Luna Lucky

13

William. The name felt so different from Will. It was as though there were two people in one body, two parts of him vying for balance. It reminded me of the times in my own past when I’d felt split in two, forced to be more than one version of myself to survive. Memories of those days tugged at me, unbidden.

I pushed the thought aside, not wanting to abandon this moment. It made me nervous, the idea of breaking away from him. Instead, I shifted closer and wrapped my arms around Will. He returned my embrace with a comforting, steady grip, as though he knew I needed the strength.

When his lips pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head, I sighed in contentment. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though time had stopped for us, and I could pretend there wasn’t a conversation waiting between us, heavy and inevitable.

But Will had always been honest with me—more honest than I had been with myself. I knew he needed to talk, and I couldn’t let the past dictate my actions anymore.

Taking a deep breath, I whispered nervously, “Will, I mean… William, if you—”

He cut me off with a gentle squeeze, his lips brushing my forehead this time. My cheeks flushed at the affectionate gesture, and before I could finish, he spoke with a teasing lilt in his voice.

“Only Will,” he said. “Only your Will. Or, if you prefer, your lucky man.”

His lame joke broke the tension, and I couldn’t help but giggle. The sound seemed to please him because he leaned in and kissed me again, his lips lingering on mine just long enough to make my heart race.

When I pulled back, I smiled at him and said lovingly, “The names fit you—but only if you promise to be honest with me from now on.”

He purred softly, the sound sending a mix of nervousness and warmth through me. Oddly, I felt safe despite the vulnerability of the moment.

“If it’s alright with you,” he began, his voice turning serious, “I need to talk to you here, in private. There are too many who can’t see you like this—not that you’re not beautiful. Lucky, you’re breathtaking. But as a royal, you need to look the part. Better than any Shakespeare play.”

I nodded at his honest explanation, even as my heart fluttered at his words. He hesitated before continuing, his tone now laced with apprehension.

“As king, I have duties that don’t always make sense to the human world. There are things they’ll never understand. And there’s something important about my world I need to explain to you.”

He gulped, the sound heavy in the silence, and I waited for him to continue.

“Do you remember,” he asked, his voice softer now, “when we went for that walk in the woods? When you asked me if I was going to show you my Lycan?”

I stiffened at the memory, instinctively stepping back. The flicker of hurt in his mismatched eyes pierced me, but he didn’t move. It was as though he’d anticipated my reaction and was bracing himself.

“I should have told you then,” he admitted, his voice filled with regret. “I wanted to, but I wanted it to be a gift—something special. I’m sorry I waited so long.”

I raised a hand, needing time to process what he was saying. Was this really happening? Had I heard him right? If what he was saying was true, how would it affect my life?

As questions swirled in my mind, Will stepped forward cautiously, sensing my hesitation.

“I know this is a lot,” he said gently. “You’re human, and you’re surrounded by a world of Lycans and werewolves. I’m not just a man, Lucky. I’m your fated mate. It’s a bond that makes me perfect for you—and you for me. I hate that this moment isn’t as special as I wanted it to be. But there’s so much at stake, and you deserve to know the truth.”

His words, spoken with such raw emotion, made my heart ache. I could see the sincerity in his eyes, the longing to make this right despite the circumstances. It wasn’t a lie. I could feel the truth of it in the way my heart seemed to lighten, even in my confusion.

He must have noticed my acceptance because his signature smile broke through the tension. “I can hear your heartbeat from here,” he said softly. “I’m honored you’re willing to hear me out.”

He hesitated, his gaze turning serious again. “But what are you willing to do with me? Or are you planning to take my luck away again?”

His questions hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I didn’t know what to say. My mind was stuck between the safety of running and hiding and the pull I felt toward him.

Sensing my turmoil, Will stepped forward again and gently lifted me into his arms, holding me like a bride. I couldn’t help but snuggle against his chest, loving the way his warmth enveloped me. When I glanced up, his mismatched eyes were filled with so much love that it took my breath away.

His hair, tied back in a ponytail, framed his face perfectly. The tailored outfit he wore, regal and commanding, only made him more striking. Somehow, I found myself loving the way he carried himself, the weight of his authority balanced by his gentleness.

“We’re going to have you change,” he said, his voice low and steady. “While we do, I’ll explain why I asked you those questions earlier. I know what I’m about to tell you is a lot, Lucky. But I promise you this: I won’t let anyone lay a finger on my mate.”

The word “mate” sent a shiver down my spine, filling me with a delight I didn’t fully understand. Will noticed, his jaw tightening as though he was fighting himself.

“Lucky,” he said, his voice strained, “I’m trying not to act on impulse here. Please don’t get… excited. Not now. I haven’t made things proper for you yet. I already hate myself for not making this revelation as special as it should have been. Don’t let me ruin another moment.”

His annoyance was clear, and I felt a pang of guilt. I hadn’t meant to react that way. I just wanted to be closer to him. Afraid of making things worse, I mumbled, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lead you on.”

Before I could retreat into my thoughts, Will tilted my face up to meet his. His lips brushed mine softly, a gentle reminder of his care. When he pulled back, his breath was uneven as he said, “Don’t ever apologize to me. You’re my Lucky. You’ll never disappoint me. I could’ve worded things better, and for that, I’m sorry.”

I leaned into his embrace, wrapping my arms around him. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like running. With him, I felt safe enough to stay.

Will carried me into the spacious room, one so grand it felt like stepping into another world. The walls were lined with endless rows of dresses, each one delicate and stunning, a masterpiece in its own right. In the center of the room was a podium, surrounded by wide, towering mirrors that reflected every angle of the space in breathtaking clarity.

He placed me down carefully on the polished floor, his hands lingering briefly before he pulled back to brush a gentle kiss against my cheek. The simple gesture left me warm, my pulse fluttering under his affectionate gaze.

Will smiled at me, his mismatched eyes brimming with tenderness. “I want to see how beautiful you can keep showing me,” he said, his voice full of love. “And while we do, I’ll explain why I asked if you wanted to stay—or run away again. Alright?”

His words should have reassured me. They were so genuine, so sincere, but instead, a memory I didn’t want to think about rose to the surface—his wife.

I froze, the thought sinking into my chest like a stone. Doubts I had tried so hard to suppress began creeping in. What did he see in me? Could I ever really be enough for him? I wasn’t the first to share his life, and that knowledge sat heavily in the pit of my stomach.

Will must have sensed the shift in me because his smile softened, replaced with concern. He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently tilt my chin upward. I hadn’t realized I’d lowered my gaze, but now I was forced to meet his mismatched eyes.

“What is it, Lucky?” he asked softly. “I can feel it. Something’s bothering you. Tell me, please.”

The knot in my chest tightened, and I bit my lip, unsure of how to voice the insecurity gnawing at me. Finally, I whispered, “Why me, Will? Why do I matter so much to you when you’ve had… others before me?”

He looked at me, his expression softening further. There was no hesitation as he replied.

“Lucky, you matter because you’re you. Not because of anyone who came before, and not because of anything you think you’re lacking. You’re my mate. The only one who could ever complete me. You’re here now, and nothing else matters.”

The sincerity in his voice melted through the walls I’d built around my fears. He leaned down, brushing his lips against my forehead in a tender kiss before pulling me into a warm embrace.

“I’ll never let you feel like you’re not enough,” he murmured, his voice firm but full of love. “You’re more than I ever deserved, Lucky. And every day I’ll prove that to you.”

His words wrapped around me like a shield, chasing away the dark whispers of doubt in my mind. I felt like I could trust this moment—not just because of what he said, but because of how deeply I could feel the truth of it in his touch, his voice, and his gaze.