The Alpha's Luna, A Destiny Divided

Chapter 3

Luna's POV

The next few days passed in a haze of restless sleep and wary interactions. True to his word, Callum gave me space, though I could feel his concern through our unwanted bond. The pack healer, a kind-faced woman named Elara, visited daily to check on my leg and bring me food.

On the third day, feeling stronger and increasingly restless, I decided it was time to venture out of the room that had become both sanctuary and prison. I needed to scout my surroundings, to plan my eventual escape.

I limped to the door, cursing my still-healing leg, and eased it open. The hallway was empty, sunlight streaming through large windows at one end. Paintings of landscapes and wolf packs adorned the walls, giving the place a homey feel that made my chest ache with an emotion I refused to name.

As I made my way down the hall, voices drifted up from below. I froze, straining to listen.

"...can't just keep her locked up here, Callum," a female voice was saying, frustration evident in her tone.

"She's not locked up, Nora," Callum's deep voice replied, a hint of a growl underlining his words. "She's healing. And she's free to leave whenever she wants."

"Is she?" the woman – Nora – challenged. "Or are you hoping she'll stick around long enough to accept the mate bond?"

My breath caught in my throat. How many people knew about the bond?

"That's enough," Callum said, his voice carrying the unmistakable weight of an Alpha command. "Luna is under my protection. Anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with me directly."

The conversation moved on to pack business, but I'd heard enough. Clearly, my presence was causing tension. All the more reason to leave as soon as possible.

I continued my exploration, mapping out exits and memorizing the layout of the house. Just as I was considering venturing outside, a new scent hit me – unfamiliar wolves approaching. My body tensed, old fears resurging.

Before I could retreat, the front door opened. Callum's scent washed over me, momentarily soothing my frayed nerves, followed by several others I didn't recognize. I pressed myself against the wall, hoping to remain unseen, but Callum's head snapped up, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Luna," he said, surprise and something warmer coloring his tone. "I'm glad to see you up and about. Come, meet some of the pack."

I wanted to refuse, to run back to the safety of my room, but I knew that would only draw more attention. Steeling myself, I descended the stairs.

Callum's eyes never left me as I approached, concern evident in the slight furrow of his brow. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly.

"Fine," I replied curtly, hyperaware of the curious gazes of the other wolves.

A tall, athletic woman with short black hair stepped forward, her green eyes assessing me with unconcealed interest. "So this is the mysterious Luna," she said, her tone just shy of challenging. "I'm Nora, the pack's Head Warrior."

Ah, the voice from earlier. I met her gaze steadily, refusing to be intimidated. "Nice to meet you," I said, the words feeling foreign on my tongue after so long alone.

"Luna, this is Rafe, my Beta," Callum continued, gesturing to a broad-shouldered man with kind brown eyes. "And this is Finn, our Head of Security."

Finn, a lean wolf with watchful gray eyes, nodded in greeting. His gaze was sharp, assessing, and I knew he was cataloging every detail of my appearance and behavior.

The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard. These wolves – this pack – they seemed genuinely welcoming. It had been so long since I'd felt anything close to acceptance that I didn't know how to respond.

"Thank you," I managed, fighting the urge to fidget under their collective gaze.
Callum must have sensed my discomfort. "Luna's still recovering," he said, smoothly inserting himself between me and the others. "We shouldn't overwhelm her."

Part of me bristled at his protective stance – I could take care of myself, thank you very much – but another part, a part I was trying desperately to ignore, appreciated his consideration.

"Of course," Nora said, though her tone suggested this wasn't the end of it. "We'll catch up later, I'm sure."
As the others moved deeper into the house, Callum turned to me, his amber eyes searching my face. "Are you really alright?" he asked softly. "I know this must be... overwhelming."

For a moment, I was tempted to let my guard down, to lean into the comfort he so clearly wanted to offer. But I couldn't. I wouldn't.

"I'm fine," I repeated, taking a step back. "I should rest."

A flash of disappointment crossed Callum's face before he masked it. "Of course. But Luna..." he hesitated, then forged ahead. "You don't have to hide away. This pack – we take care of our own."

Our own. The words hit me like a physical blow. I wasn't one of them. I couldn't be.

"I'm not staying," I said, the words coming out harsher than I intended. "As soon as I'm healed, I'll be gone."
Hurt flickered in Callum's eyes, quickly replaced by determination. "We'll see," he said simply.

As I retreated to my room, I could feel his gaze on my back, heavy with unspoken words and unfulfilled promises. The mate bond hummed between us, a constant reminder of what I couldn't allow myself to have.
I had to leave. Soon. Before I started to believe I could belong here.

Callum's POV

I watched Luna disappear up the stairs, fighting the urge to follow her, to demand answers, to beg her to stay. But I knew that would only push her further away.

"Well, she's... intense," Nora said, coming to stand beside me.
I shot her a warning look. "She's been through something traumatic. Give her time."

Nora held up her hands in surrender. "Hey, I get it. Mate bonds are serious business. But Callum..." she hesitated, then plowed ahead. "You have to consider the pack. If she's bringing trouble-"

"Then we'll face it," I cut her off, a growl rumbling in my chest. "Together. As a pack."

Nora nodded, knowing better than to push further. As she walked away, Rafe approached, his expression thoughtful.
"What is it?" I asked, recognizing the look on my Beta's face.

"There are rumors," he said quietly, "of a pack to the north that's been... unstable. Power struggles, wolves going missing. It might be nothing, but..."

"But it might be where Luna came from," I finished, my mind racing. "Look into it. Discreetly."
Rafe nodded, then hesitated. "Callum... what if she doesn't want to be found?"

The question hit me like a punch to the gut. What if Luna's rejection of our bond wasn't just fear, but a genuine desire to remain unattached? Could I let her go, even if that's what she truly wanted?

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," I said finally. "For now, our priority is keeping her safe and helping her heal. The rest... we'll figure it out."

As Rafe left to begin his investigation, I found myself staring up the stairs, towards the room where Luna was hiding herself away. The mate bond tugged at me, urging me to go to her, to comfort her, to claim her as mine.
But I resisted. Luna had made it clear she needed space, and I would respect that. For now.

One way or another, though, I would unravel the mystery that was Luna. I would discover what haunted her, what made her run. And when I did...
Well, let's just say that anyone who had hurt my mate would soon learn why I was called the Alpha of Silver Creek. And why that title was feared by those foolish enough to cross me or mine.