The Luna's Reluctant Alpha

Chapter Eleven

ALEXIS

Sunlight barged into my room, an uninvited guest at the worst possible time. Groaning, I peeled my eyes open and instantly regretted it. Who thought it was a good idea to have a party on a Wednesday night? Oh, right. Frat bros who probably couldn't spell 'responsibility' if it danced in front of them wearing nothing but alphabet soup.

I lay there for a moment, trying to remember how much of that spiked punch I'd had—the one thing my parents drilled into me to avoid at all costs. Thankfully, I hadn't finished it. That small mercy didn't make the morning after any less brutal, though.

It's the day before my eighteenth birthday, and according to every wolf lore bedtime story, I should be able to call out to my inner wolf by now. "Hey," I mumbled to the quiet recesses of my mind, "anyone there?" Silence greeted me, not even an echo of a growl or whimper. Just... nothing. Great.

Dragging myself out of bed was like pulling teeth—mine and someone else's. By the time I stumbled into the kitchen, the familiar scent of kimchi fried rice filled the air. Usually, that smell had my stomach grumbling in anticipation, but today? Not so much.

"Mom," I said with a sigh as my mother set a plate in front of me. "Could I have pancakes instead? Just this once?"

She eyed me with a mix of suspicion and concern before her features softened slightly. "Alright," she relented, and I could've sworn I saw a hint of a smile on her lips. "But only because it's the day before your birthday."

One of the unbreakable Kim family rules: you eat what Mom puts on the table. No exceptions—except maybe this once.

I plopped down at the table, rubbing my temples in an attempt to ward off the last vestiges of my headache when something slipped out. "You know," I said between bites of surprisingly fluffy pancake, "they had this communal fruit punch at the party..."

Dad's eyes narrowed from across the table. He set down his coffee mug with more force than necessary.

"Seo-yun," he said, his voice tight with annoyance but laced with concern.

I braced myself for the lecture but instead got a sigh. "All right," he said finally, "but don't expect me to take you to the hospital to get your stomach pumped."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I muttered under my breath.

At school, Jamie and Annie looked just as bad as I felt—if not worse—having imbibed more of that cursed fruit punch than I had. As we shuffled down the hallway together like extras from a zombie flick, Jamie leaned in close.

"So what happened when you went out to the patio last night? Kai followed you!" Her voice held a note of scandalized excitement that was way too loud for my pounding head.

"I don't want to talk about it," I snapped back sharper than intended.

"But I'm your best friend." Jamie pouted as if that were some magical incantation that would unlock all my secrets.

I sighed heavily but refused to give in; some things were better left buried deep down where nobody could find them.

If possible, Caitlin was even meaner today—maybe she'd sniffed out weakness like blood in water or maybe she was just bored. Either way, she made her presence known by 'accidentally' pouring Coke over my head during lunch.

"Oops," she sneered with mock innocence as her minions snickered behind her. "Happy almost birthday, loser."

I fixed her with an unamused stare and retorted with as much dignity as I could muster while drenched in soda. "I'm honored you're so obsessed with me."

Shaking off the sticky mess from my hair as best as I could without drawing more attention, I trudged off toward the girls' locker room—which honestly ranked somewhere between 'ew' and 'nope' on any given day—and peeled off my soda-soaked clothes.

The gym outfit hanging in my locker smelled like it only got washed once a week because it did. It was still better than walking around smelling like Caitlin's spite all day.

Annie found me after changing and tried to console me with morbid humor: "At least it's just Coke. Carrie got a bucket of pig's blood over her head at prom."

I managed a wry smile despite everything. "Maybe our resident THOT is saving that for tomorrow."

All day long, no matter how hard I tried not to think about Kai and our kiss—how his lips felt against mine—I couldn't shake it off completely or forget how close I came to throwing all caution to the wind and telling him... Well, it didn't matter now; good thing my dignity had clung on by its fingernails.

Tomorrow was another day—a big one—and if my wolf was out there somewhere inside me waiting for her debut... Well, she'd better show up soon because right now? It felt like she'd stood me up big time.

***

The clang of metal against metal filled the air as I deflected another of Dad's carefully measured strikes. He was testing me, seeing if I'd maintained the discipline in my taekwondo practice. Mom watched from the sidelines, her arms crossed, a knowing glint in her eyes.

As the rhythm of our sparring picked up, my senses heightened. The smell of the crisp autumn air, the metallic tang of adrenaline on my tongue, and the faint scent of Dad’s spicy cologne mingling with sweat filled my nostrils. My heart pounded like a drum solo at a rock concert, matching the pace of Dad's feet hitting the crunchy fallen leaves.

Dad, an old-school type, believed in the purity of martial arts. To him, it was poetry in motion, each kick and punch a stanza to be honed until it was as smooth as an Ed Sheeran ballad. He would often tell me that taekwondo wasn't just about fighting; it was about presence, discipline, and respect. But in that moment, I was pretty sure it was mostly about trying not to get kicked in the face.

A sudden twist from his waist had me gasping for air as I threw myself off to the side, narrowly avoiding his swift roundhouse kick.

