Page 14 of My Only Luna

“I don’t think that’s wise,” Dad answers swiftly, his Alpha voice firm.

I’m not fucking doing this.

I don’t reply, stepping past him when he growls, grabbing my arm. “Elijah, I’m warning you!”

“And I’m warning you,” I snarl, my eyes flashing dangerously.

Jessica and Amelia step out of the kitchen as Dad and I stare each other down.

“She’s in heat. She doesn’t need you to harass her, Elijah! She’s been through enough!” Dad growls, his patience snapping. “Stop being stubborn! This isn’t about you!”

“I know! I know she’s been through enough, but like you said, she’s in heat,” I say quietly. The arrogance and anger are gone from my tone as I simply look at him.

I can’t fight right now; I just need to be with her. She needsme, even if she shuts me out. I need her to know that I’m there for her and I always will be.

I lower my walls, allowing Dad to see how I feel, the pain, the worry, the concern. He needs to know. And for the first time in my life, I put aside my pride and ask him for something.

“She needs me, Dad. So please, just let me go to her.”

“Elijah… I know you’re concerned for her, but you can’t help her right now. You’re unmated,” Dad says, his anger dissipating. He places his hands on my shoulders, and for a moment, it seems as if he’s almost proud of something. I’m not even fucking sure.

We’ve not seen eye to eye for a while.

“Dad, try to understand. I need to be there.”

“And I said you can’t. She’s in heat.”

Blue eyes meet blue eyes, but I don’t have the will to fight anymore or hide it anymore.

“And that is why I need to be by her side. I love her, Dad. She needs me there,” I say quietly.

Jessica gasps and I hear a small sound, ‘Mhmm’ from Amelia, but my eyes stay on Dad. I’m not sure it’s hit because he looks a tad confused. He sighs, looking at me sympathetically.

“And I am happy to hear that, son, but you can’t go, your wolf…” He trails off as if just then realising what I just said. I see his expression change from confusion to realisation to shock. “You…”

“Let him go, Jackson. Scarlett does need him,” Amelia says firmly. Dad turns to her, and I’m sure he’s stunned that she doesn’t seem bothered. Had Scarlett told her?

“I…”

“I’m on the boy’s side, let him go,” she says firmly, and I take the chance to push past Dad and run up the stairs.

I don’t care about the consequences, not right now.

Scarlett

I writhe in the bath.My nails dig into my arms as I rock myself, throbbing pain shooting through my body. Tears sting my eyes, and I don’t know what hurts more, the pain from the heat or the pain in my heart.

Maybe death can take it all away?The thought slithers into my mind like a poisonous whisper.What do I have left to live for?

No one needs me and I need no one.

But the thought only stays for a moment before I frown. Even if I don’t need anyone, there is an entire pack that needs their Alpha, and I have Zidane to deal with. Yeah, it’s not my time to go yet. I will deal with him just the way I dealt with Hank. I made them a promise. I have to be strong enough to get through this and follow up on that promise.

And I will.

I hear footsteps, and then my bedroom door shuts. My heart hammers when a scent that I began to associate as my safe space enters the bathroom.

Elijah.