The Luna's Reluctant Alpha

Chapter Thirteen

ALEXIS

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window and a warmth in my chest that hadn't been there the night before. I stretched, feeling a tingle of energy zip through my veins, and that's when I heard her—a new voice, resonant and confident, inside my head.

"Good morning, Alexis. Or should I say happy birthday?"

My heart skipped a beat. "Are you my wolf?" I whispered, unsure if I was dreaming. "Is it really you?"

"That's me," she replied with a laugh that felt like sunlight filtering through leaves. "Your wolf, the fantabulous Sasha, is finally here."

I sat up, giddy with excitement. "Does this mean I can shift now?"

"Patience, little one," Sasha chided gently. "It will happen, now that I'm here. But not just yet."

I sighed but couldn't wipe the grin off my face. Before I could ask another question, my bedroom door burst open and my parents charged in with a loud "Happy birthday!"

Their smiles were so wide they practically reached their ears. Mom held a tray with a small cake topped with a flickering '18' candle while Dad carried a neatly wrapped box, the size of a book.

"Make a wish, Lexi," Mom urged as she set the cake on my bedside table.

I closed my eyes and blew out the candle in one breath—my wish unspoken yet burning fiercely in my heart.

"What did you wish for?" Dad asked as he handed me the gift.

"I can't tell you or it won't come true," I said, playing along with the tradition. The truth was, I didn't want to share Sasha with them just yet. She was mine—my secret—as was the memory of Kai's lips on mine.

Ripping open the wrapping paper revealed a brand-new, autographed copy of Dr. Lisa Randall's latest book. Relativity, quantum mechanics, theoretical physics—Dad always knew what I liked.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of laughter and too much frosting. Mom and Dad recounted embarrassing stories from my childhood as we enjoyed breakfast together. They had no idea how much things had changed overnight.

School felt different today; there was an extra spring in my step as Annie and Jamie greeted me at the entrance with more balloons than seemed necessary and a cupcake crowned with sparklers.

"You're officially an adult!" Annie squealed as she hugged me.

Jamie rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, welcome to bills and responsibilities."

Their laughter was infectious, and for once, I felt truly present in the moment—like part of something bigger than myself.

Tyler ambushed us next with an unexpected bouquet of lilies. They were beautiful but threw me off balance—what was his angle?

"Happy birthday, Alexis," he said with that easy smile that made half the school swoon.

"Thanks... this is unexpected," I managed to say as Sasha snickered inside my head. What would Kai think if he saw this?

"Forget about that stubborn alpha," she whispered. "Enjoy your day."

Tyler shrugged. "You deserve it."

As we walked to class together—the usual suspects plus Tyler—I couldn't help but notice the way people looked at me differently: some curious, some calculating. Caitlin's clique eyed us like we were trespassing on sacred ground.

My guidance counselor Amy Hansen caught me after English class with her warm smile and firm handshake.

"Happy birthday, Alexis! Remember: adulthood is just another journey—make it your own," she said with that knowing look of hers.

The remainder of the school day took on the air of an impromptu celebration in my name, with classmates and teachers alike emerging from every corner to shower me with congratulations. They peppered their well-wishes with winks and playful nudges about stepping into the realm of legality. I got variations of "Happy birthday, you can vote now!" and "Did you find your fated mate yet?"

I had my suspicions about that, but I wasn't brave enough to face them. Sasha scoffed inside my head. "Let it go, Elsa. Time enough for that stuff later."

Lunchtime brought more surprises when Jared joined us at our table along with Caleb Summers—my academic rival turned member of what Jamie dubbed 'my harem.'

"I hear it's someone's special day," Jared teased as he offered me half his sandwich—an olive branch in our unspoken competition for top grades.

Caleb smirked from across the table. "Eighteen years old, huh? Guess you'll be finding your fated mate soon." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Is it me? You can be honest. I should tell you, though. I'm not ready to get married."

Jamie laughed loudly enough to draw glares from Caitlin's table where she sat flanked by her minions—each one looking sourer than lemon peel tea. Queen THOT poured soda over my head at lunch yesterday.

She's lucky you didn't take her head off with a roundhouse kick, Sasha sneered.

But everyone else was kinda nice. Even Mickey "Meatball" Munson managed to grunt out a 'happy birthday' without his usual sneer as he passed by our table—a minor miracle in itself.

