Runaway Luna

CHAPTER SIX

“Let’s talk about this right now.” I didn’t look back- I couldn’t.

His steps were slow, purposeful, as he carefully approached me. “Please don’t run this time,”

“I am not running,” I said with my back still turned. “I am simply walking away.”

He exhaled, totally frustrated now.

“You’ve been walking away for almost a week now.”

I finally turned. “Because I have a daughter to protect. I am not dragging her into a world that didn’t want her.”

His shook his head confused. “I would never take you away from your daughter, or let any harm come to either of you.”

“You don’t know what you are saying. He doesn’t forget s**t like this, if he finds me- finds Adri… I don’t want to imagine what he’ll do.”

“I don’t understand, who is this person that scares you so much?”

I didn’t respond, I will never let his name taint my lips. That man didn’t care about anyone but himself, a ruthless, self-centered prick that took me away from my pack two years before I got pregnant.

“It’s her father isn’t it?” he said, hitting the nail exactly at the head. The look in my eyes gave me away. “Look, I don’t need the full story to see how much pain you’ve carried,” his voice softened as he stepped closer. “But I also see how your daughter looks at me, and how you look at me, even when you are not trying to. The mate bond, it’s not just some magical connection. It is fate’s way of giving us what we need, even when we don’t want it. You have been strong alone, I see that… but don’t you think you deserve more than just hiding and surviving? Both of you?”

I could feel the back of my eyes starting to sting.

“Let me in,” he whispered and took my hand in his. “Not just for me. For your daughter, and for you.”

I didn’t answer, not yet, but for the first time… I didn’t turn away.

A sharp horn cut through the air and startled us apart. The cab I called earlier had finally arrived.

“We have to go.” I avoided his eyes and pulled Adriana along, who has been quiet this entire time.

He took my hand again, the sparks felt a bit different this time, maybe because I wasn’t fighting it, I could enjoy the feeling.

“Give me a chance to prove that I just want to be there for you.” his eyes pleaded with mine and I could see how much pain he is actually enduring. It made me feel bad for him, why couldn’t the goddess give him a normal mate, not a tainted one like me.

“I need time to think.”

He reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a sleek business card. “Call me when you are ready. I’ll be waiting.” he pressed it gently into my hand.

I nodded slowly and walked to the cab. The absence of his warmth send a chill down my spine. I couldn’t help but look back at him one last time as we left the venue.

_____

After a hot shower, I sat in front of my mirror, staring at myself through the glass. With slow hands, I reached up and removed the brown wig I’ve had on for the past few weeks, revealing my own fiery red hair. I undid the braids and combed through the strands, feeling like I’m staring at my past self.

My gaze shifted to the business card on the table. Ronan’s name was written in gold with an elegant font. His words played over and over again in my mind. A never ending loop.

“Maybe this doesn’t have to be my past self.” I whispered to myself.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

“Mommy?” Adriana’s voice was small and gentle. Her eyes lit up at the sight of my hair.

“You finally took it out! I was afraid I may never see it again.” I laughed as she skipped into the room and hugged me from behind. “We look like twins.”

I smiled at our reflection then suddenly she became so serious.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her.

“Mommy, does daddy not love me?”

My heart clenched. I turned around and took her face in my hands.

“Listen to me… I never wished for it to be this way, but your father is a terrible man, he doesn’t know how to love anyone, not me… not you… he only cares about himself.”

She looked to the floor, a bit saddened by my words. “And Ronan, do you love him?”

I hesitated, searching for an answer. “It’s complicated, I don’t know.”

“It’s okay, I love you.” she nodded. It seems that is good enough for her.

I hugged her close, fighting the tears that were threatening to spill.

“I love you too, more than anything.”

We decided to sleep in the same bed tonight. I cradled my daughter in my arms as she fell asleep. I stared at her side profile, pushing her hair out of the way. I didn’t want to think about anything or anyone else. My daughter is here, safe and alive in my arms and that was good enough for me.

_____

“Done!” Adriana looked up and grinned.

“You’re getting faster every morning,” I said with a smile.

She gasped. “I forgot my hairpin, I’ll be right back.” she sprinted off to her room. I walked over to the couch and took a seat.

My finger hovered over the call button. I hesitated for a moment, then gently tapped the button.

The line rang once… twice… then it clicked.

I opened my mouth to speak, at first nothing, then I softly called, “Ronan?”