His Luna

A wine for a bothered man

“Continue for what?” Sam groaned.

“About mates.” Though he tried to push these thoughts aside, his instincts tugged at him, urging him to seek her out, to uncover the secrets that lay beneath her enigmatic exterior. He found himself drawn to her, compelled to know more about the woman who had stirred something within him that he couldn't quite explain.

“Oh, it’s either you mark her as yours or reject her. The decision is yours.” As the beta casually mentioned the options of marking or rejecting Kirsty, the weight of the decision fell heavily on Draken. He had anticipated the arrival of his destined Luna for a long time, longing for the moment when he could finally connect with his true mate. Now that she was present in the pack, it was a crucial moment for him, a moment that could shape the future of their pack and his personal life.

Draken's mind became a battleground of conflicting emotions. On one hand, the desire to mark Kirsty and solidify their bond was overwhelming. The thought of claiming her as his own, of possessing her completely, and experiencing the intense connection that a mating bond brings stirred a primal instinct within him. The prospect of a deep, unbreakable bond with his true mate was enticing, promising a lifetime of love, support, and partnership.

On the other hand, there were doubts and concerns that gnawed at Draken's consciousness. The responsibility that came with being an Alpha and having a Luna was immense. The welfare of the pack depended on his decisions, and he couldn't afford to be swayed solely by his personal desires. He pondered the potential challenges that their mating might bring, both within the pack and in their relationship.

“Anyway, let’s not talk about her.”

“No, let’s talk about her, Draken. Did she recognize you?”

Draken knew that the woman recognized him as her mate but not as the Alpha of the pack. And it was quite a surprise to him as no one in the pack had the courage to derecognize him and yet the woman had the guts to do so.

“As her mate? Sort of.”

“No, what I mean as the Alpha of the pack?”

Draken sighed heavily, his eyes reflecting the weight of his responsibilities as the Alpha. He knew he couldn't hide the truth from his beta, especially when it concerned such a crucial matter.

"No, she didn't recognize me as the Alpha," Draken admitted reluctantly. "In fact, she seemed completely unaware of my position within the pack."

His beta's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That's highly unusual. How could she not know? Everyone in the pack should be well aware of your authority."

Draken nodded, his expression troubled. "I'm aware of that. But for some reason, she seemed to have no knowledge of the pack's hierarchy or my role in it.

"Did she really not recognize you?" Sam inquired again.

"I... I don't know," he finally replied, his voice laced with caution. He chose not to disclose any details about their encounter or provide any information that could potentially compromise the woman's identity. His instincts told him that it was best to keep this information to himself, at least for now. Kirsty told him that Sam was the one who ordered his mate to clean the ranch and from there, he could assess that she belongs to the lowly members.

“It’s not that important.” Draken put the empty wine glass on the table in front of him and looked in the direction of the man who was sitting cross-legged.

“Why don’t you answer it? She does?”

“Who else wouldn’t recognize me?” He tried to divert the attention to another thing.

Draken's mind was in turmoil as he struggled to process the sight of Kirsty in the ranch. The words he had uttered in the heat of the moment echoed in his mind, haunting him with their unintended cruelty. He had never imagined finding her in such circumstances, and it caught him off guard, stirring a mix of emotions within him.

Part of him wanted to rush to Kirsty's side, to wrap her in his arms and assure her that he didn't mean what he said, that he still cared for her deeply. But another part of him hesitated, unsure of how she would receive his presence after their heated exchange. He didn't want to worsen the situation.

“So, what did she say upon knowing that you are her mate and you’re the Alpha of the pack?” Sam was trying to unravel something.

“She was surprised…and afraid. I think.”

“Afraid?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“I don’t even know.”

As Draken stood by the open window, a mix of emotions surged within him. Seeing Kirsty, the woman destined to be his Luna, working at the ranch awakened a longing that he had suppressed for years. It had been a challenging journey since the moment he first shifted into his werewolf form and learned of his fated mate. The yearning to be with her, to hold her, and to share their lives together had grown stronger with each passing day. The burden of leadership weighed heavily on Draken's shoulders. As the Alpha of the pack, his responsibilities extended beyond his personal desires. He had dedicated himself to protecting his pack, ensuring their safety and prosperity.

As Alpha, he understood the weight of his responsibilities. The safety and well-being of his pack were his top priorities, and he couldn't afford to let his personal desires interfere with his duty. But deep down, the longing for his Luna, the woman destined to be his mate, burned within him.

As the Alpha of the pack, Draken understood the weight of his responsibilities and the dangers that lurked in the shadows. The return of the Wolfsbane posed a significant threat, one that he couldn't ignore. The safety and security of his pack were of utmost importance, and he needed to stay one step ahead of their enemies.