Sasha hummed contentedly throughout it all—a constant undercurrent reminding me that today marked more than just another year added to my life; it marked the beginning of something new—a confidence borne from her presence within me—a newfound sense of self that even Caitlin Moore's glower couldn't dampen.

By last period, word had spread through school like wildfire: Alexis Kim was eighteen today—and somehow different; stronger somehow—not someone to be underestimated or overlooked any longer.

Sasha's voice echoed in my mind as we drove away from the madness of the day, her excitement about the night still fresh and thrumming through me. "You did good, Lexi. Real good."

I smiled to myself, gazing out the window at the blur of trees rushing by. The day had been a whirlwind of emotions—confusion, elation, and an encounter with Kai that left me reeling. But now, I was ready to close the chapter on today and start anew.

Mom glanced at me through the rearview mirror, her eyes softening. "You're quiet back there, birthday girl. Everything okay?"

"Just thinking," I murmured, turning my attention back to the passing scenery.

Dad chuckled from the driver's seat. "Well, save some of those thoughts for later. We've got a feast waiting for us."

My stomach growled in response, reminding me that in all the chaos, I'd barely eaten. Korean BBQ sounded like heaven.

Annie and Jamie chattered excitedly beside me, their conversation a comforting backdrop to my own internal dialogue. They were discussing our next steps—college applications, senior prom—but all I could think about was Sasha's voice in my head and the way Kai's lips felt against mine.

We arrived at the restaurant with my stomach in knots—not from hunger, but anticipation. Walking through those doors felt like stepping into another world; one where I could be just Alexis Kim: high school senior and birthday girl.

The familiar smells of grilling meat and spicy kimchi enveloped us as we were ushered to our table. Mom had reserved a private room for us; she knew how much I valued these moments away from prying eyes and whispering mouths.

As we settled in, Dad raised his glass of mango-flavored soju in a toast. "To Alexis—our daughter who amazes us every day. May your eighteenth year be filled with joy, discovery, and all the Korean BBQ you can eat."

Laughter bubbled up from our table as we clinked glasses together. Annie leaned over to squeeze my hand. "To new beginnings," she whispered.

"And to finally meeting your fabulous wolf," Jamie added with a wink.

The grill sizzled as Dad laid strips of bulgogi across its surface, the sweet and savory aroma wafting up to tease our senses. We filled our plates with banchan—various side dishes—and I reveled in the crunch of pickled r****h between my teeth.

Conversation flowed easily around topics both light-hearted and serious: school gossip, pack news, college plans. It was comfortable and familiar—a welcome respite from the day's earlier events.

At one point during dinner, Jamie nudged me under the table. "You've been quiet again," she said with a knowing look.

"Just savoring the moment," I replied with a smile that didn't feel right on my face.

She studied me for a moment before nodding and turning her attention back to her food. I knew she could sense something was off; Jamie always did.

But right now, I needed this—this semblance of normalcy where I wasn't an omega who couldn't shift or someone caught in an impossible situation with an Alpha who was already taken.

Mom's laughter rang out across our little room as she regaled us with tales of her younger days training under Nala Anderson—the ageless, no-nonsense housekeeper of the Larsons who doubled as an advisor and former trainer within our pack.

"She once made me do push-ups in the snow because I questioned her training methods," Mom said between giggles.

Dad joined in with his own stories of pack life before parenthood softened him around the edges. His eyes twinkled with mischief—a side of him I saw too rarely these days.

As dinner wound down and we lingered over bowls of steaming rice cake soup, I realized how much I'd needed this—to feel grounded by family and friends who knew me best.

We paid the bill and stepped out into the crisp night air, full bellies making us lethargic but content. The drive home was quiet as each of us retreated into our thoughts or dozed off against cushioned seats.

Pulling into our driveway felt like coming back from a long journey rather than just a dinner out of town. As we said goodbye to Annie and Jamie, promises of future outings hanging between us like unspoken pacts, Mom wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"You're awfully quiet for someone who had such a big day," she said softly as we watched our friends drive away.

"I'm just... tired," I lied. But it wasn't entirely false—I was exhausted from keeping up appearances and holding back tears that threatened to spill over at any moment.

"We're proud of you," Dad said as he joined us on the porch steps. "You've become more than we ever imagined."

