His Isolated Omega Luna

Chapter Six

I was completely unable to form a single coherent sentence under Lucas’ watchful gaze when the lift began to descend. I felt my stomach lurch, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the sudden juddering movement, or from the realization Lucas didn’t really make that sound like a request. When we reached the ground floor, the doors opened and Lucas stepped out first, gesturing for me to follow him with a simple jerk of his head.

I knew I must have looked absolutely pitiful just standing there with my hands twisted together. I was so torn between running back upstairs and locking myself away and just swallowing down the fear and going after the male. I had to admit though, I was a little curious about what it was exactly Lucas seemed so intent on sharing with me.

Whatever it was probably involved Axel, and that alone would have been enough to sway my decision.

I noticed my bag was still dangling from Lucas’ shoulder and I really needed to retrieve the contents. A fresh, unopened packet of one of my new high-strength suppressants was wedged carelessly into one of the side pockets and I could hardly breathe at the thought they might fall out at Lucas’ feet any second. I would probably rather die right there than have to explain that one away.

Ever the optimist.

I sighed in defeat and stepped out of the lift while I looked up at Axel’s brother. There was no real resemblance between them, but there was something safe about him that reminded me of Axel. That memory set free all the painful emotions I had felt when I pushed Axel away. How I wished I could take that moment back, but I had panicked as usual and my first instinct was to run away and hide.

I tried to dampen down the budding confusion that was pulling at my heart, unable to decide if it was because I was scared or because I wanted to feel Axel’s arms winding around me again. There was a much deeper longing there than I was willing to admit.

***

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Cassandra replied hesitantly. Lucas attempted a smile, watching the woman shift restlessly in front of him. Cassandra had no need to fear him. Lucas took a small step towards her and tried very hard not to look too menacing.

“It’s about Axel.” Lucas offered quietly, in the hope the mention of his name might stimulate Cassandra's curiosity. Lucas had tried to keep his voice soft, but Cassandra still couldn’t make eye contact with him. He was starting to wonder how she could possibly get her backpack back if she refused point blank to go with him.

Lucas was unnaturally large and perhaps to Cassandra, he was a formidable company. Axel had mentioned that Cassandra found it hard enough to talk to him when he pinned her like that and now Lucas could smell the sweat starting to pool on her neck again. Lucas made no attempt to get any closer and his expression never altered. He just waited patiently for Cassandra to decide whether or not she was prepared to listen to what he had to say.

“Alright…” Cassandra whispered at last.

***

Lucas nodded and we started to head toward the main entrance. I glanced at the row of mailboxes to my right and thought about how all this had started in the first place. It had been such a short amount of time since I had found myself staring into Axel’s alluring eyes. Now it felt like Axel consumed every waking thought, and I had to make it stop somehow.

My need to be near him was getting out of control and I knew that once I had spoken to Lucas, I would have to bed down at work for a few days to try to get Axel Harrison out of my system once and for all.

A treacherous little voice in the back of my head was warning me it might not be quite that easy, but I ignored it for now.

There was still a damp edge to the night air as Lucas pushed the doors open.

“Do you want to go over to the coffee house? At least we’ll be out of the cold and no one will bother us. Axel thinks I’ve gone to fetch beer. The fact that I had coincidentally run into you was just an unexpected bonus.” Lucas smiled. I shrugged with my eyes still fixed on the bag and bit into my lip. I really wanted Lucas to give it back but was too afraid to ask for it outright. I didn’t want to sound too desperate and make him suspicious.

“I don’t mind. I was just on my way out though, so please forgive me if I can’t stay very long.”

***

Lucas huffed a laugh while he studied Cassandra’s face. She had such an unusual way of communicating and was hopelessly sweet. Lucas quickly concluded she probably had very little social experience.

“Yeah, Cas. I think I might be able to forgive you for that. Come on.” Lucas beamed at her before he led the way over the road. His pace was probably making it difficult for Cassandra to keep up because she was slightly out of breath by the time they reached their destination.

***

Lucas held the door open for me and I dipped underneath his arm, but then I suddenly stopped. There were far too many people between me and the counter and the light seemed too bright for my sensitive eyes. Heightened senses and a feeling of total vulnerability had become more intense over the last couple of days and I knew instinctively what it meant.

I felt a rise of panic when I realized everything had suddenly become loud and threatening, my own thoughts being drowned out by the constant hum of noise that surrounded me. I reached blindly behind me and tried to make a grab for my bag but I ended up tugging hard on Lucas’s coat sleeve instead.

“Lucas... my pack.” My voice sounded desperate and Lucas quickly slipped it from his shoulder and handed it over straight away.

