Past Sins

Chapter 15: Valerie

Outside the Moonstone, Barrett and Asher leaned against the wall of the bar while I paced outside the door biting my nails. “We should go back in there…” BAM! The sound of something being thrown full force at the wall stopped me straight in my tracks. Oh god.. Who was that? “Sounds like it’s getting good in there.” chuckled Asher. “Yeah we’re definitely missing a good fight,” said Barrett. They’re amused by this- I see I won’t be getting any help from them once this is all over. “You shouldn’t be amused by this.”  Barrett kicked off the wall and walked over to me. “No disrespect Luna. Because that’s who you are, the LUNA of Autumn Moon. Mated to our Alpha, meant to lead by his side. Your actions with Blake brought this on and Matteo is doing what anyone in this position would do. He’s protecting what is his. That’s what any man would do for his mate.” The way he exaggerated those words sinks to the bottom of my stomach like lead. He’s right. I haven’t acted like the person my father raised me to be- the person my mother wanted me to be. I just embarrassed Matteo in front of his pack members. Oh no! What did I do? They all must think i’m some crazy, s*x crazed, two timing slut! Barrett starts to turn into two Barretts and the world around me starts to spin. I don’t feel right. My vision begins to blur and all the alcohol in my system is doing a 180 in my stomach. 15 shots of tequila were finding their way back up and quickly. I need a bathroom! A bucket! Anything! I ran to the closest bush and puked my guts out, trying to keep my hair from getting in the way. Barr’s strong hand grasped my hair for me and rubbed my back at the same time. Once every ounce of tequila found its way into the bushes I stood. Barrett let go of my hair and reached into his pocket to pull out a tissue. “Thank you.” I said, wiping my mouth. Asher rounded the corner of the building with a bottle of water that I assume he grabbed from their car. “Here drink this, Luna” I took the bottle of water and tossed it back. “You don’t have to call me that, you know.” I said, taking another swig of the deliciously cold drink. Being Luna is a huge responsibility and it’s something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s tradition for the previous Luna to help the new one. In Alpha families that are blessed with girls, they get first hand experience seeing a Luna in action. I was one of the few that didn’t get that privilege and after this I don’t know how much of a relationship Matteo’s mom is going to want with me. “It’s a form of respect.” said Asher, pulling me out of my own thoughts. I nodded, not knowing what to say. The door to the Moonstone burst open and a body came flying out of the door.

I ran over to Blake to help him up but he was already standing and swiped his hand across his mouth, wiping the blood away. “Blake! Are you okay?” I asked, reaching out to touch his arm. He pulled back and looked at me with a piercing gaze. Blake and I have gotten into our fair share of fights throughout our years but this look… this look is all new to me. His eyes are not concealing his emotions at all. There’s so much anger and betrayal in them right now. “It’s true isn’t it?” he sneered. This is what we tried to avoid by breaking up before finding our mates. This feeling right here. It was breaking my heart to hear him so angry at the idea that I found my mate and he hasn’t found his. I looked down and twiddled my thumbs. I can’t look at him right now. It hurts me to know that I'm hurting him. “That’s what I thought,” he said. “What hurts most is the betrayal and distrust.” he stated. I looked up at him, shocked. “I didn’t let myself fully think about what it would mean when you found your mate. I didn’t let myself wonder how I would cope with seeing his hands on you… watching him kiss you..” he sighed and his shoulders began to sag. I wanted to reach out to him so bad but I knew that he would pull away. I also know that he needs to say this… he has to say what’s on his heart. “But what hurts me the most is that you didn’t tell me, Valerie. I like to think that you felt the same when I say that we weren’t just dating, we are best friends.” he ran his hands through his hair. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around his waist, laying my head on his chest. A growl came from behind us and peaking over my shoulder I could see that Matteo was standing in the doorway of the bar with Barret, Asher, and Myra in tow. I don’t care at this point. My best friend's heart is breaking and even though I'm the one breaking it- i’ll do what I have to to make it better. “Blake, we are best friends. I love you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but this is all really new to me. I wanted time to process it myself.” He wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on my head. We stood there for a bit before either of us spoke. What he said next shocked me. “I guess I shouldn’t be too mad. I found my mate not too long after my 18th birthday and she didn’t want me. Ha! Got rejected right on the spot. Pathetic huh?.” he chuckled dryly. I stared up at him with my mouth hanging open. He found his mate. Why didn’t he tell me? “Blake..” He raised his hand to stop me. “Don’t worry about it. I’m gonna go.” He turned and left, leaving me there looking after him. I can’t believe his mate rejected him. I don’t know who that person is but i’m going to kick her ass when I see her. I shook off the rage threatening to consume me and started to go after Blake when I heard footsteps coming after me. “Where do you think you’re going?” I turned to find Matteo looking down at me. “After Blake, obviously! Did you not hear that whole encounter.? His mate rejected him… He needs me right now.” I headed off in the direction Blake headed but  Matteo grabbed my hand and pulled me back towards him. “No. Right now he needs to be alone. Going after him right now isn’t going to do anything but make him feel weak. Trust me. Give him some space.” he said reassuringly. Who the hell does this guy think he is?! I know Blake and he would want me by his side. “What the hell would you know? You all of a sudden care about him?! He’s my best friend and he needs me! How would you feel if that happened to you” I yelled at him, jabbing my finger into his chest. Hurt flashed through his eyes before they became hardened all over again. “You’re right. I wouldn’t know anything about that. I do know that if my mate were to reject me and the girl I loved was mated to someone else who doesn’t even let the thought of rejecting her cross his mind. I’d need to be alone.” Ugh.. He’s right. Matteo and I being mated is probably rubbing salt in his wound. “I still think I should go check on him.” I said. “No. We’re going home.” With my hand still in his, he turned towards his car pulling me along with him. “Really? I don’t get a say.. Again?” I hoped that would stop him. It did but not in the way I was hoping. “Yes you do. You can come with me willingly or I can carry you.” he paused waiting for my answer. He can’t be serious. “You’re not serious.” I said. “Oh honey, you have no idea how serious I am. Choose. You’ll have till the count of 3 then i’ll decide for you.” he hissed. I know he’s mad but the guy that spent all those days in the hospital with me is not the same one standing in front of me now. “One..” he started. “No. I’m not a child.” I bellowed. “Two..” he continued. “You’re being ridiculous!” I yelled. “Three…” he said and picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder. “What the hell!?” I screamed “Put me down!” he chuckled. When we reached his black suv, he opened the door for me and put me in. Before I could say anything, he shut the door and went around to his side to get in. The nerve of this guy!