A Luna Scorned

Chapter 7

“This isn’t my home.” I said as we arrived at the Silver Moon pack house.

“What do you mean?” Liam looked a little hurt.

“This isn't my home. I want to go home. To my home.”

“Sweetheart, this is your home now. You are with me, and this is where I live, and where you live now.”

“Yeah, all alone at the far end of the hallway.” I stared at my hands in my lap as I heard Liam let out a long, heavy sigh.

“Is this about Rachel?”

“No. Not all of it.” I mumbled. It really wasn’t all about Rachel. After what happened I really wanted to just go home. I wanted my mom and dad, I wanted my room, my bed, my friends. I hated being in a place I didn’t know, surrounded by people who didn’t know me, and might be really upset that I was just going to waltz in here and possibly take over the position as Luna. A position that was already filled.

“Listen sweetheart.” Liam gently grabbed my chin, turning my head to look at his. “This is your home. You will have everything you need. All you have to do is ask.”

“Can I have you?” Liam gently chuckled.

“You have me.” I removed my face from his grip and closed my eyes, holding back tears. I wasn’t sure how much of that statement was true. I feared none of it was. “Look, I will promise you, right here, right now, that I will end things with Rachel. Yes, I love her. We’ve spent a lot of our life together, so you can’t expect it to be overnight. But I will have her leave the pack house. She has no reason to be there now.”

“I understand.”

“Love, I promise you, I only want you.” He gently stroked my shoulder.

“But you only want me because of the bond. If we weren’t mates, you would still be crazy in love with Rachel.”

“Yeah. You’re probably right. I am in love with her. It took years to feel that way. But because of the bond, I feel that way about you instantly. I feel like I already know everything about you. You are the mate the moon goddess chose for me. You are the one that is destined to be with me. Not Rachel. So, you are the one I chose to be with.” His words uncovered a warmth in my chest. I felt like this all might just work out for me. I wasn’t jealous of Rachel. I just didn’t want to fight for a man, or for a position for that matter. If they truly loved each other and wanted to be together, I didn’t want to stand in the way. I just really needed to know that he wanted me here to be his Luna. Not his mistress. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Just because Liam was an Alpha didn’t make him an exception.

“Now, let's get you inside. The doctor demanded you rest.”

“Can we stop by the kitchen first? I need a snack”

“Sure thing Sweetheart.” I opened the car door and instantly was wrapped in Jensen’s embrass. I heard a low growl from across the car.

“My apologies, Alpha.” Jensen loosened his grip on my arm. “Ky, I was so worried about you. I visited you every day you were in the hospital. I knew my girl would pull through.” I smiled and hugged him back.

“I missed you too, Jay. You know, I could have taken all of those wolves had you been there.” I joked.

“Hell yeah! We are an incredible team.”

“That’s enough catching up.” Liam put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side. “She is on strict orders to rest.”

“You go get some rest. I’ll see you when you feel back to normal.” Jensen kissed my forehead. Liam growled again.

“Liam, he is my friend. Nothing more. But like you and Rachel, we have known each other for forever. Since we were pups. His father is my father’s Beta. He means no harm.”

“If you say so.” He grabbed my bag and we made our way to the kitchen.

“It’s past lunch, and too early for dinner, so there isn’t anyone here to make anything for you. Let me drop your things in your room and I'll be back down to make something. start thinking about what you want.”

“I’ll get it, boss man.” Riley strode in the room.

“Okay. I’ll be right back sweetheart.” Liam planted a sweet kiss on my forehead and left.

“Glad to have you back, kid.” Riley joked. “Can’t say I wasn’t worried about you. When I saw you standing there, all bloody and…” His voice trailed off. “Well, I’m glad you're home. Now, what does the lady of the house want?”

“Um…” I wasn’t sure what all they had available here, and I didn’t want Riley to spend too much time making anything for me.

“Tell you what kid, I’ll make you my special sandwich. Sound good?”

“Perfect”. I watched Riley strut around the kitchen looking for everything he would need. I sat at the bar just across the kitchen.

“What do you drink?”

