The plus-Size Mate He Was Ashamed Of

THE LUNA I HAD TO EARN The first thing I learned about becoming a Luna was that I had to stop looking like myself. My thighs burned as I ran another lap around the eastern training grounds, my lungs struggling to keep up. One more lap. Because I couldn't disappoint Ronan, the expected next Alpha in line. Not when I was still hoping he'd one day claim me before the entire Moonfire Pack. The morning air was cold against my damp skin, and my breath came out in short, white clouds. My legs trembled beneath me, threatening to give out, but I forced them forward. “Come on, Elara,” I whispered. “Just one more.” The training grounds were nearly empty. Most of the pack was still asleep, but I had learned that becoming worthy of an Alpha meant pushing harder than everyone else. I’d already been running, stretching, and lifting weights for nearly two hours, with another session waiting later. My body begged me to stop, but Ronan’s voice kept me going. 'You'll be my Luna, Elara' I clung to those words as though they were a promise carved into stone. Without them, I had nothing to hold on to. I finished the lap and slowed to a walk, bending over with my hands on my knees as sweat trickled down my face. I straightened and looked toward the training hall, where few warriors and young girls like me were beginning to gather. Their laughter carried across the grounds. One of them spotted me. “Is that Elara?” “Who else would be running before sunrise?” another answered with a laugh. “Maybe she's finally trying to find her wolf with her fat body.” More laughter followed, and I lowered my eyes. I was used to it by now. Being the Beta's daughter had once protected me, but that protection disappeared when my father left. Now I was simply Elara—the girl without a wolf, too soft, too slow, and too large to be beautiful. Barely better than an omega. I swallowed the lump in my throat and reached for my water bottle. Before I could drink, footsteps approached from behind. “You're awake early,” Ronan said. A small smile tugged at his lips as his gaze moved over me. My heart immediately did something embarrassing inside my chest, and I quickly wiped the sweat from my forehead. “You told me to train,” I said, smiling nervously. “I told you to train harder.” “I am.” His gaze moved over me again. For a second, I felt self-conscious beneath it. Then he smiled. “You're improving.” Those two words were enough to make my entire morning worth it. I smiled. “How much have I lost?” His expression changed slightly. “Why does that matter?” “Because you said—” “I know what I said.” He stepped closer, his fingers brushing a damp strand of hair away from my face. “You just need to keep going.” I nodded. “I will.” His hand remained against my cheek for a moment before he leaned down and kissed me. It was brief, like he was afraid someone might see. But I didn't mind because a kiss from Ronan was worth every secret. When he pulled away, I smiled shyly. “Ronan?” “Hm?” “When are you going to tell them?” His smile disappeared. “Elara, we've talked about this.” “I know.” “And nothing has changed.” “No, that's not true.” I shook my head. I had been waiting for this conversation for almost two years. I looked down at my hands. “I just thought maybe… since your father still hasn't returned…” Ronan's expression hardened. “My father isn't dead.” I immediately regretted my words. “I didn't mean—” “He's out there fighting the Hollow," he snapped. For nearly two years, creatures neither wolf nor beast had appeared beyond the pack borders, attacking werewolves and draining their life force. The Hollow first emerged beyond Bloodfang territory, but soon spread from pack to pack, forcing the strongest warriors to fight them. The same two years ago, Ronan's father, Alpha Cassian Storm, had left Moonfire pack with my father, his Beta, and the strongest warriors. None had returned. After so long without word, many in Moonfire had begun to believe the Hollow had claimed them. I'd sensed something was wrong before the first attacks reached Moonfire. It came suddenly, like a cold pressure in my chest, an instinct telling me something terrible was coming from the north. I'd warned them, but no one took me seriously. They called me a freak, and my father said I was only scared. After the first attack, they started listening to my warnings. But Ronan refused to accept that his father was gone. “I know,” I said softly. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.” Ronan exhaled, and some of the tension left his face. “When he returns, he'll expect me to be ready to take over.” I nodded. He was supposed to inherit the Alpha title when his father returned, that was why everything mattered so much. The pack was watching him. And, according to Ronan, they would one day watch the woman standing beside him. His gaze softened. “Which is why you need to understand what I'm asking of you.” I looked up. “I do.” His hand on my waist tightened. “But you need to keep training.” “I will.” “And you need to lose more weight.” My smile slowly faded and Ronan noticed. “Elara, I'm not trying to hurt you.” “I know.” “I'm telling you this because I love you.” Those words made me look at him again. “You do?” “Of course I do.” He kissed my forehead. “But being Luna isn't just about being my mate. Everyone will look at you. They'll judge you. They'll expect you to represent me and this pack.” His fingers travelled down my hips, teasing me. “And right now, I can't announce you as my mate.” My chest tightened. Ronan and I had discovered our mate bond shortly after our fathers left. We'd been friends long before that, and when the bond appeared, I thought the Moon Goddess had finally answered my prayers. But there was a problem. Ronan was soon to be Alpha, while I was a wolf-less, plus-sized girl who couldn't shift, with only a strange instinct that warned me of danger. In his eyes, I didn't look like an Alpha's Luna, so our bond remained secret. For nearly two years, I'd accepted stolen kisses, secret nights, and whispered promises, believing that if I worked hard enough and changed enough, he'd finally be proud to claim me. “You need to be strong and fit,” Ronan continued. “I'll become strong.” “You will.” “And, Elara…” He hesitated. “You need to look the part.” The words stung, but I forced myself to smile anyway. “I'll do it.” His eyes softened. “I know you will.” He kissed me again. And just like that, the sting faded. Ronan loved me. He had to, why else would he give me a chance? I watched him disappear into the training hall before looking down at myself. Maybe he was right. Maybe one day, Ronan would see a Luna instead of a girl he needed to hide. I picked up my water bottle and started running again.