LUNA Kardashian

Chapter 5 .

The Voice

Kira

It had been three years since I last laid eyes on West, the older brother of the twins, Axel and Jazlyn. Our first encounter occurred during our band's initial tour, where their family attended one of our shows. West, at twenty-one, left a lasting impression—albeit a frightening one—as he cornered me in an elevator, declaring that I was his. The ambiguous possessiveness and the electric shock when he held me lingered in my memory. His departure left an unexpected void, and despite feeling like a part of me was missing, I dismissed it as a teenage crush, attributing it to my fifteen-year-old self.

"It wasn't just a teenage crush," a soft voice echoed in my head, leaving me questioning my sanity. His family's security company, touted as the best globally, was now hired to handle my personal security due to a doctor's order for a six-month break. Passing out on stage and a deranged stalker made it imperative for me to take a hiatus.

As the twins dallied, I urged them to hurry, mindful of the looming traffic that could make us late for picking up West. "It won't kill him to wait," Axel retorted, running down the stairs with Jazlyn. "Faye, Jasper, we'll meet you at the restaurant in a couple of hours. Please make sure everything is set up," I instructed.

Observing Jazlyn in Faye's arms and Axel assisting Jasper into the Uber stirred a longing for the kind of affection they shared. The failed attempts at romance haunted my thoughts—each kiss feeling repulsive. The voice in my head persisted, challenging the notion that what I once dismissed as a teenage crush might be something more profound.

"Kira, you're overthinking it," Jazlyn called out, breaking me from my reverie. "Let's get going; we don't want to keep West waiting." The knots of uncertainty tightened within me as we headed towards the car, setting the stage for an encounter with West that promised answers and perhaps a rekindling of inexplicable emotions.

Over time, the desire for deeper connections lingered within me, but I resisted those advances, reserving myself for a true love I believed I hadn't encountered yet. The voice persisted, a gentle whisper challenging my choices, assuring me that nothing was wrong with my decisions. Skeptical of sharing this internal dialogue, I kept these thoughts to myself, fearful that others might perceive me as having lost my mind.

As we arrived at the airport, learning that West's flight would land in the private area, we navigated to the designated parking space and entered the terminal to await his arrival. Axel handled the logistics while I secured the SUVs West had requested. Racing thoughts fueled my nerves; it had been three long years since I last saw him. My heart tightened, and my breaths became shallower. I couldn't afford to let others see my anxious state.

"It's been too long since you've seen him. I can't wait to meet him," the soft voice returned. Confused, I scanned the surroundings, questioning the source of the mysterious voice. "Who said that?" I whispered to myself. "I am your best friend," the voice affirmed. "Just know that I am and will always be here for you from here on out." Convinced I had lost my mind, I dismissed the voice, declaring Jaz and Jasper as my best friends.

As the minutes ticked by, anticipation filled the air, heightening my nervousness. The voice reemerged, claiming to know all my secrets and understanding me better than I knew myself. Skepticism lingered, but the voice insisted on being a confidante, accessible through my thoughts.

"They're here!" Jazlyn's exuberant squeal pierced the air as she darted outside, enveloping West in a dramatic embrace before he reached the door. Witnessing their reunion, I rolled my eyes at Jazlyn's theatrics. The siblings shared a tight hug, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety about West's return, unsure of the impact it would have on my life.

I yearned to throw myself into his arms, to feel the comfort of his embrace. Stop it, Kira! Pull yourself together, I scolded myself. He doesn't even like you, the voice reminded me. "He's so handsome," the voice said. "I can't believe he's our mate, and he more than likes you, trust me." "Mate? What are you talking about, and what the hell is a mate?" I questioned myself. "How do you know he more than likes me? He doesn't know you! Hell, I don't even know you!" I must be really tired if I'm hearing voices. I rubbed my eyes. Maybe the doctor's right; I need some rest and relaxation.

"Wholly hell! It's so damn hot!" groaned one of the men who walked in with West. "Don't be a wussy; it's only one hundred degrees out, no big deal," I snorted. "I'm not a wussy, and only one hundred degrees? How the hell do you deal with this heat?" He whined. I giggled, "I was born and raised in Texas; it also helps to try wearing shorts, a tank top, and flip flops," I told him, waving my hand up and down my body. I could feel West's gaze on me, watching me, and I felt shivers go down my spine. He walked over to me with his hand stretched out. When we were close enough, he pulled me into his chest and engulfed me in a tight hug. "Hey there, baby girl," he said, and I felt my face flush with a rush of blood shooting to my cheeks. His hold on me was strong and tight. As soon as we made skin-to-skin contact, I felt an explosion of electricity shoot down my spine. I think he felt it too because he leaned in next to my ear and inhaled. Is he smelling me? Better yet, why is he smelling me? As he held me, I couldn't help but lean into his touch. It felt amazing and so right being in his arms. "I missed you so much," he whispered.

I wanted to say something, but we were interrupted by the flight attendant. She walked over to West, licking her lips and looking him up and down while running her hand along his arm. There was a part of me that wanted to rip her arms off and tear her tongue out, and I have no idea why. "He's ours! That's why!" the female voice growled. "She needs to take her hands off our mate!" Jaz snorted at West and asked if we were going to stand around and watch this slut eye-f**k him or were we going to get going. My heart fell to my stomach. I was hurt and confused about what I was feeling. I looked at West, and waves of sadness hit me. It felt like my heart was breaking. I needed to get out of there. I couldn't stand there and watch this. How could he let her touch him like that? "Please let me rip her hands off and rip her tongue."