"You're not here with us, Lexi," Dad said, lowering his practice sword. His tone was gentle, but there was an edge of concern.

I shook my head, trying to dispel the fog of thoughts that clouded my focus. "Just a lot on my mind," I admitted, not daring to glance at Mom who could read me like an open book.

We took a break, sitting on the grassy expanse of our backyard. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows on the ground, stretching like the questions lingering in my heart.

"Something troubling you, kiddo?" Dad asked, setting his sword down on the grass beside him. His eyes mirrored the same softness he had when I was a child with skinned knees or bruised feelings.

"I dunno, Dad," I replied, plucking at the frayed hem of my pants. "It's like... I'm trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle but I don't have all the pieces."

Dad's mouth twitched at the corners as he leaned back onto his elbows. He glanced up at the sky, where the clouds were brushed in shades of pink and purple by the setting sun. "Life's a lot like that, Alexis. Sometimes you spend years searching for those missing pieces."

"And what if they never fit?" The words slipped out without my permission and hung heavy in the crisp air.

There was a pause before Dad finally answered, "Then maybe they weren't meant to be part of your picture."

My dad often spoke in riddles, like a Korean Mr. Miyagi.

Dad picked up a fallen leaf, twirling it between his fingers. "You see this leaf? It must've been part of a beautiful tree once. But now, it's here with us making our afternoon beautiful. This wasn't where it was supposed to be but somehow, it ended up being a part of our story."

I watched him for a moment, the lines on his face deepening in the fading sunlight. "So you're saying it's okay if things don't go as planned?"

In response, he gave me one of those heartwarming smiles that always seemed to hold the answers to everything. "I'm saying, Alexis, it's more than okay. It's part of life. It's what makes our stories unique."

I pondered over his words as I took in the serenity of our backyard. The sundown hues were beginning to surrender to twilight and the first stars were starting to dot the sky—I couldn't help but marvel at how even a mundane setting like this could turn into something magical. The chirping crickets harmonizing with the occasional hoot of an owl, and the smell of pine mixed with the earthly scent of freshly cut grass—it was a sensory symphony.

"Are you worried about your birthday tomorrow?" Mom asked, handing me a bottle of water.

"Partly," I said, sipping slowly to buy time. "It's about fated mates too."

Dad raised an eyebrow. "What about them?"

"What if... what if your fated mate is already with someone else?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them.

Mom and Dad exchanged a look that sent a ripple of unease through me. They knew more than they let on; it was clear in their silent communication.

"That's what happened with Alpha Armando and Luna Amelia," Dad said after a moment. His voice held a hint of sadness. "He was married to Julia and they had Kai before he met Amelia."

My curiosity piqued at the mention of Kai's mother. "What happened to Julia?"

Mom's gaze darted away, and Dad cleared his throat, his usual sign that a topic was off-limits. "Let's not get into that right now," he said gently.

I bit back further questions, recognizing the protective veil they drew around certain subjects. They were always open with me unless they believed ignorance was my shield.

Dinner was a welcome distraction as Mom served bulgogi with my favorite banchan, its savory aroma mingling with the warmth of home. My favorite dish on any day but especially tonight—it felt like an unspoken acknowledgment of the crossroads I faced.

The evening unfolded like any other family night; we gathered in the living room as Dad loaded up the latest John Wick movie.

"I'll only feel at ease about you being out in the real world if you can handle yourself like him," Dad said with a chuckle, gesturing at Keanu Reeves on screen.

I groaned. "You're so corny, Dad."

Mom smiled at me. "And I hope you don't rush into marriage if you find your fated mate tomorrow."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Not you too."

"We love you, Seo-yun." Mom put her arm around me and drew me close as she kissed my hair.

Their words swirled around me as I lost myself in the action on screen yet found no escape from my own turmoil.

Later that night, nestled under my covers, I stared out the window at the moonlit sky. My heart jolted when I spotted Kai standing outside near the treeline—tall and lean—a sentinel in the darkness.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed through the slightly open window so as not to alert my parents to our clandestine conversation.

Kai offered a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just watching over you."

A mix of irritation and curiosity bubbled within me. "Go away," I said, though without real venom.

He tilted his head, regarding me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine despite myself. "Come out," he invited.

I hesitated for only a moment before glancing back at my parents' closed bedroom door and then down at Kai again.

"It's going to be my birthday in a few hours," I whispered back defiantly.

His smile widened just enough to be genuine this time. "All the more reason to come out and join me."

***

The second hand of my clock ticked with an agonizing precision, each minute stretching out before me like the long, dark hallway beyond my bedroom door. 10:12 pm. The glowing digits seemed to mock me with their stillness as I lay there, my mind racing faster than my parents' synchronized breaths during their nightly cooldown. They had already drifted through their routine of stretching and meditation, a harmony of motion and serenity that was a stark contrast to the chaos churning within me.

"Good night, Lexi," they'd murmured almost in unison, their voices gentle echoes against the walls of our home, which doubled as a fortress for the pack. Top security agents and enforcers, Randall and Susan Kim were no strangers to stealth, and yet here I was, contemplating how to slip past them into the night.

