CHAPTER 2: The Position He Want

Mira’s POV

My wrist was instantly grasped by a chilly hand; instinct took control. I didn't consider... I just relocated. The individual struck the floor with a loud, painful thud when I turned, grabbed their arm, and flung them clear over my shoulder.

"Oh no... Mira!"

My heart fell. My friend, Alpha Kael, was flat on his back like a bag of potatoes. I didn't hear him creep up on me, which explains why.

"Oh my moon!" I hurried over to him. "Kael... I'm terribly sorry, Kael! I had no idea it was you! Why would you seize me in the dark like a villain?

Evidently unimpressed, he moaned and gently raised himself.

"I was attempting to be romantic."

"Romantic?" I gave a blink. "Like a kidnapper, by snatching me from behind in the dark? That's not romantic, Kael. That's... I drifted off.

His jaw clenched. He cleaned himself as if I had spilt filth on his regal majesty.

"You used to enjoy surprises."

"Kael, I enjoy flowers. not a heart attack.

He didn't grin.

He actually seemed... irritated. More than irritated, actually. The familiar tightness in his gaze was worn-out irritation, the type that had been building between us for months.

"You're going to flip me every time I try to touch you?" he whispered.

"I didn't say that," I groaned. "I was just afraid of you."

He lowered his voice and took a step closer.

"I came to get you in bed." It's getting late.

Oh. It was there. I massaged the nape of my neck.

"I am aware. I'll be there.

With a little chuckle, as if "coming" meant something different, he grasped my hand and ushered me inside.

He wasted no time in getting to the bed. He pulled off his shirt and sent me the "you know what I want" look. The issue was that I was aware that I wasn't feeling well. I didn't feel desired or connected. I felt obligated.

He moved in closer.

"Come here, Mira."

I gave his chest a little shove.

"Kael, not tonight."

His expression became more irritated as he froze.

"Once more?"

I swallowed, but I refused to back down.

"I'm worn out."

He said, "You're always exhausted."

I fired back, "And you're always annoyed."

His eyes grew gloomy, but not with longing. with rage. with something more difficult and profound.

"Disregard it."

He lay as rigid as a log after rolling onto his side. With pain gnawing at my chest, I gazed at him.

"Kael, what was the purpose of that meeting?" I said. I heard the phrase "Lycan King."

"I'm going to bed," he declared icily.

The wall between us suddenly expanded by an additional inch.

I became aware that I was not going to sleep at all as I watched his back rise and fall in the darkness.

***

I felt like I blinked once when I eventually fell asleep, and when I woke up, Kael was gone.

Naturally.

After letting out a sigh, getting up, and washing my face, I felt a bit less like an abandoned pillow and more like a Luna when I put on a basic gown and pulled my hair back.

When I went to our son's room, Aria was already there.

When she spotted me, she hurriedly said, "Magnus is ready, my Luna." "Clean, clothed, and beaming."

My young son came running over to me and put his arms around my legs.

"Mommy!"

I gave him a firm hug while grinning.

"Sunshine, good morning."

"Mommy, good morning!"

I raised my gaze to Aria.

"I'm grateful."

***

She made a bow.

"My Luna, always."

As always, Ramona greeted us in the corridor.

Having her around as a sister-in-law, the sole surviving member of Kael's family, and most importantly, as a friend, felt great.

Kael wasn't with us when we all went to brunch together. Once more.

I settled Magnus next to me, trying not to scowl. Like statues, my guards stood close by, motionless, devoted, and unflappable. One of them, I promise, didn't even breathe.

Aria smiled courteously when someone asked her to refill a glass or so, Magnus ate contentedly, and Ramona conversed, but a tiny seed of discomfort sprouted inside. Kael was staying away from me.

Throughout the day, I didn't see Kael. nor in the council room, nor in the training fields, and not in the hallways. He was like smoke there, but whenever I tried to grab hold of him, he would constantly slide away.

By nightfall, I was exhausted in a new manner. Emotionally, not physically. I put on my nightgown and went out onto the balcony, where I used to stand and look down at the pack.

The gardens were quiet and serene, glowing gently in the moonlight until...

Below, a shadow shifted. I leaned forward a little and scowled. There was a person in the garden. tall. wide shoulders. familiar outline.

"Kael?" I muttered.

He never spent the nighttime hours in the garden. Never move stealthily like a burglar. What did he do?

I put on shoes without thinking and followed my wolf senses as I discreetly made my way downstairs.

I was hiding behind the bushes when I heard a sound. A quiet exhale, followed by...

kissing.

Loud enough for the moon to hear, fierce, and ravenous. My stomach fell.

No, no, no...

I took a step forward and froze. Kael. In fact, my spouse and I were kissing someone who was leaned up against a tree.

With my pulse pounding, I took a step closer. The girl gently twisted her face and...

Aria? My housekeeper? My chest tightened.

"Kael?" I spoke in a quiet but piercing tone.

He nonchalantly withdrew. Not disturbed, not guilty, nor even ashamed.

On the other hand, Aria appeared to wish to vanish forever and sink into the ground.

"L-Luna..."

Kael responded, "Leave us," without even glancing at her.

With my eyes blazing, I moved closer as she scurried away so quickly that she nearly fell over her own feet.

"How much time?" Silently, I asked.

Kael took a while to respond. He only groaned, irritated once more as though I were the annoyance.

"Mira, you scarcely want me anymore. What are you expecting me to do?

I was shocked as I gazed at him.

"Are you accusing me?"

"Yes," he said plainly. "You loved me once. You used to want me, but now days you stay away from me every night.

"I feel like a stranger sleeps next to me, so I stay away from you!" I lost my temper. "I loved you so much that I gave up everything to be your Luna!"

He sneered.

"Mira, love wasn't the only factor. You concurred since the moon goddess made us fated partners and our parents had been engaged since we were little.

The words resembled another arrow, but this time I was unable to catch it.

"So you believe that?" I muttered.

He gave a shrug.

"I can't continue to act like we're content. You won't even let me to touch you for months. You're keeping me from having sex!

"And Aria?" Slowly, I asked. "She's a maid, my maid, and an omega!"

He remained unflinching.

"At least Aria gives me what I want. What role I desire, and in the most obscene ways as well.

My breath simply stopped, like if he had torn out my heart with his bare hands and thrown it away.

I said, "You're disgusting."

He said, "And I'm done pretending."

His expression was harsh and icy as he took a step closer.

"Mira of Evergreen Pack, I, Alpha Kael of Evergreen Pack, reject you as my mate," he said.