Heart of a rogue

* Chapter 14 - cheesecake seduction

Declan's pov

Alani had been quite adamant when she demanded I search for a Luna. Her voice, firm but understanding, echoed in my mind. She told me to forget about Lucille, reminding me that it would be a long while before she could function normally, let alone run a pack by my side. The truth of her words lingered, and it felt like a heavy stone sinking in my chest; my sister was right.

My pack had craved a Luna for so long now. They had accepted my mourning for Lucille, had even waited through the rough months for me, but now, with Lucille back and declared lost... They wanted a different Luna. They couldn't wait years for her to recover. Her reputation, darkly notorious, already made them uneasy. She was rejected, wholly and without question, and though it pained me, I understood.

In the days that followed, Alani introduced me to countless other women, as determined in her efforts as I was reluctant in mine. Some were from my pack, others were from allied groups. She even arranged for me to meet her friend Charlotte. And although it all felt forced, Charlotte, at least, was the only one to spark a flicker of interest. A striking brunette with a fiery nature that lingered in my mind.

Unlike the others, Charlotte wasn't demanding. She didn't seem to care much for status or territory—she just respected my boundaries, which was rare. I agreed to meet her a few times, and after she respected my space and didn't push, I felt ready for more. So I agreed to a formal date. Alani had practically burst with excitement, handling every detail, from the sleek black car waiting at my door to the overly elegant dinner reservation she had made.

Charlotte looked beautiful, effortlessly, with long blond hair framing her face and piercing blue-grey eyes that held a depth. They reminded me of storm clouds over a winter sky. As we settled into our conversation, I couldn't help but ask her about her mate. Of course, my sister had already briefed her about Lucille.

"Not at all," she replied calmly, though her voice wavered slightly. "He was the previous Beta of my pack; he was killed in battle during a rogue attack."

A flash of pain crossed her face, but she quickly masked it. "Ever since I met him, I wanted children, but unfortunately, he died before we had the chance. I'm looking for a family, Alpha Declan."

"You don't have to be so formal; Declan is fine," I said softly, sensing her hurt and wanting to ease it. "I'm sorry for your loss; I know that hurt a lot."

She gave a quiet nod. "Your situation is just as painful as I can imagine." Her voice was kind, without a trace of pity.

"It is... a tough situation," I replied, the words hollow but honest.

"Well, if you ever want to talk about it, I don't judge." Her gaze was steady, reassuring. I thanked her, appreciating her gentle approach.

Yet, my instincts warred with my mind. My body ached to go to my mate, but my mind knew Lucille wasn't ready to be Luna. If only I hadn't said those things back then, maybe she wouldn't have run. Maybe I wouldn't be in this mess now. But on the other hand, perhaps some good had come out of it. Because of Lucille's departure, I had started the rehabilitation camp, reunited families, and brought stability. There was some solace in that.

Charlotte and I talked a while longer, weaving through small topics and getting to know each other. Alani had shared a lot about her over the years, and through the stories, I felt as if I'd known Charlotte a little already. She wasn't here for power or rank; she genuinely wanted a family and seemed content with simple things. "Is there a limit to how many children you want?" I asked, trying to gauge her hopes.

She shrugged, thinking. "I don't quite mind. Maybe two or three. What about you?"

"One male would be fine to continue the bloodline," I admitted, my thoughts lingering on the future rather than the present.