Forsaking His Luna

Flirting

Arthur

When Miriam started taking off her clothes, I had to take a deep breath to calm down the rising desire for her body. The effect that she immediately had on me was something I had never felt before.

Her body had curves that could seriously get me in trouble. Her dark green bikini contrasted perfectly with her sun-kissed skin tone, and she released her long curvy hair from her messy bun.

She was a vision to behold. I tried not to let it show. I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable with me. But damn, I hated when Cody was right. Coming here to see girls in bikinis was a terrible idea, but not this one. I was glad I came here just so I could witness her beauty.

After I teased her and she started running, I didn't contain myself and ran straight after her. Thinking that it was probably too soon to invade her personal space by holing her up against my chest, I slowed down, pretending to be slower than her. She didn't even hesitate when diving underneath a wave.

I was looking for her but couldn't see her anywhere; Finn was on alert straight away, pushing me to go faster until we saw her emerge.

I was relieved but immediately started going faster, thinking she might come out of the water before I could swim with her.

As I approached, she floated on her back, gazing at the blue sky.

Gathering my courage, I dived, opening my eyes underwater and swimming until where she was. Emerging next to her, she must have felt my movement and stood to face me.

We looked each other in the eyes, and I felt at peace. At that exact moment, her emotions were happy, calm and... anxious? Could she be feeling uneasy because of me? Did she feel the same way I did?

"So it's just us now... I doubt my cousin will come for a swim."

"You're cousins?!"

"Yes, and best friends, I must say. You seem too surprised, tough. Should I take that as an offence or as a compliment?"

"I'm not going to answer that." she said cheekily, "Mafalda and I have been best friends since we were little. She's like a sister to me."

"I can see that... by how you defended her earlier."

She frowned.

"Well, of course! I will always defend her. However, I shouldn't have to defend her from her future alpha. He should protect her, not take away her free will."

"How was it for you? Finding out about our kind?" - I admitted it, but she didn't like small talk. She preferred honesty and transparency.

That only made me respect her more for it. Not also was she brave, but she was also true to herself and to others.

She seemed shocked by my question and confession but didn't shy away.

"I have lived in their village since birth. When I was three, my mum started taking me to swim classes. That's where I met Mafalda. From then on, we were inseparable. I was there the day she shifted for the first time. She was 11 years old, too young to shift. I discovered that day my best friend was a wolf, and the world was more diverse than I believed. The council gathered, and Alpha Roberto made me promise never to share their secret, or I would have to drink a potion to erase my memory. So my parents and I swore not to tell a living soul. They made me "part of the pack", even though I'm not a wolf and I'm not supposed to know their pack secrets."

"That was a brave and risky decision. If the supreme council discovers, your alpha might be in trouble... Wait, did you say Mafalda shifted at eleven years old?"

"Yeah, eleven. My girl is an early bloomer. Why?"

"It's unusual. I shifted at eleven as well. But usually, males turn thirteen and females at fifteen. A female turning so early it's unheard of."

"I suppose you're right... what about you? I know I already asked, but you didn't answer. Don't you hope to become an Alpha?"

"I uhh... don't know... I guess I'm not ready for it yet..."

"I read from a book in the elder's library that only when a young alpha turns eighteen does he find his mate; his instincts force him to fight for power to protect his mate. But you already knew that, didn't you?"

"That is sometimes true, but it depends on whether you find them. You sure know a lot... How did you get access to the elder library?"

"Can you keep a secret?" she whispered, even though no one was around us. I found it funny enough to make a little laugh.

"Huh, yeah, sure."

"Mafalda's mother, Beta Bea, once forgot her bag at the library. Since Mafalda and I were at the alpha mansion, she called and asked Mafalda if she could get it back. She gave her the library code... which I have always remembered to this day... so sometimes...I sneak in to escape Diego's parties.

"Sneaky... and dangerous."

"You have to promise not to tell a soul! Not even Mafalda knows..."

