LUNA'S RETURN

CHAPTER SEVEN: CONFLICTED FEELINGS

RIVERA’S POV

I walked into the hall quietly, smiling. A young man approached me.

“Hello beautiful, I’m Zayn” he said.

I was weak in the knees. He was strikingly handsome with beautiful dentition. His beautiful blonde hair was swooshed to one side, and his electric blue eyes stared right into my soul.

“What’s your name?” he asked, bringing me back to reality.

“Rivera” I responded, smiling.

“You sang so beautifully, I was literally charmed. I knew that I had to be your first dance for the evening, Rivera. Please grant me the opportunity” he said to my surprise.

It was the first time since Casper that anyone complimented me.

“Yes Zayn. I would love to have this dance with you. It would be an honor” I responded, almost tearing up.

I danced in Zayn’s arms happily, his eyes never leaving mine for the duration of the dance. I felt at ease, following the rhythm of the song playing and melting into his arms. I was genuinely happy for the second time on the same day. I wished Zayn would be my fated mate before the end of the ball.

The dance ended and the second dance began. Zayn was snatched away by one of Celeste’s friends, Sage and I was pissed. How dare she! Why did they always have to take away the little things that made me happy?! I turned around, not knowing what to do. Everyone was paired up and I didn’t have any dance partner.

I started walking to a corner and I felt someone’s hand on mine. I turned to see Casper in front of me, smiling sweetly. CASPER?!

Before I could say anything, he began.

“Rivera, seeing you sing on stage reminded me of the good times we shared. We have grown apart but you’ll always be my first love and you look extremely gorgeous this evening. May I please have this dance?”.

I was stunned. What was happening? In my head, someone had pinched me at least five times and Casper still stood in front of me I wasn’t imagining it and everyone’s attention turned to us, waiting for my reply.

“Casper, I…” I started, finally finding my voice.

“Why are you doing this? You don’t love me anymore. Go to Celeste. The song was for both of you. Don’t make me look like a fool in front of all these people, please” I continued, pleading.

“Rivera, I loved you and that will never change. Circumstances have changed, I know and now I have Celeste by my side. I just want to have the honor of dancing with you like old times. Please Rivera” Casper pleaded like a lost puppy.

I sighed, I didn’t want anything to do with him and now everyone’s attention was on us.

“Fine, just a dance. Nothing more. You’re not going to mislead me again” I whispered to him.

“Thank you Rivera” Casper smiled, placing his left hand on my waist while my right hand rested on his shoulder.

His right hand clasped my left hand as we moved slowly to the rhythm of the song. As if on cue, everyone else started dancing with their partners. I knew Celeste was going to have my head after this dance but at least I had a happy moment with Zayn.

I danced slowly with Casper and tried not to look into his eyes so he wouldn’t feel like I still had any interest in pining after him. Casper however, never let the stupid smile on his face disappear. He seemed to really enjoy the moment while I was getting irritated as the minutes passed.

Casper leaned in and tried to whisper things in my ear and I kept pulling back, looking at him with irritation. I didn’t know if he asked me to dance with him to annoy Celeste or anything because he was becoming annoying as the dancing progressed.

Casper’s hands moved downwards and he slowly squeezed my ass. I released myself immediately and gave him a hard slap.

“Of course there was a catch! Why else would CASPER CHANN ask poor, underprivileged Rivera to dance with him, huh? In case your horny self hasn’t forgotten, I’m not Celeste. Go meet your mistress!” I exclaimed to everyone’s surprise and stormed out of the hall.

It was sad that I thought I could have a dance with the same person that broke my heart in the first place.

I walked down the halls fuming, with tears dropping down from my eyes. Zayn embraced me from nowhere and I remained in his arms for at least 30 seconds. I released myself and Zayn gave me a napkin to wipe my tears. He led me to the cafeteria where we sat down.

“I hate to see you like this, Rivera, after witnessing your beautiful smile when we danced” he began.

“Please tell me, what happened back there?” he continued.

I couldn’t lie to him, even if I didn’t want anyone to hear my misery story. He had seen everything that happened back in the hall. I had to tell him, even if it meant mixing it with a little lie.

“Thank you Zayn for caring. I really appreciate it” I started.

Zayn nodded in response.

“Casper, Alpha’s son, was my childhood friend and we had a brief dating relationship. My father passed and I was a little distant from everyone. He took it literally and moved on to Celeste. I don’t know what came over me and I did Celeste a favor by singing to Casper. You can imagine my surprise when Casper asked me to dance with him” I sighed loudly, pausing.

“He did some uncomfortable things and squeezed my ass with his filthy hands. It was really irritating and I couldn’t stand him. It’s crazy that Celeste was still not enough for him, even after he broke my heart” I continued.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through all these with Casper. I hope you find a good mate who would take care of you better” Zayn responded, with a wink.

I smiled a little, feeling a little better. He then drew closer and whispered “I hope I have the honor of being your fated mate”.

I smiled widely as he leaned closer and held my chin.

Zayn’s lips slowly met with mine and we kissed passionately. Zayn held my waist as we stood up slowly, pinning me to the wall. We kissed until we were breathless. Zayn released himself and looked into my eyes.

“I have to go back before my sister looks for me. We travelled here together and it’s a long way back. I promise I’ll be back for you, I haven’t had any luck finding my mate since I turned 18 and now I’m almost 20”.

“Maybe we were destined for each other, Zayn. I’ll wait for you. Send me a letter if you find your fated mate when you return to your pack” I found myself saying.

I was in love or at least in the heat of the moment.

“Yes Rivera. I love you” Zayn replied, giving me a kiss on the cheek and walking out the door while I smoothened my dress. I stepped out of the cafeteria a few minutes after and met Sage in Zayn’s arms. I paused as he looked at her in a loving manner.

“I can’t believe it. You’re my fated mate. I finally found you”.

I was broken. Not again. Not another rejection before I even had a chance to find my fated mate. Why was life cruel to only me?! Zayn turned to see me standing behind them. He was surprised and he was ready to explain. I understood perfectly.

I couldn’t blame him nor could I make him explain. He had finally found his mate. He was happy and I was hanging on to the only thing I knew, my string of misery. I ran away in tears. I guess I wouldn’t be needing the letter anymore.