"How were you able to hide from me? Why didn't I notice your scent? I knew you looked familiar, but I didn't realise it was you." Jacob explained. His voice was low, you could hear the desperation cling to his voice.
"I had my ways to conceal myself. It doesn't matter anymore. You found me. As for why I looked different and you couldn't recognise me. It's simple, hair dye and surgery. I didn't want to be recognised by you or the pack. Considering my status in society, that would be impossible if I looked like Leanne. There was no way I would allow that bitch to fuck my life up again." I replied as I looked at my nails. I desperately needed a manicure.
"Lou- Loretta, you don't know how sorry we truly are for what we did to you." He sighs.
"I can imagine you are sorry. But unfortunately for you, sorry does nothing for me. No matter how many times you say the word, it does not change what you and my 'family' did to me." I sarcastically said as I gestured with my two fingers.
He hung his head. The shame wafting from in between his natural strawberry scent was nauseating. I really didn't know what he wanted me to say. His circumstances do not matter to me. He is the one who chose this path. He has to follow it. I remember my father screaming at me when I begged for him to show me mercy. His exact words were "you made your bed, now you have to lie in it". My parents' words must be biting him and the pack in the ass.
"Listen, I have no idea why you have been looking for me. It was futile. Really, I don't need you. I haven't needed you or my pack for years. My life is great, I'm thriving and I am happy. There is no need for you to interrupt it with your fake love and concern." I sighed as I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Loretta, I am sorry. I know there's nothing I can do or say to make things better, but can you please give me a chance to make things right? Surely your wolf can't be happy without her mate. My wolf calls to yours every night. Your wolf must miss me. It couldn't have been easy for you to lose a mate and a pack. The day you left, he did nothing but whimper and berate me. Please, for the sake of my sanity, give me a chance." He begged.
I chuckled. "For the sake of your sanity? What have you ever done for mine? It's not my fault you mated my bitch of a sister. For an Alpha, you're rather stupid for not seeing past her facade. As for my wolf, she has ignored me for the last eight years. I was content living a human life away from you all." I snipped.
"What do you mean, your wolf ignored you?" He demanded. His gaze snapped to my eyes.
"Well, when you rejected me, she disappeared. I'm basically human, with heightened senses. My life has been great as a human. I don't regret it one bit. She only made herself known the day we were in the elevator, otherwise I would have continued to believe that she was dead. Unfortunately, the stupid bitch is tethered to your unworthy wolf." I growled.
He gave me a smirk. The corner of his lips lifted slightly. His eyes had a twinkle that I hadn't seen in years. My weak little heart fluttered and I could hear my wolf purr in the back of my mind. "Your wolf came back when we reunited?"
"Don't get excited. I didn't welcome her back. Truthfully, I wish she would disappear again. She can take you with her." I huffed.
He let out a loud growl. "Why would you wish that? Your wolf is a part of you! Your wolf is my mate!" Jacob exclaimed.
"Have you not heard anything I've said? I don't want a mate. It would be best if she died the day you rejected me, along with any affection that I once held for you. Do you really think I am lacking in men? I am the most highly sought woman in New York? Possibly the world. I have dated CEOs, even Prince Harry, before Markle caught her hooks into him! Hell, even Alpha's tried to get me to date me. I just don't care about tying myself down, and certainly not with a man like you!" I huffed in frustration.
His eyes went pitch black, his gaze zoned in on my lips. It was like I was the prey and he was the hunter. I couldn't deny that I felt exposed. I could feel him undress me with eyes as his chest heaved up and down. "Little mate, do not test me." He said as he grabbed my wrist. He clenched it and pulled upright as he pushed himself onto my bed. I felt my head smack to his chest. It ignited the sparks, the fire was roaring across my skin.
"You may have had other men," he husked. The jealously was rolling around his mouth. He runs his fingers gently up my arms. Small prickling sensations ran up my arm as his fingers danced across my skin, his hand settled on my the back of my neck. His grip was firm and his finger spread across my skin like he was scared I was going to evaporate into thin air.
He tilted my head back. My neck exposed, I could feel my throat swallowing the drool that was puddling in my mouth. He brought his lips to my ear, his hot breath fanning across my skin. "But you and me both know that they couldn't even hold a candle to the way I make you feel," He whispered. I hated the effect he was having on my body. It was hard to deny his words, to hide from the truth that was spilling from his lips.