"I'm flattered by your trust in me, my lady.", she giggled. I could listen to that sound all day.

"What about her dad? Is he a beta, too?" her expression turned sad.

"Not anymore. He died. So Bea took his place."

"Sorry to hear that. It must have been tough on Mafalda."

"It was, but she's strong and stood her ground. Wherever he is, I know he's proud of her."

"I'm sure he's happy she has a friend like you." She looked surprised.

"You don't even know me..."

"I just saw how sad you were talking about it. If you feel Mafalda's pain, you are a good friend." she blushed; that colour on her cheeks did things to my heart I couldn't explain.

"Huh... thanks." I smiled tenderly at her.

"No problem. Any time. So tell me, Miriam Moura, where is it safe to snorkel around here?" she started laughing, making my heart skip a beat. Her laughter was contagious, making me laugh too.

"Did I say something funny?"

"You did... never mind... well, it is as safe as the ocean. If the flag is yellow, I don't venture too far from the shore. I'm not that crazy... if it's green like right now, then it's pretty safe. I usually snorkel along the coast on the right, and it's beautiful there."

"Have you ever done diving?"

"Not professionally. Usually, I hold my breath or use a snorkelling mask."

"That sounds dangerous..." she gave me a smirk, and I was thankful we were underwater and she couldn't notice the effect that had on me.

"Danger is my middle name..."

"Alright, Miriam Danger Moura, why don't you lead the way?" she was surprised.

"Do you mean now? Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure... are you?" It was my time to smirk and observe its effects on her; she blushed, and her heartbeat increased.

Miriam POV

How was I supposed to tell him no? I liked going there by myself; it was my favourite spot.

I was planning to do it anyway, and now I was taking a stranger to snorkel with me... but somehow, I felt like I could trust him. Somehow, he made me feel safe.

Dad's words of warning rang in my head, but I decided to ignore them, as I always did.

"Okay! Let's go, then. Try to keep up!"

"Oh don't you worry about me. I'm sure I can follow." I turned around, thinking, 'okay, pretty boy, OK, let's see what you got.'

I started swimming fast. I dived under the water and swam mermaid style to gain speed, and a head started on him. I came to the surface when I couldn't hold my breath. Looking around, I couldn't see him, and I thought I had lost him. Suddenly, he emerges from underneath me, scaring the s**t out of me.

"Oh, s**t! You scared me!"

"What can I say? I'm highly competitive." he was breathless. Still, it was impressive he could keep up, Mafalda was a good swimmer, and even she couldn't keep up with me but wouldn't admit it out loud.

"Something tells me you have some sort of training..."

"Yeah, I had swimming lessons as a kid. Are you going to lead the way, or should I?" He was trying to provoke me, and it was working.

"Just keep up!"

I swam even faster, not wasting time, shortly after arriving at the rock with a natural pool and an underwater tunnel, my special place on holidays.

It was full of sea life, and I loved to explore it. I pulled myself up the rock and sat down, catching my breath. He was still swimming towards me, this time much slower. When he finally arrived, he climbed to the rock opposite mine, and I decided to tease him about it...

"So... took you long enough..."

"Oh please, you pushed it this time on purpose, and I decided to let you win."

"Hahaha! You do know it's okay to admit defeat sometimes?"

"Who says I don't like to admit defeat?"

"Your genetic code."

"Biology... I like where this is going..."

"Please stop. I didn't come here for a lecture from Mr Biology degree.", I said, pretending to be annoyed. He burst into laughter, and I joined him inevitably. I had just met him, and it was already so easy to be around him.

"How about you stop teasing me and show me why we're here."

"Fine! Come on then."

Before I could jump, he extended his hand for me to hold so we could jump together.

Feeling lost about what to do, I looked into his eyes. My hand moved by itself and held onto his. That's when I felt a tiny shock, not enough to hurt, this peace and sense of belonging taking over my body and soul. I knew, by instinct then, that I could trust him.