Luna | The Wolves of Lusana [Vol. 2]

Five

I shoved the key into the lock of my front door. I had moved into my own apartment not two days before and still had some unpacking to do. This was where I would be living until I became the Luna of Lusana. The thought that I would be a Luna of a pack seemed outlandish just as much as being Mated to an Alpha. Elijah was giving me the space I needed which I was grateful for, but I couldn't help but feel upset over the fact that he wasn't here with me. I wasn't sure if that was because of the mystical mate taking hold or if I was just lonely.

With a sigh, I made my way inside, dropping my purse and listening to the satisfying thud when it fell to the hardwood flooring. It had been nearly a month since my birthday and we were just about ready to sign for our divorce. I was ready, but I couldn't help but feel a slight pang of sadness. After all, I was with Andrew for years. Sleepless nights with him were bliss and I was in love with him. I knew it would take time to get over this heartbreak but I still couldn't help but think about Elijah, his brown eyes and chiseled face finding me in my thoughts and dreams even if it wasn't intended. I suspected this was normal for a mated wolf, but I wasn't a wolf. Not unless I was bitten. What would I be like as a wolf? The thought was strange, even stranger than being mated to one.

Suddenly my phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts and back to the present. Bending down, I shuffled through my purse and found it hidden at the bottom. Smiling at the caller ID, I hit answer and pressed the phone to my ear.

"Hey girl!" Clarissa exclaimed, "You've finished your Thesis right?"

"Hey Clarissa, and yes, I just have to submit it."

"Oh good! I'm so happy for you!" She squealed, "Listen, I know that it's been quite hectic lately, but I was wondering if you wanted to go out to dinner with me."

"Um, sure." I replied, "Will it just be you?"

"Yes." She said, "And don't wear sweats, wear something nice."

"Why do I have to wear something nice?" I asked but Clarissa completely sidestepped that question and told me to be at the Longhorn Steakhouse at seven and to not worry about the bill that she would handle it. Then she was saying goodbye and call ended leaving me in an eerie and almost suffocating silence.

Clearing my throat, I waved Clarissa's insistence off, knowing she probably wanted me to wear something nice just because we were celebrating and I made my way toward my bedroom. I didn't own many dresses, the ones I did have were from Clarissa. As much as I wanted to wear a comfy pair of pants and a flattering blouse, Clarissa's words vibrated across my mind. I guess I could dress up, just for tonight. I knew that as soon as I got home, the dress and heals would be off and I would be wearing fuzzy socks and my cute pair of pajamas I found at Target.

Rummaging through my closet, I found the cute chiffon dress hidden in the back, the deep navy color fitting against the color of my skin. Grabbing it, I pressed the dress against my body, looking over at the mirror that hung along the door and smiled. I remembered this dress being comfortable and flowy and didn't hug to every curve in your body leaving almost nothing to the imagination. It was a great choice for dinner, elegant and cute and didn't seem like I was trying so hard to impress. It was perfect.

"I guess I should shave my legs." I mumbled, laying the dress on my bed before finding my only pair of black kitten heals and set them next to it.

With a huff, I padded into my bathroom, peeling my clothes off before running a bath, the hot liquid immediately enveloping the room with steam. Stepping into the large tub, I eased into the water letting the water pool over me as my muscles began to melt and relax under the heat. Getting comfortable, I rested my head back and closed my eyes, listening to the water gushing out of the faucet above my feet. I couldn't help but sigh, feeling entirely at peace.

My mind drifted into sleep a moment after, the water cradling me in its thick and warm embrace. Steady arms were wrapped around me, a comforting presence overwhelming me. His body was pressed up against me while we laid together in the warm and bubble filled tub. I felt calm then, happy even, laying my head back and sighed, resting against their strong body. I knew I was dreaming, there was no possibility that this could be anything but a dream. My front door was locked and the air around us had a thickness about it that seemed almost ethereal. I knew it was Elijah before I could push myself to look, but I couldn't help it. I was drawn to him.

Craining my neck, I looked up at the man cuddling against me, and what I found shocked me and yet, I couldn't stop the excitement that managed to push its way through. My cheeks immediately burned and my body was surely about to scream for him. I needed to get it together. But those eyes of Elijah's were to breathtaking not to look into. Elijah was in a tub with me. I needed to wake up. If I didn't, I wasn't sure what would happen. Who was I kidding, I knew what might happen. But was I willing to see it through?

"Is this real?" I whispered, not expecting the dream version of Elijah to respond.

Elijah smiled, "In a way, yes." Then the cheeky bastard winked, "You may want to wake up so you aren't late for dinner."

"How did you know I was going to dinner?" I asked, pushing myself away from him and sinking lower under the layer of bubbles floating across the surface. I didn't want him seeing me naked. At least, I knew rationally I shouldn't want it, not while I was still married at least.

"Clarissa told me. She invited me." He paused, "I hope that's not a problem."

"Elijah, this is a problem. I can't be having fantasies about you! As much as I don't want to be, I'm still married!"

"This isn't a fantasy, look, it's, um, It's a place in our subconscious where we both are connected. It's common to occur when mates spend time apart. Or haven't fully mated yet, it, uh, helps speed up the process."

"So I'm going to be dreaming about you because our mate bond is horny?" I scoffed, "I'm sorry but I can't do this." I said, looking away and fighting the sudden urge to look back at him, heat beginning to build at the pit of my stomach, and I couldn't help but curse our current predicament. Why am I reacting like this, yeah he was gorgeous and literally made for me, but that doesn't mean I had to give in.

"It's not like I can control who I'm mated to Emilia." He said, his voice calm and yet it had an edge to it, "I'm sorry about what has happened to you over the past few months, but please understand that this is new for me too."

I sighed, "I know, it's just, it's too soon Elijah! I'm trying to get back on my feet and I'm going through a divorce and I'm trying to deal with the fact that you are driving me absolutely crazy and no-one in their rational mind would want to jump into another relationship especially if their still technically in one. I just, I need to be faithful but I can't deny the fact that I do, I—" I paused, looking back at him, "I want you, Elijah. But I can't give in to what I want until my divorce is final and I find some closure. I need time, and I would hope that you can respect that."

He nodded, "I understand. Emilia, I—"

Suddenly, his words began to muffle just as my vision began to blur. Then I couldn't see, all I could do was feel. Elijah pulled me out of the water then, I assumed in an effort to keep me from drowning as my body went numb and limp. Shutting my eyes, I hoped that whatever was happening would be over soon.

I jolted awake, water splashing everywhere, overflowing the tub as it fell to the floor. "Shit!" I exclaimed, rushing to shut the faucet off. "That was a crazy dream."

What other changes would I endure being mated to a wolf? With a sigh, I stood and reached for the towel, hoping to clean up my mess before I caused anymore damage. Eyeing the razor that sat along the edge of the tub, I frowned at my hairy legs, "Yeah, I definitely need to shave." I whispered and got to work cleaning my mess and getting ready for dinner with Clarissa and apparently Elijah as well.