Lucas was frowning down at me when I fumbled through the side pocket and pulled out the small box that contained the new batch of pills. He shut the door and turned to ask me if I was okay but I wasn't next to him anymore. I had hurriedly chosen a table in one of the darkest corners of the room and was sitting in a strange position, with my back pressed up against the wall. My eyes were darting around and I was flexing my fingers again. Lucas swept in to sit on the opposite side and leaned over the table.

“What’s the matter?” He asked with confusion. “You look like a pack of wild dogs might be after you.”

I stared at Lucas in surprise. His choice of phrase had been unfortunate. That was exactly what I was afraid of.

“Lucas, please. I’ll be fine in a minute.” I said, reaching for the customary jug of water that had been set on the center of the table between us. I attempted to pour some into a glass but my hand was shaking so much, I missed it completely and a wayward stream splashed over the tabletop and almost soaked Lucas.

“Sorry… I’m so sorry.” I stammered, helplessly trying to mop it up with a few flimsy paper napkins. Lucas seemed to be increasingly concerned about me.

***

Axel wasn’t kidding. She was a mess.

“Here, let me.” Lucas gently pried rigid fingers from the handle and took the pitcher from Cassandra's hand. “Sure you’re alright?” Lucas asked warily. Cassandra seemed to have settled a bit, and at least she was now more focused on the box in her hands than the people around. She nodded and opened up the little carton.

“My anxiety meds,” Cassandra said without looking up and pushed two pills through the film and popped them into her mouth, one after the other. She gulped down a mouthful of the water Lucas poured out for her and swallowed loudly as they slipped down her throat.

Lucas narrowed his eyes as he watched her. His mind was starting to put several disjointed pieces together while he stared at the packet. Since when did prescription medication come in plain unmarked boxes?

Lucas didn’t want to make her any more agitated than she already was, so he decided not to mention it just yet. He tried to cover Cassandra’s hand with his own as a token of friendly support, but Cassandra jerked her arm back and out of reach.

***

“Sorry.” I apologized again. “I don’t really know why, but I get jumpy when people try to touch me.” I thought back to the moment when Axel had held me close and run his fingers down my back. I had actually found that more calming than anything else, and then I ruined it by pushing him away. “Mostly.”

***

“It’s fine. I’ll just go get us a coffee.” Lucas placated. “Wait here.” He realized how stupid that sounded on his way to the bar. Where else was she going to go in that state?

Lucas was really starting to understand the depth of Axel’s attraction to her, and that was from a beta perspective. She was crying out to be cosseted and protected from everything that threatened her. Lucas thought she probably didn’t even know herself how desperate she was to be cherished. For an unmated and fiercely possessive alpha like Axel, Cassandra was honey just waiting to be licked.

When he returned a few minutes later, Lucas was surprised to find Cassandra was no longer alone. She was backed up completely and tugging her legs up into her chest. Her blue eyes were wide and frantic.

“Hey!” Lucas shouted over the noise of the busy room, and a man who had been crowding Cassandra stood up straight and glanced over his shoulder. Lucas quickly deposited the drinks on the table and put himself between them.

“She’s with me.” It wasn't particularly loud, but the underlying warning in his voice was determined and strong. The burning hazel glare that accompanied it was enough to make his point, and the man started to back away. Cassandra let out a long breath, slowly releasing the iron grip around her knees.

“In which case, you shouldn’t leave her alone. Pretty little thing like that.” The man replied with a smile, but there was nothing pleasant about it. “Something might happen to her.” He walked away and melted seamlessly back into the crowd before Lucas had the chance to punch him. He sat down silently and pushed Cassandra’s cup towards her with one finger, staring curiously.

That was definitely not something that just happened on a regular late-night trip to pick up a cup of coffee.

***

I knew Lucas had read much more into the bitter exchange than I would have liked. It was making me really uncomfortable and I wasn't in any condition to discuss it right then. The look in that stranger's eyes had chilled me to the core. I couldn’t even think about what I would have done if Lucas hadn’t come back at that moment.

I was getting close to falling into my cycle again and was finding my scent more difficult to mask with every day that passed as it got nearer. I had been self-lubricating for the past week at least and already presumed that might be what had drawn Axel to me in the first place.

I was secretly hoping it was more than the smell of a warm receptive body that had turned those green eyes. I had to work much harder at convincing myself I didn’t want that, no matter how safe and warm I felt when I let Axel hold me.

Lucas took in a deep breath and allowed himself a mouthful of coffee. He finally stopped staring at me. “Well, I suppose you want to know why I asked you to come here,” Lucas said, after putting down his cup.

I nodded silently, taking a few little sips of my own drink from the very edge. I kept it balanced on my bottom lip while Lucas spoke. “There’s something I want you to know about my brother.” He started awkwardly, pushing the hair back from his face again.

