Moon God Mates 2

Chapter 2

Ellie's POV:

I try to remember how the sunlight felt on my skin. It’s been about a week—at least, I think—since I’ve been out of this dark cell. The days have blurred together. All I can smell is rust and blood; the scents are so similar now I can’t tell them apart.

I close my eyes, and the sight of red comforts me. Not the deep red of blood, but a bright, stunning red that somehow feels warm.

I shift and immediately regret it. Agonizing pain shoots through me. Of course death doesn’t come overnight. That would be too easy. I’m so tired. Maybe it’s better if I just die.

If I give in to them now, though, I’ll never be forgiven. I’ll never be welcome. I’ll be weak.

I’ve always been alone, and I know that. So I slip back into the darkness, hoping this time I won’t wake up.

☾☾☾

Country music blares through the speakers, windows down, wind tangling my hair as I fly past the trees on this long winding road. The Oregon landscape is a blur of lush greens and towering pines, their scent mixing with the fresh, earthy air.

It’s a week before Mason and Iris’s wedding, but I couldn’t wait any longer to come home. The dreams are getting worse—more vivid, more consuming. Something heavy is pulling me back into that old familiar darkness I thought I’d escaped after my mother died.

I can’t… I won’t go back to how I used to be.

Back then, after losing her, I was just surviving. Existing. I had Mason and Cole, but they were real siblings. I was just the hybrid they were stuck with. And they have something to look forward to—mates. Someone they need to find. Someone to live for.

“It will be good to be back home, yes?” Mila shouts over the radio, flashing me a grin.

I nod, smiling despite everything. I hope being home is exactly what I need. I fidget with the diamond pendant around my neck—my mother’s necklace—never taking it off.

Gloria pops up from the back seat of Mason’s black BMW, yawning as she smooths out her brown ombré hair. “Are we almost there? I’m starving!”

She’s a new student at Moon University, a rogue no one really talks to or knows much about. Mila thought we should take her under our wing, so it’s been the three of us for a while now.

The packhouse finally comes into view, sprawling and impressive with its stone walls, climbing ivy, and manicured lawn. Gloria’s brown eyes nearly pop out of her head. Mila, on the other hand, doesn’t seem fazed at all. Figures—her pack back in Germany must’ve been powerful. Maybe someday she’ll actually tell us about it.

“Home sweet home,” I sigh as we pull into the driveway, relief washing over me. This is going to be good. I’ll see Mason, Jazz… everything will be fine.

I’m pulling the last of my bags out of the car when Mason appears, Iris under his arm. Iris pulls away to hug me, Mason already grabbing my bags.

“Ellie, we’re so glad you’re back!” Iris says, squeezing me tight.

“Where’s my little friend?” I barely finish before James comes barreling down the steps.

“Ellie!!!”

I catch him just in time. “Hey there, little guy, I missed you!”

“You missed my birffday party!” he accuses.

“I know, I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you, okay?”

He taps his chin, thinking it over, then finally nods and dashes back inside. I watch him, feeling that strange ache. He’s like my own somehow—probably because we’re both hybrids.

“His scent is completely back,” I tell Iris quietly.

She sighs, resting a hand on her stomach. “I know. But we’re safe, we’re together. One day at a time—that’s all we can do.”

I smile. Iris is wise like that. She’s settling into her Luna role beautifully.

Inside, Mila and Iris are already chatting like old friends. Gloria, though, looks awkward and out of place. I squeeze her arm.

“Want me to show you to a room?”

“Uh, yes, please.”

☾☾☾

Mason helps me carry my bags to my room after I get Mila and Gloria settled. We’re all on the second floor—usually reserved for higher-ups—but Iris insisted so we’d all be comfortable. She’s definitely testing Mason’s compulsive neat-freak habits, but he doesn’t seem to mind. He still looks at her like she hung the moon.

“Glad you’re home, Ellie. We missed you,” Mason says. He’s usually not this open; Iris must be rubbing off on him.

“I’m really happy for you.”

“We couldn’t have done this without you. You’ve always been the backbone of this pack. Just like your mother.”

Tears prick my eyes. He grips my shoulder and then calls for Iris. They really can’t stand to be apart for two seconds.

And just like that, I’m alone again.

I scan my room—herbs still on my desk, though a little out of place. Cole must’ve been looking for something for Mason. Otherwise, everything is just as I left it. Full.

So why do I feel so empty?

I decide to unpack later and go look for Jazz. I stop by her room, knock, then peek in—empty, bed made, a pair of Lucian’s jeans still on the floor. My chest tightens. Maybe she’s with Bree.

Upstairs, Bree’s door is ajar. I knock, push it open—and catch Ana jumping off Bree’s bed. Bree smooths down her wild curls, looking flushed.

“Ellie? What the hell are you doing back?” Bree snaps.

“Uh, came back early. Have you seen Jazz?”

“Probably down at the cottage with James. She’s there a lot.”

“Right. Thanks.”

I turn to leave, but my eyes snag on the door at the end of the hall. His room. I reach for the knob, crack it open—and immediately his scent hits me. It’s faint now, almost gone. I slam it shut, heart racing, then rush downstairs.

I nearly collide with Gloria on the stairs. “What are you doing up here?”

She looks dazed. “I… I don’t know. Must’ve taken a wrong turn.”

“You and me both.” I sigh. “Come on, let’s get something to eat.”

Mae is already in the kitchen, preparing lunch. I kiss her cheek. She gives me that warm smile only she has. When we were kids, Mason used to call her psychic, Cole called her a witch. I think she’s just happy here—no matter what chaos surrounds her.

She sets out a huge tray of sandwiches and walks off.

“You better dig in before the boys get back,” I tell Gloria.

“Have you seen Mila?”

“She’s touring the grounds with Iris. Mila’s just… good with people.”

“Or she’s from a high position back home,” Gloria mutters.

“Right? I thought the same thing!”

We laugh—until Gloria suddenly freezes.

“Gloria? What’s wrong?” I wave my hand in front of her face. “Not funny. Gloria!”

A growl behind me makes me jump. I whirl around to find Ravi, eyes locked on Gloria.

“What’s going on?” I start—but he doesn’t even look at me.

The moment their eyes meet, I know. Mates.

Ravi doesn’t hesitate. He strides forward, hauls her up, and kisses her like he’s starved for it.

Great. Another mated couple. Awesome.

Cole barges in. “Dude! You just left us back there—”

Dylan follows, his eyes meeting mine. He blushes. Always so shy. Maybe if I were ever meant to have a mate, he’d be good. He’s cute, sweet.

But not like Luke. Not with those blue eyes that haunt me.

Cole ruffles my hair, dragging me back. I shove him off. “I’m going to my room!”

“Ew, don’t come back down with that attitude!” Cole calls after me.

Screw this. Everyone finds a mate except me. I slam my door, drop onto my bed, and scream into my pillow.

☾☾☾

Hours later, I’m still in the same spot, staring at the ceiling. The house is quiet now. I can’t sleep. I can’t even get comfortable.

Before I know it, my feet have taken me upstairs. To his room.

This time, I push the door all the way open and step inside. I close it behind me, leaning back against it.

His bag is still on the bed, packed. I pull out a black T-shirt and hold it to my face. The scent is almost gone, but still there. Still him.

I slide down the door, clutching the shirt. Reminding myself I didn’t even know him. We weren’t close.

So why am I crying like this?

The tears come anyway. Hot and silent. Eventually, I start to doze, still gripping his shirt, terrified of the dreams waiting for me in the dark.