I leaned into their embrace—a sandwich hug that squeezed all worries away if only for a second—and allowed myself to believe it was true.

Inside our home awaited another cake, vanilla and strawberry this time, and even more presents—a traditional end to any birthday celebration—but it all felt surreal somehow; like it belonged to someone else's life story rather than my own unfolding tale.

But for tonight—for this one moment—I would let myself enjoy it: being surrounded by love on my eighteenth birthday without thinking about what tomorrow might bring or what heartache might lurk just around the corner.

***

Restlessness clawed at my insides, a relentless itch that begged to be scratched. The moon hung in the sky, almost full, a silver disk that seemed to whisper my name. It beckoned, promising solace from the turmoil within me. I had tried to ignore it, tried to focus on the mundane sounds of my parents laughing at their favorite cop show, but the call of the moon was too strong.

My mind kept replaying that look on Kai's face—the one that said I'd just kicked his heart across the room. And yet, I prayed I wouldn't see him today. It hurt less if I just pretended he wasn't my fated mate.

Sasha stirred inside me, her presence a constant comfort since she'd made herself known. "Let's go out," she urged. I didn't need much convincing. My parents had retreated to their room early, lost in their marathon. It was the perfect opportunity.

I slipped out the backdoor, my heart pounding not from fear of being caught but from excitement. The cool night air brushed against my skin as I walked toward the creek. My toes curled in the damp grass; I could almost feel Sasha stretching within me, basking in the moonlight's caress.

The world felt different now that I knew Sasha was with me. A part of me I had always longed for but never knew was missing until now. "I will never be alone again," I whispered into the night, a promise and a revelation.

I could smell the sharp scent of pine and hear the whispers of nocturnal critters as I neared the creek. The moon had turned everything into shades of ethereal blue and silver, making our little corner of suburbia look like an enchanted forest straight out of a fairy tale, or maybe some hipster rendition of a Twilight movie set. Sasha snorted at my humor. No vampires here; just one very confused werewolf girl and her inner wolf.

Nearing the creek, a figure loomed ahead—a large silhouette of a man sitting on a log by a tree. His silhouette was a hard line against the otherwise soft outlines of the night, a presence that was both comforting and downright terrifying. His head was bowed as if in deep thought and he didn’t notice me until I was practically on top of him.

Anxiety sparked briefly before recognition washed over me like a warm wave: Kai.

His scent hit me before anything else did -that familiar mix of wood smoke, citrus, and freshly turned earth that followed him everywhere. It had always attracted me on some primal level but now...

My heart thrummed wildly in my chest as Sasha murmured one word filled with wonder and disbelief: "Mate."

Holy cannoli. Kai Larson was REALLY ACTUALLY 100% FOR REAL my mate—this realization hit like a bolt from the blue. Sure, I'd suspected, but confirmation was something else entirely. My stomach twisted with nerves and elation all at once.

I paused there, standing on the edge of the moonlit glade, watching him. His shoulders were hunched slightly, burdened by more than just the weight of his own body. In that moment, he looked every bit the lonesome Alpha, a leader too young and yet thrust into responsibility, solitude inherent in his role.

He looked rugged and worn, his black hair catching glints of moonlight like strands of midnight spun into silk. He sat there nursing a beer can, and I found myself moving toward him before I could think better of it.

"Mind if I join you?" My voice was bolder than I felt as I settled beside him on the log. "It's my birthday."

Kai offered me a can without hesitation; it tasted bitter and metallic on my tongue—I powered through it for reasons beyond my understanding.

He seemed lost in thought until our eyes met and something unspoken passed between us—a recognition of shared pain and comfort in each other's presence.

"Happy birthday, Alexis," he murmured, his voice a soft grumble that sent pleasant shivers down my spine. "I wish things were different."

A laugh bubbled up from my chest, sharp and sarcastic, but not entirely humorless. "Don't we all?"

He looked at me then, really looked at me. Kai studied my face as if committing it to memory—an act so tender and intimate that I felt heat rise to my cheeks. Sasha basked in his attention, purring her satisfaction low and deep within me.

"I mean it," Kai said. The look in his eyes was so intense it left no room for doubt or ambiguity.

I found myself reaching out, resting a hand on his forearm. Our connection buzzed with warmth and intensity, seeping into me like the sweetest drug. It was wholly intoxicating and terrifying in equal measure.

