The Alpha's Luna, A Destiny Divided

Chapter 2

Luna's POV

The world spun around me as I tried to process what had just happened. A mate bond. With an Alpha I'd just met. It was too much, too fast, and every instinct I had screamed at me to run.

"No," I whispered, pushing against his chest with what little strength I had left. "This can't be happening."

The Alpha's arms tightened around me, his voice a low rumble. "Easy, little wolf. You're in no condition to go anywhere."

I wanted to argue, to fight, to flee, but my body betrayed me. The pain in my leg flared, and darkness crept at the edges of my vision. The last thing I saw before unconsciousness claimed me were those piercing amber eyes, filled with concern and something else I couldn't quite name.

When I came to, I was lying on something soft, the scent of pine and earth surrounding me. I kept my eyes closed, trying to get my bearings. The events of the clearing came rushing back, and I had to stifle a groan. Mate bond. Alpha. Injury. Great.

"I know you're awake," a deep voice said from nearby. "Your heartbeat changed."

Slowly, I opened my eyes, blinking against the soft light filtering through unfamiliar windows. I was in a bedroom, spacious and comfortably furnished, lying on a large bed. The Alpha sat in a chair beside me, his amber gaze fixed on my face.

I pushed myself up, wincing as the movement pulled at my injured leg. Looking down, I saw it had been cleaned and bandaged.

"Where am I?" I asked, my voice rough.

"My home," he replied. "I brought you here after you passed out. Our pack healer tended to your wound."

*Our* pack. As if I belonged here. I bristled at the implication.

"I appreciate the help," I said stiffly, "but I'll be on my way now."

His eyebrows rose. "And where exactly do you plan to go?"

The question hit me like a physical blow. Where *could* I go? I had no pack, no home, no destination in mind beyond 'away.' But I couldn't stay here. I couldn't.

"That's none of your concern," I snapped, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. The room swam for a moment, and I gripped the edge of the mattress to steady myself.

The Alpha was on his feet in an instant, reaching out to steady me. I flinched away from his touch, and hurt flashed across his face before he schooled his features into a neutral expression.

"Look," he said, his voice gentler now, "I know this isn't ideal. But you're injured, exhausted, and clearly running from something. Let us help you. At least until you're healed."

I wanted to refuse. Every lesson I'd learned over the past weeks screamed at me not to trust, not to let my guard down. But I was so tired. And a treacherous part of me, the part that resonated with the new bond humming between us, wanted nothing more than to accept his offer.

"Fine," I said finally, the word tasting like ash in my mouth. "But only until I'm healed. And this," I gestured between us, indicating the mate bond, "doesn't change anything. I can't... I won't..."

"I understand," he said, though the tightness around his eyes suggested otherwise. "We'll take things one day at a time." He paused, then added, "I'm Callum, by the way. Alpha Callum Blackwood of the Silver Creek Pack."

I hesitated, weighing the risk of giving him my real name. In the end, exhaustion won out. "Luna," I said simply, offering nothing more.

Callum nodded, accepting my reticence for now. "Rest, Luna. We can talk more later."

As he turned to leave, a question burst from me before I could stop it. "Why are you doing this? You don't know me. I could be dangerous."

He paused at the door, looking back at me with those intense amber eyes. "You're my mate," he said simply, as if that explained everything. "And even if you weren't, I'm an Alpha. It's my duty to protect those in need."

With that, he was gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the uncomfortable warmth of the mate bond thrumming in my chest.

I sank back onto the bed, my mind whirling. How had everything changed so quickly? This morning, I'd been alone, on the run, with no one to rely on but myself. Now I was in an Alpha's home, injured and vulnerable, with a mate bond I never wanted tying me to a stranger.

As exhaustion pulled me back towards sleep, one thought echoed in my mind: I couldn't stay here. No matter how safe it felt, no matter how much the mate bond urged me to accept Callum's protection, I couldn't risk bringing my troubles to his pack.

I'd leave as soon as I was healed. I had to.

Callum's POV

I leaned against the closed door, taking a deep breath to calm my racing thoughts. Luna. My mate. A woman clearly running from something, someone who looked at our bond with fear rather than joy.

Part of me wanted to go back in there, to hold her and promise that everything would be alright. But I knew that would only push her further away. Whatever had happened to her, whatever she was running from, had left deep scars. Scars that wouldn't heal overnight.

With a sigh, I pushed off from the door and made my way to my office. I had a pack to run, and now a mystery to solve.
"Alpha?"

I looked up to see my Beta, Rafe, standing in the doorway. His expression was a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Come in, Rafe," I said, gesturing to the chair across from my desk.
He sat, his eyes searching my face. "How is she?"

"Physically? She'll heal. The rest..." I shook my head. "She's been through something, Marcus. Something that's left her wary of trusting anyone."
"And the mate bond?" he asked cautiously.

I couldn't help the growl that rumbled in my chest. "She wants nothing to do with it. Or me."
Rafe eyebrows shot up. "But surely she feels-"

"Oh, she feels it," I interrupted. "And I think that scares her more than anything."
We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation hanging between us.

"What are you going to do?" Rafe finally asked.
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration and determination warring within me. "Give her time. Space. Show her that she's safe here." I met Rafe's gaze, letting my Alpha authority color my next words. "And find out what she's running from."

Rafe nodded, understanding the unspoken order. "I'll put out some feelers, see if there's been any unusual activity in the neighboring packs."

"Discreetly," I emphasized. "If someone's after her..."

"We'll be ready," Rafe assured me.
As he left, I turned to look out the window, my thoughts on the woman sleeping in my guest room. Who was she really? What had happened to make her so afraid? And how could I convince her that her place was here, with me, with our pack?

One thing was certain – I wasn't letting her go without a fight. She was my mate, and whether she liked it or not, that made her my responsibility. My to protect. My to cherish.
If only she'd let me.