Rejected Luna's Comeback

chapter 9

"I love art. I don't really listen to music. I hate pretenders and liars — I love when someone is being real," Valen said, and I nodded, chewing slowly.

"That's nice. You seem like a disciplined person," I said and he chuckled.

"I'm an Alpha. I'm meant to be disciplined. What do you study?" he asked, and I rested my elbow on the table, chin in my palm.

"Medicine. I'm a medical researcher," I replied, and he nodded gently.

"That's a great profession. I admire doctors," Valen said and I chuckled.

"So what's your favourite colour, and the place you love visiting most?" I asked. Valen bit his lip, thinking.

"I don't have a specific favourite colour, but I find myself wearing blue a lot. And I love visiting the beach — it's calming. I like watching kids play, their parents chasing after them. You know how it is," he said and I nodded.

"That's nice. You also seem like a workaholic," I commented casually, and he laughed.

"I wouldn't call myself a workaholic. I just like doing things at the right time. I'm flexible — I have fun when I have the chance to. The people around me would vouch for that. I just enjoy a bit of everything," Valen said and I nodded.

"That's great. I try to enjoy a bit of everything too," I replied, sipping my drink.

"Is there a man in your life right now?" he asked suddenly, and I coughed, hitting my chest lightly.

"Obviously not. I wouldn't be sitting here with you if there were," I replied. He nodded, raising his glass before taking a sip.

"You said you enjoy a bit of everything — how was your past relationship? I hope I'm not prying too much," Valen asked, and I smiled at how considerate he was even in his curiosity. I set my drink down, giving him my full attention.

"No, you can ask. But wait — are you asking about my s*x life?" I said, and his eyes widened, cheeks flushing as he quickly grabbed his drink and gulped it down. I burst out laughing at his reaction.

"You shouldn't have said that out loud," he said, and I kept laughing.

"Are you shy? Don't tell me the almighty Alpha Valen is a shy man," I teased, and he chuckled.

"Of course not. I'm not shy," he replied, winking at me. I smiled at how easily he played along.

It felt like I had known him forever, and conversation came so easily between us. I loved his company, and for those few hours he had made me forget about Alpha Hunter entirely. The light banter continued until a waiter suddenly approached our table and stopped in front of us. I furrowed my brows — I didn't remember either of us calling for him.

"I was asked to give this to the lady," the waiter said. I glanced at Valen before taking the folded piece of paper from his hand. The waiter walked away.

I opened it and read quietly. *Come meet me outside the restroom if you don't want me to show up at the table and introduce myself as your mate.*

My heart skipped. I crumpled the paper immediately and Valen arched a brow at me.

"What happened? Are you okay? What's that?" he asked. I plastered on a smile.

"I'm fine. Can I use the restroom? I'll be right back," I said, and he nodded.

"Go ahead. Take your time," Valen said.

I stood, excused myself, and walked away, the paper still crushed in my fist. When I reached the restroom, Alpha Hunter was leaning against the door that led inside. I stopped a few feet away, arms crossed.

"Are you stalking me now? What is your problem?" I asked. He licked his lip and my eyes followed the movement before I caught myself and looked away.

"What are you doing with him?" he asked, ignoring my question entirely. I laughed, sharp and disbelieving.

"Do you actually think I'm going to answer that? Stop texting me. Let me live my life. I don't go around bothering you, so don't bother mine," I warned, glaring at him before trying to walk past. He caught my hand and pulled me against his chest.

He pressed me gently against the wall, caging me between his body and the wall, one hand pinning my wrists above my head. I tried to twist free but it was useless.

"Let me go, Alpha Hunter. Anyone could walk by and see us," I said, half command, half plea. He only smirked, leaning his weight into me, and despite everything I felt my body relax against him.

"I don't care, Lola. No one is going to interrupt us," he murmured against my ear, and a shiver ran straight down my spine.

"Just let me go. You're hurting me," I said, though it came out somewhere between an order and a plea. He ignored that too. I couldn't tell which hurt more — the ache of standing this close to the man who had put me through hell, or the grip of his hand around my wrists. His knee pressed between my legs, parting them, and he settled into the space.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my body betraying me with every shiver his movements sent through me, gathering low and warm.

"I want you," he breathed, his mouth inches from mine. I caught myself pressing my lips together, wanting nothing more than to close that distance. Every instinct screamed at me to pull him closer.

His free hand trailed along my exposed thigh, slow and deliberate, and when our lips finally met I moaned at how soft and warm they felt. I arched into him, erasing the last bit of space between us as the kiss deepened. Our mouths moved against each other, hungry and desperate, and I gasped when he caught my bottom lip between his teeth before deepening the kiss further.

He finally released my wrists and my hands flew to his neck. His palms found my hips, lifting me, and I wrapped my legs around him on instinct, my back still against the wall.

The moment shattered when someone cleared their throat nearby. I jumped back from him immediately, my face burning with humiliation at being caught.

"I'm sorry," the stranger said before walking off — though his tone made it clear he wasn't sorry at all.

"I have to go," I said, and walked away without looking back. Hunter didn't try to stop me, which was probably for the best. I had no idea how I would have faced him even if he had.

How could I have been so foolish — going out on a date with one man only to end up kissing another? Guilt crashed over me almost instantly. I pressed my lips together and straightened my dress, hoping desperately that Valen wouldn't be able to tell what I had just done.

I returned to the table. Valen had been on his phone but set it aside the moment I sat down, smiling.

"You okay?" he asked, and I nodded.

"Yes. But I think I need to head home now," I said, unable to sit still any longer.

"Okay. Let's go," he said, and we both stood.

We left the restaurant and got into his car. He started the engine and we pulled away, the city blurring past the window as I sat there, too guilty to look him in the eye.

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