I swallowed nervously, watching Lucas over the rim of my cup and I could feel my heart start to flutter. “I don’t really know how to start.” Lucas shook his head. “So I’m just going to come right out and say it, and then whatever you want to do with it is up to you.” He said quickly, eventually managing to look up into my eyes again. “I just don’t want him to get hurt,” Lucas said suddenly. He certainly got straight to the point - there was no denying that.

I put my coffee down. “You must know how much he likes you,” Lucas added. His cheeks flushed pink, and I couldn’t resist a small smile at how difficult that had seemed for him to force out.

“He has been very kind to me today,” I said quietly.

Lucas actually laughed.

“Yes, I can imagine.” His expression soon grew serious again. “I think it’s much more than that. I don’t want to speak out of turn, and Axel would beat the living s**t out of me if he knew I was telling you any of this, but I haven’t ever seen him so determined to win someone over. He's been watching you for a while.” I could feel my throat tightening up again when I gasped in a few shallow breaths. That wasn't creepy at all. “I don’t really know what’s happening here, or how you feel about him, but I think maybe…” Lucas hesitated. “He’s set his heart on you for a reason.”

***

Lucas stressed that word deliberately and hoped Cassandra was smart enough to pick up on the significance. He was desperate to tell her Axel was an alpha and was starting to hope he had found his pair-bond at last, but it wasn’t his place. He was just concerned at how quickly his brother was becoming infatuated with someone who might never be able to love him.

“Lucas.” Cassandra started quietly. “I can’t. I'm just not able to be with anyone like that.” She whispered.

“Oh - okay. I just wanted to tell you he was interested, that is all. He doesn’t take rejection well but I’ll try and let him down gently.” Lucas replied sadly. He inhaled a deep breath and set his mouth in a stiff line. “Thanks for being so honest, anyway.”

Cassandra paled. Not strictly true.

“Let me walk you to the stop.” Lucas offered when they got up to leave. “I’ll have a word with Axel and tell him he should back off a bit. He’ll be okay in a few days. He always is.”

***

I hesitated. I wasn’t sure what Lucas meant by that last comment, but it made me feel sick. “I thought you were heading into town.” Lucas prompted, but I felt like I was being pulled apart inside with the revelation Axel wanted me so badly. I hadn’t realized just how much I needed to hear it.

“Cas?” Lucas tried one last time. “You do want him to back off, don’t you?” I felt my lip tremble when I imagined just how much that would have hurt if our positions had been reversed.

“I… I don’t know.” I murmured. Suddenly I wasn’t so sure anymore. Lucas could obviously see the doubt on my face, and I respected him for not trying to influence me one way or the other.

“Why don’t you come back with me instead and talk to Axel? Maybe he'll be able to explain it much better than I can.”

I glanced down the street when I heard my bus pull up on the side of the pavement. I looked back in the direction of the apartment block.

I screwed my eyes tight shut and made a fateful decision.

***

Lucas opened the door to their room and saw Axel’s arm shoot up from behind the couch to imply his open hand needed to be filled with a cold bottle. “What took you so long?” He asked, without even bothering to sit up.

“I… er... bumped into Cassandra,” Lucas answered quietly. He could almost hear Axel stop breathing. “… and I brought her back with me.”

Axel jumped up and stood gaping stupidly at them both while he processed the fact Cassandra was standing in his doorway. She looked even more adorable than he remembered and Axel found himself struggling to say anything at all. Cassandra's hair was still damp from the moist night air and her cheeks and lips radiated a pink glow, like the inner heat that burned inside her was trying to escape just to set Axel's heart on fire.

Cassandra was blinking and staring at her hands, anxiously twisting the handle of her backpack between her fingers. His brother gave him a wide demanding look that screamed “tell her” before he backed discreetly out into the corridor again. He just heard his muffled voice say something about needing a walk before the door closed behind him.

“Hello, Axel.”

“Hey, Cas.” Axel pushed one hand through his hair, shrugging awkwardly when he forced a laugh. “I’m sorry about Lucas. He’s just a pushy little shit.” Cassandra finally looked up at him.

“That’s alright. I actually think I rather like him.”

Axel shook his head in despair, but he was smiling.

“Yeah, well. Wait ‘til you get to know him.” There was a small pause. “So, anyway. Don’t think I’m complaining or anything, but how did he manage to get you to come over here?” Axel glanced away and he was sure Cassandra could see he was still a little resentful. “I thought you wanted me to leave you alone.” He sighed. “You said I frightened you.”

Cassandra gasped a small breath when Axel’s eyes quickly flicked back to her.

“I didn't mean it like that,” Cassandra answered honestly. “I’m not afraid of you. I’m afraid of the way you make me feel.”

“What?”

Cassandra sucked hard at her lip as she held his gaze.

“I’m scared I’m not strong enough to keep pushing you away.”