Alpha's Untamed Mate

The Price to Pay

"What are you doing here?" Luna asked in a hushed tone. The air crackled with anticipation as Caleb watched the surprise on his sister's face turn into hurt. His eyes gleamed with a mix of malice and feigned concern.

"Looking out for you," he started strolling closer, casually picking off the leaves of one of the blooming plants. "Is this what you've been up to? Letting some wolf rail you in a—" he looked around, "—greenhouse?"

Everything she had felt, from shock to surprise to loss, turned into anger. He had abandoned her years ago, and now that she had finally found a glimpse of happiness, he reappeared out of nowhere and dared to talk to her like that?

"The pack w***e, are you now? I expected more—"

"Watch your tone, Caleb! I am no one's w***e. I am here because I want to be."

"Searching for another pack? After everything that happened the last time? Are you sure that's the smartest thing to do? And what, Luna? You're selling your body to get a spot among them?"

"That's not what I'm doing," her voice shook. "He's my mate!"

"A mate," he nodded, mildly distracted by the news. "That makes sense."

"More than me turning into a w***e. How can you even say that? You left, Caleb. You just disappeared on me. Where the hell did you go?"

He stood in silence for a moment before letting out a soft sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. His whole posture changed as if he had flipped a switch. Was that guilt she saw on his face?

"I couldn't take it."

"Me? You couldn't take being around me?"

"No, Luna," he sighed, stepping closer and reaching out for her hand. He wore black gloves. In fact, he was covered in only one color: black. Like the people who had destroyed their pack. He wore the gloves to prevent her from seeing his future. She had never been able to see his future, which was why she enjoyed his presence so much. She could be herself around him. He had nothing to gain from her. He loved her because she was his sister. Family. They were the same and they stuck together like glue. Until he left her.

"Come with me, Luna," he squeezed her hand. "Let me make up for what I did. I should have never left you. I was wrong. I wasn't thinking clearly," he tapped his finger against his temple. "I wasn't in my right mind. Wolves like us are not meant to live in isolation."

"I did," she whispered, but as he led her through the corridors of flowers, she followed. He never controlled her mind. He couldn't. But right now, it felt like he was. She followed him, not because she hoped he would promise her a better future, a future together, but because of their past.

Luna's heart wavered between conflicting emotions as Caleb's words echoed in her mind. She couldn't deny the lingering pain and longing for the brother who had abandoned her. The memories of their shared past tugged at her, reminding her of the unbreakable bond they once had. Could she trust him again?

As they walked through the lush corridors of flowers, their fragrance enveloping them, Luna found herself struggling to find her voice amidst the chaos of emotions within. She stole a glance at Caleb, his face etched with remorse, his eyes holding a glimmer of regret. Was it possible that he genuinely wanted to make amends?

"Run with me?" he smiled that familiar boyish smile. He used to say those words to her all the time, ever since they were able to shift into wolves. And each time she would laugh and race him.

Their hands were still entwined as he waited for her answer. The coolness of his gloves against her skin sent a shiver down her spine, a physical reminder of the distance that had grown between them.

"I know I hurt you, Luna," Caleb's voice was tinged with sincerity. "I made a terrible mistake by leaving you. I thought I was protecting you, but I see now that it was a grave error in judgment. I couldn't bear the weight of our pack's destruction, the pain, and loss we endured." Luna's eyes softened as she listened to Caleb's confession. "So, will you please come with me?"

She let out a soft sigh and found herself nodding. She saw the flicker of a triumphant smile on his face before he pulled something out of his pocket and whispered something to it.

The air started to crackle, moving and shifting around her. It felt like she was running at high speed, but her feet stood rooted to the ground. The sensation was sickening, and when the world around her stopped moving, her knees gave way, and she landed in the soft grass of a meadow.

Soft light glittered through the treetops, while wildflowers covered the clearing and reached up to her chin.

"I'm sorry," Caleb offered his hand. "I should have warned you. Teleporting feels weird when you're not used to it."

"What... How did you do that?"

"With this," he opened the palm of his gloved hand. A small, seemingly insignificant orange stone lay within. "Let's call this portable magic. It only works a certain number of times, but it allows me to travel much faster than walking, from one place to another."

"Magic? That's what you've been up to?"

