Colliding Dreams

Chapter Nine: The Space Between Us

[Luna's POV]

After such a hectic few days, I decided I needed a breather and wanted to walk around the pack. According to my brother, now that Ulferix knows where I am and his omegas are already in my hometown, the safest place to be is in the pack town, protected by enchanted spells and barriers deep in the heart of the forest. The enchantment is tied to Darius' blood, which means only members of the Bloodmoon Pack can access it. But it also means leaving behind my entire life back home—my school, my house, everything.

Trent and Dad already left to gather our things, along with Lydia's parents. We'll be starting at the local Pack High School soon. It's just a small building compared to my previous school. Instead of typical math and science classes, we also have battle studies, lycan history, and other mythical lessons. Honestly, I'm looking forward to those.

As I walked past the mansion—or, as I now know, the Bloodmoon Castle—I followed a path of gravel stones that led to a garden at the back. That's when I heard his laughter—the kind that makes butterflies, no, dragons, or maybe the entire zoo stir inside my stomach. I leaned against the wall at the edge of the garden, watching from a distance. Darius was there, surrounded by a group of toddlers, probably pack member children. He was playing with them, teaching them about the flowers.

As I watched him, my mind started drifting, wondering what it would be like if Darius and I had our own family. Wait, what? I shook the thought away, feeling Selene stir inside me. Before I could stop myself, I heard her voice. "Mate," she said softly, and suddenly, my feet were moving, walking toward Darius on their own.

He looked up as I approached, his eyes locking onto mine, and for a brief moment, it felt like the world slowed. The playful laughter of the children faded into the background, and all I could hear was the pounding of my heart.

"Luna," he greeted, his voice warm but questioning as I stopped in front of him. The children, still giggling, ran around us, oblivious to the sudden tension in the air.

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words got stuck in my throat. How could I explain the surge of emotions? The pull toward him? The future that I just saw flash in my mind, with our own children playing in the garden?

Instead, I simply smiled, trying to push the overwhelming feelings down. "You're good with them," I managed, nodding toward the kids.

Darius' lips quirked into a smile. "I've had plenty of practice. My younger cousins used to visit all the time."

The moment hung between us, unspoken words lingering. Selene's presence was strong, her desire clear, but I wasn't ready to confront that yet. I needed more time, more clarity.

"I'll leave you to it," I said quickly, turning before I could say anything else. But as I walked away, I could feel his eyes on me, burning into my back.

As I walk through the pack town, my thoughts keep drifting back to Darius. There's something about him—something beyond just the mate bond. He's not just the Alpha or my protector. There's a gentleness beneath his powerful presence that makes me feel... safe. The way he was with those kids, so at ease, so warm—it's a side of him I didn't expect, but now that I've seen it, I can't help but be drawn to it.

I shake my head, trying to push the thoughts away. Get a grip, Luna. Everything's happening so fast, and I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel about any of this yet. The bond is strong, but my emotions are all over the place. Is this real, or is it just the mate bond pulling us together?

As I wander deeper into town, I notice something strange. Pack members bow their heads when they pass me. At first, I assume it's out of respect for Darius, but then I realize—they're bowing to me. It feels odd, and honestly, a little uncomfortable. Is this how they treat their Luna? Their Alpha's mate? I've never had this kind of attention before, and it's unsettling.