out—like she was going to touch me. But just as quickly, she seemed to snap out of it and bolted into her room, heart pounding loud enough I could hear it. Shit, I wanted to run after her, grab her, and….

I collapsed onto the sofa with a groan once she disappeared from sight. I closed my eyes and let the memories of tonight haunt me.

Ever since I saw her in that tiny emerald dress, all I could think about was getting it off her. I wanted to see if her breasts were as soft and full as they looked in that damn neckline. I wanted to run my hands from her knee to her thigh, just to feel her against me.

Was this just the mate bond talking? Or was it… something more?

I forced myself to breathe. She deserved better. Someone who loved her. Worshipped her. Not some selfish guy giving in to lust.

I knew she probably felt something for me. That pull between mates—it was strong. But she didn’t understand what it meant. She couldn’t. Taking advantage of that would’ve been easy. Too easy. And what kind of person would that make me?

I kept breathing. It’s just the proximity. Just the bond. Just me being a young guy with a sex drive. That was it. I didn’t actually have feelings for her. Right?

The protectiveness, the way I wanted to shield her—that was just friendship.

I remembered the way Alistair had glared when I put my arm around her. The guilt. The promise I made to Lexia.

“When I figure out how to break the mate bond, I’ll make you my luna. I’ll reject her after her turn, and we’ll be together.”

That’s what I told Lexia when I ended things. Because it wasn’t fair to stay with her when I was this drawn to Rose. But lately… I was thinking less about Lexia. And more about Rose.

Why?

Unbidden, I saw that image again—Rose, with her shirt torn, her lip bloody, crying and thrashing.

No. I’d never let anything like that happen to her again.

Rose's POV

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of loud banging on the wall. My groggy mind reeled and I winced.

“Princess, I know you like to sleep in, but we’re expected at breakfast in an hour!” Aiden’s voice was loud, annoyingly chipper.

I groaned. “Do I have to wake up now?”

“Yes,” he called back. “We have to be on time for breakfast with the three other aligned packs to discuss our own agenda before presenting it today. I’m coming in now—I need to use the bathroom.”

Frantic, I tried to pat down my hair and rub my eyes. Great. Morning gremlin mode activated. He came in just as I was struggling out of bed, and we bumped right into each other.Before I could even fall, he caught me—his arm wrapping around my waist, steadying me against his chest.

“And I thought I had too much to drink last night,” he teased, and my heart did a dangerous little flip in my chest. Too close. Too warm.

I mumbled something about needing the bathroom and slid out of his grip, cheeks flaming. After I scrubbed my face and brushed my teeth like a woman possessed, I let him take over the bathroom.

“Do I really need to call Diego for breakfast glam?” I asked as he walked in, fully expecting him to insist I look the part of a luna.

“Do what makes you feel comfortable,” he replied with a shrug and closed the door behind him.

Istood there for a second, surprised. Comfortable, huh?

At breakfast, Aiden offered to grab our coffees while I wandered around with a plate in my hand, barely able to stomach anything at this hour. I finally settled on a croissant and jam. When I sat down and took a sip of the coffee he’d brought me, I was genuinely surprised—sweet with a hint of cinnamon. He knew how I liked it?