Page 97 of His Fated Luna

“I had to. I couldn’t shift in front of everyone. So I ran to the side of the tent where no one could see me, and I froze myself halfway. That way, I could rip the tent open but still use my arms to get you guys out.”

“You were so brave and heroic,” she gushed, leaning forward as words of praise fell from her beautiful full lips.

I didn’t think of what I did as heroic. It just had to be done.

“This…” I lifted my hand and let her see as my fingernails extended into claws, “...this doesn’t hurt. I tried just shifting my hands first, but my human-like claws weren’t sharp enough to cut the tent. I had to go full semi-beast mode.” Slowly, my claws retracted back to normal.

She stared at me, completely awed.

“No one ever explained all this to me before,” she breathed out, moving to now recline in her chair with palms flat on the table between us.

Well that much was clear with the way she was now processing this new information.

“I guess I always felt a little self-conscious asking about it since I’m already twenty and can’t shift like everyone else,” Rose added ruefully.

Pride filled my chest at being the first person she felt comfortable discussing this with.

“You can ask me anything Rose. There’s nothing wrong with being curious about your shift. Most of us get an introductory course on it before we turn sixteen. A pack elder is assigned to help us and answer all of our questions. Half-human hybrids are so rare…we don’t have anything set up in the pack to help you. But we should,” I acknowledged, realizing I had failed miserably in this aspect of my role as her alpha. Why hadn’t I thought of this before? Oh…because I was too busy trying to convince myself I wasn’t falling for her when I was.

“You went through all that pain to save us,” she spoke, voice full of wonder. She was looking at me as if I was a hero. When I wasn’t. I was a selfish bastard who had completely ignored her needs. But that had to change. “That takes serious willpower. You literally fought your shift. I don’t think I could ever do something like that.”

I stared down at my milkshake, my voice low. “You’d be surprised what you’re willing to do to protect the people you care about.”

I hadn’t expected Jake to be here, but the moment he smiled down at Rose, it was like my world narrowed. The only thing I could focus on was this asshole talking to my mate!

“I didn’t know you were coming,” he said to her, grinning like they had some inside joke. “These types of events aren’t really your thing.”

I clenched my hands at my sides, jaw tight. The way he looked at her—so comfortable, so damn familiar—it ate at me. And Rose? She smiled at him in a way she never smiled at me. That hit harder than it should have.

She giggled, clearly a little buzzed. I could tell by the light sway in her stance and the looseness in her laugh. Why couldn't she look at me that way? With that easy going smile and familiarity? Why did I always have to get her guarded looks?

“I guess Aiden convinced me to live on the wild side tonight,” she joked, her laughter bubbling over like she’d just cracked the best joke in the world. “Get it? Wolves… wild!”

Goddess, she thought that was hilarious. It sort of was, but I was too angry to laugh over her cute jokes. But Jake laughed. And the way he looked at her—it wasn’t innocent. His eyes dipped to her chest. His mouth parted slightly, and I could feel the change in his scent, the way his body tensed. He was attracted to her!

A low growl rumbled in my throat as my arm snaked around Rose, pulling her against me. I didn’t like the way he was looking at her—like she belonged to him. Jake’s eyes were filled with something close to worship, and Rose, unbelievable Rose, kept feeding it. Laughing with him. Smiling at him. Not at me.

So I did the only thing that made sense at the moment. I reached behind her neck, turned her face toward me, and crashed my mouth over hers. Drunk or not, I needed her to know. I needed everyone to know.

I felt the flash of phones as people started snapping pictures. My tongue delved into her mouth and I nearly groaned when she responded in kind. I kissed her possessively, not caring that we were the center of attention.

Let the whole damn place see. She was mine. Not Jake’s. Never Jake’s. The camera flashes increased intensity.

The lights made her jerk back, face flushed bright red. She looked adorable.

Then her eyes darted around, a note of panic in her voice.

“Where’s Tony?”

Right. He was supposed to be our ride. I just shrugged, not even bothering to look away from Jake. My cousin’s jaw was tight now, his fists clenched. That easy smile? Gone. Good.

Rose laid a hand on Jake’s arm, cautious, almost apologetic. I knew that look. She was worried about how that kiss might’ve hit him. I could see it all over her face.

“You OK?” she asked softly, her body leaning in toward him.

Jake looked down at her, eyes softening in an instant.

“Yeah… yeah, I’m good,” he said, voice quiet, kind.