Star-crossed Luna

Chapter 13

Amora

The silence behind the door was deafening. All that could be heard was the beat of my heart that grew louder and faster. Marcellus wasn’t answering his Beta. My heart was slowly sinking as the response I was desperately waiting for never came. Tears threatened to leave my eyes but I held them back. How stupid of me to ever believe him in the first place. My heart ached as I peeled my ear off the door and quickly padded to the stairs. A loud bang reverberated through the walls and quickened my pace, taking the steps two at a time. Without thinking, I found myself at Azriel’s door, desperate for the comfort of my friend. All I wanted was to disappear, sink into Azriel’s arms and allow myself to fade out of this reality.

I entered without knocking, only to immediately wish I hadn’t.

“Azriel! I…” Azriel was in his bed, with another shewolf straddling him, both of them naked. Her long blonde hair was a tousled mess, the beginnings of hickies were forming all over her neck and chest. She looked at me with a knowing sneer and continued rocking her hips. What little remained of my heart began to crack and crumble. A lump formed in my throat, tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.

“s**t, Amora! I-... s**t!” was all he could manage while frantically trying to get out from under the female. I didn’t wait for him to say more and left with a loud bang, slamming the door behind me. I couldn’t believe I had been so stupid. I never should have trusted them, I never should have come. The world around me stopped and faded into a blur as I ran to the guest house. I started grabbing all my things and throwing them into my duffel bag as fast as I could. My stomach started to turn in knots with a deep warmth starting to build in my core. Ignoring it, I continued gathering my things, but as the heat grew it became harder and hard to dismiss. Sweat began beading down my forehead, neck and back. My knees buckled out from under me.

“s**t!” I cursed to myself. My heat. I hadn’t thought I was due for another few weeks. Discovering my mate must have brought it on early. I rummaged through my duffle for heat suppressants with increasing urgency. They weren’t there, forgotten at home when I had packed in a hurry. Panic started rising up in my stomach as the heat built up in my core. My skin tingled and burned, the lightest touch from clothing causing electric shocks. I wanted to rip my clothes off, step into a cool bath to stifle the growing warmth, but I didn’t have time. I needed to leave.

“Amora,” Marcellus’s voice caught me off guard and my core blazed even hotter in the presence of my mate.

“Amora please, let me explain…” he sounded panicked and scared. I wanted nothing more than to run to him, open the door and yank him in, let him take me. Fighting my instincts, I ignored him, grabbed my duffle and opened the kitchen window. It was a bit of a tight squeeze through the narrow opening but still managed. I quickly made my way to my car only to realize I didn’t have the keys. Azriel must still have them. I stifled a frustrated scream and slumped to the ground, defeated. I could still hear Marcellus’ voice on the other side of the guest house, unaware I had slipped out.

It was a long trip home, even by car. My legs already felt like jelly, but I had to leave, even if it meant running. I quickly stripped my clothes, immediately feeling some relief from the intense heat, and stuffed them into my bag. Taking a deep breath, I shifted into my wolf form. The routinely graceful and smooth transition felt rough and forced. Shaking off the discomfort, I picked up my bag in my jaws and bolted for the trees. The forest was spinning around me as I ran. My mind began to fog and I was no longer certain I was even going in the right direction.

The world around me was starting to fade. Time no longer seemed to exist. I had no idea how long I had been running. It felt like hours and my entire body was screaming at me to stop when my legs finally gave out, collapsing to the ground. Everything felt like it was on fire, my core blazed with the need and desire for my mate. Tears fell from my eyes as I lay there in misery, unable to move, and uncertain where I was. All I knew was I was still in Equinox territory. Unfamiliar scents entered my nose and pricked my ears. Footfalls of multiple wolves were moving quickly in my direction. They didn’t smell of Equinox or Aurora Borealis. Panic began to set in. I tried to get up but I couldn’t, my muscles were too weak from exhaustion. The foreign wolves were getting closer and I was completely vulnerable. Curling up into a tight ball, I prayed they would pass without noticing my presence.

The heavy running steps slowed to a stop in front of me. I kept my eyes shut tight as I felt one of them approach with a low growl. His nose made contact with my fur and involuntarily flinched and wined. The cold nose traveled down my back to the base of my tail where it stopped. He barked and began sniffing at my s*x more aggressively and was soon accompanied by a second nose. They could smell my arousal and I hated my body for betraying me at that moment. Complete strangers and all I wanted was for them both to mate me right there. I could feel them both getting increasingly excited as they investigated me. Suddenly, loud and heavy paws came stampeding through the bushes and a loud snarl ripped through the trees. The third set of paws came to a stop directly over me, shaking the ground around me.

