The True Luna's Kiss

Episode 12

Max let his eyes flick open. His entire body was warm and relaxed, as if he had sank into a hot bath. But he was far from it. His eyes rested on a stunning dark haired woman. Her eyes were closed and her hands lay gently on him. Sweat beaded on her forehead and her face was one of deep concentration. Max looked at her a moment longer before he took in the most beautiful blonde he had ever seen.

"MATE!" Dixon, his wolf, cried out and Max couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. The Moon Goddess had certainly blessed him with the most exquisite creature. He sat himself up, so suddenly, it caused everyone around him to jump back. "Mine!" He growled and pulled the blonde into his arms. The girl let out a small sob and buried her head into his shoulder.

Sirona sat back and tried to slow her breathing. The healing had been hard, his wounds severe, but she had managed it. Her eyelids were heavy as she watched the healed man stand, holding Alice as if she had been hurt and carried her out of the cell. He didn't look back, and Sirona didn't expect him too. He had just found his mate after all.

One by one, the guards filed out. None of them looked back at her and she knew better than to move before they had left. Only once the final guard was out of the cell, the door shut once again did Sirona crawl over to the corner of the cell. This was the warmest corner of the whole room, despite it all being kept at a cold temperature. She leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes, ready to let sleep take her. She needed to rest and let her power recover after the healing. Briar was already curled up ready to sleep. The healing's were draining to them both. They didn't get chance to rest...

The door to the cell slammed open, and a large shadow filled the entire door frame. Sirona shivered at the new presence, and at the scent she knew, the scent she had caught before.

She peeked out at the shadow, her head low, peering through her arms slung across her knees. She huddled in the corner of the cell, making herself as small as possible, trying to conserve the small amount of body heat.

The shadowed figure took a step inside, their presence and aura filling the small concrete room, even where their physical stature couldn’t reach.

Sirona blinked at the harsh light that flooded the room from behind. Raising her hand to shield her eyes, she tried to focus on the figure to get a look at them.

A growl came from the shadow and a single word....

“MINE!”

Sirona couldn't breathe. She couldn't think. She just stared at the shadowed figure until he emerged into the dim light. The man standing before her was breathtaking. Every muscle in his body, every feature on his face was expertly sculpted. He moved towards her in a graceful movement until he was standing over her. He slowly extended a hand and offered it to her. Sirona swallowed hard and took his hand to stand. Tingles erupted through her fingers and up her arm, making her gasp. As she touched him, she felt her light travel down into his skin. He growled and pulled his hand away as if her touch burned him. They stared at each other for a moment, before the man began to inspect his hand. Where small scars had been, there was only smooth, perfect skin. He glared at her.

"What are you?"

Sirona's mouth went dry. She couldn't answer him. She couldn't speak. Words flew through her mind, trying to explain. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. The man's brow furrowed.

"I am Alpha Gabriel Ballad," he said, squaring his shoulders. "And you are my Mate. What is your name?"

Sirona blinked. An Alpha! She had even heard his name from the warrior's gossiping. He was rumoured to be the cruelest and most ruthless of all the Alpha's in the country. They said he had killed thousands and had the scars to prove it. Scars he was proud of. Scars that Sirona had inadvertently wiped away.

She stared up at him with wide eyes, unable to answer even his most simple question. She hadn't used her voice in so long. She had stopped after the screaming and pleading did nothing for her. After trying to speak to anyone who came in, and they all ignored her.

"I am not accustomed to asking my questions twice!" Gabriel's voice was a low growl, "But I guess I can make an exception for you, this once. Tell me your name, little one!"

Sirona just shook her head. She couldn't tell him her name. She couldn't tell him how long she had longed to meet him, how she had given up hope of ever finding her mate. She couldn't tell him what she was, or what her powers were. She couldn't say a word.

Gabriel growled in frustration. What the hell was going on? Why was his mate not speaking to him? What had caused the heat to encompass his hand when she touched him? Why had his scars disappeared? And, most importantly, why was she locked in a dungeon? Was she a threat? Was she dangerous? Gabriel took a step backwards, glaring at the woman in front of him. She was beautiful, no adornments or pretty clothes on her and she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her dark hair hung limply around her face, her eyes bright in the darkness and captivating. Shadow was running circles in his mind, his excitement almost infectious. But Gabriel hung back. He needed answers to the questions before he could do anything. So instead of doing what Shadow and most of his mind was telling him, he pulled away from his mate and stalked out of the room.

Briar whimpered and Sirona fell to her knees as the door slammed behind him. She WAS a monster. And her Mate would reject her for it.