Midnight Luna

Haileys’s POV

I stood there in front of him, watching his expressions carefully. My heart was beating wildly, in anticipation of what would his reply be. His expression was blank, giving nothing away. His eyes looked filled with determination but I just couldn’t read them. He looked at me straight in the eye, and I knew he had finally come to a conclusion. Was I ready for it?

“Okay.” He said. That’s it? I stared at him not knowing whether he meant it or not.

“Okay? OKAY? That’s all you got to say?” I yelled out in frustration. He really was getting on my nerves.

“Yes, if that is what you want, then okay. If this will make you happy then I will do it. Because your happiness is what I want.” He said without any expression. I stopped and faced him, wanting to ask him the one question that has haunted me forever. But no matter what, I couldn’t because I was scared that the reply would not be what I wanted to hear.

“Hailey, please tell me what’s on your mind?” He stepped towards me but kept his distance, for which I was grateful. His scent was making my wolf edgy and unstable. I turned and faced the window, glancing at the now clear sky.

“Do you love her?” I whispered barely recognizing my own voice. He didn’t say anything for a long time. I wanted to turn and see if he was still there or had left me again. A small sob escaped my lips, at the same time I felt strong yet gentle arms wrap around me from behind. I couldn’t move, every muscle felt numb and stiff. I leaned in wanting to feel him close, wishing that everything was different. I gave myself this single moment to feel safe in the arms which was always meant to be mine.

“Hailey I need you to know something.” He said near my ear. I shivered as his heavenly voice sent me into a deep frenzy. I nodded vigorously, closing my eyes, wanting to hear that voice again.

“I know I was a jerk to you all those years ago. I was wrong, but I was young and stupid and a complete ass. But the minute you walked out of my life, I was broken. Nothing felt the same. And that’s when I understood that all the times I hurt you, was because I tried to ignore the little feelings I had for you. I will never forgive myself for hurting you.” Every word made me sad, angry yet happy at the same time. I was in a huge tornado of weird feelings.

His arms tightened around me making my wolf want to turn and just kiss him full on the lips. So I did the next best thing. I slowly placed my hands over his which rested on my stomach. The tingles felt amazing and I signed loudly.

“I never mated with her.” My eyes opened quickly and my body stiffened. I tried to get out of his grip, wriggling with all my strength. I could feel myself crumble all over again. He held me and didn’t let me go.

“Wait, please listen to me. Hailey please.” He placed his lips gently on my neck, placing soft kisses on it. Tears fell from my eyes but I stopped moving, feeling his kisses make my breathe stop. They were gentle, loving and soft, making me trust him all the more.

“Hailey, I was a coward. I lost you because of that. As an alpha I tell you that there is no man who is as scared as me. My stupid reputation was more important for me than you. My title was more important. I didn’t know then that you were the only thing I needed to live. After you left, my father believed that I needed to mate to become a strong alpha. At first I swear I was no willing to do so. You were all I wanted, but I couldn’t tell him or any other pack member that I rejected my mate, their Luna. And like a coward I agreed. So then he told me about Esther. I gave in, and for that I beg you to forgive me. But I just marked her. I didn’t complete the ritual. I haven’t laid a finger on her, because you never left my mind.”

I stood there, drinking in everything he just said. Surprisingly I believed every word. My wolf was happy; she finally knew her mate never did cheat on her. I pulled away his arms and stepped out of his embrace. Yes I was glad after hearing this, but now wasn’t the time. We could talk about this later.

“Zach, Esther is Nate’s mate. She rejected him because of you. Zach, Esther is in love with you.” He looked down, as guilt filled his eyes and my heart reached out to him.

“I never returned her feeling Hailey, I tried to tell her but she wouldn’t listen.” He whispered. I nodded.

“That is a girl in love. I should know. But I need you to tell her everything. And make her know that with Nate she will have an eternity of love. She needs to hear this from you. And Zach, do it fast. Nate won’t hold any longer, and if something happens to him, I will never be able to live with this emptiness and guilt.”

He walked up and took my hands into his gentle ones and squeezed them. “I won’t let anything happen to him. I promise. And then maybe we could talk about us.” He said with confidence.

“We have a long way to go.” I said sadly. He smiled, “then we gotta start soon.” I smiled a little. He kissed my hand and left, leaving me with a stupid grin on my face.

It was late evening, and I was staring at Nate through the glass. He looked happy and better. His beautiful smile had returned. Those brown eyes had got back its warmth and love. I smiled quietly knowing he would be fine. Near him was Esther, holding his hand and laughing shyly at whatever he was saying. She had a dark blush on her cheeks and she looked ever prettier.

“I guess you should stop staring, it’s bad manners.” Zach’s voice floated to my ears. I smiled and turned to face him. I don’t know what he had said to Esther or how did he make her understand. But whatever it was it worked. She agreed to take it slow and get to know him better. Now everything was suddenly great and I knew we would all be okay.

“Thank you Zach, for everything. Because of you Nate is alive and himself.” I said sincerely.

“Well that was my honor, because it brought back that smile I have longed to see for a long time. Now you owe me dinner.” He said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Dinner?” I asked. “Yes dinner. If you wish to thank me then have dinner with me.” He said, sending his signature smile.

“You mean like a date?” I asked, trying very hard to cover the blush creeping up my face.

“Yes, a date with me.” Those steel grey eyes were shinnying with happiness and mischief, causing me to disagree, but it never reached my mouth because suddenly he stepped closer and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. “Be ready tomorrow, I’ll come for you at 6.” And then he left. My cheeks were hot and my smile widened. God I felt like a love sick teenager on her first date. I did a small happy dance in my mind as I turned to watch Esther and Nate smile at each other.

My eyes fell on Esther shoulder, where Zach’s mark was supposed to be there. But it wasn’t, her neck was bare and at that moment I knew it was time to let my past go and look forward to a future where everything will always fall in place.

“This is the start of a new life.” I whispered smiling at my reflection on the glass.

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