Broken Luna

Lean On Me

~~JUDAS POV~~

I love you… My heart felt like it was being crushed. Making me feel foolish - stupid. Blinking back tears as I quietly retreated. Seeing him kiss her forehead before pulling her into a hug. There was noone but herself she should have been mad at. It was two weeks since she’d stumbled upon the pack. And a week since she’d started really letting her guard down.

But why was Jem keeping me around if he already had someone he loved? How stupid was I. The mate bond must be a curse to him then. To be burdened with someone like me. The woman had been - oh god she was gorgeous. She was probably more what he needed anyways. I refused to cry. I wouldn’t cry. I wouldn’t!

“Hey Juuuuuude!” Brans voice sang out, his usual impish grin on his lips as I jumped. Forcing a smile to greet him. Yet he frowned, looking over at me, “what’s up?”

Shrugging, “nothing really. I - uh… When are we heading to school?”

“You going to say goodbye to Jem before we go?” he seemed to be studying my face.

I flushed shaking my head, “It’s okay. Not like we wont see each other later!” maybe I said that a little too quickly. He looked like he was going to question me further, sighing instead.

“Alright, lets go, pup!” I followed him towards his truck, getting in and feeling a sense of relief as we started to drive off. It was too early for this much heartache. For the first while I started to think. Too much. As I started to think of Matthias. Heart hammering at the thought of them going back - finding the body. Of him demanding I return. What he’d do to me knowing I was alive - and not making him money.

Bran kept giving side glances. I’d watched him open his mouth to start talking… before closing it and frowning. As if he wasn’t sure how to say what it was he was thinking of. Instead of inquiring about it I looked out the window. Mind going back to Jem - and the mystery girl that had been in his office as well.

“I - uh... “ he whistled, “I really am bad at starting this conversation. I didn’t want to start any conversation around my brother, make you have to have a talk you’re not ready for…”

I paled. Unsure of what exactly he might be talking about… Was he going to tell me about the woman? Zyanya bristled at the thought. She’d been confused but less willing to think what I was. “What do you mean?”

Bran shifted, looking at the road. I could see his knuckles going white as he gripped the wheel intensely. One hand moving to pull at the back of his neck. “You’re free, is what I need you to know…”

My brow furrows. I don’t understand the context of it. “What?”

“Form The Severus. From the Hillcrest…”

That made me look at him wide eyed, “What?! You… “ I choked on my words. I didn’t think anyone knew about that. I hadn’t even told Karma where I came from. About who I was afraid of going back to… But if Bran knew - then he must realize I was property. I was owned by someone already. I wasn’t free. Would I ever really be?

A guilty look flashed over his face, “the day after you ran into Jem - I tracked you down to them… I knew Jem would have gone and started a war with The Severus if he found you there - and they’d deserve it but… Demons aren’t exactly easy to war with. I was hoping I could have gone there, got you out. You could start your new life and it’d be all well and good. Matthias - a f*****g piece of s**t really - as a demon and all - really good at wording s**t. I acquired your freedom. Only after he revealed where you would be - and the chances of you - “ he’d gotten progressively angrier. Grinding his teeth at the end.

I felt panicked that he knew - that he’d known what I was. And shocked as f**k really. The wheels ground in my head trying to grasp everything he was saying. Shock filled me as I realized that if I was free from Matthias - he’d have had to pay for it - heavily - “wait… You - Bran! You shouldn’t have that is so much - to much. I’m not worth that! I - I can’t pay you back...” then my jaw dropped - “wait Matthias is a demon?”

He looked over at me, “you’re worth more than they could ever ask-” He forced his gaze back to the road, “don’t worry about it. And no - he’s uh - actually he’s a warlock. But a black hearted f*****g nightmare of a person. I don’t know why the council allows such deplorable businesses. They deserve no protection. I hope one day, sooner than later, they all get what’s deserved…”

Overwhelmed. That was how I felt. Bran had known about me - the entirety of the past two weeks. “Noone else knows?” My voice was so quiet. Nearly a whisper.

Bran shook his head, “I - it didn’t feel like it was for me to tell…”

I hung my head and picked at my thumb absently. “Will they want me to leave… when they learn I’m just a w***e?”

Bran swerve as he looked over to quickly, shocked at the question. I caught the look from the corner of my eyes. “What? No!”

“Jem won’t want me Bran - I... “ I felt tears threaten to fall - “he already doesn’t, I’m sure…”

Bran ended up pulling over on the side of the highway. “Jude. My brother is crazy for you. He wont care about what you’ve had to do in your life to survive…”

A sob finally broke free of me, “but he’s in love with another girl.”

I looked to Bran who looked confused, his brow scrunched up, “what?”

“I saw him in his office this morning. He was with a woman. He said he loved her… I - I can’t even be mad cause who in their right mind would love someone like me?” Burying my face in my hands I tried to stop the sobs. To gain control of myself once more.

Bran shook his head, “I - Jem wouldn’t do that to you. He’s wanted to find his mate since forever. He was worried he wouldn’t ever get to find you and I know he’s head over heels for you… I’m not sure what you saw but there’s probably more to it…”

Shaking my head, “I-I heard him!”

I flinched back as Bran moved at first, but he pulled me into a hug, “please, just talk to him? And don’t you dare keep selling yourself short. Any wolf would be damn blessed to have you as their mate. No one can convince me otherwise.”

“He’d probably be happier with her. With someone that isn’t … Isn’t just…”

“Compassionate? Kind? Willing to admit Raspberries are superior?”

I couldn’t help a half laugh, half sob at his silliness. Bran seemed to always be good at making me laugh. “No. f****d up. Worthless. Broken…”

Bran gave a squeeze, “here’s a secret, everyone’s a little f****d up. We’re all a little broken. And nothin’ wrong with that. But you are not worthless. You never have been, never will be. Next time you try telling me that, I’m going to have to make you give me fifty push ups.”

“You’re so silly,” I sniffle. Trying to reign in my emotions.

“Sometimes. Also sometimes kinda wise. So deal with it… So… Want me to turn around? Or do you want to head to school today?”

Part of me did want to go to school.

Part of me told me to go back. That part split between getting the pain of rejection over with, the other hoping that I had misread the situation. I’d already missed so much school… Nothing that would permanently affect my marks as Karma had helped arrange for Bran to bring my school work…

Sighing heavily, looking at my hands, “what if he really doesn’t want me Bran?”

“He does.”

So f*****g sure. “But if he doesn’t…”

“I’ll kick his ass.”

I look at him wide eyed, “why?!”

“Cause he’d clearly need the sense knocked back into him…”

I pick at my thumb again, looking at my hands… My voice sounds unsure. Even a bit apologetic… “Can we go home?”