Runaway Luna

CHAPTER TWO

The schoolyard was buzzing with chatter and laughter as children were scattered during recess. Adriana sat alone on a bench, she liked to keep to herself. She sketched little werewolf doodles on the corner of her math notebook.

“Hey freak!” one of her classmates sneered as he hovered over her along with two other goons. “Why don’t you go howl at the moon or something?”

They burst into laughter like it was an award wining joke.

She hugged her book to her chest, frowning. “Leave me alone, Nathan”

He snatched the book out of her hand and held it out of reach. He cackled while flipping through the pages. “Look guys, she draws wolves. What are you, a puppy?”

They burst into laughter and threw the notebook on the ground. Adriana felt her eyes burning with unshed tears. She clenched her fists tightly and held it back. Her mother had warned her to never draw attention, but that failed when she told her whole class that her mother has a wolf about a year ago. They’ve used it to make fun of her ever since.

When the bell rang, she quickly gathered her things and hurried to class. After school, she took her usual route to the cafe, but halfway there, the same boys appeared again.

“This is our shortcut,” Nathan said while blocking the alley. “The toll’s a dollar.”

Adriana’s heart began to race. “I always go this way.”

“Well then, since you don’t have anything, we’ll just take it from you.”

Before she could turn to run, one of the boys grabbed her arm roughly, making her whimper. They ripped her backpack from her and spilled all the contents on the ground.

“You’re as broke as your mom- no dad, no money, just a sad little cafe kid.” That comment broke her dam as the tears began to streak down.

“Oh did that hurt your feelings?” they laughed. Nathan lifted his foot, ready to trample on her stuff, including a cute hairpin her mum recently bought her.

She shielded them and her hand ended up getting pierced with the sharp pin as he stepped on her.

Adriana yelped and cradled her bleeding palm.

Suddenly, a deep commanding voice echoed down the alley. The boys froze and looked up to the source.

“Let her go.” The voice was low but sharp as steel. A tall man dressed in black stepped towards them with a soul piercing gaze.

Nathan’s lips trembled as he spoke. “We-we were just kidding around sir.”

“Run.” he said and they bolted without a second thought. Adriana looked up, her eyes wide and her heart pounding against her ribcage.

The mysterious stranger turned to her with a soft expression. “Are you alright?” he asked.

She nodded slowly while he bent down and put her things back into her bag. He revealed a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wrapped her hand tight before straightening himself.

“You… you’re really tall.” she stared at him in wonder.

He chuckled to himself. “I get that a lot.”

“Can you help me get to my mom’s cafe? She’ll want to thank you”

He smiled gently at her and extended his hand. “Lead the way”

__________

There was the soft chime of the cafe’s front door as Ilana wiped down a table. Stealing a glance from the clock, it was almost 2:30 pm.

Adriana should have been here by now.

The cafe was quiet with only a few customers, just like the calm before the storm, this is the only quiet time before the evening rush.

Moments later, the door swung open again, and I instinctively lifted up my gaze only to have the rag drop from my hand.

Adriana stood at the doorway, beaming, clutching the hand of a tall man who stood beside her, whose expression mirrored mine.

His scent hit me like a brick wall, almost knocking me off my feet-literally. It was rich, unmistakable, and overwhelming.

Mate

I gasped, my wolf who had been dormant for years, stirred within me.

Mate

She called out again and it nearly brought tears to my eyes.

I could see it in the stranger’s eyes too as they also widened slightly. His eyes were locked on me and his nostrils flared ever so slowly, as if relishing my scent. He was a wolf and he felt the bond.

“Mom!” Adriana grinned and ran to hug me. “I made a new friend! He helped me when Nathan was bullying me again. Can he stay for some hot chocolate, can I have some hot chocolate?”

“O-of course, baby. Go and get some.”

Adriana skipped to the kitchen happily. Leaving me alone with him in the middle of the shop.

He cautiously stepped closer to me. When he spoke, his voice was so smooth and deep. “I’d never thought I’d meet you.”

“Me neither.” I breathed.