His Slave Luna

Slave 13: Blooming of Innocence

Slave 13: Blooming of Innocence

Alpha Malachi Earl Vandenberg

The lingering image of last night’s encounter, her delicate features, and the soft allure of her lips, continued to distract me. Despite my efforts to focus on the task, my thoughts kept drifting back to her.

“Let’s meet our mate!” Malik’s voice echoed in my mind, his impatience palpable. He had been eager to meet her since early in the morning, but I knew we couldn’t until I finished my work.

Mariam’s voice intruded upon my thoughts as I struggled to regain my focus. It was unclear whether it was intentional or accidental, but given her mischievous nature, I suspected the former.

I was surprised by her newfound tenderness towards my mate. She had always been a bit of a prankster, but this time, she exhibited an unexpected level of care and patience towards my mate, a side of her I had never witnessed before.

Her newfound tenderness towards her, her gentle and patient demeanor, was a surprising revelation. It seemed as though a different facet of her personality had emerged, a softer, more compassionate side.

I never imagined her capable of such tenderness.

“Looks like someone’s smitten,” Royce, my Delta, teased, his voice laced with amusement after hearing Mariam’s voice, too.

We were on the training grounds, observing the pack warriors as Anakin, my Gamma, and their trainer pushed their limits. I had heard rumors that Mariam had instructed the warriors to avoid certain areas, all to protect her ‘adorable baby sister.’

“Well, Alpha, you better make a move before Mariam steals your mate away,” Lowell joked, his laughter echoing through the air, yet I could already feel my possessiveness kicking in.

Especially when Galvin chimed in, his tone serious but his eyes twinkling with amusement and mischief. “Given the bond she had already formed with Lady Mariam, it’s not impossible since she’s the one who has been there since she arrived. She will for sure become dependent on the lady.”

They knew about it last night, thanks to Blake’s loose lips, and my decision to claim her as my mate was now common knowledge to them. Their teasing was relentless, but I paid them no mind. All I could think about was seeing her again, wide awake this time.

“Just imagine her looking for Mariam instead of you, Alpha,” Lowell added, his voice filled with amusement.

A low growl rumbled in my chest, a primal instinct stirring within me. Werewolves, especially alphas, were possessive creatures, fiercely protective of their mates. The thought of her seeking comfort in someone’s arms instead of me was unbearable.

But I knew I couldn’t let my emotions cloud my judgment. I wouldn’t scare her with my possessive tendencies, nor would I risk a confrontation with my cunning sister. My wolf, though restless, understood the need for restraint.

“It’s your f*****g fault, motherfucker,” my wolf said with so much anger in his voice and I just couldn’t help but accept it.

My friends, sensing my internal struggle, erupted in laughter, their amusement a stark contrast to my growing unease. It was clear they saw through my facade, recognizing the possessive beast lurking beneath the surface.

“Tss. f**k y’all.”

I left the group, their laughter still ringing in my ears. A sigh escaped my lips as I turned away, and I decided to look for my sister and my mate. I followed my mate’s faint trail and as I approached, my heart pounded in my chest.

Until I finally saw her.

My heart pounded in my chest even more, a rhythm that echoed the rapid beating of my wolf’s. My feet seemed rooted to the ground as I gazed upon her. It was as if I were under a spell. It was as if time had slowed, and the world had narrowed down to her.

The stark contrast between the woman I saw then and the one before me now was striking. The memory of her, bathed in blood and misery, still ignited a fierce protectiveness within me. Yet, here she was, radiant and innocent, her eyes sparkling under the sun.

Mariam had truly worked a miracle.

“She looks like a child playing with those flowers,” my wolf exclaimed, and his excitement infectious. “Look at her, Malachi! Isn’t our mate truly adorable?” Malik added, and I couldn’t help but agree more.

I watched her as she moved with grace and her fingers delicately arranged the vibrant blue roses while her eyes shone under the sunlight with innocence. My wolf can’t help but howl with excitement, his joy mirroring my own.

She was innocent, adorable, and breathtakingly beautiful.

I stood a discreet distance away, but my alpha presence, a silent, imposing force, made the three maids attending to my mate and sister to sense my presence. Which made them face my direction and bow low as a sign of respect.

Meanwhile, Mariam, sensing the disturbance, turned her gaze towards me, and when our eyes met, her smile just faded into a frown. Her reaction was predictable, a mix of annoyance and disdain. Undeterred, I started walking towards them while my gaze fixed on my mate.

She was clearly enjoying arranging those blue roses, but as I drew closer, that’s when our eyes met. Time seemed to suspend, the world fading into the background. The gentle rustling of leaves, the soft hum of insects—all faded into insignificance.

Her sea-green eyes, innocent and pure, held a captivating allure, while my electric blue gaze, intense and possessive, locked onto hers. There was only her, sitting there, a vision of serene beauty. The picnic blanket, a splash of color against the verdant grass, framed her perfectly.

And there was I, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

However, the spell she cast on me seemed to be broken because her innocent, curious gaze, so childlike and captivating, abruptly transformed into one of fear. I blinked, a wave of realization washing over me as I watched her hide behind Mariam.

I couldn’t believe I had forgotten her fragility.

***