Lunar Revenge

Mates

Emeralds POV

After deciding to wait, I hide in the brush. It’s a good vantage point and no one can smell me anyways. I’m just getting settled when I hear them. Mom said she had lots to tell me. I wonder what about. I didn’t know she was bringing Robyn with her. The pack will definitely miss their Luna. I make my way out of the bushes, drawing their attention. The looks on their faces mirror relief, sadness, and guilt. In a blink I’m in my mother's arms. She smells of clean cotton. Even as a human I can pick up her scent.

Our embrace is cut short, Robyn whispers someone is coming. It’s as if I’m in a daze, her words barely registering. It’s been so long since my mom has hugged me like this. It’s just as I remember, warm and comforting. Her scent enveloping me. I’m again pulled from my thoughts by the shaking of my shoulders.

“Baby we have to go!” My mom looks worried. I wonder who she can hear. Robyn looks ready to fight. Makes me wonder how bad they had it if they’re ready to run. I quickly start digging in my bag for my spray. I hose all of us down and motion for them to follow me quietly. The two women sniff the air realizing they are now scent less. I grab a hand each and drag them with to my hiding place. I raise a finger to my mouth showing them to remain silent. Each nodding in understanding.

A slight breeze picks up, causing goosebumps to erupt on my skin. Mom starts braiding her ink black hair, to keep it at bay. Robyn’s chocolate curls are already pulled back in a ponytail. As I’m studying Robyn’s green eyes, I feel my hair being pulled back.

“To keep it out of your face, incase we have to run” mom whispers. I nod in agreement. As she’s finishing my hair we see moment from where they came. Out comes my sister Cassidy and a boy I’ve never seen before. My sisters curves obvious under the tight outfit she’s wearing. It looks expensive too. Some fancy designer I don’t know. Her long locks matching moms in color, curled to perfection. She’s my moms twin, albeit younger twin, but still her copy.

He follows her like a lovesick puppy. They step into the moonlight revealing this boy is actually a gorgeous man. Even under his clothing I can see he is ripped. At a staggering 6’6 he towers over my sister’s 5’7. My breath hitches. I feel drawn to him. The feeling is unexplainable, it’s as if I’ve known this man my whole life but want to know more about him. His silky brown hair makes me want to rake my fingers through it. His steel grey eyes dancing in the moonlight, making me lost in them.

He speaks first, “Cassidy, I’m so glad to have met you! I have been saving myself for my mate.”

My heart shatters. I don’t know him, but I’m devastated he’s mated to my horrible sister. I can’t figure out why I’m so drawn to him, so effected by this. To hide my watering eyes, I turn towards the trail, planning out escape. I don’t want to watch the marking and mating if my vile sister.

“Clearly the moon goddess has it out for me”, Cassidy’s whiny voice pierces the silence. I whip my head in her direction.

“I can’t believe she would mate me to a warrior from another pack! I am going places! I am Luna material!” She bellows.

The puppy dog look disappears.

“You a Luna?” He scoffs. “What is your full name princess?”

She matches his stare with one of her own. It becomes so silent, even the wind stops.

“I Cassidy Marie Ellis, reject you…..” she trails off looking lost.

“You don’t even know my name.” He smirks. “A true Luna would know her mates name right away. You have proved you are not worthy of such a title.”

The slap reverberates through the clearing. “Do you know who I am?! I am the daughter of the most feared warrior in these lands! My father is TOP warrior in our pack AND all of the neighboring packs! Only betas and alphas can defeat him.”

A victorious smirk stretches across her face, “your name? I would like to get this done and over with. I have a chosen mate waiting for me. Jeremy is the only one for me.”

Rubbing the 5 o’clock shadow on that perfect jaw line he speaks. “Future Alpha Jeremy will bring nothing but misfortune to this pack. You two clearly deserve each other.” Before she spouts off in a fit of rage, he holds up his finger, indicating he is not yet finished. “My name is Cooper James Woodson.”

“I Cassidy Marie Ellis reject you Cooper James Woodson as my mate.”

She falls to the ground panting. This Cooper looks unfazed. Amused almost.

“I Cooper James Woodson, alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack, accept your rejection.”

Cassidy screams in pain, clutching her chest, tears streaming continuously. Cooper twitches a bit before straightening himself.

“You’re an alpha?!?!”

“I wanted to see if you were willing to be my mate even when you thought me a warrior. You failed. You will be a horrible Luna. You and Jeremy deserve each other.”

“Somebody looking for me?” The devil himself, Jeremy Tate. The wind picks back up again, he goes stiff. Sniffing the air looking in my direction. s**t! The spray must’ve worn off! I turn to my mom and Robyn, “I’m going to buy us some time. Meet me in Clarksville.”

“We aren’t going to leave you!” Mom whispers.

“Yes you are. Just this once. He will beat me up a little and loose interest. It’s his usual sick game.”

Robyn’s face draining of color, “Em I had no idea.”

“I know.” My smile sad but genuine.

“Long game you know this is the right play. Nobody will suspect you’re gone yet. You have to keep going. They will drag you back if they catch you.”

“After today I am never abandoning you again. I will collect extra herbs to help you heal. We will find you!”

I give her my bag and step out of the bushes. They sneak away as I loudly walk towards the group. I should be scared, but I’m feeling bold tonight. My mom cares about me and is running away with me. Cassidy doesn’t even bother hiding the look of disgust.

“Hey sis.” I smirk. The shock on her face making my newfound boldness that much more enjoyable. I look over to Jeremy who looks utterly shocked. I’m about to come up with a smart-ass remark when he whispers the one word I never wanted to hear from him, “mate.”

Cassidy screeches and starts stomping the ground cursing. Jeremy starts shaking his head. Me? I start laughing hysterically. Everyone becomes silent. Cooper is genuinely curious, “I take it you know how big of an asshole this guy is?” That deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

Growls erupting from both Cassidy and Jeremy. Looking into his eyes I feel calm again. Without thought my shirts are on the ground. Showing my ugly scars and my fresh wounds. Never in a million years would I believe I would be standing in front of a stranger with only a sports bra to cover my top half. The moon illuminating everything as if it were day. I hear my sister gasp.