"Yes and no," he stepped back a few paces, and she watched him with wary eyes. Standing out in his black clothes against the vibrant colors of spring, he seemed out of place. "I needed to belong somewhere, Luna. I never thought I would find it, but I did. I found a purpose and a strong ally. I don't expect you to forgive me right away," Caleb continued, his voice laced with humility. "But I want to make things right. I want to help you too. I want you to see what I have seen. You and I, we are stronger as family."

Luna's heart wavered, torn between the desire to protect her newfound love with Aiden and Asher, and the flicker of hope to be reunited with her brother again. She understood the weight of regret and the longing for redemption. After all, she had been living with her own demons, trying to find solace in solitude.

She had thought it was what she wanted, what needed to be done. But the short amount of time she had spent with her mates made her realize that she wanted more. She needed more. A pack. A solid foundation to be her best self. And she was sick of being alone.

Taking a deep breath, Luna finally spoke, her voice filled with a mixture of caution and vulnerability. "I want to believe you, that you truly regret leaving me behind. But you hurt me, Caleb. You left me alone without a word. That's not okay. You can't expect me to forgive and forget just because you showed up out of nowhere. I need time to heal and find my own path."

"With your mate?" Was that anger on his face? "He can't save you from what you are."

"You and I are the same!" she hissed at him.

"Exactly! That's why you need to come with me," he exclaimed. She shook her head. "Not like that. If you're willing to earn my trust back, then maybe, just maybe, we can work towards rebuilding what we once had."

"Luna," he took a step closer, placing his hands on her shoulders. "This is so much bigger than you and me. Can't you see?"

"No, I cannot. What are you talking about?" she frowned at her brother.

"I am talking about your power. I am talking about how much more you can do with it. Your visions are only a fraction of what you could accomplish. Think about the good you can bring instead of hiding. You can be a goddess!"

"No, Caleb! It's too dangerous. Don't you remember what happened the last time someone found out about what we could do? What they did to our pack? They killed everyone we loved! The council cannot find me!"

"But they already did," he sighed, and realization began to dawn on her. He was dressed in black, just like them. He had magical tools to navigate around, just like them.

"No," she whispered, taking a step back as her heart broke. Not just for herself, but for her brother. What had they done to him? Had they brainwashed him? Hurt him? Forced him to do their bidding?

Caleb's voice trembled through the silence, his words laced with deceptive sweetness. "Why fight against the inevitable? The council can offer you protection, power, and a place where you truly belong."

Luna's gaze hardened as she met her brother's eyes, refusing to be swayed by his words. She didn't want power. All she wanted was peace. She knew the truth, knew the atrocities committed by the council in the name of control and dominance.

"You abandoned me once, Caleb," Luna's voice carried a hint of steel. "You abandoned me for the people who took everything from us. I don't know what they did to you to make you believe in their lies, but I refuse to make the same mistake."

A flicker of frustration flashed across Caleb's face, quickly replaced by a calculated smile. He took a step closer, invading Luna's personal space, attempting to break down her defenses.

"You don't understand, Luna. The council can give you everything you desire," Caleb insisted, his voice laced with false sincerity. "We can protect you, provide you with a pack, a place where you'll be respected."

Luna's eyes narrowed, a spark of defiance igniting within her. She took a step back, refusing to succumb to his manipulations.

"I don't need the council's protection," Luna's voice held a steely resolve. "I don't need their lies, and I expected more from you. You should know better. You should know that they are using you. You don't matter to them. You're just a pawn in their game of control."

Caleb's mask slipped for a moment, frustration and anger flickering in his eyes. He took a deep breath, attempting to regain his composure.

"Luna, you're making a grave mistake," Caleb's voice took on a sharper edge. "The council will not tolerate defiance. They are relentless in their pursuit of power. Don't let your stubbornness lead to your downfall."

He turned his back to her. "You have a week to reconsider. If not, you know what will happen. You don't want that, do you?" he cast a wicked glare over his shoulder. "Another pack destroyed because of you?"

Bright orange sparks surrounded him, and in a split second, he was gone. Luna's chest ached, and unbearable pain exploded through her as she fell to her knees. Did she truly believe she could find happiness without paying some kind of price? A price she wasn't willing to pay again.

AN// I know my comments get a bit confusing from time to time. But I can't see my AN in a New chapter, so for those of you who have the same issue I like to leave messages in the chapter every now and then. Hi ya'll... =). What are we thinking about Caleb and what the heck it Luna supposed to do now? Run? Stay?