“Diet coke?”

“Sure thing.” He went over to a large fridge in the back of the kitchen. It was filled with cans of beverages. Top to bottom. All perfectly arranged on the shelves.

“I heard you were back.” A nasally, high pitched, loud voice echoed through the empty dining hall. I turned to see Rachel standing behind me. “Pity you didn’t die out there.” ‘This was going to be fun’, I thought to myself.

“Well, thankfully I didn’t.” I rolled my eyes.

“Look here.” She snapped. “This is my house. Liam is my mate. He will mark me, not you. When he does, I will make sure you are gone. Whether I have to have you killed or force you out. You will not remain here.” I looked up to see Riley had quit rummaging through the fridge. He stood on the other side of the bar, just out of Rachel’s sight. She had been too busy threatening me to notice he had walked up behind her.

“You're delusional.”

“RILEY.” The sound of his voice made her jump about six feet in the air. “I..I…”

“You were just leaving, you little witch. Don’t think Liam won’t hear about this little confrontation”. She turned on her heels and raced out of the kitchen.

“I liked her when she was first with Liam. But ever since she became ‘acting Luna’ she's turned into a total jerk. Completely power hungry. I’m really not sure how much she really loves Liam, or how much she really loves the power.” Riley’s use of air quotes when he said acting Luna made me giggle.

“Should I be worried about her threats?”

“I wouldn’t be. But definitely watch out. She’s never harmed anyone, at least that I'm aware of, but her life and position has never been threatened before.”

“Ky”. I felt Liam’s hand on my back. “Rachel here tell’s me you all met each other just now, and it didn’t go well.”

I spun around on my bar stool to be greeted by Rachel and Liam. Rachel had a fake scared expression on her face. She had one hand in Liams, and the other on his chest. Her head was tucked tightly on his arm.

“You could say that.” I stifled a growl growing inside me.

“I’m not too happy with you. Just because you are my mate doesn’t mean you get to abuse Rachel.”

“ABUSE?” I cried out. “What do you mean abuse?”

“She tells me that you threatened her when she came to introduce herself. That you told her you were going to make sure she was going to leave this pack, either dead or alive.”

“Baby, I told you not to be mad at Kyrie. I know she’s your mate. I just hoped that we could be friends and co-exist, but I see that isn’t going to be the case.” She put on her fakest sweet voice for Liam. He gently kissed her forehead and pulled her closer into his side.

“Now hold on just one minute! That is NOT what happend.” Riley slammed my diet coke on the counter, soda shot everywhere. Rachel jumped back out of Liam’s grip, wiping soda off her face and mini dress.

“Don’t bother Riley. I don’t feel like explaining the truth to someone who doesn’t even bother to ask my side of what happened before attacking me. Riley, thank you for making me dinner, however, I’ve lost my appetite. I just want to go to sleep.” I brushed past Liam giving him a deathly cold glare.

“Liam, that is NOT what happened.” I turned as I hit the doorway to the kitchen to look back at Riley pleading my case.

“Baby, I’m going to go get cleaned up. I’m covered in soda.” Rachel cried. She turned around and noticing I was still in the doorway, she stuck her tongue out at me. Clearly, she thinks she will be getting away with this.

“Real mature.” I said as I headed towards my room.

I sighed and rested the back of my head against my door. Clearly, Liam was still very much in love with Rachel. This wasn’t going to be easy, or fun. I didn’t want to have to fight for my mate. Finding my mate was definitely not turning out to be the love story I had thought it was going to be. I knew I shouldn’t have left the ranch. I didn’t ask for this. I locked the door and started the shower. I was still all nasty dirty from the events of the last few days and couldn’t wait to get cleaned up. There was a knock at my door as I was getting dressed for bed.

“Go away.” I said, thinking it was Liam.

“It’s Riley.” Was the muffled reply. I threw on my little tank top and boxer shorts and opened the door for Riley. I was greeted with an amazing little sandwich with a side of chips and a soda.

“I thought you might still be hungry.”

