Anna's POV
The Luna of our pack, the mother of Jake and Ethan, casts a worried glance at me. She approaches, puts her arm around my shoulders, and shows me around the pack house. "Oh dear, I'm sorry about Jake. I know he had his heart set on you. He's always felt the shadow of his brother no matter how much we've tried to make up for it." Luna responds.
I say, "He was so mad."
"I know, hun. Give him some time, dear. He'll come around." She replies,
"Also, congratulations on finding your mate. It doesn't feel like it, but the moon goddess knows what she's doing. You're going to make an excellent Luna someday."
I come to a halt. Oh my gosh, I never even considered that. "I can't be Luna. I don't- YOU are an amazing Luna. How could I- I can't - Luna?! Me?" I cry out in agony.
She raises her hands and says, "My dear, breathe." I go with her. "Thank you for the compliment." She continues, "I try my best to be a good Luna. And don't worry, you'll have plenty of time before the duties fall on you. It will be a smooth transition. I will teach you everything I have learned." She reinforces what she said. "You are smart, and you are kind. I've watched you grow from a small child into a beautiful young woman... You have a beautiful soul, Anna." I hugged her. Everything has shifted, as I had anticipated. It's possible that I lost my closest buddy, and I will be the pack's Luna. I sob, and Luna comforts me. My mother is outside with us before I realise it, embracing me.
She murmurs to me, "Shhh honey, it's going to be ok." After a few minutes, I take a few deep breaths and withdraw away from my mom.
"I'm sorry. I feel a little overwhelmed by everything." I responded.
"Oh honey, I understand it's a lot to take in. Take your time. Do you want to go back home?" She inquires. I give a nod. We go toward our house after she puts an arm over my shoulder. Standing on the porch, staring at us, are my dad and the Alpha. I don't care that my parents are blaming everything that happened on me. All I want to do is get into bed. As soon as we arrived at the house, I went upstairs. I hear a rock hitting my window as soon as I enter my room to change. I approach and lift the curtain to reveal Ethan. When I see him, my heart skips a beat. I
open the window.
He whispers, "Hey, An, I just wanted to check on you and ensure you're ok." "I honestly don't know how I am," I responded. Like a big brother, Ethan has always been kind and watched out for me. However, this is no longer the case. I blurt out before I can stop myself. I feel bad about what I said. "Could you just come up here, please?" Though he seems taken aback, Ethan nods and moves toward the door. I hear him walking up the stairs, and then I see him standing at the entrance of my room. I inhale deeply as his aroma permeates the room. Although I had never seen Ethan this way, he was attractive. He's pushed back his long black hair. With his top three buttons undone, he wore a white shirt and a black suit. And he looks good in the scruff. He steps toward me as I walk in his direction. I lift my head to see him a few inches ahead of me. He tucks a hair behind my ear and pushes it out of my face. I can feel the tingles of our mate link as his palm glides across my cheek, and I know he feels it, too. I let my eyelids drop and relish the sensation.
I mumble, "Ethan."
"Yeah, An?" he responds in a whisper.
"I'm worried."
He takes my hand and says, "I know An."
He continues, "I'm sorry."
"For what?" I inquire.
I lay my palm on his chest, and he says, "For making things complicated."
"We can do or not do whatever you want, An. If you want to reject me and be with Jake, I will understand." He replies. His offer astounds me. Although I know I can reject him, the abandoned wolf suffers. Even wolves dying from rejection is something I've heard of. For his brother, he's ready to take that chance. "He's going to be a fantastic Alpha," I murmur, "I can't do that to you." When I can no longer resist, I hug him and put my arms around him. He hugs me in return. Being this close to him felt fantastic. We stand for a while, embracing. It completely soothes me.
I chuckle as he continues, "We can't hug all night."
"I know it just feels so... right," I responded. He continues, "It's the mate bond." onto the top of my head. "Like I don't want to be anywhere else right now."
I cling to him, pressing my head against his chest to inhale his aroma.
"So we're just going to stand here all night then?" He inquires.
I urge, "Don't leave Ethan. Stay with me?" I have never previously had a guy stay with me.
He glances down at me and says, "If that's what you want." I give a nod.
"I'm just going to wash this makeup off my face and change. I can get you something to change into if you'd like."
He grinned and added, "Yeah, I think you'd prefer it if I slept in clothes."
My mother is standing right there as I go outside my room. My mind lingers on that idea, but I tell myself, "Yes, I would. I'll be right back."
I utter the word "Mom" with astonishment.
She says, "I just wanted to ensure you were ok, hun."
"Mom, I need something for Ethan to change into. He's staying the night." She seems confused but enters her room and comes out with one of my dad’s shirts and a pair of basketball shorts.
"You sure about this, honey?" She asks.
She nods and brings me the clothing. "I need him here tonight. He helps calm me down, and I don't know if I'll get any sleep without him." I say. I return to my room. Ethan is seated on my bed, having removed his jacket. I could tell he worked out a lot since I could see his muscles through his shirt.
I give him the clothing and say, "Here." I take some for myself and go to the restroom. I change after washing my face. I start thinking about everything that occurred tonight as I gaze in the mirror. The things Jake shouted, the way he was furious. Will we ever speak again?
Have I lost him already? I shed a tear from my eye. Someone knocks on the door.
"Are you okay? I hear Ethan behind the door, "I can tell you're sad." I open the door and give him another embrace.