Unexpected Visitor
1979 Words
Luca's pov
After Rayna went, I assumed I'd be unmated for the rest of my life. I didn't think I'd let another she-wolf touch me, let alone allow my heart to care for someone else. I expected to become the hardest-working alpha in the entire region. I planned to work so hard that I wouldn't have time for a life partner. So I worked. Every night, I worked until I was too fatigued to stay awake.
That was what I had in mind, but then I met her. My soulmate.
At first, I was determined to push her away. I didn’t want anyone besides Rayna in my life. Yes, her departure left me heartbroken, and my family disliked her for that, but look at the circumstances. She left to protect me and this pack. She sacrificed herself for the Black Hunter's safety. That was what a real luna would do.
How could I betray her after all she did for me and our pack?
Samantha was great. I wouldn’t lie. She caused no trouble. Although she was my mate, she never once tried to seduce me using the bond. All she tried to do was win my heart. She worked with us, helped us in the office, helped Lina with her duties and spent time with my mom and dad. All of that was in addition to lending a hand in the kitchen and volunteering in the hospital and the orphanage.
She had the qualities of an exceptional Luna. Well, she was wolfless, but all her other qualities made up for it. She was perfect. No wonder fate paired us together. Moreover, she was loved by the whole pack. My parents adored her and treated her like their own daughter. She and Lina were already more like sisters. I couldn’t have asked for a better life partner.
But she wasn't Rayna.
Rayna had been the queen of my heart since high school. I loved her long before I understood what love was. How could I forget that? She wasn’t as popular as Sam among the commoners because she kept to herself, but she was a good luna. And I loved her. I loved her dearly.
Samantha was resilient. There was no doubt about that. Even after several rejections, she didn’t give up. I knew it hurt her, but she smiled and faced everyone the next day as though nothing happened.
After several months, my wolf started to nudge me towards her and my resolution to stay single for my entire life started to waver. Well, Sam was beautiful, patient, strong, wise, kind and friendly. All that on top of being paired up by destiny. She was the perfect Luna.
As the months passed by, I found myself secretly watching her as she worked with Lina. I admired her kindness as she volunteered in the hospital, and I couldn’t help but think that she was great with kids whenever I caught a glimpse of her playing with the orphans.
One day I was walking down the corridor when I caught a whiff of her scent. The kitchen was open, and I knew she was in there. I hesitated for a while but peeked inside. There she was, trying to bake something. An omega was giving her instructions as she clumsily poured the cup of flour into a large bowl. I saw the pineapple on the side, and I assumed she was making a pineapple upside-down cake.
So that was where my favourite dessert was coming from, even if it wasn't my birthday. A squeal made me look again. She had dropped an egg.
A smirk curled on my lips. She was certainly not used to being in the kitchen, but she looked cute with flour on her hands. I found myself admiring her beauty. Her jet-black hair that was pulled into a neat bun really complemented her pale skin. Even in a plain white shirt and blue jeans, she looked stunning.
I had to snap out of it. I was admiring her too much. Sucking in a deep breath, I briskly stepped away from the kitchen, vowing to myself to never do that again.
Weeks passed. My rejections changed from instant and decisive to reluctant. I found myself thinking several times before pushing her away. Especially after that tenth rejection.
I didn't realise how badly I was injured. All I did was defend my territory from the rogues. We were winning when I felt something sharp on my head, and then everything went black.
I woke up in the pack house. Not in the hospital, in my room. Lina and my parents were waiting beside my bed. I sat up. Of course I remembered being attacked, but why wasn't I in the hospital?
“What happened?” I asked them.
“Samantha healed you,” my father said.
I was shocked. How could she heal? Wasn't she wolf less?
“She is your mate, so she was able to heal. You wouldn't have recovered so fast if it wasn't for her,” my mom said.
“Oh,” I muttered. “I must thank her then.”
“Bro,” Lina said, crossing her arms across her chest. “I hope you understand you are an i***t. Can't you see she is the perfect mate for you? And the perfect Luna for Black Hunters?”
I pursed my lips. Of course I saw that, but I didn't want to betray my first love.
“But… I can't… she isn't Rayna.”
“And that is exactly why you are an i***t. Rayna left. Sam is your soulmate, for f**k's sake, why are you denying your fate?” Lina said, earning stern looks from our mom and dad. “Sorry, mom and dad, but his stupidity is beyond my imagination. I had to say it.”
“She has a point, son,” Dad said. “You shouldn't ignore your destiny.”
