#5 When the New Moon Falls

Leo

“Damn it!” I shouted, throwing my glass across the room just as Jacks entered. He looked at the spot where the glass shattered with an amused expression.

“Things are going well, I see.” He smirked, earning a glare from his Alpha.

“What do you want?” I grumbled.

“I was just checking in.” Jacks said as he walked across my office.

“I’m fine.” I growled.

“Yeah, I can see that.” Jacks laughed.

“I’m useless when it comes to her. I can’t do anything to help her. I should’ve murdered that mutt, Kayden.” I confessed to my Beta. Jacks sat down across from me,

“Cut yourself some slack, it’s only been a day. You’ll learn how to be around her. As far as Kayden is concerned, just say the word.” Jacks smiled devilishly. I shook my head at him but couldn’t help grinning in return.

“Where’s Nick?” I asked.

“He’s getting Amber settled in. They’re staying in the Gamma quarters for now.” Jacks explained.

“Go get him.” I demanded. Jacks eyebrows rose as he eyed me,

“Please.” I grumbled. Jacks laughed as he left the office to find Nick. A few minutes later, my Gamma was sitting across from me.

“How’s Amber?” I asked.

“She’s okay.” Nick said but his face betrayed him.

“Nick, I don’t expect her to be thrilled by the current situation but I do expect anyone living in my territory to be loyal to this pack. I need her to pledge her allegiance to me.” I ordered.

“Yes, Alpha, she will.” Nick agreed quickly.

“I’m sorry you’re in the middle of all of this Nick.” I sighed, my expression softening.

“It’s not your fault, Alpha. We both know the importance of our mates, they have to come first. I’m pissed about how Dark Moon treated the Luna, too. I don’t condone it and if I thought for even a second that Amber was against her or this pack, I would do my duty.” Nick assured me. I scanned his face, seeing the truth in his words,

“I know my duty as your Gamma, Alpha. I would never betray that.” He added sincerely.

“I know you won’t, Nick.” I nodded, my concerns beginning to fade away,

“Once you’re settled and my mate is a little more comfortable, I’ll arrange a meeting.” I said.

“Yes, Alpha. When would you like to see Amber?” Nick asked.

“As soon as possible.” I wanted to get this matter resolved quickly. Nick nodded and stood from his chair,

“I’ll get her now.” He was eager to settle this as well.

“We’ve all had a long day, Nick. We’ll meet tomorrow.” I said. Nick nodded gratefully and left the office.

I sighed and ran my hands frustratedly over my face as I thought about my earlier interaction with Austyn. One minute she was quiet and sweet, obviously feeling the effects of the bond, and then suddenly she was distant and cold. I had no idea what I was supposed to do. I didn’t know how to handle this or her wide range of emotions.

I’ve always valued the mate bond and I’ve always valued the role of the Luna. She makes the Alpha and the pack strong, and I believe that she should play a large role in caring for the pack. I never expected a submissive Luna. I knew I would require a strong hand, a woman who could match me and compliment me. I had faith in the Moon Goddess that she sent me just the woman. But, Austyn was so hidden and guarded behind her walls and barriers, that I wasn’t sure how to see the real version of my mate.

I’ll admit to being a simple guy with simple needs. My lack of a proper male role model in the relationship department may have something to do with my struggles. I don’t do well with complex emotions or a complicated anything. I had few expectations for my mate and her role, but a non-complicated, non-dramatic dynamic was pretty high on that list. I was at a loss with how to handle this woman.

I knew I was being selfish and I hated myself for it. Austyn has been through so much and she deserves to feel whatever and however she wants. I was the lesser man for not being able to accommodate her needs and I was determined to change that.

I groaned loudly and stood from my desk, needing a change of scenery. I climbed the stairs to the top floor and found that I wasn’t alone. Her smell hit me like a freight train. Her sex pouring from my bedroom. I stopped dead in my tracks in the hallway, a new struggle building in my head; a new feeling consuming my chest.

Madeline Grace was only a year younger than me, she was someone I grew up with and she was my first everything. She was a gorgeous woman. She was tall and curvy with all the right assets in all the right places. She kept her blonde hair long because she knew I liked it that way and she purposely dressed to please my eyes. When I was 12, she was my first kiss and when I was 15 she was my first lay. When I turned 18, I thought she would be my mate. When she turned 18 a year later, I was disappointed to learn that she wasn’t.

Now, of course, I know why. The Moon Goddess was saving someone even more special for me. As the years went on, I learned how little Madeline knew about being a Luna and how ill suited she would have been for the role. She was amazing at serving my needs, but nothing else. She knew she would never be my mate nor my Luna, but she was content with our relationship. It wasn’t a secret, by any means, the entire pack knew that I bedded Madeline and no one dared go near her.

So, I shouldn’t have been surprised that she was waiting for me in my bedroom, like she does nearly every night. I hadn’t seen her since the whole fiasco with Amber, and our reunion was long awaited.

Except, now I had a mate living on the grounds. The love of my life had come home to me, only she wasn’t interested in being around me at all. I was frustrated, irritated, stressed, and pissed off all at once. And I was an Alpha with Alpha sized needs.

I wrestled with myself. I never wanted to be the Alpha who took a mistress or the man who cheated on his mate. I wanted to be the kind of man who can stand by his mate’s side no matter what and be selfless for her. I wanted to be able to put my own desires aside for her. But, I was weak and an asshole.

I pushed open my bedroom doors and admired the view. Madeline was sprawled out on my bed in some sexy black lingerie that left little to the imagination. She looked at me with a flirty smile and curled her finger, motioning for me to join her.

“Hello, Alpha.” She purred as I stalked across the room.

With each step, I stripped off another item of clothing until I was naked standing next to the bed. Madeline turned over, laying on her back with her knees up and spread apart. She was waiting for me to make the next move. I positioned myself on top of her and got to work.

“I missed you, Alpha.” Madeline’s sultry voice filled my ears. I grunted in response, not having any words for her. I felt the guilt rising in my chest but I shoved it back down as I ripped off Madeline’s underwear.

The moment I entered her, a pain ripped through my body. I growled furiously and threw Madeline off the bed. She yelped as she hit the ground, screeching at me in shock, but I couldn’t focus on her voice. It felt like someone was repeatedly stabbing me in the chest with a silver knife.

“You can’t just cheat on our mate and get away with it, moran.” Quinn’s voice was smug.

“What?” I growled.

“The mate bond is punishing you for cheating on your mate.” Quinn said like it was obvious.

“What?” I said again.

“You’re an idiot.” Quinn grumbled and snapped the connection shut.

“Get out!” I roared to Madeline who was whimpering on the floor. She grabbed a blanket and ran out of the room.

I punched a hole in the headboard behind me and stomped to the shower. I took a freezing cold shower, trying to relieve myself of the pain in my chest and the discomfort in other areas. After Madeline’s scent had been completely removed from my body, the pain began to subside. I was at a total loss. I had never heard of “cheating pains” before, especially for an Alpha. Half the Alpha’s I know took mistresses.

I shook my head at myself in the mirror. I deserved this for being unfaithful. It didn’t matter what caused the pain, I would take it as a message from the Moon Goddess and never betray my mate again.