His Missing Luna

CHAPTER 104

AMERIE/JESSICA

GOING HOME TO MY MATE

I force my heart to steady itself as I rise to my feet. "Beta Anselm," I greet, hoping the flutter in my chest isn’t as obvious as it feels.

"Anselm is fine," he says, flashing me that same disarming smile. His gaze lingers, a little too long. "How’s your day been?"

A growl echoes in the back of my mind, the same one that stirs since I met Anselm. "Wonderful," I reply, glancing at Tamia, silently willing her to intervene. "Yours?"

"Better now that I’ve seen you," he steps closer, his eyes drifting from me to the flowers. "Beautiful," he adds, his voice softer. "Just like you." His gaze lingers on my face before sweeping down and back up again.

I feel my cheeks flush and silently curse myself for it. "Thank you, Anselm. That’s kind of you."

He shrugs, still watching me. "Just stating the truth, princess. You’ve caught the attention of every unmated male in the pack."

My stomach tightens. I force a smile. "I hope they all find their mates soon. So their attention can be away from me."

His eyes flicker with something—disappointment, maybe? But he covers it quickly with a chuckle. "Not all of them hope to do so."

I shift uncomfortably, taking a small step back, but he follows, his presence looming. "Meeting your mate isn’t something you should avoid," I say, my voice a little too clipped. "It’s a... special feeling."

"And who says only your mate can make you feel that way?" He steps even closer, his hand brushing my cheek. His wolf’s eyes flash briefly, making the air between us feel thick.

“Excuse me, Anselm,” Tamia’s voice cuts through, firm and authoritative. “You can’t get that close to the princess. Royal protocol. Only her mate can do that.”

He steps back, though the intensity in his gaze doesn’t waver. "Apologies, princess. Didn’t mean to overstep. I hope you can forgive me."

I exhale slowly, grateful for Tamia's intervention. "It’s alright," I murmur, but my voice sounds distant, even to me. I give Tamia a small nod, silently thanking her.

"If you’re free tonight," Anselm says, his voice casual again, "I’d like to take a stroll with you."

I blink, caught off guard. I glance at Tamia, desperate for an excuse. "I, uh... I’m sure my family has something planned after dinner."

He chuckles softly, scratching his jaw. "I don’t think so. The king already gave me permission."

My heart stops. What?

I turn to Tamia, but she just shrugs. "The king can do that," she says through the link. "Just say yes."

I grit my teeth, feeling the weight of my father’s interference pressing down on me. I smile tightly. "I suppose a stroll will be fine."

Anselm’s smile widens, lighting up his face. "Perfect. I’ll come by at nine. Once I am done with my errands."

I nod, watching him leave. As soon as he’s out of sight, I reach for my father through the mind-link, but it’s blocked. "His link is blocked," I tell Tamia, frustrated. I grab the scissors and snip a branch from the nearest plant, the motion jerky.

"You could ask the queen," Tamia suggests gently, kneeling beside me again.

I drop the scissors and sigh. "You’re right." I open the link to my mother. "Mother."

"Yes, Amerie?"

"Do you know why Father gave Anselm permission to take me out tonight without telling me?"

Her pause is long. When she speaks, her voice is soft, careful. "Your father... hopes Anselm will be your mate."

I stand, the words a punch to my gut. "But I have a mate!"

"You think Nathan is your mate, but your wolf hasn’t presented yet. We can’t be sure."

"I know he’s my mate. I feel it."

"Amerie, that’s what he told you. It’s not what we know. He could be lying—"

"He's not lying!" My voice shakes with frustration. "I feel it, Mother."

She sighs. "Feelings can be misleading, especially in times of need. Anyone who saved you like that from Kizziah at that time would have felt like a mate."

"But this is different. I know it. I doubt if I will feel like that for anyone other than Nathan,” I bite my lip, my heart breaking at how I feel when Anselm comes near me.

Almost identical feelings, one stronger than the other.

"Are you sure? You don’t feel something for Anselm?" I sense the doubt in her voice.

The link snaps shut as I sever the connection. I drop to my knees, my hands shaking. I blink back the tears as they fill my eyes.

I have no one else to blame for this. If I had kept it all to myself, this wouldn’t be happening. My parents wouldn’t be planning to give me off to Anselm.

Why do I feel like I am back in Kizziah’s pack again? Maybe because I feel an invisible chain tied to my feet, locking me in place. This time around, it’s my own wielding the chain.

They are keeping me away from the one person that gave me nothing but the freedom I just discovered I am losing again.

Should I regret wishing I found my family? Should I regret all those years I yearned for them?

How could they? How could they push me toward someone when my heart belongs elsewhere?

And how can I feel something for Anselm when Nathan is all I want?

"Princess?" Tamia’s voice is soft as she grips my arm. "What is it?"

"I won’t give up," I murmur, more to myself than to Tamia. Just like I didn’t give up believing someone would come save me from Kizziah and Saul.

I rise to my feet, my resolve solidifying with each breath. Wiping my face with the back of my hands, I say to Tamia. "Tamia, deliver a message to my mother for me."

If with a thought I was able to find my family, then I will do the same with finding Nathan.

"What message?" she asks, worry creasing her brow.

I meet her eyes, unshaken, the thought already forming in my head. "Tell her I’ve gone to find my mate."

I am going home. To Nathan.