Don't Mess With Her: His Luna

Chapter 2 - Say Goodbye

Leora actually was folding clothes she managed to bring with her and putting it carefully in a small, brown bag when she heard the door creak open. Long shadows were stretched from the dim light of basement windows, though she could not miss Lynn, standing there, mockery etched on her face.

“Oh, wow,” Lynn said with mockery thick in her voice. “I'm sure you can't wait to be with Alpha Allerick and live with him for the rest of your life.”

Leora glanced up at her step-sister, shocked to see her up at this hour. Just after dawn, the outside light made the sky a pale gray. Lynn's eyes sparkled with sadistic glee, Leora could see the scorn behind her words.

“I’m fine with whatever you say, Lynn,” Leora said flat as a board. She felt too exhausted and didn’t want to argue. She had to reserve her strength for the future challenges. She returned to folding, picking up the next shirt and putting it in her bag. She was aware her hands shook, albeit it slightly, but she tried to ignore it.

Lynn's smile faded, irritation flashing across her face. "Oh, come on, Leora,” she snapped. "Don't be like that. What are you going to do when someone as unlucky as you marries someone as cursed as Allerick," she asked. “You two married must be living a hell on earth."

For a moment, Leora did not seem to know what to say, her hand resting on the bag. Only glanced at her step-sister. Her voice was calm but tinged with bitterness, "Seems like you have been there."

Her eyes narrowed, and her mouth became a thin line like Lynn had them pressed together. For a moment, she appeared speechless, rage raging just below the surface. He was about to say something, but before no one could say anything, the door opened wider and Wayne brought his large frame inside that tiny room. "It’s time."

Leora nodded, inhaling. She picked up her bag, the bag was light but her heart was heavy. She gave a last look around her room. There was nothing valuable here, nothing she would miss.

Her steps were slow and heavy but she marched on towards the door. Wayne opened the door for her, and as she passed, she could feel Lynn staring daggers into her back. Good luck, Leora." Lynn hummed, her voice sickly-sweet but dripping with malice. "You’ll need it."

Leora didn’t look back. She held her chin up as she moved forward. The hallway was lantern-lit, the house still sleeping in the hour before the sunrise. Her heart raced, the thudding pulse pounding out fear and uncertainty in her chest.

Her father, along with Paula and several warriors, was standing before the house when Leora stepped outside. One was a man she didn't know, standing with confident, commanding poise. Leora guessed him for Alpha Allerick's beta. He stood tall and broad-shouldered, his dark brown eyes piercing her as soon as they landed on her. A sleek black suit clung to his muscular body and a silver piece hung from a chain around his neck.

The man sighted her and gave her a friendly smile. Leora's father stepped up and introduced him as Beta Keegan, Alpha Allerick's second in command and right hand. Keegan assisted Leora as she grabbed her bag and raised his eyebrow at it, but he didn’t question antyhing. There was a glimmer of interest in his eye, but he was respectful and calm, Leora thought.

Once she had put away her bag in the trunk, Keegan turned to her father. “We have to leave now,” he said firmly, but politely.

Leora's father nodded, his face without expression. “Tell Alpha Allerick that I said thank you,” he said. "And please take good care of my daughter."

Keegan smiled, and acknowledged these words with a nod. "Of course, Alpha," he replied, then opened the car door for Leora.

There was a tinge of bitterness in Leora given her father’s words. She knew he was just saying things to save his face. She glanced at him and bit her lip with sadness and somehow resentment. She whispered, "Farewell, Father."

Her father answered coldly: "Goodbye, Leora."

Paula and Lynn were nearby, wearing the same smug little grins as always, but Leora said nothing. They conveyed their best wishes for her future, but Leora knew the good wishes were fake. She saw the victory in their eyes, the glee at seeing her go. Leora felt hollow as the car pulled away after she entered. She was leaving everything she had ever known behind and walking into the unknown with little more than fear and uncertainty to keep her company.

The car continued driving and Leora sat there in silence, looking out the window in a trance. The only noise in the car was the rhythmic hum of the engine, the sound echoing in her ears, telling her how far away from home she was.

The next moment the car had slammed to a stop, making Leora's body jolt against the back of her seat. Keegan cursed under his breath, knuckles white on the steering wheel. "Damn it," he muttered.

Keegan was startled too—his eyes went wide and he turned to Leora to make sure she was okay. "What happened?” she asked, frightened more than anything.”

He responded, "Something just jumped in front of the car. I'll go check it out." Keegan sighed, his voice hard.

Upon that, he unbuckled his seatbelt, and exited out of the car. Leora stared after him, her heart racing. Leora unbuckled her own seatbelt and began to get out behind Keegan. She looked around her, scanning the distance for threats as she stepped into the road.

It was then that her breath caught as she saw someone by the side of the road. Her best friend, Elise, appeared nervous but not injured. An overwhelming sense of relief swept over Leora, quickly followed by disbelief.

Elise? Why is she here?

However, before she could wrap her mind around the moment, Keegan's voice sliced through the air, all irritation in tone. “Who the hell do you think you are? Keegan snapped, his voice harsh.

Leora turned to look back at Keegan, who was standing by the car with his arms crossed and a stern expression on his face. Elise, ignoring his glare, looked him right in the eye.

Elise said, "I just wanted to speak to my friend.”

"Elise?" Leora shouted, disbelief ringing in her voice. Leora's gaze met Elise's when Elise turned around. Keegan turned his head swiftly, his eyes widening in surprise as he saw Leora already stepping out of the car.

Elise turned and her eyes locked gazes with Leora. In an instant, Leora rushed to her, bridging the gap in seconds. Elise reached her halfway and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Oh my God," she said, her voice shaking. "What are you doing here?"

"Leora," she said, her voice calling out her name. “I thought I can’t even say goodbye to you.”

A wave of relief washed over Leora as she tugged her friend into her side. "What were you thinking?" she scolded gently. "You could have been hurt."

"I'm sorry," she said softly. “I had only wanted to speak to you.”

Elise looked to Keegan, her eyes begging. "Can I talk to her, please?"

Keegan hesitated for a moment before giving a quick nod. "Fine," he replied. "But make it quick."