I'd be so dead if they caught me—grounded till my 21st birthday, no less. But the pull to meet Kai outside tugged at me with a force stronger than any parental decree.

Barefoot, I slithered across the carpet, avoiding the creaky floorboard near the window that had betrayed many of my teenage rebellions. My heart thudded against my ribs, a wild drumbeat urging me forward. One glance back at the closed door of my room—a silent plea for it to remain shut—and then I was out, the cool night air caressing my skin like a forbidden whisper.

Kai was waiting, his silhouette outlined by the silver-gilt moonlight that turned the world into a scene from a fairytale. We met without words, as if our very breaths could shatter the fragile peace of the night.

Together, we found our way to the old log by the creek, its bark rough against the backs of my thighs as we sat down. The water whispered secrets as it danced over stones, and the moon cast its glow over its surface, turning the ripples into liquid silver.

"Look at that moon," Kai breathed out, his voice barely louder than the rustling leaves. "It's huge tonight."

"Supermoon," I replied, my gaze fixed on the celestial body that seemed close enough to touch. "Its orbit is closer to Earth right now. It's not just an illusion; it really is bigger." I let the wonder of astronomy, a passion of mine, wrap around the words, giving life to knowledge gleaned from books and late-night documentaries.

"I don't remember learning about that in high school," he said glibly.

"Well, maybe you weren't in the smart classes," I shot back with a grin.

"I'll have you know I was Lincoln High's salutatorian while you were still in the eighth grade."

I crinkled my nose. "You're that much older than me? Gross."

He chuckled, a low rumble that resonated through the log we were sat upon. I noticed how his eyes shimmered under the moonlight, dark pools of mystery that held stories untold. "I'm not that much older, princess," he teased, the corners of his well-sculpted lips curving up into a smirk. "Just experienced enough to keep you on your toes."

My heart fluttered at his words, an oddly pleasing sensation. I shot him a skeptical look before turning my gaze back to the water, watching as it continued its endless dance over the rocks.

The moon now hung high above us, shedding its light onto the world below. Shadows danced around us as the wind rustled through the nearby trees and sent cool gusts billowing across my skin. Kai's presence next to me was steady and calming, a stone amidst the gentle turbulence of nature.

"Hey Lexi," he started, his voice barely more than a whisper in the night air. "Can I ask you something?" His tone was serious, a far cry from the playful banter we'd been exchanging moments ago.

My heart skipped a beat. "Sure," I answered, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Do you ever think about...us?" He did not look at me, instead keeping his eyes focused on the moonlit creek before us. His question lingered in the air like an echo, refusing to be silenced by the murmuring wind.

A sense of vulnerability washed over me like a cold splash of water. Of course, I thought about us. I thought about us all the time. But it was always with a sort of distant dreaminess, as if our reality was still nestled comfortably within the realm of fantasy.

"I do," I admitted, feeling my cheeks flush under the curtain of night. "Quite a bit, actually."

His head turned slowly to face me, and even in the dark, I could see the surprise etch itself onto his features. I looked away and stared at my hands.

We fell quiet again, the silence settling around us, a comfortable blanket woven from the threads of shared moments.

"It would be funny," I started, breaking the hush with a hesitant chuckle, "once I turn eighteen in a few hours and I find out you're not my fated mate." The thought hung between us, a specter of what ifs and might-have-beens.

Kai's response was a pause, a brief interlude where the weight of our history pressed down, before he chuckled—a sound tinged with regret and longing. "I'm kind of hoping I'm not. I know I've hurt you, and I haven't been the best… anything."

His hands enveloped mine suddenly, his warmth seeping into my cold fingers as he blew on them softly. His touch sparked something inside me, a flare of heat that had nothing to do with the chill of the night.

"I've been a jerk, Alexis. I understand if you hate me. But one thing I can't deny is this," he said, his voice trembling slightly as he held our intertwined hands up to the moonlight. A shiver ran down my spine, not from the cold but from the raw emotion in his words.

I swallowed hard, trying to corral my thundering heart into some semblance of control. "Kai..." His name was a soft sigh on my lips as I squeezed his hand. The night was silent around us, every creature and leaf seemingly holding their breath in anticipation of what would come next.

The moment seemed to stretch out before us like an endless road. I looked from our entwined hands back up to Kai's face. His eyes were dark and unfathomable under the moonlight, but there was a spark there—a spark that ignited something within me.

His thumb started tracing circles on the back of my hand causing a ripple of sensation to shoot right up my arm. I let out an involuntary gasp, my breath hitching in the back of my throat. Kai's eyes met mine, his dark orbs boring into me with an intensity that sent butterflies flitting around my stomach.

I shivered despite myself and withdrew my hands, seeking the refuge of my hoodie's pockets. His confession lingered in the air, a testament to our tangled emotions, and I found myself wishing, foolishly, that the moon above could grant us clarity. "I should go."

I stood up from the log.

He looked up at me. "Alexis..."

Unable to help myself, I took out one hand from the pocket of my hoodie and pressed my palm to his cheek. "I really hope you're not my fated mate, Kai." With that, I ran back to my house and returned to the safety and warmth of my bedroom.