Where's my Luna

Chapter 13

Kaila POV

I really needed a hug right now. The only thing that could make me feel better was a hug. The crying had helped take away a huge percentage of my pain, but it wasn't enough. I thought of Mother's warm hug, and all I craved was that hug.

"Can I get a hug?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Handsome Scarred raised his head and stared at me in shock. For the first time since I'd met him, his expression was visible on his face; he didn't try to hide it.

"What did you just say?" he asked, surprise written on his face.

I believed no one had been brazen enough to ask him for a hug before. This must be the first time someone had asked him for one.

I imitated the best puppy eyes I could. It always worked whenever I wanted Father to give or do something for me. Father would always say, "No one can say no to that face."

"I want a hug, please," I said, staring at him.

I heard him mutter, "Impossible." I felt disappointed. Hugs were really nothing; Mother, Hannah, and even Stella never hesitated to give me a hug when I needed one. Hugs were like medicine to me, a mechanism that helped me feel better when stressed or down.

"I don't do hugs," he said coldly.

Disappointed, I watched as he stood from his seat. Before he could stand properly, I lurched forward and wrapped my arms around him, my knees on the bed. I tightened my arms around him to stop him from escaping. I pressed myself into his body; the rich, soft cotton of his robe made me feel better.

"I just wanted a hug," I whispered.

After a brief struggle, which I pretended not to notice, he pulled me up, my feet to the ground, and wrapped his arms around me. I snuggled into his chest, relishing the warm embrace. I could stay here forever.

We stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms, for a long time. "Enjoy the moment, Kaila," I said to myself, "you will never get to see him again."

"Are you feeling better now?" he asked, his hands gently caressing my hair.

"Yes," I replied.

We untangled from each other's arms. He gently guided me to sit on the bed.

Walking towards the bag of supplies Dr. Thompson had brought earlier, he picked a pack of juice and some cookies.

I admired his stride as he walked towards me.

"Here, eat this; you haven't had anything to eat for three days now," he said, handing me the juice and cookies.

"Orange juice!" I exclaimed. "I love orange juice; I prefer it to a glass of any wine. Give me a glass of orange juice, and you'll have my heart forever," I smiled heartily.

He chuckled. "So, I have your heart forever?" he asked, humor behind his question.

"It's just an expression; I don't mean it," I said, smiling.

"Eat," he said, but it sounded more like an order.

I ate silently. My stomach gleefully welcomed the meal. I had no idea I was that hungry.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He nodded.

"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked.

He shook his head, indicating no.

Perhaps he had eaten while I was still unconscious.

He sat on the chair beside the bed, watching me, probably wondering what kind of girl I was.

"I'm not usually like this," I said timidly. "I seriously don't know what came over me, and I guess the heartbreak took a toll on me."

"Are your parents aware of his rejection? You seem to be a daddy's girl," he asked, boring holes into me with his gaze.

"Yeah," I chuckled. "He actually rejected me in their presence."

"Ouch," he whispered.

"Yeah, I guess that's how rejection is done. Have you witnessed any rejection before?" I asked, watching him intensely.

He chuckled lightly. "Not really, but I'm aware rejection is done in the open, in front of people who matter to us."

"But why is that?" I asked.

"It's done that way so there will be witnesses," he explained.

"The same way people get to know who your mate is, and they will be present as witnesses on the day of your marriage. So, people should also be present when you're rejected by your mate. That way, you can be free to mingle and not be held back by the tag that only your mate is aware you don't want them."

"I understand, except the last part. What do you mean by the tag that only your mate is aware you don't want them?"

He closed his eyes and shook his head for a moment.

Here is the rest of the rewritten text with corrected grammatical errors:

"For instance, if Lucas had told you alone that he was rejecting you, you might not be able to disclose to others that you've been rejected. It would hinder you from mingling as a single werewolf," he said.

"Oh," I nodded in understanding. If Lucas had told me privately that he rejected me, I would have hidden it from everyone, but now that everyone is aware, I'm free to mingle with whomever I choose. It sounds logical.

"The pain drove you into the woods," he stated, more than asked.

"Yeah," I whispered. "I felt my heart was ripped out of my chest, my breath ceased. I could literally hear my heart breaking into tiny pieces. I didn't know when I shifted and left the palace...house," I said, thankfully quick to correct myself. I didn't want Handsome Scarred to know I'm a princess, the daughter of an Alpha.

"Have you ever experienced rejection before?" I asked out of the blue.

He paused, his expression unreadable. "No," he replied finally.

I sensed a hint of sadness in his voice, but it was quickly masked.

"You're strong," I said, trying to comfort him.

He raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

"Your demeanor, your confidence...it's admirable," I replied.

He smiled slightly, and I caught a glimpse of his vulnerability.

"Thanks," he said.

We sat in silence for a moment, the only sound the ticking clock.

"Handsome Scarred?" I called softly.

"Yes?" he replied.

"Thank you for the hug," I said, smiling.

He smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime."