HOLDEN: Book Two of The Dark Moon Series

Chapter 1

LUKA'S POV

All of my life I had dreamed of this moment. I had everything planned out down to the pair of socks I was going to wear. I knew how my hair was going to look, what shirt I needed to iron so it wouldn't wrinkle. I knew what tie would match best with my suit and the perfect cufflinks to button on. I even knew how I was going to brush my teeth. This was the one time I knew everything that was going to happen and I was completely prepared. And yet... I never expected this.

I never expected to be holed up in my room too afraid to go outside my door. I never expected to be dreading this day. I never would have thought that this could happen. And it's not because Thomas was able to infiltrate our pack and boldly threaten both my father and myself. It's not because my girlfriend is worried about the flocking of females to me when this day ends. It's not because Naal seems to be avoiding me. It's because the one person that means the most to me may not even be outside.

That's what has me so scared. That my best friend, my angel, my Raelynn may choose to avoid this day because of the hurt I inflicted on her. Because of my negligence and lust I could stand out there searching the crowd and not see her beautiful face. And I don't want that to happen. I would rather skip the entire ceremony than have to bear that pain.

"Luka? Are you ready?" Zuri's voice on the other side of my door isn't as soothing as I thought it was. It doesn't heal the ache or clear my mind. In fact all it's doing is annoying me.

"Just give me a second. I'll be out soon." I fall against my bed another time and sigh. How could she affect me so much? When did my well-being centre on her? Why does everything I think or do of revolve around Raelynn Dawson?

"She's out there Luka. You don't have to worry. I saw her myself." My breathing stops and my heart races.

"Are you sure?" I ask, my voice sounding shaky. Why am I so reliant on her?

"Yes I'm sur-"

"Luka open the door." Her voice is sharp and annoyed and makes me want to smile. We haven't spoken a word to each other since our fight. Four months, six days and twelve hours. That's how long it's been.

I get up from my bed and make my way to the door. I can sense her on the other side. I can feel her irritation and impatience but I can deal with that. As long as she's here I can handle her.

Opening the door I come face to face with this fourteen year old girl. I wasn't allowed to attend her birthday this year because she was still upset with me. I haven't seen much of her either but right now she looks perfect. Her hair isn't curly as I am used to. Instead it is straight and curls past her shoulders. It's seems much darker in colour when it's straight than when it is curly.

The baby fat in her cheeks is gone and her teeth are straight. Her eyes are sparkling with many emotions but I can see she is just as relieved to see me as I am with her. She's wearing makeup and I don't like it. It's on her lips and her eye lids, even her eyebrows have changed. They seem to have more shape to them now.

She's grown so much... too much. Brushing past me Rae walks into the room and sighs.

"Luka why are you still up here?" I close the door on Zuri and turn to my growing angel.

"I'm getting ready." Rae turns back to me and I get a full view of what she's wearing. It's a white dress that ends at her knees. With a black collar and a black sash at her waist she looks cute and quaint and young as she's supposed to. I like that she's dressing her age.