The moonlight bathed his features, casting him in an ethereal glow that made him appear more wolf than man. His lips were drawn in a tight line, eyes clouded with a thousand unspoken thoughts. Was he wrestling with the same revelations I was? The thought was oddly comforting—knowing I wasn't alone in this cosmic explosion of emotions.

He was so close, his scent filling my senses as though it was the only air I knew how to breathe. It was woodsy and warm, rich like Autumn and refreshing like Spring rain. Sasha growled her approval, the sound rumbling deep within me.

"You're not alone, Alexis," he said. The sound of my name on his lips felt sacred—a prayer whispered under the moonlight. An inexplicable pulse of energy surged between us, binding us together in a way words couldn’t articulate.

His hand found mine, palm rough against mine yet fit perfectly as though they were two pieces of a puzzled destiny. The feeling was electric, sending sparks of warmth shivering up my arm and pooling into my heart.

"I know," I whispered back, the soft admission lost in the rustling of the trees around us. The wind picked up, stirring the leaves and casting a symphony of whispers into the air that echoed our own silent confession.

His fingers tightened around mine, a resonant lift and fall of his breath marking the silent seconds slipping by. I could feel his turmoil, the tidal waves of fear and fascination that buffeted him from one moment to the next. It mirrored my own inner chaos, Sasha's quiet encouragement a steady anchor amidst the storm.

We talked about everything and nothing—school, life, dreams—and our conversation flowed effortlessly as if we'd been friends for ages rather than near strangers brought together by fate.

Time became irrelevant as we sat by the creek under the cloak of nightfall. It was during one of those timeless moments that an excruciating pain seized me—an agonizing transformation began.

My knees buckled as a searing pain shot through me, and I found myself collapsing onto the wet grass. Strange heat washed over my body, like I was being consumed by an invisible fire. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and dark spots danced in my vision.

"Alexis!" Kai's voice was strained with panic, and then he was there by my side, his hands hovering uncertainly over me.

Every nerve in my body screamed in protest, a symphony of agony that rose to a crescendo with every passing second. I clutched at my chest where the pain seemed to center, a fierce burning building up as though an internal furnace had been ignited. It felt like I was being torn apart from the inside out—ribbons of hot fire licked along my veins.

Kai's voice grounded me as he explained what was happening. "You're shifting," he said calmly but with an urgency that kept me tethered to reality through the ordeal.

It hurt more than anything I'd ever felt before—the reshaping of bone and muscle into something new and primal. But Kai's presence was a lifeline in the stormy seas of pain, pulling me back from the edge of oblivion. He kept talking to me, his voice never wavering, even as he watched my body twisting and contorting under the moonlight. His words were a mantra, echoing in the back of my mind, helping me focus through the agony.

My heart pounded in my chest like a tribal drum beat, sweat pouring down my face as each wave of pain crashed over me. The taste of copper filled my mouth—an animalistic taste that sent Sasha into overdrive. Her primal urges pushed against the walls of my consciousness, desperate to break free and consume me entirely. I could feel her rising, a wave of raw power and instinctual need for release.

"Let her come," Kai urged, his voice barely a whisper but carrying an undercurrent of command—an Alpha command—that I instinctively responded to. As much as his words were meant to guide me, they also served as a tether, keeping my human side grounded through the transformation process.

I gasped for air, every nerve ending burning like white-hot iron was being poured over my body. It felt like I was being broken and reforged anew—all at the same time. Agony and ecstasy melded into one overwhelming sensation that threatened to shatter my consciousness into a million fragments. But right there, in the eye of the storm, Sasha was waiting. That powerful part of me that had been hidden away finally emerged. Her strength was my strength, her courage my courage, her survival instinct my survival instinct.

Baring my teeth, I growled against the pain and surrendered to the call of the wild - to Sasha. The shift tore through me like a tidal wave, moving fast and relentless until my human form gave way to Sasha's sleek lupine shape. My screams turned into guttural howls as every cell in my body transformed.

The world was different now. It buzzed with electric life, a symphony of sights, sounds, and scents that I had never known before.

My senses were sharper, honed to a razor's edge as I perceived the world through the eyes of the wolf.

I opened my eyes, no longer Alexis but Sasha. The world around me was richer in texture, from the rustling leaves overhead to the myriad of scents wafting in the cool night breeze. On four legs instead of two, I felt a sense of power coursing through me, an animalistic force that spoke to me on an instinctual level.

