The Luna He Left Behind

A Kiss Meant for Closure"

Pearl

The meeting ended in chaos.

Elders muttering. Warriors whispering. River and Ezra both left in silence.

But I didn’t go back to my room.

I went straight to the war board—alone. Because while they were busy wanting me, no one was watching the borders. And someone had to be the Luna.

I traced the rogue lines with my finger, then grabbed a marker and circled the weak spots.

“You think like a general now,” a voice murmured behind me.

I didn’t turn around.

“Because queens can’t afford to think like pawns.”

River.

He stepped up beside me, just close enough that I could feel the heat of him. His presence was different from Ezra’s. Ezra was fire and steel.

River was smoke and seduction.

“Why didn’t you run when they said you were dead?” I asked quietly.

He hesitated.

“Because I wanted to become someone who could deserve you.”

I turned to face him.

“You don’t get to disappear and come back like nothing happened.”

“And you don’t get to hide behind your rage and pretend you don’t want to burn,” he said, voice low.

Then he did it—he stepped closer, his hand brushing the side of my neck, lips just shy of touching mine.

“Let me remind you what it felt like to be chosen.”

I didn’t stop him.

His lips met mine, slow and intense, like he was remembering every moment we never got to have.

It wasn’t Ezra’s kiss. It wasn’t war.

It was worship.

And for a second… I let him have it.

But only a second.

I pulled back, breathless, heart racing.

“That was for the past,” I whispered. “Now let’s see what you do for the future.”

Ezra

I saw them.

I wasn’t supposed to. I’d come to find her—to beg her to see me again, not as her mistake but as her Alpha.

And there they were.

His mouth on hers.

Her fingers in his hair.

Her lips parted.

I didn’t go in.

I didn’t break the door down or tear him apart.

Because that’s what the old me would’ve done.

Instead, I walked away.

Straight to the training field.

And I shifted.

Every bone snapped, every muscle ripped. My wolf burst out like rage in a storm.

If she wanted to test both Alphas—

She was about to learn what choosing means.