Runaway Luna

CHAPTER THREE

Never have I dreamt that he will be standing in front of me. I perished the thought of having a mate the moment I was given to Alpha Dorian, and even after I escaped it still didn’t cross my mind, all I cared about was keeping my daughter safe.

Adriana came back out with two mugs filled with hot chocolate. I found myself sitting with the two of them at a table while they savored the taste.

“So Nathan was being an absolute jerk today,” she huffed. “But thanks to Ronan, I don’t think he’ll bother me anymore.”

My eyes darted to him at the mention of his name. It sounds as sexy as he looks. His fingers curled around the mug, his grip was firm but lazy, like he wasn’t really thinking about it. The veins in his arms stood out just slightly as he lifted it to his lips, and when he took a sip, his adam’s apple bobbed, the heat of it forcing his jaw to clench for a second before he swallowed.

I found myself doing the same thing.

His buzzed hair made everything about him look sharper- his jaw, his cheekbones. He lowered the mug back unto the table, his thumb absentmindedly rubbing over the rim. His brown eyes flickered to Adriana and softened almost immediately, giving her his full attention while she went on about the events that happened earlier today.

She took a sip then tilted her head. “By the way… why are you two acting so weird?”

I stiffened and Ronan’s fingers curled around his mug. His eyes locked unto mine and that seemed to amplify the mate bond tugging at both of our hearts. She spilled her drink on the table and we both reached out for the napkin at the same time. Our hands brushed against each other and sparks shot through my skin, the feeling was comforting and familiar.

I snatched my hands back but not before Ronan inhaled sharply.

A phone buzzed, Ronan pulled it out of his pocket. After a brief glance, he stood up.

“I have to go,” he said. His eyes lingered on mine, like he didn’t want to leave. “I’ll be back.”

And then he was gone, leaving a messy storm inside my chest.

Adriana slurped her hot chocolate while watching the door swing shut. “You should date him.”

I nearly choked on my own saliva. “Excuse me?”

She just shrugged. “He’s nice, and I didn’t even have to trick him to come here. That’s a good sign.”

“Adriana…” I groaned while rubbing my temple, suddenly getting a headache.

“What? I’m just saying.”

I picked up the mug he drank from, tempted to put my own lips on it. The mate bond is a cruel thing. It didn’t care about my trauma, what I had to endure all those years. If that is how men treats their mates then I never want to be mated again.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, ignoring the way my body thrummed for his touch or the way my wolf screamed for her mate in my head. No. I can’t let this happen, for Adriana’s sake. I need to keep her as far away from that world as possible.

__________

Ronan pov

As I stepped out of the cafe, I took a deep breath to calm myself. My mind was still reeling from what had just happened. I found my mate, after all these years. I gave up a long time ago, thinking how the goddess could be so cruel as to deny me of my other half.

I’d imagined this moment so many times, I wondered what she’d look like, how her touch would feel, the moment I claim her, but, that look in her eye… it was more than just shock… it was fear.

She was afraid of me, but why? What has she gone through? Where have she been?

I clenched my jaw as I made my way down the busy sidewalk to my car. The mate bond was pulling me back and my wolf was going crazy.

Mate! Mate!

I shook my head multiple times and tried to calm myself. Now is not the time, I can’t just take her, something is wrong. And then there was Adriana.

My mate has a daughter… who is the father? The thought alone of another man having his way with my woman was enough for me to crack my steering wheel.

The vibration of my phone in my pocket brought me out of my thoughts. I pulled it out and took a peek at the caller ID. Frederick.

I have business to take care of but I’ll be back tomorrow, with some questions.