The Hockey Alpha's Second Chance Slave Mate

Power Struggles

"Luna, you've been seen with him again." Her father's voice broke the silence. It was loud and clear.

"Father, I'm not a child. I can do what I want. She got tense but didn't turn around.

"Not when it puts the pack in danger." She didn't expect her father's remarks to hurt so much. "Marcus is a threat. You can feel it, right?

Luna tightened her hands at her sides to keep her wrath from getting worse. She snapped, "I'm not a pawn in your political games."

"Do you really think this is about politics?" Her father's voice was low and full of poison. "It's all about power, Luna." Your connection with him isn't just fate. It's planned. Can't you see?

Her mother's voice chimed in, weaker but still strong. "You owe it to your family and the pack to do your duty. You can't let your feelings keep you from seeing what will happen.

Luna's chest got tight. She could feel the draw toward Marcus, strong and all-consuming, but that wasn't the problem. It was the weight of her family's hopes and dreams that made her feel like she had to pick them above what she thought was her destiny.

"I don't want to be your pawn anymore," she said, her voice quivering even though she tried to keep it steady. "I won't pick between you and him." Not like this."

The silence that came after was thick and almost unbearable. Then, a quiet ping broke through what she was thinking. Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Luna took it out and gasped when she saw the name.

"Marcus," she said in a low voice. He sent a simple but obvious message. I know it's hard, but we can't put this off any longer. We need to have a conversation.

Luna walked back and forth in her room, her mind racing. Marcus's message was still in her mind, but her family's words were even louder. She couldn't ignore how dangerous this relationship was anymore, but she also couldn't deny how much she wanted to be near him.

Someone knocked on her door, which brought her back to reality.

The voice on the other side said, "Luna, we need to talk."

She opened it right away and saw Marcus standing there, looking as powerful as ever. When he looked at her, his eyes softened, but the tension was thick, and the air was full with unspoken messages.

"Marcus—" Luna started to speak, but he cut her off and walked into the room.

He remarked in a hushed voice, "I know this isn't what you want." "But you can't break the bond." I won't let you do this by yourself.

Luna took a step back, her mind full of doubt. "What do you want from me?"

He looked at her with eyes that were both fierce and open in a way she had never seen before. "Help me get through this." Help me keep the pack safe and keep us safe.

The thought of standing by him and really being with him had Luna's heart skip a beat. It made her feel both scared and excited. "And what if my family comes after us?" she questioned, her voice shaking a little.

Marcus leaned in closer, his voice soft yet strong. "Then we'll face them together." Luna, I'm not asking you to pick me over them. Choose yourself, please. "Choose us."

His words felt like a heavy blanket on her shoulders.

Luna thought about it for a moment before nodding. "Okay," she said gently. "I'll meet with you." But this, everything, is risky.

She couldn't help but feel how serious their relationship was when she agreed to meet him in private. But before she could say anything else, someone knocked on the door hard.

Luna whirled around, surprised.

Luna's breath caught when the door swung open. Bernard Milton, the other Alpha, was standing in the doorway. His look was cold and calculated, and he definitely didn't belong in her room.

Bernard responded in a sarcastic tone, "I see you're meeting with him."

Luna's back tightened. "Bernard, what do you want?"

He went deeper into the room, and his presence was overwhelming. Luna, I just want to remind you of where your loyalty should be. Your family wants you to keep away from Marcus. "You are playing a dangerous game."

Marcus stood his ground, and his eyes flashed with barely controlled rage. "Don't threaten her," he added in a harsh voice.

Bernard smiled with a smug look on his face. "I don't have to threaten her." The danger is already here. Do you really think Marcus can keep you safe from everything? From the politics of the pack? "From the truth?"

Luna's heart raced faster as Bernard spoke, and the tension grew with each syllable. She couldn't deny that she was feeling uneasy.

"What truth?" She asked, her voice firm, even though she was worried.

Bernard's smile got bigger. "The truth is that Marcus's pack will never accept you." You believe you're safe? "Think again."

Bernard turned quickly, his statements definite, before Luna could say anything. "And don't forget, Luna, I'm always watching. Remember who has the power.

Luna felt the weight of his words hit her in the chest as he went. They settled into her mind like poison. What did he mean? And most importantly, what was she willing to lose?

Her phone buzzed again, and Marcus's message stayed in her head. She had to make a choice that may affect everything.

"You need to publicly turn down Marcus, Luna." It's the only way to keep the pack safe. You can't let this bond make you do anything that could ruin everything we've worked for.

She felt the sting of her mother's comments and the ache of the strain building. But it wasn't only the pack that was at risk. It felt like her heart and her whole future were on the line.

The phone buzzed, and Marcus's name came up on the screen. She hesitated, her hands shaking as she lifted it up.

The text said, "I need to see you." "This can't wait any longer."

Luna groaned and let the phone fall to the bed. She had already made up her mind: she couldn't keep going this way. The relationship, the pull she couldn't deny, was tearing her apart. She wasn't just battling for herself anymore; she was fighting for her family and everything she had ever known.

But when she rose up to leave, the prospect of having to see him again made her tremble. She couldn't get away from this, but maybe, just maybe, she could take charge.

She saw him outside, standing under the moonlight and waiting for her like he always did.

Marcus replied, "Luna," and his voice was softer than she thought it would be, but yet forceful. "I can't let you go."

She couldn't breathe. "I have to, Marcus," she said softly. "I can't do this." It might be harmful.

As Luna walked away from Marcus, the wind howled through the trees. She went quickly, as if the faster she moved, the easier it would be to break the tie. She couldn't keep doing this—letting him bring her back only to break her heart.

Her phone rang again. It wasn't Marcus this time. Bernard sent the message, and the words froze her in her tracks: "I need to talk to you." In private. "Tonight."

Luna's stomach turned. She shuddered at the notion of meeting Bernard, but she couldn't stop thinking about the offer he had offered her earlier.

What if there was an other path out of this, a different choice that didn't mean giving up her life for the pack?

She put the phone to her ear and called him back, her heart racing.

“Luna,” Bernard said in a smooth, frigid voice. "I believe it's time for us to talk."

She swallowed hard, trying to ignore the need to say no. "What do you want from me, Bernard?"

"Don't play games," he urged, his voice dark with amusement. "I want you to come with me." Leave Marcus alone. You fit in with my pack. "I can give you power, respect, and everything else you want."

Her mind raced as she thought about what he was asking her to do. Respect. Power. Everything she had ever been told she should want. But could she truly abandon Marcus? Could she betray him for the life her family wanted for her?

Luna said, "I don't want this, Bernard," and her voice shook.

"You don't have to be a pawn in this game anymore, Luna," Bernard said, his voice getting colder. "It's time for you to know what's at stake. "You can choose."

Her heart raced and her pulse sped up. She had been putting off making a choice, but now it was here. And she had no idea how much it would cost her.