The Wolfsbane are back, and they must not be complacent about their safety and security as the enemies would be just around the corner, and even waiting for the right time to attack them. He slowly touched the gem stone inside his pants pocket that was with him for eight years, and it never fails to give him a wave of peace and clarity of his mind despite the chaotic world and the responsibilities he shouldered.

Draken's hand instinctively reached into his pocket, fingers curling around the smooth gemstone. It was a precious talisman that had been with him for years, imbued with a sense of peace and clarity. Whenever he touched it, he felt a surge of inner strength and a renewed focus.

In these uncertain times, the gemstone served as a reminder to remain calm and composed amidst the chaos. It grounded him, allowing him to think clearly and make sound decisions for the welfare of his pack. It was a symbol of resilience, reminding him to stay strong and vigilant even in the face of adversity.

"Dont forget the dinner in my household." Sam interrupted his sea of thoughts.

"Yeah."

Draken remained stoic as his beta persistently questioned him about his mate's whereabouts. He understood the significance of finding her and the implications it would have for their pack. For centuries, they had been awaiting the arrival of the chosen one, the one who would bring about a shift in their traditions and rules. Draken, as the Alpha, held the responsibility of leading the pack through this transition.

The weight of his position was not lost on him. He had been preparing for this moment, ensuring that the pack was ready to embrace the changes that would come with the arrival of his mate. The mate bond held immense power and influence within their society, and Draken knew that their pack's future hinged on the successful union of their Alpha and his chosen one.

But he also carried a burden of doubt. Would she accept him? Would she embrace her role in their pack's destiny? Draken's thoughts swirled with uncertainty, but he concealed his apprehension behind a facade of calmness and determination.

As the beta continued his inquiries, Draken finally turned his gaze toward him, his eyes piercing and commanding. He spoke with a voice that carried authority and conviction, revealing the weight of responsibility he carried as the Alpha.

"We have been patient for so long, awaiting her arrival. She will come to us when the time is right. We must trust in fate and in the bond that ties us to our mates. Our pack's future depends on it."

Within the pack hierarchy, Draken's position as Alpha carried immense authority and responsibility. However, despite his leadership role, there were certain limitations placed upon him by the pack's traditions and the influence of the moon goddess. One of these limitations was the requirement for Draken to be mated and married to a woman chosen by the moon goddess herself.

However, until Draken found his mate and completed the mating ritual, he was bound by the existing rules and traditions of the pack. He couldn't make significant changes or alterations to the pack's structure without the approval and support of his chosen mate. This meant that despite his desires or ambitions, he had to abide by the existing norms and follow the path set by the moon goddess.

As Draken continued to feel the roughness of the ruby and traced the string of it, he noticed that the string was no longer connected to the stone. It was a necklace, and now, the only thing that was left is the pendant to it.

“I lost it.” He mumbled.

“You lost what, Draken?”

“None of your business, Sam.” He didn’t give the man a look.

"Draken, I noticed that you were not in yourself for the past days."

"Nah." Draken shrugged it off.

“Why isn’t she with you?”

He knew that Sam was referring to his woman.

“Who?”

“Don’t act like a fool, of course, the Luna.”

The man stood from his seat and made his way to stand with Draken by the window and looked at the clear sky above.

“I don’t know.”

“The Alpha of the pack doesn’t know what to do with his Luna?”

“No, I asked you about mates since I wanted to confirm if what I felt for her was real and if I saw my Luna.”

“You have been thinking too much these days, with all the situations that have happened that drag the name of the pack-“

“By the way, I remember that you brought a rogue inside.”

Different circumstances occurred in the pack as far as Draken could remember from the moment Sam brought a rogue inside. Although he gave the responsibility to Sam for handling the slave, it wouldn’t leave in his mind the thought that an entity that he had great disdain with is now living freely inside.

“Y-yeah…and even now, she’s harmless.” Sam answered back.

“What makes you say?”

"I had my doubts at first, but she proved herself," Sam replied, his voice filled with a hint of pride. "She had every opportunity to wreak havoc, to rebel against our authority, but she didn't. She followed my orders without question."

"You expect me to believe that? A rogue who willingly obeys orders without causing any harm?" Draken's tone was skeptical, as he struggled to reconcile the notion of a rogue being subservient and non-threatening.

"She is Draken. I understand, and I will take full responsibility for her actions."

“Let me see her then.”

Draken was determined to see who the rogue is.

“Draken-“

“I will see her.”

"Maybe in a few days-"

"It feels like you are hiding her." Draken looked intently into his beta's eyes.