"That may be true, my ignorant mate." I spat into his ear. "But I wasn't the one who rejected the bond. I wasn't the one who threw away my gift from the Goddess. Yes, you may make me feel things that I have never felt before, but remember, I will never accept a coward, a liar like you." I could hear the venom lingering in my voice.
He refused to let me go. His eyes were still dark, his gaze unwavering. His hot breath was spreading across my skin. I could feel my wolf pushing to submit, lathering in the attention that her mate was finally giving her. All I could feel was resentment and anger toward my wolf and Jacob. My wolf may have experienced the pain Jacob had given her, but she was far too forgiving. All I could think was that she was weak.
"It takes a bigger person to forgive than to hold on to the past. He is human. He made a mistake." My wolf explained. My ears pretended not to hear her, silently cursing her in my heart, wishing she would stay silent like she had been for the past eight years. Why couldn't they both just disappear? Why did the Moon Goddess think it was okay for me to suffer in pain like this?
Jacob sighed across my face. I couldn't help but notice the minty freshness that wafted through the air. He closed his eyes. "Will you please listen and consider what I am about to say? If you want me to leave after that, I promise I will try to let you go?"
I scoffed at his question. I knew he wouldn't let me go. He wasn't strong enough to overpower his wolf anymore. I could sense that he had learned to be in tune with his wolf after our years of separation. We were both at opposite ends of the spectrum. I was once begging for him to be my mate. I pleaded for him to listen to the truth. I was once close to my wolf, working in unity with her. Whereas Jacob was a separate entity from his wolf, he ignored his wolf's desires. It's funny how time changes people.
I sighed. "I will listen to your request, but don't expect me to follow through with your wants."
"Loretta, this is more than just me and you. The pack it's in danger. The day you left, things changed. Everyone changed. The pack became weak, rouges have wrecked havoc for eight years. I am not saying this for you to pity us, or pity me. We have lost so many lives." A small tear escaped his eye. "They murdered twenty children from the Orphanage in an attack last year. Our warriors were weak and fought till the end, but most suffered life changing injuries. The land is withering away, the health of the pack is declining." He exhaled.
"I know. I know it is my fault." He whispered. "But the pack does not deserve this. The children did not deserve this one bit. I blame myself. The Goddess is punishing me through my pack and I can't bear it anymore."
My heart was thumping at his words. Someone attacked the place where I once found refuge from my parents' abuse, and my heart was thumping at his words. They slaughtered the children that offered me a sense of comfort.I felt a hum of anger roll through my body at the thought. In the back of my mind, I could hear many whimpers and howls of pain. I closed my eyes, knowing that my wolf was allowing me to hear what she had heard.
As a true Luna, it did not matter if I was marked or not. My wolf would always have a connection with the pack. It was her pack. Whether the Alpha recognised her did not matter. That was the problem with being a rejected Luna. You could never fully turn your back on your pack. My wolf would forever feel their pain and their joy. That was why it was so difficult when my sister became Luna in her pack. She felt her pack members rejoice when Jacob announced he had found his true mate. Their joy was my sadness.
"I can hear their cries, Loretta, they have been calling for you. They have called for you last years. They lost trust in their Alpha, they lost trust in their Beta family. The shame and pain they carry for their lost and rejected Luna resonates through our bond." My wolf sighs. I can feel her tears.
"What do you suggest I do then, Alpha?" I exhale.
His eyebrows shot up. I see a small glimmer of hope cross his face as his mouth parts at my words. "Come back to the pack, be the Luna you were destined to be. If you won't do it for me and our family. Do it for the innocent members that didn't know your pain. You know they don't deserve punishment. It was my leadership that led them down this path." He sighed in defeat.
Just as I was about to speak. A tall figure waltzed into the room. "Lettie, you my darling, are amazing. Dr Steven's is such a handsome motherfuck-" He halted in his steps as he looked at the position I was in with Jacob. He raised his eyebrow questioningly.
"Benji-" I pushed Jacob's hand away from my neck. Benji was dressed in his two-piece suit holding a bunch of yellow tulips. He had a small smirk on his lips, but that quickly turned to a scowl as he realised who was in my room. Jacob let out a small growl. I could smell his jealousy linger in the air as he looked at the man in the room.
Benji was joined by Dr Steven's who walked into a room with a clipboard in hand. He looked around the room, trying to work out what was going on. He quickly shrugged his shoulders and gave Benji a quick wink. I saw the tips of Benji's ears go red. I could tell I embarrassed him and all I could do was a chuckle at their silent flirting.
