Heir of Luna

~9~

I hear him rummage around, he must be getting dry and dressed.

Then he drops onto the bed before me. He is wearing a pair of grey sweatpants. And nothing else.

“You know, sometimes you could wear actual clothes,” I tease quietly.

He smiles at me, “why?” He pulls the magazine from my hands and throws it. He then grabs my wrist and pulls me to straddle his hips. I yelp in surprise.

His face morphs into concern, “s**t, did I catch your side darling? I was trying to avoid it.”

My side? Wait he knows about my bruise. At my questioning stare he continues.

“Josiah told me you hurt your side, that you have a bruise.” He explains and cups my cheek. “Did I hurt you?”

I shake my head, “no. I was just not expecting it is all.”

“Good.” He pulls me closer and snuggles into the crook of my neck.

I wrap my arms around his neck and allow my body to relax into his hold. After a few moments he sighs and presses a kiss to my throat.

“We should go. Everyone is waiting for me,” he says and I stand from his lap.

He pulls a T-shirt on followed by socks and shoes. He takes my hand and moves to the door. I stop him before he opens it.

“We can’t go in there together,” I blurt nervously. “Everyone will know something is up.”

He looks at me confused, “and?”

“I don’t want everyone to know,” I say softly. “Please, can we just keep this between us.”

He watches my face, assessing for a moment before nodding.

“Fine.”

When we arrive at the school and there is a team of warriors waiting for the Alpha. He walks their direction and I drop back. I move into the crowd of students as I see Alpha Drakos turn back to look at me. He pauses and looks around for me. He looks pissed as one of his warriors reminds him to hurry up and he has to abandon his search for me.

I mingle into the crowd of students as we make our way into the football stands. I spot Ricky ahead and move in his direction.

“Hey,” I say as I reach him.

He turns to me with surprise. “Hey? Issy said you weren’t feeling well.” His eyes catch the bruising on my face but he doesn’t comment further.

“Feeling better,” I shrug as we find a seat.

The crowd falls silent as the Alpha steps onto a podium. His gaze roams the crowd and I try to shrink back. I say try because I failed. His eyes find mine and he relays his annoyance to me. A couple of people turn to look at me because of the Alpha’s attention.

“She will probably be kicked out soon, he looks like he hates her.” One of the cheerleaders giggle behind me.

“I just hope I can catch his eyes today, I might be his mate.” Another girls joins in and they start swooning.

Jealousy burns my throat and I clench my jaw tight.

Alpha Drakos spends an hour talking to us all about the warrior programme. Everyone will be required to enlist once we graduate now. He understands talents are different so we will complete an eight week training camp before being sorted into factions.

Everyone starts to file out of the football stadium and I can feel the Alpha’s eyes on me. I scurry along the steps and try to shield myself behind Ricky. I make it into the hallway before I hear some of the warriors start asking for Cleo.

My heart pounds in my chest, he is going to make a scene. Everyone is already gossiping about him glaring at me.

A hand grabs my arm and I am ushered into an empty cleaning closet. The door closes and a light switches on. Josiah stands before me.

“Josiah,” I put a hand to my heart. “You scared me.”

“Why are you running from Drake? Has he upset you?” He seems genuinely concerned.

I shake my head quickly, “no. Nothing like that. I just don’t want people to know at the moment. I would prefer to keep it quiet until…” I trail before saying too much.

“Until?” Josiah looks confused. “Do you want to be my brothers mate?”

The question is so blunt that it catches me off guard. I stutter over a response.

“I know this isn’t the time or place Cleo but I don’t know when I’ll get the chance again. I need to tell you. I want you to be my mate, I always have.” He places his hands on my shoulders. “I want you to choose me.”

I stare at Josiah, unable to give him an answer.

After a minute he steps back in resignation. He nods as if to say he understands. He then kisses my forehead and makes to step away.

I grab hold of his hand to stop him, “Josiah I-“ what can I even say to make this better. “I would have been happy if you were my goddess given mate. I- I do have feelings for you. But-“ I swallow. “But I owe it to myself, to your brother and to the goddess to see where this takes me.” I grab his arm with my other hand. “But you will always be important to me and I don’t want to see you hurt. I know that someday you will find your mate and you will know this was the right decision.”

He stares at me long and hard before quickly pressing his lips to mine. He takes me by surprise but quickly pulls away again.

“I just needed to do that once.” He whispers before leaving the room.

I slump against the wall as I ponder on whether that was the right decision.

I hoist my bag up my shoulder and open the door before starting down the hallway. I make it all of five steps before a voice makes me freeze.

“Found you.” His dark voice is teasing and makes my body light up.

A smile spreads across my face as I turn to see Alpha Drakos stalking toward me.

“Alpha.” I nod my head in greeting. “What brings you here?”

He reaches me and pulls me into his arms. “Oh I don’t know, I have been chasing my troublesome mate around.”

I chuckle at his words and he smiles back. “Let’s go back to the packhouse”.

“I can’t I have scho-“

I am cut off by a gasp and turn to see Harmony glaring at me.