All I could hear were yips and barks until finally a loud growl reverberated from whoever was standing above me. Mustering courage, I opened one eye to take a peak. A large black wolf was standing over me, fangs bared at the two smaller subordinates as they slinked away into the bushes. This black wolf reminded me of Azriel, but it couldn't possibly be him. I let out a soft wine and he brought his head down to mine, deep brown eyes looking back at me. Lifting my head, I touched my nose to his and my forehead was licked in return. My anxiety began melting away as a familiar aura enveloped me. This was Azriel. The fogginess in my mind was still prominent and couldn’t wrap my mind around why he was there, who the other wolves were, and why he seemed to not only know them, but command them. As mad as I was at Azriel, I was grateful he was there. He made me feel safe and at ease, even if the emotions were not my own, it was appreciated in this moment.

Azriel looked me in the eyes as he shifted into his human form. Beautiful ebony skin appeared in front of me. His normally smiling face was serious and rich honey eyes turned dark with lust. Long fingers ran through my fur, making my whole body shiver.

“Amora, I need you to shift if you want me to help you,” Azriel’s voice was low and smooth. I growled at the word help. As badly as I wanted my misery to end, I wanted nothing to do with him.

“Shhh,” he cooed, “I know, you’re mad and hurt, you have every right to be, but please let me help you.” I shifted away from him and closed my eyes. Long arms enveloped me and the sudden touch lit my skin on fire.

“Shift… please,” he whispered into my ear, making me shiver. Every muscle in my body tensed and burned as the shift started, this one even more strained than the last.

“That’s it,” he whispered, “now you need to stay in this form, your body can’t handle shifts right now.” I curled in on myself, covering my naked body the best I could.

“Why are you here?” I rasped.

“I went to talk to you and saw you running into the woods and chased after you,” his voice was soft.

“Screw you,” I spat.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry you had to see that.”

“Just leave me alone!” The heat in my core burned so much my insides felt like they were disintegrating. Azriel placed a hand on my back, making me wince involuntarily.

“f**k, Amora you’re burning up!”

“I said leave me alone!”

“If we don’t do something soon you could die.” His voice became serious.

“You don’t think I know that? I don’t need some man w***e telling me about my own biology.” A physical flinch came from Azriel’s hand.

“I deserve that,” he half chuckled, “I was being stupid, I was upset about you and Marcellus, that you chose him… and I wasn’t thinking.”

“It’s not like I chose to be his mate, I didn’t plan it, I never wanted any of this to happen. I haven't chosen either of you.” The rigidity of his hand softened on my back.

“You’re right… I’m sorry,” he started rubbing circles on my back.

“Stop, it burns,” I whined.

“Let me help you,” he urged.

“I… I don’t know,” my mind was uncertain, but the heat in the core begged for more physical touch, for release.

“Do you trust me?” I bit my lip. I couldn’t answer. My body began shaking and conceded to the overbearing urges.

“Just make it stop,” I breathed, so softly I wasn’t sure he heard me. Without hesitation, his lips came to my neck, giving little nips and licks that sent shockwaves down my body. Long slender finger slid across my skin, stopping just above my core.

“Don’t stop,” I begged.

“Are you sure?” he whispered, biting my ear.

“Yes,” I breathed, and his hand slid over my mound and cupped my folds. I gasped at the sudden sensation. Azriel, not wasting the opportunity, captured my lips. The deep burning grew in my core as I became more and more aroused. A finger slipped past my folds, gently brushing against my clit. My hips bucked at the sensation, desperate for more.

“Easy,” he cooed, as he gently started rubbing my swollen bundle of nerves. Lighting bolts shot through my body at the heavenly sensation. He took a n****e with his other hand and began rolling it between his fingers.

“More…” I managed to say between moans. Without hesitation, two fingers slipped into my slit, eliciting a cry of pure pleasure out of me. The penetration felt so relieving, I could feel it satiate the heat deep within me. Azriel’s fingers skillfully found my pleasure spot and assaulted it with the perfect amount of pressure. Obscene moans escaped my mouth as a climax grew in my core. Azriel’s pace quickened and used his thumb to simultaneously stroke my clit.

“f**k,” I panted as my release grew closer and closer. Lips and a tongue teased at my marking spot, finally pushing me over the edge into ecstasy. I screamed in pleasure as relief washed over me. The unbearable was now manageable though still there, and even though I had just finished, I craved more.

“More,” I pleaded. Azriel’s eyes darkened at my request but shifted away from me.

“As much as I would love to, I can’t. When this is over and your head clears, I don’t want you thinking I took advantage of you.” Before I could protest, the distinctive roar of my mate’s howl pierced my ears, and I could see the blood drain from Azriel’s face.