Luna on a Chain

Chapter Seven

With a light, confident stride, I entered the restaurant hall. My eyes scanned the room, searching for my friend. I spotted her at a far table, in the company of her Alpha. I had to admit—Maya was glowing. I hadn’t seen such a genuinely happy sparkle in her eyes in a very long time. The girl was hooked, completely. The man beside her seemed just as enchanted. His gaze drifted away from his beloved and landed on us approaching. Max led me to the table and seated me across from Maya.

After exchanging restrained greetings, an awkward silence settled in. Kirill drilled me with an irritated stare—apparently still offended over the pepper spray incident. Then he shifted closer to Maya and demonstratively draped an arm over her shoulders, pulling her to him before looking back at me with open challenge. I rolled my eyes and sighed.

God, I’m not going to take her away. Especially not now, when I can clearly see how happy she is.

The chair beside me scraped loudly against the parquet floor, and I snapped my head around. Max had moved closer, pretending nothing had happened. His hand slowly slid back.

You jerk. Decided to take a page out of your brother’s book.

“Don’t you dare,” I whispered so only he could hear.

To my surprise, Max immediately understood and moved his hand back.

The tension was broken by a waiter arriving with menus.

“Max and I will step out for ten minutes,” Kirill said. “You can discuss your girly secrets. But keep in mind—I’ll be watching.”

As he said this, he shot me a distinctly hostile look. The men stood up and headed toward the terrace.

Maya and I watched them go, then finally spoke.

“Vera… did I offend you somehow last time?” Maya asked sadly.

“It wasn’t about you. It’s hard to explain. I’m sorry I ran off like that.”

“It’s been bothering me. It took a lot of effort to convince Kirill to let me see you,” she said, lowering her eyes.

“So how are you?” I asked gently.

“Can’t you tell? I’m like a schoolgirl, madly in love. But…”She hesitated.

“But what?” I froze with concern.

“Well… I’ve sort of figured out this whole werewolf thing,” she said, then suddenly looked at me closely. “By the way, Kirill said you already knew about the werewolf world when you were taken.”

“Yes. I hope you understand why I kept it secret. But that’s not what matters now. What’s bothering you?”

She hesitated again. I could see how hard it was for her to say this.

“I told him directly that I don’t mind us being together. But he keeps saying the same thing: I don’t want to scare you, you need to get used to me first, or let’s not rush.”

“So what’s the problem?” I genuinely didn’t understand. It was a good thing when a man didn’t pressure you.

“I want more. Damn it, this is awkward to say. I don’t want to just sleep next to him in the same bed.”

I stared at her in shock and, like an i***t, clarified:

“You mean… you haven’t been intimate yet?”

She shook her head.

That was news. The first time I’d heard something like that. If I didn’t know this world, I might’ve thought he was simply being careful. But I’d seen wolves find their mates before—and they usually lost all control. Sometimes it even ended in violence.

Something was wrong.

I wanted to voice my concerns, but as luck would have it, the men returned.

“Did you miss us already?” Max asked with a sugary smile.

“Not yet,” I said at the same time Maya said, “Of course.”

Kirill immediately pulled his treasure back into his arms, whispering something in her ear. I focused on the menu, trying to choose something, but when the waiter came, I simply pointed at a random dish, lost in my thoughts.

The conversation stayed superficial—weather, new movies—but Kirill carefully avoided anything about relationships. And there was still no mating mark on Maya’s neck. That was very strange.

I was so deep in thought that I didn’t notice Maya addressing me.

“Sorry, did you ask something?” I said, lifting my gaze.

All three of them were waiting for my answer.

Maya smiled crookedly, silently saying you’re the same as always.

“Max suggested that next Saturday, instead of meeting at the café like you agreed with Kirill, we gather at the mansion and have a barbecue. What do you think?”

“Sounds great,” I smiled.

A perfect opportunity to figure out what was really going on with the Alpha and his mate. A little spy mission.

“Maya said you work Saturdays?” Max asked.

“Yes, but only until noon. I’m free in the evening.”

“Perfect. I’ll pick you up.”

Max smiled at me in that devastating way—the kind of smile you can’t help but return. His eyes flickered with something mysterious. I immediately turned away, flustered. When I looked at Maya, I realized she’d already drawn her own conclusions.

Let her.

Suddenly, Kirill shot up so abruptly his chair nearly toppled.

“The evening is over,” he snapped. “Maya, it’s time to go.”

She looked startled but stood and took his hand.

“Vera,” Max said, extending his hand, “let’s go.”

I took it, and we headed outside. Kirill briefly left to pay the bill. Maya and I hugged until her intimidating suitor returned. He ushered her into the car and called out as he walked around it:

“Max, be home in half an hour!”

“Why? I was planning to stay—” Max cut himself off abruptly, lowering his head. “Fine.”

The Alpha’s influence was overwhelming. Even I felt like curling into a ball.

Max drove me home and walked me to my apartment door.

“Thank you for the evening,” I said sincerely.

I tried to slip inside, but his hand closed around my wrist, forcing me to turn.

“What about a goodbye kiss?”

“I hope you understand that nothing can happen between us. You’re a werewolf, and I’m…” I hesitated, “…human. I’m not your mate. There’s no point. If you want a one-night thing, find someone dumber.”

He pressed me against the door so hard I gasped. The strength in him was unmistakably animal—just like his instincts.

“How about something long-term instead of one night?”

The nerve of him. He buried his nose in my hair, sniffing like a dog. At this rate, he’d mark me next.

“I don’t like dogs. They need to be walked, so I never had one.”

He chuckled near my ear, brushing his nose along my cheek, nearing my lips.

“You’re rude.”

Then he kissed me—and pulled back. It was brief, almost weightless, but my heart started pounding wildly.

Max turned and walked down the steps, calling back:

“Good night, beautiful.”