"Ah Miss Romano, it's good to see you wide awake. Your Fiancé has been nothing but worried about you. Threatened a couple of my staff until we let him see you," Dr Stevens said as he looked down at his clipboard.
"Fiancé!?" Both me and Benji shouted. My voice was still horse and croaky, that I spluttered.
Benji rushed to my side and picked up the cup of water, and brought it to my lips. He was giving the death glare to Jacob, who didn't seem fazed or shocked by what Dr Steven's said. He just shrugged his shoulders as he continued to glare at Benji. I could see that he thought he was a threat to his attempts to win me back. It's a shame he didn't get that it was futile.
"Anyway, your observations are good. I cleared you for discharge and you should be able to leave later today. You will just need to have someone monitor you for the next week. If you feel drowsy or the headaches get worse, you must seek immediate medical attention. Okay?" He stated.
"Understood." I replied, as I nodded.
"Now, I'm guessing that I will release you into your fiancé's care?" He questioned.
"No." I said while Jacob replied, "Yes."
Me and Benji both gave Jacob death glares, while Dr Steven's head moved between the three of us. I could see the confusion on his face as he tried to work out what weird dynamics were going on. He nodded his head. "Okay... Well I can see that there is something bigger going on here, so I'm gonna' leave. I'll leave the discharge papers at the front desk. Just make sure one of you stays with her and makes sure she's okay? Got it?" He ordered. I nodded in response. Words were just stuck in my throat. "I don't want to see you in here again, okay?" He said as he made his way out of my room.
As soon as Dr Stevens closed the door. I could see Benji's face get red. "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS BONEHEAD DOING HERE LETTIE!?" He exclaimed. Jacob growled at him in response. I could see his wolf clawing to the surface.
"Don't growl at me, wolf boy! I'm just trying to protect my sister from a bastard like you!" Benji exclaimed.
Jacob's face paled. He looked between the two of us, questioning our interactions. "Sister? She's not your sister. How do you know about wolves?!" He exclaimed.
"She may not be my sister by blood, but she is my sister in every other way! The bond we have is sure as fuck stronger than the one you have, so zip it! I'll be taking my sister home and you will move your fake fiancé arse out of this room! Got it?" Benji shouted protectively.
"You told him about wolves?!" Jacob's voice was full of shock at the relegation.
I groaned. "I was drunk. He overheard my conversation with Alpha Jared. I had to give him an explanation. He won't tell anyone, he's family," I replied.
He sighed and covered his face with his hand. "He's not your genuine family, your true pack. Please, Louis- Loretta. Come back to the pack. We need you."
"Alpha, the only thing I plan on doing is going home. Home with my brother. That genuine family you speak of has never once acted like a family." I said.
"Too right you're coming home with me. I ain't leaving you with this monster." Benji sneered.
Jacob looked at both of us. I could sense that the threat of this male had lowered when Benji mentioned I was his sister. His face looked conflicted on what to do. I knew he was trying to get me to agree to coming back with him, but I knew he couldn't force me. If he tried to kidnap me, it would be global news and it would only cause him more problems in concealing the secret that werewolves existed. For the first time in my life, I was thankful that I was a celebrity.
It's then when Jacob's face lit up. I could see that the clogs had been ticking, and they had stopped. "You know what pack law states..." Jacob responded. It was then that my face paled at his words.
Fuck. I had broken pack law and revealed our existence to a human. This was putting Benji at risk, unless he was a mate of a werewolf, then pack law permitted for him to be imprisoned or killed. "You wouldn't." The words escaped my mouth.
"Loretta, I'm an Alpha I can't ignore it." He sighed.
"You ignored your true Luna, so surely you can ignore this!" I exclaimed. My worry for Benji's safety surfaced. I couldn't see anything happen to him. He was my only family. If Jacob stuck to his threats, then there would be nothing I could do. "You wouldn't do this to me, Jacob, not after everything you have already done to me." I whispered as a tear escaped my eye.
"Come back for one month. Benji will need to come with us. I promise you, if you come, no harm will come to him. He will have my protection. I presume he will keep our secret." Jacob replied.
"Of course I won't say anything! If I did, people will most likely have me committed." Benji huffed in frustration.
I closed my eyes, thinking about my situation. Being stuck between a hard place and a rock. I couldn't tell whether Jacob's threat was warranted, but I knew deep in my heart I wouldn't forgive myself if he reported Benji to the council. I couldn't risk him getting hurt. Before I knew it the words were leaving my mouth.
"I will come for one month only." I whispered in defeat.
Edited 09/08/2023