The Rejected Luna CH11 - CH14
830 Words
*CHAPTER 11: THE CONFESSION*
Luna woke alone.
Damien was gone from the chair, but his jacket was draped over her. It still smelled like him. Cedar and blood and winter.
Her shoulder ached. 15 stitches. The healer said she was lucky.
"Luna?" A soft voice.
It was Damien's beta, Mara. "He's been here all night. Refused to leave."
Luna sat up slowly. "Where is he?"
"Outside. Dealing with the rogue bodies." Mara hesitated. "Alpha... he was scared. I've never seen him like that."
Luna didn't answer.
Two hours later, Damien walked in. He looked worse than her. Blood on his shirt. Exhaustion in his eyes.
"You're awake."
"Obviously."
He sat on the edge of her bed. Careful. Like she might break. "Why did you do it? Take that hit for me?"
Luna looked away. "Strategy. Can't have the treaty partner die on day 3."
"Bullshit." His voice was quiet but firm. "You did it because you still care."
Silence.
Damien sighed. "I need to tell you something. Five years ago, the night you ran... I found out about your father. About the Red Moon deal. I was coming to get you."
Luna froze. "What?"
"I was 10 minutes too late. Your room was empty. Your window was open." He ran a hand through his hair. "I tore the whole territory apart looking for you."
Luna's chest hurt. "You never said."
"I thought you left because you didn't want me." He met her eyes. "Did you?"
Luna was quiet for a long time. Then: "No. I left because I thought you'd get killed trying to save me."
Damien reached out. This time he didn't stop. His hand covered hers. Warm. Real.
"We lost 5 years," he whispered. "I don't want to lose more."
Luna didn't pull away. "The treaty first. Feelings later."
Damien smiled, small and sad. "Deal.
---
*CHAPTER 12: THE COUNCIL MEETING*
The council room was full. 12 Alphas from neighboring packs. And tension.
Luna stood at the head of the table with Damien beside her.
"This alliance is dangerous," said Alpha Cole of Red Moon. Luna's father's pack. "Mixing bloodlines weakens us."
Luna's wolf snarled. "What weakens us is rogues killing our young."
Damien stepped forward. "We present the treaty. Joint borders. Shared patrols. Mutual defense."
Cole laughed. "And who leads this? You, Damien? Or the girl who ran from her own father?"
The room went silent.
Luna walked to Cole. Slow. Deliberate. "I am Alpha Selene of the Arctic Pack. I answer to no one. Especially not to you."
Cole's eyes narrowed. "Your father is not happy you survived."
"Tell him to come say that to my face." Luna's voice was ice.
Damien put a hand on her back. Subtle. Support. "Vote," he said. "All in favor?"
One by one, hands went up. 9-3.
The treaty passed.
After, Cole cornered Luna in the hall. "You're playing with fire, girl."
Luna smiled. Sharp. "No. I'm the fire."
She walked away, Damien at her side.
"You were amazing," he murmured.
"Don't get used to it."
But her heart was racing.
---
*CHAPTER 13: NIGHTMARES*
Luna screamed.
She woke in sweat, heart pounding. The same dream. Her father. Chains. Red Moon.
The door burst open. Damien. Sword drawn.
"What's wrong?"
"Nightmare." She was shaking.
Damien sat on the bed without asking. "Want to talk about it?"
"Not really."
He nodded. "Then I'll just stay."
He didn't touch her. Just sat. Present.
After an hour, Luna whispered: "My father used to lock me in the basement when I disobeyed."
Damien's jaw clenched. "I'm sorry."
"He wanted me mated by 18. To seal an alliance." She laughed, bitter. "Like I was property."
Damien looked at her. "You're not. You're an Alpha. You're mine as an equal, or not at all."
Luna stared at him. "Why do you still want me? After everything?"
"Because you are the strongest person I know." He stood. "Get some sleep. I'll be outside the door."
As he left, Luna realized something. For the first time in years, she felt safe
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*CHAPTER 14: THE FIRST KISS*
It was after a patrol. Rain. Cold.
They were soaked, standing under the packhouse awning.
Damien was laughing at something Luna said. Really laughing.
Luna looked at him. Really looked. The scars. The tired eyes. The way he cared for his people.
Her heart did something stupid.
Damien noticed. "What?"
"Nothing."
"Liar." He stepped closer. "Luna."
She didn't move back.
Damien's hand came up. Hesitated. Brushed wet hair from her face. "Can I?"
Luna's breath caught. "What?"
"Kiss you."
She should say no. Treaty. Complications.
Instead she whispered: "Yes."
It was soft. Careful. Like he was afraid she'd shatter.
When they pulled back, both were breathing hard.
"Was that a mistake?" Damien asked.
Luna shook her head. "No. But we can't do it again."
Damien smiled. "We just did."
He walked away, leaving Luna with rain on her face and his taste on her lips.
- Writer
