Chapter 4 - Luna Laura

Mina POV - 7 days to go

-

After her speech, the crowd slips back into party mode as easily as if it is the only thing the came for. The music grew louder but the chatter rose above it as wolves turned to each other to speak on the failed presentation. Or at least, that's what Mina thinks they must be discussing. She's sure she doesn't imagine the edge of disappointment in the air, nor the judgement that follows it.

She dares herself to look back towards Alastor. He hasn't moved, but he no longer looks her way. Instead, his focus is solely on the gorgeous red head at his side, whose musical laughter reaches Mina even from across the room. Luna Jade is captivating, wearing a green dress that flows over her curves and is cut to accentuate her strong warrior build. There's a magnetism to her that has a small crowd forming around the couple, a natural leadership Mina is jealous of.

It cuts deep that Alastor isn't even looking her way, but she can see the tension in his body from the stage. He is static, rigid, fist tight around his drink that she wonders if the glass will break. Can he sense her looking at him? Does he not care?

Him and Jade will make great leaders of Red Spire and, in turn, will form a strong alliance with Clear Blue, further protecting and strengthening the pack. She's not surprised he stays at Jade's side after what just happened. She knows he has to. The alliance is more important than their bond... right? Still, she can't help but wonder why there is no touch between the pair. Shouldn't he have his arm around her or her have a hand hooked on his elbow?

Her mind starts to race, lungs tightening with each breath. It shouldn’t be him, it couldn’t be. The ache of knowing he can’t be her's blooms harsh and sharp in her belly. She presses a hand to it as if the touch would keep her held together and smiles to the crowd.

"Williamina, come here, Darling." Her mother's voice coos from behind her. The sound makes her grimace but successfully pulls her from her stupor. She can't think about Alastor right now, not when her mother is smiling at her. "Let's go have a chat in my office."

As Mina follows her mother off stage, she pauses by Sam and Chloe, squeezing her friends hand and giving them a smile. They'll make a good pair. He's always working and she'll bring a bit more fun to his life. She whispers her congratulations then leaves for whatever conversation awaits her.

-

"Who is it?" The Luna asks, the moment the pair sit either side of her desk. Its large expanse fits well in the chilling room of her office, the uninviting air just slightly warmer than her mother's mood most days.

"What do you mean?"

"Come on, Williamina, I saw your reaction. I don't know why you didn't announce your fated mate, but you found him, didn't you?"

Mina is shocked and her words catch in her throat. Her mum leans forward, resting her elbows on the desk and putting her chin on her hands.

"I knew it." She grins. "Who is it?"

Mina's mind races. Should she tell her mother about Alastor? Maybe she will be able to help her sort the alliance deal to partner Luna Jade with another wolf? 

No. She can't do that. Alastor doesn't want her. She knows as much in the way he didn't move their bond formed, in the way her turned from her the moment the party started again and the way he hasn't tried to mindlink her since. He's happy with his arrangement with Luna Jade and she can't take that from him.

"I don't know what you mean. I didn't find my fated mate." She answers, hoping her voice doesn't waiver.

"Oh? So why did you move to the edge of the stage?"

"Just in the hopes of catching a scent that I maybe couldn't scent so far back."

"You know it doesn't work like that."

"I forgot."

The Luna purses her lips and rocks back in her chair, eyeing Mina in a way she hasn't done before. There is a sharp analysis in her gaze but also the shine of something else.

"Just tell me it isn't that Hayre boy." Mina jerks, but the move is so small her mother doesn't seem to notice as she continues. "I never liked your relationship with Owen. He is not mate material for a Clear Blue Luna."

Mina takes a breath. "It's not Owen."

"Good. So that means it is someone else." Efore Mina can protest, she lifts a hand so silence her. "Whatever issue is stopping you announcing it, sort it out. You have 7 days until the pack will look to the next in line to lead. Fix it."

She isn't given the opportunity to argue and is waved out of the office. Though it's a relief to leave the interaction unscathed, the whole conversation makes her mind spin. Her mum knows she found her fated mate and is trusting her to make it work with him. If only she knew that the wolf in question is already promised to another wolf.

Mina's stomach twists. She doesn't know what to do. She can't risk the alliance, and she can't force Alastor to be her mate even though he prefers Jade. How the hell does her mum expect her to fix it?

Nausea churns inside her, burning the back of her throat. Her skin is clammy and heats with every passing second in the stifling building, feeling scrutiny even with no other wolves in the hallway.

The thought of going back to the party, and to everyone's intrusive eyes, is too much in that moment, so Mina gathers the skirt of her dress and heads for a side exit, away from the packhouse hall. She isn't sure how she keeps her composure as she strides past some gardens and out of the building but she does. She has to. Lest she draws attention to herself and rumours begin to circulate.

No doubt some already were.

It isn’t quite a failure to be the next wolf in line to lead and not finding a mate at the ceremony, but it is rare. Little did they know that she has found her first mate, he’s just already promised to another wolf. She thinks on Alastor. If it wasn't for Owen and Jade, he would be a fine match. He’s a warrior, a leader, attractive... She knows her mother would approve. She might even crack a smile. 

Goddess, she’s screwed.

The chilled night air brushes against her in a cool relief that allows her to take a sorely needed breath. Then another. And another. They slowly quell her anxieties just enough to keep her on her feet and push away her nausea. She doesn't stay at the side door. Instead, she’s moving again, sneaking down the alley at the side of the packhouse.

Shadows cloak the thin cobbled path in a protective darkness, and she presses against the packhouse wall to hide among them. The cool stone against her bare shoulders soothes her and she leans against it like an anchor stopping her from floating away. What the hell is she going to do?

Suddenly, there's a voice. 

“We're alone twice in one day, Princess? I’m starting to think this isn’t a coincidence.”