Page 59 of Crystal Luna

She sighed, unable to look at him. “Everyone keeps saying that.”

“They’re right. You’ve been through a lot. No one expects you to change your way of living overnight.”

“It’s been weeks.”

“And it might take years. But you’re allowed to give yourself that time.”

“I wish I could just wipe my memory of all of it.”

“You need those memories though. They turned you into the woman you are today. They’re everything in who you aspire to be.”

Heath was right, but Velora still wanted nothing more than to forget.

“I have things I’d rather forget too,” he continued, a slight quiver to his voice. “But forgetting them would mean changing the person I am today.” He took a deep breath before he continued. “It hurts even now to think of Laureen—even the good things. But remembering her helps me move forward, because I know that’s what she would want.”

His eyes shone with unshed tears, the sight tugging at Velora’s heart. “Why didn’t you turn mad like Alpha Brock?”

Years ago a story about an alpha losing his mind and turning mad had spread. His Luna had been lost in a fight with human hunters, making him a danger to not just others but his own pack too.

His breathing went shallow as a single tear spilled down his cheek. “I couldn’t. I had a son and a newborn daughter who were relying on me. I only survived that first year for them. Laureen gave her life to have our daughter. If I'd given up, I would’ve disrespected that sacrifice.”

She sat up and knelt on the couch next to him, taking his hands in hers. She brushed her thumbs over the backs of his knuckles as he continued speaking.

“I just couldn’t,” he repeated. “I have to keep going—for them.”

“I think you’re doing an incredible job.”

Tears spilled and ran down his cheeks. “I’m always on the edge of breaking.”

“You might be, but look at those beautiful kids. That’s all you. It might not always feel like it, but you’re pulling it off—even if you burn most of their dinners.” That earned her a small laugh. “I would bet my life that Laureen would be so proud of you.”

Heath sniffled and sat up, resting his forehead against hers. “Thank you.”

Velora dropped one of his hands to wipe his tears away with her thumb. “Someone once told me that it’s okay to fall apart, that you’re allowed to not be okay. It’s safe to learn that.”

Heath brought a gentle hand up to her chin, bringing her closer until their lips touched. Hesitant and soft, he sought out comfort through the kiss. Tears still poured down his cheeks, hitting their lips with a salty tang. It was so intimate and so vulnerable that Velora’s heart raced.

“Can I hold you again tonight?” Heath whispered, lips brushing Velora’s as he spoke.

Speechless, she pulled him back into the kiss, her thumb tracing a soothing path over his cheek. He shifted her onto his lap, standing and carrying her to the bedroom, all the while not breaking the kiss.

Their lips only broke apart when he set her on the bed. She watched as he grabbed a t-shirt and grey sweats from the closet, then crossed the room to hand them to her.

“I’ll be right back,” he said, his voice breaking.

While he was gone, she changed into the borrowed clothes and waited on the bed for him to return.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered as he stepped back in. His eyes were dry, and he carried two bottles of water.

“Rayan always tells me never to apologize unless I truly fucked up. I don’t think you did that.”

She let him choose his side of the bed, then tucked into his side while he pulled the blanket over them. “Do you want me to wake you before the monsters can get in here?”

“That’s up to you and what you’re ready to tell them.”

“Stay if you like. I’ll make sure I do the explaining. Curtis has already asked me if you are my girlfriend.”

“What did you say?”

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