“Yes!” I stepped aside and let him in my room, closing the door behind him. He placed the sandwich on the table and sat down in the chair. “This looks amazing.”

“I wasn’t sure which chips you like, so these are just regular ones.”

“That’s fine. I feel like I could eat anything right now, I’m so hungry.”

“I figured. Look, about earlier.” I rolled my eyes as I scarfed down the sandwich. “I explained what really happened to Liam. I’m not sure he believes me, but he wasn’t really happy with Rachel.”

“I don’t really care.”

“Just give him some time.”

“I’m not going to compete with Rachel. It’s obvious she’s out for blood, and I think I've already split enough in this pack.”

“Don’t give up just yet. She’s not going to make this easy, but Liam will come around. you’re his mate. He will give in.”

“Riley, I appreciate your support, but I don’t want to fight for my mate. He is in love with Rachel. If it wasn’t for this mate bond, he would never choose me. I just want to go home. I don’t belong here. If I wasn’t here, he could have Rachel and not have to choose between me and her. I feel like a homewrecker.”

“You’re not a homewrecker.” I shot him a glare. “Okay, you are kind of a homewrecker, in the sense of the word. But, it’s not on purpose. You aren’t trying to come between them. This is fate. The Moon Goddess planned this for you and Liam. If anyone is the homewrecker, it’s Rachel. She took a man she isn’t mated to and refuses to try to find her mate.”

“Same with Liam. Does that make him a homewrecker too?” Our laughter was interrupted by the sounds of muffled shouting. Riley rushed to the door and cracked it open.

“It’s Rachel and Liam”. He motioned for me to come closer. Leaning against his back I could hear the two of them arguing.

“If you ever, EVER threaten Kyrie again, I will banish you from this house for good!” Liam shouted at her. I could hear her sobs and that made the biggest grin appear on my face.

“But Baby, that isn’t what happened. I swear! She’s the one that threatened me, baby!”

“But baby, but baby!” I couldn’t help myself but mock her. Riley and I burst out in laughter and quickly covered our mouths to keep the giggles from drifting down the hallway.

“He promised me he would make her move out of the pack house.” I whispered.

“Really? That’s surprising. We’ll have to make sure he keeps that promise.” Riley stiffened up and flattened himself against the door. I heard the sound of heavy stomping up the stairs and down the other end of the hallway.

“Rachel, sweetheart!” Liam called after her. Sweetheart, really? That was what he was calling me. I made my way across the room and sat on the bed. A loud door slam echoed down the hall.

“Rachel.” Liam yelled as he knocked on her door. I couldn't help but let tears stream down my face. I was tired, and now I was hurt. He was using the same pet name for both his women. Everything he told me earlier had to have been lies.

Ky, hey”. Riley knelt down at my feet, looking up at me. “What’s the matter? Liam just called out Rachel. You should be ecstatic.”

“I am. But...earlier…”

“Earlier what? Riley reached up, wiping a tear from my cheek.

“Earlier, Liam told me I wouldn’t have to worry about Rachel. But, he called me sweetheart too. He’s using the same pet name with me that he uses with her.”

“Oh, Ky. I’m sorry.” We were interrupted by a knock on my door. I looked up to see Liam standing in the opening, a very angry look on his face.

“What’s going on here?” He angrily stepped toward Riley.

“Absolutely nothing. Can’t say the same for you and Rachel, however.” Riley challenged him. Liam let out a low growl as Riley stared him down. “You’re being a jerk, Liam. I understand you love Rachel, but you’re going to lose Kyrie. Figure out what you want, and do it quick. This poor girl has been through enough here already, and she hasn’t even been here a full day. Stop stringing her along.” I was thankful for Riley for standing up for me, but felt guilty for coming between the best friends. Anger between and alpha and beta was never good for a pack.

“What am I doing here?” I whispered to myself. Liam must have heard because he blew past RIley and fell at my feet. He clasped my hands in his and put his forehead against mine. Tears continued to roll out of my eyes. I tried hard to contain them, but just couldn’t make them stop.

“Hey, hey sweetheart.” He reached up and gently lifted my chin.

