Lunas Wildfire

Secrets and Confessions

The walk back to my cabin was a blur. My lips still tingled from Carter’s kiss, and my mind raced with the intensity of what had just happened. The mate bond wasn’t just a myth; it was real, undeniable, and all-consuming. Carter was my mate.

Carter. The alpha.

It felt surreal, the way my world had shifted in an instant. As I stepped into my cabin, closing the door behind me, I leaned against it for a moment, trying to catch my breath. The emotions swirling inside me were too much to handle alone.

I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found Lily’s name. My thumb hovered over the screen for half a second before I pressed the call button.

She answered on the second ring. “Hey, Emmy! Are you okay? Where are you? You totally missed Carter’s big party!”

“Lily,” I said, my voice trembling. “You need to come to my house. Now.”

There was a pause on the other end. “Wait… What’s going on? You sound weird. Did something happen?”

“Just get here, okay? I’ll explain everything.”

“All right, all right. I’m on my way.”

Lily burst through the door twenty minutes later, her blonde curls bouncing as she stormed inside. “You better have a damn good reason for pulling me out of Jackson’s arms on a night like this,” she said, hands on her hips.

I didn’t respond right away. Instead, I paced the room, my fingers nervously twisting the hem of my shirt.

Lily frowned, her playful tone dropping. “Emmy, seriously, what’s going on? You’re freaking me out.”

I stopped pacing and turned to face her, my heart pounding. “I found my mate.”

Her jaw dropped. “What?! When?! Who?!”

“Tonight. In the forest.” I took a deep breath, the words spilling out in a rush. “It’s Carter, Lily. Carter is my mate.”

For a moment, she just stared at me, her blue eyes wide with shock. Then a slow grin spread across her face. “Carter? As in Alpha Carter?”

I nodded, my cheeks flushing as the memory of our kiss played in my mind. “Yes.”

Lily let out a high-pitched squeal and practically tackled me in a hug. “Oh my Goddess, Emmy! That’s amazing! Carter is your mate?!”

“It’s… a lot,” I admitted, pulling away from her embrace and sitting down on the couch. “I mean, he’s the alpha. And I’m… me.”

“Oh, stop it,” Lily said, waving her hand dismissively as she plopped down next to me. “You’re incredible, and you know it. Carter’s lucky as hell to have you as his mate.”

I gave her a weak smile. “It’s not just about him. What about Aaron? How is he going to feel about this?”

Lily’s smile faltered for a moment. “Aaron’s your ex, Emmaline. And he has a mate now. He knew this day would come for you, just like you knew it would come for him. It’ll be fine.”

I nodded, but the worry still lingered. “I just don’t want things to be awkward. Aaron and I had something… special, you know? And now…”

“And now you have something even more special,” Lily interrupted. “Emmy, this is your mate we’re talking about. The one the Moon Goddess made just for you. Aaron will understand.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I hope you’re right.”

“Of course I’m right,” Lily said confidently. “Now, tell me everything. How did it happen? Was it romantic? Did he kiss you?”

My cheeks turned bright red. “Yes,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lily gasped, grabbing my arm. “Details. Now.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. “Okay, okay. I was training in the woods, trying to clear my head, and then… I smelled it. The mate bond. It hit me like a ton of bricks. And when I turned around, there he was.”

Lily’s eyes sparkled. “And then?”

“And then we locked eyes, and we both said ‘mate.’ And… we kissed,” I said, my voice trailing off as I remembered the heat of his lips on mine, the way his hands had held me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.

Lily let out another squeal, practically bouncing on the couch. “Oh my Goddess, Emmy! That’s so hot! I can’t believe you’re mated to Carter. He’s… I mean, come on. Have you seen him? He’s gorgeous. And those arms…”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Lily!”

“What?” she said innocently. “I’m just saying, the guy is a total catch. And now he’s your catch.”

The thought made my heart flutter and my stomach twist with nerves. “It’s just so overwhelming, you know? Everything is going to change now.”

“Of course it is,” Lily said, her tone turning serious. “But it’s going to be good change. Carter is strong, loyal, and totally into you. I mean, you’re his mate, Emmy. That bond is unbreakable.”

I leaned back against the couch, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”

“Of course I’m right,” Lily said with a smirk. “Now, tell me more about this kiss…”