Luna In Waiting
1125 Words
Catherine’s mind was scattered all over as Alpha David Price span her around on the dance floor.
Catherine had danced with probably fifteen Alphas tonight— spoken to by many Betas and other unranked male wolves in her claim. Normally, she would have never had the patience for it— but it had kept her far away from the burning hands of her mate, although she still felt his hot gaze following every move she made throughout the night. His eyes never left her, and although she never looked in his direction— she and her wolf could both sense it.
She didn’t know what to do. The smart thing— the easy thing— would be for Catherine to pick Alpha Thorn. Let him woo her, and meet up with him in the arena and let him mark her. That was what a smart girl would do, a girl who wanted to survive. Alpha Thorn was handsome, strong, and just— she knew he would cherish and take care of her.
But Catherine had never been one to take the easy way out. And she still believed that she may be able to leave the arena without an Alpha’s mark on her throat. And despite the logical side of her arguing with her, the part of her that was part Thomas Conri told her to never give up.
As David twirled her, she caught sight of Killian’s tall frame leaning over as he angrily whispered at Elder Beau, whose eyes were fixated intently on Catherine as he listened. She gritted her teeth. Killian was no doubt telling Elder Beau that they were mates and trying to get her removed from the claim— although they both knew it would never work.
“That’s why my people are thriving,” David interrupted her thoughts. “All they need is a Luna to lead them, nurture them. I’m hoping for that Luna to be you, Miss Conri.”
Catherine forced a fake smile on her face and looked at Alpha Price. He was good-looking, as most alpha males were with their superior genetics— although his hand on her waist felt like needles, and a slight nausea was creeping up in her belly. She knew it was the mate bond already hard at work— the goddess trying to discourage her from interacting with male wolves that weren’t her mate. She ignored it as best she could, and despite the venom in her saliva at the thought of Killian, her eyes kept roaming to stare at his back.
“I hope you aren’t considering Alpha Black, Catherine,” Price frowned down at her, her eyes snapping back to his. “The last thing I want is for this to end in tragedy for you.”
Catherine couldn’t help it, she let out a hysterical giggle. “The only thing any of you want is for me to have your children. None of you want the best for me. If you did, you wouldn’t be in the claim to begin with.”
A flash of irritation showed in the Alpha’s blue eyes, and his grip on her wrist tightened painfully as he stopped dancing. “I didn’t realize Alpha Conri bred disobedience from she-wolves in Silver Moon.”
Catherine’s nostrils flared as she stared at her wrist, pain flaring up her forearm as he squeezed. She wiggled her fingers. “You don’t know my father well, then, Alpha— he breeds kindness, strength, confidence, and women who know their worth.”
He flashed his teeth dangerously, his grip tightening further. “A Luna isn’t a Luna without an Alpha, Catherine— but an Alpha is an Alpha with or without her. Keep that in mind.”
His grip kept tightening as he stared down into her eyes, waiting for her to bare her neck in submission.
She gritted her teeth, refusing to lower her head or break eye contact, even as pain shot up her arm and made her let out a small whimper of pain.
A ghastly, ferocious snarl from beside them had them both looking up to meet Killian’s enraged black eyes, glaring at David menacingly.
“I’d suggest you remove your f*****g hand,” Killian growled, “before I use it as a chew toy.”
Catherine gasped as he let go of her wrist, the blood flow returning to the area and causing a tingling sensation. Catherine pulled it tenderly against her chest, cradling it close to her.
Killian stepped in front of her, shielding her from the Alpha.
David chuckled, but Catherine heard the nervousness in his voice despite his tough words. “Killian Black. What a pleasure. Don’t you have villages to go plunder?”
Everything happened really fast then.
Killian snarled as his hand darted up, his large hand wrapping itself around David’s throat. His eyes bulged out of the sockets, and Catherine stumbled back in shock. David was suddenly struggling for air, his face blood red and Killian’s hand tightened. He lifted him in the air, his face inches from his.
The entire ball had stopped, and everyone was watching the scene as guards rushed towards them.
“If you put your filthy hands on her again,” Killian snarled. “I will rip your head off your f*****g shoulders. Are we clear?”
“Alpha Black!” Elder Beau snarled. “We will have no violence here tonight.”
Killian chuckled, and the sound sent shivers up Catherine’s spine. “Oh, we will, Elder Beau, if you don’t tell this mutt to keep his hands to himse—“
“Catherine, are you okay?” A familiar voice hissed from beside her.
Her eyes sideways and met Opal’s amber colored eyes.
Guards moved in then, escorting Alpha David out of the room by his arms. Killian made a bee-line for the elders, and Catherine took the moment to run swiftly over to Opal.
“Catherine, what the f**k is going on? Why is he acting like that?”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she grabbed Opal’s arm, dragging her towards the outdoor patio. She would not let this room full of men looking for her weaknesses see her cry.
A guard stepped in front of them. “Miss Conri, you aren’t permitted to go into the gardens alone. Would you like me to escort you back to your dormitory?”
Panicked and feeling like her head was going to spin off, Opal noticed and thankfully spoke for her. “I think we are ready to retire for the evening, sir. Can we be escorted back now?”
The guard nodded, and Catherine willed her jelly-like legs to move as they were led back to their dorm.
- Writer