My mom caressed my hand. “Dear, you should let the past go. Your future is what matters. It will directly affect our pack. Don't push your mate away. You might regret it.”
Days passed. I thought about talking to her but then decided against it. She used to confess her feelings for me on the twenty-fifth of every month. Perhaps I could do the same for her this month.
But then I got busy with work. The work of an alpha is never done. Especially without my Luna to help around.
The twenty-fifth of November arrived. I was invited to something special on the rooftop. I had a hunch what it was, and she didn't disappoint.
There were red rose petals scattered on the floor. A dinner for two was set and my mate awaited me, wearing the perfect red dress.
For the first time I admired her features. I allowed myself to enjoy her scent. Her black tresses cascaded down her back in loose curls. The bright red lip complemented her dress. Black, red and white… what a perfect colour combination.
I was mesmerized by her sparkling green eyes as she spoke. Her words pulled at my heartstrings, and I was about to say yes.
I almost did until I saw the token of love Rayna gave me on the day I was announced as Black Hunter's new Alpha.
My fluttering heart slowly calmed down, and the excitement died. I had to say no. How could I be excited about mating when Rayna was sacrificing her freedom for us?
I hesitantly said, "Sam... I can't."
The next day, she appeared normal. Perhaps a little distant than usual, but she seemed fine. Although I reminisced about the events of the previous night at first, work slowly pulled my attention away from the thoughts.
Days passed. No one spoke about it. That was until Lina stormed into the office, fuming.
“You rejected her again?”
I looked at her. I may be the alpha but this little lady scared me sometimes. I shrugged.
“I had to. I can't mate with anyone when Rayna is sacrificing herself for us.”
She groaned, covering her face in frustration.
"Look, Rayna left. I love Sam. The whole pack loves her. Our parents love her. Fate paired you with her. What the hell is your problem? The pack members are already calling her future Luna and helping her plan the Christmas party. If she ever confesses again, and let me tell you, I won't blame her if she doesn't, but if she does, don't f*****g blow it.”
I sucked in a breath. She was furious, and she had a good reason.
Perhaps I should reconsider.
***
“Luca. I love you. I have loved you since fate paired us together, and it would be an honour to be your mate and luna. Accept me as your mate, or reject me with grace.”
Reject her with grace? That was something she never said before.
I gazed deeply into the emerald eyes of my mate. Did something change?
A smirk curled on my lips as I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. I had rejected her too many times. A year had passed and Sam hadn't given up on me. Lina was right. I shouldn't fight against fate.
I was about to say yes when a loud commotion at the main entrance interrupted us. The guards were screaming and someone dressed in rags stumbled inside.
My heart skipped a beat. Rayna?
Her arms were covered in scars and bruises and her hair was disheveled.
What happened?
“Rayna!” I screamed.
I motioned for the guards to stop chasing her and they obeyed. To say I was shocked would be an understatement.
Did she come back?
“Luca!” she cried. “Oh Luca… I barely made it back alive.”
I watched in horror as she narrated how she was forced to leave to protect us. Of how she was abused and mistreated. She was imprisoned, assaulted, and forced to work for them. They beat her with their whips and starved her.
My heart ached. My poor girl had gone through so much.
“You are lying. Why would Salvatore do such a thing? He isn’t stupid. He knows that would start an unnecessary war between the packs,” Lina exclaimed, her displeasure evident on her face.
Rayna’s sobs worsened. “I knew you wouldn’t believe me. But I didn’t know where else to go. Black Hunters is the only home I know. I had to come here. This is where you are, my love.” She looked intently at me. “I never forgot you.”
She covered her face with her hands and cried.
“I believe you,” I declared.
“You are a member of my pack, and I will not forsake you.” I looked into the crowd. “Where is the doctor? I want her injuries to be looked into.”
A doctor emerged from the crowd and started to check her bruises and scars. I started to walk towards her, but I was stopped.
I looked at Sam, who was holding my hand.
“Luca, you were about to respond. I need an answer now.”
“Luca,” Rayna cried, making the both of us look at her. Just as we turned towards her, her eyes rolled to the back of her head, and she dropped onto the floor, unconscious.
My heart sank.
“Rayna!” I rushed towards her and picked her up in my arms.
“Luca.” Sam firmly called. “I need an answer. Just tell me.”
I paused in my tracks, my face furrowed as I desperately peered between her and Rayna. I exhaled a deep sigh and said. “I reject you, Samantha. I reject you as my mate and luna.”
- Writer