“Don't call me that.” I moved my head out of his hands and slid back on the bed.

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to be called the same things you call your girlfriend.” He put his head in his hands, rubbing his fingers through his hair. “I’m really tired. I just want to be left alone to sleep.” I curled up under my blanket, trying my best to cover my face. I felt Liam curl up beside me, scooting his body as close to me as he could. He wrapped an arm around my chest and nestled his face in my hair. I tried to wiggle free of his grip, but the more I wiggled, the tighter he held on.

“What’s the matter, love?”

“Just call me Kyrie. Please. I don’t want you calling me anything you call her.” I finally wiggled free of his grip. It was liberating and saddening at the same time. I wanted nothing more to be in his arms. I felt so relaxed in his embrace. I needed his warmth. But, I was not going to be the other woman. I was not going to let him cuddle up with her and I at the same time. It has to be one or the other. He can’t have us both.

“Ky, lie back down. I need him”. Nat whimpered.

“No Nat. I am not going to be here for him when she isn’t.”

“But, please Ky. He is our mate.”

“He may be our mate Nat, but he is not ours. His heart belongs to Rachel still, and I don’t want to be the one to blame that their relationship falls apart.” She whimpered and back down.

“Ky.” Liam pleaded.

“It’s Kyrie.” He reached across the bed and rubbed my back. I got up off the bed. My butt cheeks peeking out beneath my shorts. I heard Liam growl with lust.

“Your butt looks amazing in those shorts.”

“You really think you can sweet talk me?” He slid across the bed and put his arms around my waist, lowering his head to look me straight in the eyes.

“Kyrie, you're my mate. We need each other.”

“I don’t need anyone. I’m capable of taking care of myself.” Again, I tried to struggle free of his grip. He pulled me into a tight hug, his chin resting on my head. I breathed in his scent. It was so calming and began to put me at peace.

“I’m sorry Kyrie.”

“Sorry for what?”

“I’m sorry for blaming you when Rachel was the problem.”

“Are you even really sorry, or are you just saying that to get me in bed?”

“I'm really sorry.”

“I can’t say I believe that. You chased after her first, not me. You tried to get into her room and the only reason you're in mine is because she wouldn’t let you in. You are worried about her first, and only here with me because she shut you out.” Liam released his hold on me and stepped back, registering my words.

“I told you this wasn’t going to be easy. My love for her won’t just fade overnight. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings for you.” I sighed and sat down on the bed. He sat down next to me and pulled me into his side.

“I will try harder to make you feel more welcome here. More loved. I do care about you.”

“It’s because of the bond. If it wasn’t for that pull, you wouldn’t be interested in me.”

“That may be true. But because of that bond, I have you. You are the one that is meant for me. We will be stronger together. You are supposed to be at my side. It may take some time, but we will get where we need to be. I’m going to take the first step. Tomorrow, I will ask Rachel to move out. She doesn’t need to be here, and it will make things easier on you if she isn’t here. I will end our relationship tomorrow. I love her, and probably always will have a love for her. But I want you. I need you. I will prove it. Just give me some time. Can I stay with you tonight?” His eyes begged me for approval. I wanted so badly to say no. But if he was promising to end his relationship with Rachel and move forward with me, I wouldn’t be coming in between them. If he was promising to be with me, and me alone, I could allow him to stay.

“PLEASE!” Nat begged as well. To be honest, I wanted him to stay too. I wanted the comfort.

“Yes.” I sighed and snuggled back into bed. Liam removed his jeans and shirt and slid into bed next to me in just his boxers. His body was so nice. He wasn’t overly ripped, it was just the right amount. I was a sucker for nice biceps, and he sure had some nicely built arms. He snuggled up close and kissed the back of my neck, moving around to the spot where I would be marked. A small gasp escaped my lips. I was thoroughly enjoying the sensual kisses. He planted one more, long kiss on my neck before settling into bed beside me. Our bodies pressed against each other. It was so nice to have him so close. His scent and warmth were so calming. I could feel my body welcoming his energy. I closed my eyes and soon drifted off to sleep.