Moonless Heart

Chapter Two

“Hey Daisy.” Leo called out softly, evidence of longing for me in his tone.

“Leo,” I replied. I barely noticed the crowd around us stepping back, giving us space to see each other clearly. It’s tradition to give newly found mates room, as their instinct to protect each other is super strong until they fully bond. In the background, I heard my dad and the Alpha chuckling and congratulating each other.

But then I saw a flicker of something on Leo’s face, and my heart dropped. I knew him well enough to sense trouble.

“Daze,” Leo said, using my pack nickname. His tone was heavy, and I tried to prepare myself for what I feared was coming. He stepped closer, but I was frozen, locked on his eyes.

They told me everything before he even spoke. “I’m so sorry, Daze, but I can’t do this. You know I can’t,” he said. Even though I expected it, each word hit like a slap. The pack went completely quiet, everyone listening.

For a moment, I wished his words were actual hits—maybe then I could faint or escape this moment. Instead, I stood there, rejected by the one person meant to love me most, in front of everyone.

“I’ll be Alpha someday, and I need a strong Luna,” Leo went on, as if he didn’t realize he was breaking me apart.

“Daze, you don’t have a wolf. Even if you get one, it’ll probably be weak. I care about you, you know that. But my duty is to the pack, and the pack needs a strong Luna.” Silence stretched out.

I tried to find words. Part of me wanted to beg, to promise I could be whatever he needed. But the stubborn side of me, the one my mom always sighs about, kept me quiet.

“Son,” the Alpha said gently. “You don’t have to decide this now.”

“It’s not fair to let her hope,” Leo said firmly.

“Think carefully, son. This isn’t the right time or place,” the Alpha said, his voice carrying a warning.

"I will not alter my decision," Leo declared. I sensed my mother and father join me. Mom wrapped her arm around my waist, keeping me near.

“Leo, consider your actions.” You’re friends. "The deities selected you for one another," Dad remarked.

"I'm sorry," Leo replied, offering no further words.

"You cannot take part in the games," Dad stated icily. A whisper spread across the group.

The games are a big deal—every ten years, packs send their five best members to compete in challenges that test strength, smarts, and stamina. It decides how much influence and votes a pack gets at the yearly summit.

Our pack has been in the top five for the last fifty years. To compete, you have to be over eighteen and in top mental and physical shape. Breaking a mate bond is seen as a mental injury, and the council requires at least three months to recover before considering someone fit.

The games were only a month away. Leo paused, and for a second, I hoped he’d rethink it. He and Finn had been so excited to compete. We’d all trained hard, even I, and the Alpha was about to name the team soon.

“Then I’ll skip this year’s games and join the next ones,” Leo said, his face set. My last spark of hope faded. I vaguely heard Luna Sarah saying something, but I wasn’t listening anymore. My hands, clenched tight until now, reached for Mom’s arm.

I can’t stay here, I mind linked her. She let out a soft whimper, hugged me tighter, and positioned herself between me and Leo, guiding me toward our house. The pack parted to let us through.

I felt numb from the pain inside me. I caught the looks from others—pity for not having a wolf was bad enough, but now they’d pity me for being rejected by the future Alpha. Some reached out, gently touching my arm as we passed, a sign of support. It didn’t help.

I remembered Uncle Sam’s promise earlier, that he and his friends would deal with any guy who called me weak. Guess that didn’t count when it was his best friend’s son and the future Alpha. The bitter thought made a sob escape me.

Luckily, we were nearly back home, away from the group. My mum's hug felt warm, making me steady. It was soothing just like she used to do when I was little, and used to hurt my knees.

“Maybe we should spend some quality time together.” Mom proposed. I moved my head side to side. All I wished for was to stay concealed in my bed endlessly.

“It's okay, dear.” She added, understood my emotions even without me speaking out. She held my arms and took me upstairs, helping me remove my clothes and into my pajamas. The bed was comfy as I settled into it.

I huddled my knees tightly to my chest with a firm arm and turned away from my mother. She slid through the bed and sat close to me, caressing my hair gently as she hummed my favorite lullabies. Her voice, still beautiful as she do sing to me when I was a child.

Despite her presence, I huddled my knees close to my chest like a little girl scared of the night. My tears eventually flowed, initially slowly, then without restraint. My body trembled as the pain escaped.

I noticed the front door open and detected Dad’s fragrance. Even without a wolf, my senses were keener than those of a human, yet not as powerful as a complete werewolf’s.

Dad entered my room and took a seat next to Mom. None of us spoke a word, but I could feel his warm touch on my leg. Well, not sure if we stayed long enough in that state of emotions. Maybe hours or so.

Gradually, I wiped off the tears on my face and steadied myself from fear. However, the pain was still there. My brain began functioning once more, although I believe my parents believed I was napping. I observed that Finn was missing. That stung nearly as hard as Leo’s refusal. He selected Leo instead of me. I was unable to accept it.

Of course, he and Leo were great friends, but Finn and I had always been tight—or at least I believed. A tap was heard at the front door, and Dad headed downstairs. Being a werewolf while growing up entails understanding the importance of not eavesdropping on conversations, despite your ability to hear them.

However, I sensed I deserved to be informed now, particularly since it was likely about me.

“How’s she doing?” It was the Alpha. Dad must have taken him to his office, as far from my room as possible.

“What are your thoughts?” Dad yelled, his tone cutting with rage. I had never heard him talk to anyone in that manner, particularly not to his Alpha and closest friend. "She hasn't spoken a single word since Leo treated her that way."

“Sorry, Tim,” the Alpha remarked, conveying genuine feelings.

"Is he certain about this?" Father inquired.

“He exists.”

"What will you do?"

"What are you trying to say, Tim?" the Alpha inquired.

“Are you really expecting my daughter to stay in the same pack as the guy who broke her heart and humiliated her in front of everyone? You know the rules about breaking a mate bond without a good reason,” Dad said, his voice tight.

“Tim! You can’t think I’d banish Leo, my only son, from the pack he’s meant to lead?” the Alpha said.

“Why not? No one’s above the rules. They exist to protect the innocent, and Daisy’s the one who’s been hurt here,” Dad said firmly.

"Leo mishandled the situation, yet he had his reasons,” the Alpha stated. I nearly gasped but held back to keep Mom from knowing I was eavesdropping.

"What do you mean?" Father grumbled.

"If she catches a wolf, it will be feeble." “The Alpha stated that Leo had a justification for rejecting her.”

"You're speaking about my little girl," Dad said, his tone deep and intense.

"I cherish her as if she were my own, but we cannot overlook the reality."

The reality is her wolf will arrive when it's prepared, and she is flawless just the way she is. "That's what you've been saying to her for two years, Ben," Dad retorted.

“Exactly. But that doesn’t mean she’s fit to be Luna. You know how much responsibility that role carries.” I didn’t hear Dad’s response because someone knocked on my bedroom door.