Sasha reveled in her new form as Thunder joined us; our wolves played under the celestial glow, chasing and nuzzling under Mother Moon's watchful eye.

Our games were wild and uninhibited, a dance of primal instincts and newfound freedom. We chased each other through the tall grass, our powerful bodies gleaming under the moonlight. Thunder’s lupine form was bigger than mine, his coat a stunning blend of black and silver that shimmered with an ethereal glow. His blue eyes turned yellow-gold shone with playful challenge, drawing Sasha to him like a moth to a flame.

As our bodies twined and untwined in our frolic, I could still feel Kai’s presence, his powerful spirit merged with Thunder’s—a gentle reassurance that he was there with me, guiding me through this new experience. It was exhilarating and terrifying, all at once.

The world had never seemed so vivid, so alive. The silvery moonlight bathed the landscape in an enchanting glow, casting long shadows that danced with each rustling leaf and flutter of wings. I heard the melodious calls of night creatures hidden in the foliage and the gentle gurgling of the creek that surged with the same fervor as my newfound lupine spirit.

I tasted the rich, damp soil under my nimble paws, feeling every cool grain between my paw pads. The air was a symphony of scents. I could smell the distant earthy smell of Lake Superior, the musky scent of a fox that had passed by hours ago, and the sweet smell of dew-kissed wildflowers. Every scent was a story, and with Sasha's help, I began to understand them better.

Thunder nipped at Sasha playfully, his large form darting away as she growled good-naturedly in response. The chase was a blur of passion and power, a dance under the moonlight that felt as ancient as the turning earth itself. A game of chase turned into a frenzied display of dominance and surrender, an intimate dance that spoke volumes about our bond.

And Kai. Always Kai.

When we returned to our human selves, nakedness brought an acute awareness of each other that hadn't been there before—a vulnerability shared yet unspoken as we dressed in silence. Kai was a picture of masculine grace, his skin glowing under the moon's light, the muscles on his back flexing as he pulled on his torn shirt. The faint scent of pine and earth clung to him - the lingering essence of Thunder. My heart throbbed in my chest, making me aware of an entirely new sensation. Desire.

His gaze flitted to me; a mix of surprise, amusement, and something deeper danced in his eyes. I quickly looked away, a blush creeping up my cheeks as I hastily wrapped what remained of my ruined pajamas around me.

Kai spoke then, his voice low but clear: "Sasha is a white wolf. Creatures of legend. White wolves have the ability to heal themselves quicker than other wolves. They can also heal others. Some white wolves have other abilities like telekinesis and precognition. They're... very rare. You're very blessed, Alexis."

"Am I really?" I couldn't help but sound bitter. Just what I needed—to stand out even more among wolves who already saw me as an oddity.

As we talked more about what this all meant for us—for me—I caught sight of his expression: not joyous or relieved but shadowed with sorrow—a wolf burdened by an impossible choice.

"I'm sorry," he said suddenly, his eyes piercing mine with regret. "I have to reject you because... because I'm with someone else."

The words hit like a physical blow; they stole my breath away even as I asked softly, "Because of Caitlin?"

He nodded once—confirmation—and it felt like my world crumbled around me into dust and echoes of what could have been.

"I'm really sorry," he whispered again before he turned away—his form retreating swiftly into the night like he could outrun his own heartache—or mine.

Left alone on the grassy bank by the creek under that mocking moonlight, Sasha's howl mirrored my inner agony—a sound so raw it seemed to tear through flesh and soul alike. My heart twisted in my chest, pain lancing through my being like a hot poker. I felt as if I couldn't breathe, the world around me growing dimmer by the second. The once vibrant forest fell silent as if mourning my broken heart along with me. Never before had I felt so alone, so completely and utterly devastated.

I slumped to the ground, the damp earth seeping into my ruined pajamas. My mind was in turmoil, each thought more painful than the last. Was there ever hope for Kai and me? Was I doomed to be alone forever because of Caitlin, this girl who saw fit to torment me at every turn?

Curled up into a ball where he'd left me, sobs wracked my body as grief consumed every part of me—until exhaustion finally dragged me up from that pitiful place and back into my bed where darkness swallowed me whole without mercy or reprieve.