012~ HIS LUNA

Vaelra

Okay. I admit, trying to escape barefoot with nothing but his shirt and a cloak was probably not my brightest idea.

But my next attempt will be successful. I will make sure of it.

For now, though, I let myself sink deeper into the stone bath.

The warmth that felt heavenly when he dropped me in and left has faded, leaving only a faint heat clinging to my still aching muscles.

Just what the hell did I do to get this sore?

Shifting, I let my gaze wander around the room.

The bathroom alone is larger than the cottage Mama and I shared. Dark stone covers the walls, polished until they gleam under the soft glow of the flickering candels sitting in carved alcoves.

Back in Crescent Moon, we make do with wooden tubs and water heated over a fire, but here, they have a carved wolf's head mounted on the wall, its mouth serving as a stone spout that must have been used to fill the bath.

Who needs this much fucking luxury just to bathe?

Sighing, I let my head rest against the edge of the tub and close my eyes as the last of the warmth slolwy leaves the water.

I need to leave here quickly. Mama must be worried sick by now. And Nana too. I don't know what Mama would do if she concludes that something bad had happened to me.

And Zane...

My chest tightens.

I couldn't even avenge him.

My fingers curl against the edge of the bath.

I swear I will leave a mark on that bastard before I leave here.

"Planning on how to avenge your dead lover?"

I jerk so hard that water sloshes over the edge of the stone bath.

"Fuck!"

He is crouched beside the bath close to my head, watching me with an infuriating calm expression.

Placing a hand against my pounding heart, I move away from him to face him.

"Why the hell do you keep creeping up on me?!"

He smiles, tilting his head. "But I called you so many times, Wildfire."

"I didn't hear you."

"Right. You were too busy plotting my murder." he murmurs.

His eyes follow the movement as I pull my arms across my chest beneath the water.

I know I'm naked, but the way he looks at me makes me feel even more exposed.

Stupid pervert.

"What do you want?"

His eyes return to mine. "To make sure you haven't drowned."

"Unfortunately for you, I haven't."

He chuckles as he straightens. "Get out."

I blink, shocked by the bastard's audacity.

"And if I don't want to?"

He holds my eyes. "Then I'll take it you prefer I get you out myself."

I stare back at him without moving. He waits two seconds, then he takes a step toward me.

I rise from the bath before he can get any closer and quickly step onto the floor.

His expression changes as his eyes trail down my body.

"The markings are gone," he murmurs to himself.

"What?" I frown and look down at myself.

He ignores me as he reaches for the two linen cloths beside the bath.

I barely have time to react before he wraps one around my body, pulling me closer as he secures it around me.

My breath catches as I almost slam into his chest.

Everwhere his fingers brush sends a strange little jolt through me.

I hate it. This cruel joke, the moon goddess, is playing on me.

It disgusts me.

He drapes the second cloth over my head.

"So," he says, rubbing the linen over my damp hair. "What plan did you come up with?"

"Pressing a pillow over your stupid face while you sleep."

His hands pause for a second, and then his lips twitch.

"That's your plan?"

I yank the cloth off my head and glare at him. "I assure you, you won't know what hit you."

"I'm fucking shaking in fear right now, Wildfire."

He leans in just enough that his breath brushes my ear as he takes the cloth back from my hand without effort.

"We should make sure you don't catch a cold... and end up stuck in bed, too weak to make good on those threats."

His rough voice sends a full body shiver running down my spine before I can stop it.

He chuckles darkly as he resumes drying my hair, slower this time.

The air between us feels heavy enough to choke on, and my pulse kicks against my throat.

His faint scent, the way his fingers keep sliding through my hair, none of it should feel like... this. Not after what he did to Zane.

I fucking hate the moon goddess.

Several dresses are laid neatly across the enormous bed when I finally follow him out of the bathing area.

I run my fingers over the sleeve of one of them. From the fine embroidery and intricate details, I can tell the tailor is exceptionally skilled.

Mama would have been thrilled to meet the seamstress and discuss her designs.

I move to another dress, admiring the tiny silver details sewn into the bodice. It reminded me of the dress Mama made for me for the moon festival.

"They're for you," Raze says.

The realization hits me that I've been standing here admiring the dresses like some excited little girl.

I clear my throat and step away from them.

"Did your Luna choose them?"

I don't notice him approach until his chest is almost pressed against my back.

My fingers tighten around the linen cloth as he leans past me and picks up a blue dress from the bed, leaving me standing there with him far too close.

I try not to think about it. Which, of course, only makes me more aware of it.

"This one will suit you," he says, completely ignoring my question.

I scoff, turning my attention back to the dress as I bite down on my lip.

I shouldn't be surprised he already has a Luna yet dragged me all the way here and refuses to let me leave.

Reminds me of a certain Alpha of crescent moon pack who refused to reject mama even after choosing another shewolf as his Luna and only remembers our cottage when his rut came, then Leaves her to pick up pieces of herself every time he walked away.

And even though I feel it's pathetic, I still can't blame her.

I swallow the bitterness rising in my throat.

"Why?" I turn my head toward him. "Why do you refuse my rejection when you already have a Luna?"

His head turns at the same time. I meet his eyes expecting that familiar arrogance, that infuriating anusement, but there is none. Only that intense, unwavering stare that disarms me.

Then, in that maddeningly calm voice, he says, "You're my Luna."

For a moment, I can only stare at him.

For all his arrogance, all his cruelty, there isn't a single flicker of deception in his expression.

My heart gives a stupid little kick, and I immediately crush it down.

You can't, Vaelra.

You can't.

A knock sounds against the door, and Raze looks away from me first.

"Get dressed and come down for lunch." He presses the blue dress into my hands. Then, his mouth curves into a smirk. "You'll need all your energy to kill me."

And just like that, he walks away.