Purple Crescent Moon

Chapter 4. Back at Castle Gold

Rey POV

Pacing my room back and forth, my thoughts are a scrambled mess at what just happened. Every noise outside the door perks up my hopes that there is news of Anya, but there is none. I grab the back of my neck in frustration, attempting to rub the muscles to ease the pain built up there. I smell Sasha’s scent outside the door again before she knocks gently.

"Enter," The vein in my forehead throbs from agitation

Sasha enters with her head low. She glances around at what used to be my office. I've completely destroyed the room; books and papers are strewn about with the massive cherry oak desk split in half from earlier. She clears her throat,

"My love, we need to discuss what's going on... I'm scared."

I stop pacing and focus on her, the woman I've loved for over a decade. I sigh and grab at the back of my neck again.

"What's going on is that Jax is all but nonexistent, and I can't think straight! What the hell do you think is going on?"

Sasha snaps her eyes to me, hurt by my tone. "Why do you want to find her so badly? She's rejected you, all you have to do is accept, and we can return to our lives."

"NO!" I growl before thinking.

Sasha straightaway exposes her neck to me in submission; my aura must’ve seeped out, sneaking to find prey to submit to its dominance. The Alpha in me stares at her in satisfaction, but it does nothing further to calm me down. I swallow a breath, bringing in my Aura. "I need to understand what's going on, Sash; as an Alpha, it shouldn't feel like..this. I will not accept her rejection until I understand what it will do to Jax and me."

Sasha steps toward me with tears in her eyes. "And what about me, Rey…What am I to do if you don’t accept the rejection?" Her lips tremble as she finally gazes into my eyes; hers are full of heartache and fear, but also, she is searching for something, hope, I guess.

"Sasha, you are my first and only love. I simply need to be smart. I don't... I don’t want her." It feels like a lie as the words come out... Am I lying to myself?

I grab her hand and rub my thumb over her knuckles, trying to soothe her. Sasha’s been there for me through many things. When rogues murdered my parents, and I had to assume the Alpha position early, Sasha encouraged me and helped me through my pain and misery. When I didn't think I could go on, Sasha was there—coming to my room with tea and food when I refused to eat. She would even pray with me to the Moon Goddess for strength and peace. I can't…won’t desert her. But, the feeling I had around Anya was like nothing I've ever felt; her presence was…euphoric. To think Anya and I never have even touched, and she invoked such emotions; if I were to ever mate with her, I'd never be able to break out of her grip; I don't think I'd even want to. Sasha grabs my other hand and puts her forehead to mine. Her breath sweetly exhales on me as she starts to hum. The vibrations thrum through me, calming me down. I always wondered how she could do it; she would just smile and say it was her gift just for me. The calming purr is interrupted by a loud knock on the door. My Beta Galen opens the door before I can invite him in. Most of the pack calls Galen a pretty boy; his long dirty blond hair is gathered together in a high man bun with shaved sides. His 6’4 frame carries a lean body rippled with muscular power. His ocean blue eyes scan the room and find Sasha and me forehead to forehead. Galen dramatically rolls his eyes and crosses his arms in front of his large chest. He coughs loudly, alerting us that he will not be leaving.

"What do you want, Galen?" I growl out, still staring into Sasha’s eyes.

"We need to talk, Alpha." He announces

Sasha releases me and straightens up; she nods her head at Galen and quietly leaves. Galen watches her go until she closes the door. He then shakes his entire body in disgust like he's trying to shake a bug off of him.

"Ugh, That b***h always gives me the heebie-jeebies!"

I rumble a growl in response.

"What!? Sure, she's kind of pretty, but she acts so weak; she just follows you around like a pup!"

"That's your Luna you're talking about, Beta. Watch your f*****g mouth!

Galen smirks. "Don't you mean ex-Luna? Queen Anya is your true Mate, bro; I know you're not going to accept her rejection for just a chosen."

I take a deep breath attempting to calm down my anger.

Galen continues, "I mean, THE Queen of Lycans is your true mate; not only is she queen, but have you seen that Ass!" Galen curves his hands up, imitating a big butt in front of him with huge excited eyes.

I lunge forward to grab Galen by the throat and slam him against the wall. His body slams against the wall with a c***k causing the wall to break open around him. My canines are extended down to my bottom lip as I release him onto the ground. My aura engulfs him as he smiles and beams up at me, angling his neck in submission.

"Do not ever speak of my Mate that way!.. EVER!" I snarl

Galen hops up, wiping specks of drywall from his clothes, grinning like an i***t.

"Good, I was starting to think you had really lost your mind, Alpha."

" What are you talking about now, Galen?"

Galen walks towards me, cracking his neck from left to right; he turns to scan the hole in the wall. Shaking his head with a smirk, he continues.

"Rey, you're not looking for her to discover what's wrong with you. Deep down, you know she's what you want... And more importantly, it is your destiny."

His demeanor turns serious as his eyes burn into mine, his grin faltering.

"You're a King. The Moon Goddess made it so by mating you with Anya. As soon as you mate and mark each other, you'd transform into the Lycan King. You know only a werewolf with Lycan DNA can be mated to another Lycan. You can't throw that away for Sasha."

I run my hands through my hair and clench my eyes shut. I take a deep breath. He’s right; the only way to be transformed into a lycan is if your true mate is one and you have the DNA already, or you’re born one. It’s rare to be born a lycan nowadays, so most are turned by a mate. The couple's pups usually end up being werewolves only in this millennium. We all wonder if it's a curse or if it’s to make them more exclusive; no one can truly understand the Moon Goddess... A lycan, huh? That would mean that I would be able to transform into a lycan and wolf...and also, the news that I must have a Lycan in my lineage is confusing. I had never heard of anything like that before. I turn back to Galen, who is standing tall with his arms crossed as if studying my mental dilemma.

"She's been with me through everything, Galen. I can't do that to her… It’s not honorable." I say

Galen shrugs. "Not honorable? Your people deserve their King. Your Mate deserves her King, and you're going to throw it away for weak ass Sasha?"

I bare my teeth at him in a warning. She may not be a warrior, but she’s been the love of my life. She could be a Luna if I helped her.

He puts his hands up and backs up. "Okay, Alpha, we only have so many walls you can throw me through, I concede.." He smirks before leaving the room.

Only Galen can get away with these types of antics; we've been friends since we were pups. Our mothers were very close and raised us together. His mother came to the pack for refuge from her abusive husband when Galen was only two years old. Her Beta blood made her an instant companion to higher-ranking wolves, especially my mother, the Luna; it supported our close relationship. Ages ago, Galen, Sasha, and I used to be best friends until one day, Galen just didn't want to be around her anymore. I thought it would pass, but he's remained consistent with not liking her, never truly explaining why. He often, with most of the pack, complained about her being condescending and mean. Sasha just doesn't like taking crap anymore; when we were pups, they would make fun of her a lot; they only stopped the obvious stuff when she became best friends with the future Alpha.

I huff out a breath in annoyance; how the f**k did I get into this situation? I took the time waited for my mate, and she showed up at the worst possible time. Envisioning Anya’s perfect brown face makes my heart beat faster. I wish Jax were responsive; he’d be able to talk me through this, as he always does. Speaking of him, I mind-link for the pack doctor to come to check me out. I need to know what's going on with Jax, who hasn't spoken a word since yesterday's fiasco. I also need to know what will happen if I accept Anya's rejection...Which is starting to sound less appealing.