Moon God Mates 2

Chapter 16

Ellies POV:

I wake up this morning more refreshed than I’ve felt in weeks. It must be because of Luke. I can sense he was less anxious through the night. Maybe it’s from our visit yesterday. I already want to see him again, to spend more time with the mate the Moon God chose for me. I know he’s perfect. Beyond how flawlessly his body seems molded, I can feel the goodness in him.

He’s misunderstood. Judged too quickly. I don’t care what he’s done—he never really had a choice. Not in leaving his son, not in being rogue, not even in becoming Alpha of the Blue Bloods. And now he doesn’t have a choice about sacrificing himself either. But that’s all going to change. I’m determined to give him one, even if it means risking my own life. He’s worth it.

I slip out of bed, tie my short red hair into a messy bun, and pull on the big gray hoodie I took from Luke’s room. I snuggle into it, savoring the faint traces of his scent that still linger.

Taking a deep breath, I slide my feet into my pink bunny slippers and head downstairs for a glass of water. It’s early, so hopefully no one else is up yet.

“Good morning, Mae,” I say as I grab a water bottle from the fridge.

“Ah, Ellie. First one up as usual. You’ve got a package, dear.” Mae dries her hands on her apron and nods toward a box on the counter.

Curious, I hurry over and open it to find the old vampire books I’m helping Jackson with. I’m still not sure exactly why he needs them translated, but I’m excited to help—and maybe there’s even something in here that could help me break Luke’s curse.

“So, iced coffee then?” Mae hands me a cup. “Extra sweet.”

I grin, swapping my water for the coffee. No way I’m getting more sleep after this. I clutch one of the books to my chest, determined to hunt through it for anything that could help Luke. Vampires are the oldest of mystical beings—there’s bound to be something.

Hands full, I turn to head back upstairs and crash straight into a hard chest. My coffee splashes everywhere, soaking Luke’s hoodie.

“Nooo,” I groan, staring at the mess. Now any last hint of his scent is definitely gone.

“Ellie! Just who I was looking for!”

I glance up to see Jackson. I roll my eyes and set the book down, trying to dab at the coffee.

“What are you doing here, Jackson? Does Mason know you’re here?”

“Wow, so hostile!” He clutches at his chest dramatically. “Yes, actually. We have a… problem we’re trying to solve together.”

“Whatever. Get out of my way—it’s too early for guests.”

I scoop up my things and try to make for the stairs, hoping to salvage anything left of Luke’s scent on the sweater. I shouldn’t care this much, but it’s all I have left of him right now.

“Aww, come on, El. You’re eighteen now, I just wanted to test it.” Jackson gives me a smug smile and opens his arms like he’s waiting for a hug.

“She’s not your mate.”

The calmness of the voice cuts through the kitchen like a blade. My heart stutters. I whip around—and there’s Luke. What is he doing here?

Also—my hair. I drop my book and reach to fix my messy bun, only for my sweater to ride up. I scramble to pull it back down. Could this get any more humiliating?

A low whistle comes from Cole as he strolls into the kitchen and hops onto the counter. Great. It just got worse.

“Careful with those books—they’re ancient!” Jackson fusses as he scoops up the one I dropped, inspecting it for damage.

“Maybe if you weren’t crowding her, she wouldn’t have been startled!” Luke nudges Jackson away and steps up to me, scanning me head to toe for injuries.

But Jackson’s not why I’m startled. What is Luke even doing here?

He looks better today. He’s wearing black jeans, boots, and a navy sweatshirt that stretches deliciously across his biceps and makes his eyes stand out even more. But he still seems exhausted… and something feels off.

He smells… different.

“Alpha, I have all your belongings.” Kimberly appears, dropping Luke’s duffle bag, then glancing awkwardly between us.

And that’s when it hits me. He smells like her.

I’m furious. He doesn’t want me as his mate, but he’s always with her?

“You can have it back—I’m done with it!” I start yanking the hoodie over my head when strong arms suddenly lock around me.

“What the hell are you doing?” Luke snaps.

“Hey, get your hands off her!” Cole shoves Luke, who still has me in his arms. We stagger. I brace for the impact, but Luke twists us at the last second, so I land with a soft thump on his chest.

“I leave you all alone for five f*****g seconds and you start acting like children!” Mason’s voice booms across the room. He emerges from the office, Iris right behind him, giving me a wink.

Mortified, I scramble off Luke, feeling suddenly cold. Without another word, I bolt up the stairs to my room.

God, that was humiliating.

I tear my hair from its bun and comb through it with my fingers. I change into high-top jeans and a white crop top, then wash my face, brush my teeth, and scrub desperately at the coffee on Luke’s sweater. It won’t come out.

“s**t, s**t, shit.”

Still damp, I fold it and head back downstairs. I hope he hasn’t left yet—I’m still angry, but I don’t want to keep something of his that’s ruined.

At the bottom of the stairs, I nearly collide with Mila and Cole, deep in some intense conversation. Mila spots me, turns bright red, and rushes past me up the stairs.

“She wants me,” Cole says smugly before chasing after her.

He probably only cares because she’s a challenge. Most girls fall at his feet, but not Mila. She’s never batted an eyelash at a guy in school, and I doubt she’s about to start now.

Kimberly sits on the couch, nervously picking at her fingers.

“Alpha Luke is in the office with your Alpha,” she says, offering me a small smile.

I feel a pang of guilt—I hate how much I dislike her. She’s innocent, genuinely kind. But then again… why is she always around Luke?

I toss Luke’s sweater in the dryer, hoping it’ll dry before he leaves, then wait. Five minutes later, I pull it out, warm but still stained. I head back to the living room and sit across from Kimberly.

