Runaway Luna

CHAPTER FOUR

Ilana pov

I sat at the small dining table in my apartment, staring blankly at the untouched cup of tea. I kept replaying the day’s activities over again, mostly the part when my mate walked into my job with my daughter in hand.

But also, the warmth that spread all over my body when our hands brushed, the way he looked at me. I never felt that before, with Dorian, everything felt forced… but with him, it’s warm and inviting.

I dropped my head into my hands. “I shouldn’t have settled in this city.” I groaned.

Adriana glanced at me from her spot on the couch.

“Mommy, are you okay?”

“I’m fine baby,” I muttered but I knew she wasn’t convinced. Adriana’s always been too perceptive for her own good.

“Are you still mad at me for bringing Ronan?”

I sighed and rubbed my temple. “I just don’t want you talking to strangers, Adri. It is dangerous.”

“But he’s nice,” she huffed. “He saved me from Nathan. He likes you and you like him.”

‘I don’t-” I started but then shut my mouth when she gave me a look that was far too knowing for a seven-year-old. “I don’t know him.”

“That’s why people go on dates.” she said as a matter-of-factly while flipping a page in her book.

“Who is teaching you all this?” she shrugged and continued.

I am not ready to let someone in, not ready to go back to that life. If Alpha Dorian somehow finds my whereabouts, I don’t know what he’d do to me- to my girl. Everything that I’ve worked hard for, everything that I had to run from, could come crashing down.

“I am not going to work tomorrow,” I finally decided. “And you aren’t going to school either.”

Adriana stared at me in complete shock. “But you never take days off.”

“Well I am now.’

She pondered for a moment then nodded her head. ‘Okay, can we go to the bookstore?”

I hesitated but later caved when she gave me a sad-hopeful expression. Anything to keep my mind off of him.

__________

At the bookstore, we strolled through the aisle trying to find novels for Adriana. The activity did nothing to take my mate off my mind.

“Mommy look!” Adriana squealed excitedly.

I looked over to her to see a couple of books in her hands. We went to the cashier to pay for them and head home. I think I’d rather be at home right now than out in the open where we could run into each other.

Still distracted, I exited the store only to come face to face with the man Adriana tricked the day before.

He seemed to have been just passing by but he did not fail to recognize me. He gave me a polite smile, which widened when Adriana came out.

“I hope you aren’t tricking anybody else today?”

I felt tense but Adriana just giggled and shook her head.

“No tricks today, you don’t have to worry. Its just a normal bookstore visit.” I said.

He chuckles then glances at my daughter. “Well that’s no fun. But hey, if getting tricked means meeting a beautiful woman such as you, I don’t think anyone would complain.”

My brow raised slightly at his boldness, but before I could reply, Adriana tugged on my arm. “Mommy, we should get going.” she said. Probably can’t wait to go home and read her new books.

“I won’t keep you. It was nice to see you again.” his eyes lingered a second longer before he finally walked away.

We continued the path to the train station.

“See? He was totally into you.” she nudged me. “They should make me the next cupid. His job is easy.”

I didn’t respond, my thoughts instantly shifted to the one man who has thrown my world into disarray.

As if on cue, like a sick play by the goddess, we lock eyes from a restaurant window.

I hate this.

My heart is racing, all my senses seems to be working overtime and my wolf is going crazy.

He’s everywhere.

He noticed me almost immediately. It seems like he’s in a private meeting with someone, I can’t make out his face because he’s sitting with his back to me.

Adriana touches my hand and I almost flinch. “Mommy are you okay?” she asked worriedly.

I put on a fake smile fore her and lead her away. “Yes sweetheart. Just tired.” I lie but she seems to accept it. I sighed in relief when I saw he wasn’t following me. I cannot deal with him right now- not ever.

Mate. Our Mate!

No! We can’t, please understand.

Back at the restaurant, Ronan managed to remain calm and bring himself back to reality.

“Is something wrong?” Frederick asked.

He shook his head. “No… I thought I saw someone I knew. Let’s wrap this up.” he slid the documents over to him. “If you accept my terms then the contract is in effect. You can start working immediately.”

Frederick nodded his head. “We do. Alpha D. will be very much pleased.”

“I leave you to it” Ronan signaled for the waiter to bring in the check as he pondered what to do about his mate.