REJECTED LUNA: CARRYING THE ENEMY'S CHILD

Willa

"Are you going to throw that surgical tray, or put it down?"

I didn't turn around. My knuckles were stark white as I gripped the edge of the clinic counter. "I might throw it, Maya. I haven't decided yet."

"Willa, stop." Maya’s voice was softer now. She walked up behind me and gently pried the tray from my hands. "You’re shaking."

"I’m angry," I snapped. "I am so bloody angry I can hardly breathe."

"I know."

"Do you?" I spun around, leaning back against the counter because my legs felt completely hollow. "Three years, Maya. Three years he was out on the northern borderlands leading the elite vanguard strike force as the Alpha's heir. I wrote to him every single week. I waited. We promised each other."

"People change in the wild zones, Willa."

"He didn't just change!"

"I ran out to the courtyard today when his convoy pulled in. I practically threw myself at him. And you know what he did?"

Maya looked down. "I was there. I saw it."

"He stiffened. He looked at me like I was a stranger holding a cup of coffee he didn't order. He told his guards to get me out of the way so he could go see the Alpha." I choked out a bitter, hollow laugh, wiping a stray tear before it could fall. "I'm just the orphan pack doctor again. The charity case they took in off the borders. Not good enough for the returning crown hero."

"Willa, look at me," Maya said, grabbing my shoulders. "You are not hiding in this clinic tonight. The Alpha is hosting the Vanguard Accolade for him in an hour. The entire pack will be there."

"I’m not going. I’d rather swallow silver."

"You are going," Maya ordered, her tone shifting into command. "You are not going to let him, or anyone else in this pack, think you are broken over him. You’re going to walk into that hall, you’re going to look incredible, and you’re going to show Travis Keene exactly what he threw away."

I shook my head. "Maya, please."

"Get out of those scrubs," she interrupted, already pulling a garment bag from her locker. "I bought this dress two months ago for the winter solstice, but you need it more. Put it on. Now."

I stood staring at my reflection in the clinic bathroom mirror, hardly recognizing the girl staring back. The dress was midnight blue, clinging to every curve I usually hid beneath oversized lab coats, with a slit that ran dangerously high up my thigh. My dark hair tumbled over my shoulders in wild waves, and my lips were painted a deep, bruised red.

I looked dangerous. I looked like I didn't care.

It was a lie, but it was the best armor I had.

The Great Hall was filled with wolves. Champagne glasses clinked, and loud music pulsed through the boards. I kept my chin high, walking the edge of the ballroom. I didn't want to look at the stage, but I couldn't stop myself.

Travis stood near the Alpha’s throne, flanked by high-ranking elders.

God, he was beautiful. He had always been handsome, but the boy I loved had vanished. The man standing there was lethal. He wore a tailored suit that stretched across his impossibly broad shoulders, his dark hair messy, his jawline sharp and covered in dark stubble. His Future Alpha crest was pinned to his lapel.

I turned away quickly, heading straight for the secluded balcony doors. I really needed air.

I stepped out into the biting chill of the terrace, wrapping my arms around myself.

"You shouldn't be out here."

The deep voice sent a violent shockwave down my spine. I froze.

I turned slowly.

Travis stood in the doorway. His hands were shoved into his pockets, but his dark grey eyes were locked onto me, sweeping down the length of the blue dress. For a split second, his chest heaved, a sharp gasp tearing from his lips as his pupils completely dilated.

But just as quickly, the ice returned.

"The balcony is reserved for council members and pack royalty," he said coldly.

I let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Good evening to you too, Future Alpha Keene."

"Go back inside, Willa. You’re shivering, and you’re out of place."

My temper, simmering all afternoon, finally exploded. "Out of place? Is that my new title? Because this morning I was just a roadblock."

Travis stepped out onto the balcony, letting the door shut behind him. The air instantly felt too tight, charged with an aggressive electricity.

"Don't start this," he warned, his voice dangerously low.

"Start what?" I shot back, closing the distance between us until I was looking right up into his arrogant face. "A conversation? We used to have plenty of those. Before you decided you were too important to speak to me."

"I was leading a military campaign. I didn't have time to play pen-pal with you."

"Play?" I shoved his chest hard. He didn't even budge, but his jaw clenched tight. "We loved each other, Travis! You promised me."

"We were kids," he snapped, grabbing my wrists and pinning them to my sides to stop me from hitting him again. "I grew up to inherit a pack. You should try it."

"You arrogant, heartless prick," I spat, yanking my hands free. "You think that silver pin makes you a god? You're a coward. You couldn't even look me in the eye today."

"Because looking at you is a distraction I can't afford!"

"Oh, I'm a distraction now? Try a mistake, Travis. Try a regret!" I yelled, my chest heaving. "I hate you. I swear to the Goddess, I completely loathe you."

Snap.

It was a physical sound in my head.

The wind shifted.

A scent hit me so hard my knees actually buckled. Rainwater, cedar, and dark, burning firewood. It flooded my senses, drowning out the music, the cold, the entire world.

My inner wolf clawed violently to the surface, howling a single, desperate word.

Mate.

I gasped, stumbling backward until my spine hit the stone railing. My eyes blew wide.

Travis froze. All the color drained from his face. He stared at me, his chest rising and falling in erratic, jagged breaths. His eyes bled from storm-grey to pitch black, the wolf taking over instantly.

"No," he choked out.

"Travis..." I whispered, my voice trembling.

In a blur of motion, he crossed the balcony and slammed me back against the wall. His hands tangled violently in my hair, his mouth crashing down onto mine.

I groaned into his mouth as the mate bond ignited, sending liquid fire burning through my veins. He tasted like bourbon and mint. I threw my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, deeper, burying my fingers in his dark hair. He pressed his body completely against mine, his thigh wedged between my legs, trapping me against the stone.

"Mine," he growled against my lips, his hands sliding down my waist, gripping my hips tight enough to bruise. "Mine."

"Travis, please," I begged breathlessly, arching into his touch.

He moved his mouth down my jaw, his hot breath making my skin prickle. He found the sensitive crook of my neck, grazing his teeth over my pulse point with a dangerous warning and a promise. Then, he bit down.

I cried out, throwing my head back as his fangs broke my skin. The marking was agonizing and euphoric all at once, sealing the bond deep into my blood. He sucked the mark gently, his hands trembling as they roamed over my body, pulling me flush against him. Things were spinning out of control. I wanted him. I wanted everything.