After a painfully awkward silence, she scoots to the edge of the couch.

“I’m Kimberly,” she says, extending her hand.

I take it. “Ellie.”

“I know,” she says shyly. “Alpha’s mate.”

“He told you?” I whisper, glancing around. Mason and Cole can’t know yet—they’d be lecturing me nonstop if they did.

“He didn’t have to. But you understand—it’s not safe for anyone to know. It’s not safe for you in my pack.”

“And it’s safe for you?” I snap. I instantly regret it. She’s younger than me, but she looks like she’s lived through hell. I’m a hybrid—I can handle myself.

“I didn’t say it was.” Her somber look twists my guilt even tighter. She rests her hand on mine. “Maybe in another life, we could’ve been friends.”

“Uh… sure.” I pull back, confused, just as Mason’s office door opens. Luke and Mason walk out.

I stand and hold out Luke’s sweater. He just looks at it, then back at me.

“Kim, right?” Mason says. “Why don’t you come with me to the kitchen? You must be hungry.”

“I’m not really…” she trails off, glancing nervously at Luke.

“It’s alright, Kim. Go with Mason,” Luke says.

Reluctantly, she gets up and follows Mason.

As soon as she’s gone, I turn on Luke. “Why do you smell like her?”

His sigh is deep, heavy. He kneels in front of me, takes my hands. Sparks light up my skin.

“It’s not what you think.”

“Then what is it? Why is she always with you?”

His face tells me he’s hiding something.

“I stayed in her room last night—alone,” he says quickly when I try to pull away. “She wasn’t there. There was… an issue with some pack members. I had to give them my room.”

I can tell he’s telling the truth. It still bothers me. I hate that he can spend all this time with Kimberly but not with me.

But I don’t know everything he’s going through. I’ll wait to judge until I do.

“Your sweater.” I give him a small smile as I hand it back. “Sorry for taking it.”

“I never liked that sweater anyway. Until I saw it on you.” His fingers brush my cheek. My stomach flips.

Then he pulls his navy sweatshirt over his head—revealing the fitted white long sleeve beneath—and hands it to me, still warm from his body.

“Is this one better?”

“It doesn’t smell like coffee.” I laugh.

“Good. You can wear it tonight, and tomorrow we’ll trade for another.”

“Tomorrow?” I ask way too eagerly. “What’s happening tomorrow?”

He kneels again, gripping my hands like he needs the contact.

“Today is for business, Ellie. Seeing you was just a bonus. Tomorrow… tomorrow is for us.”

“For us?” I echo, dazed by how close he is.

But then—

“Luke!” a small voice shouts. James barrels into him, and Luke nearly headbutts me as he turns to catch his son.

“James!” Luke lifts him up. “How are you, little man? You’ve gotten so big!”

“I’m four now! Mommy says I’m strong!” James flexes his tiny arms. I giggle.

Luke beams, messing up his son’s curls—so much like his own.

“Luke?”

“Yeah, James?”

“Mommy says you went away, but you’re back now. You can stay, right? I don’t like when you go away.”

“James! I told you to stay upstairs,” Iris says, rushing in, but I’m stuck on the heartbreak in Luke’s eyes.

I’ve been so selfish. I’m not the only one who needs Luke. His son does too.

“I can’t stay, my boy. I’m sorry.”

“No, please!” James clings to him, crying into his shoulder. Luke’s arms tighten, not ready to let go either.

“It’s okay, James.” I stand and touch Luke’s shoulder, meeting James’s tearful blue eyes. “We’ll see Luke tomorrow, okay? Would you like that?”

He nods, then looks at Luke. “Tomorrow?”

“Yes, James. Tomorrow.”

“Okay.” He finally lets go, and Iris carries him back upstairs.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Luke says, guilt written all over his face. “I’m sorry, Ellie. I know I promised—”

“It’s alright,” I interrupt. “You should spend time with him too. He needs you. We both do.”

“Ellie, you promised.”

“I know—no hopes up. But you promised too.”

He smiles, squeezes my hand, and slips me a note. I open it to see an address.

“Meet me there tomorrow. It’s warded, but I’m sure you’ll get through. Didn’t you once say you could knock my ‘little boundary down in five seconds’?”

“Right.” I laugh. “Wait—you want me at your house?”

“Yes.”

“Who’ll be there?”

“Just me. I’ll tell my pack I need to gather more of my things. It’s easier now that I’m officially Alpha.” He steps close, kissing the top of my head. I sink into his chest, content, until a thud pulls us apart.

Ravi and Gloria stand at the door with bags.

“Gloria, what’s going on?” I ask.

“It’s alright, Ellie. I’ll take care of your friend,” Luke says.

“I don’t need you to take care of me,” Ravi mutters. He turns to Gloria. “I’ll be home before you know it.”

Mason and Iris appear on the stairs.

“It’ll be over soon, Ravi. Gather as much as you can. Then we’ll bring you home.”

“It’s alright, Alpha. As long as they stop coming after my mate.”

Luke steps up. “The Blue Bloods are about numbers. The elders won’t stop until Gloria is back—but since you’re mated, Ravi, you’re compatible. You can take her place. We won’t need Gloria.”

“Hopefully,” Kimberly whispers.

“We won’t,” Luke corrects her.

She nods. “We should go, Alpha. Declan will come looking.”

“I’ll give you a minute,” Luke tells Ravi, then thanks Mason again.

I watch him the whole time. Soon, he’s at the door, Kim and Ravi behind him.

At the end of the driveway, he turns back to me and mouths, Tomorrow.

Tomorrow. His house. Just us.