The Unwanted Luna

-POV Charlie-

I made sure to check into my small bed and breakfast a few miles away from Malerie's house. The spies surrounding their house had an update for us, so I decided to meet with them first, but before all of this, I needed a break. The attempt on Luna's life yesterday morning had me really thinking.

I don't know what I would have thought if Malerie hadn't decided to go to such lengths. Maybe I would have tried to get my mate back, but now, there is nothing she could say that would get me to trust her again. Nothing she could do to get me to accept her. My wolf whimpered and I turned on my side on this soft bed while my feet hung off the end. This place was obviously not made for the...supernatural sized man."I can't believe I'm saying this but I agree with you. I...I can't allow her to come back into our pack. I'm a warrior first." My wolf huffed, finally getting on the same page as me. "Now we just need to convince her otherwise. She cannot see the difference in our resolve."

"Agreed." He said. I groaned and checked my watch before closing my eyes and nodding off for just a moment. I guess the ride here really did tire me out.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

I jolted awake and stared at the clock at my bedside. It's already three in the afternoon. Did I really sleep for four hours? I rubbed my eyes and pulled myself out of bed. I'm not sure how I slept so long but I can tell my body needed it. I went through my normal routine and decided to look more presentable in some black slacks and a navy button-up with a matching suit jacket. I checked my phone and saw the text coming from Conri. I smirked. Brother coming through. I chuckled to myself as he confirmed my reservations for tonight.

I swiped off of the text thread to him and typed a quick text to Malerie. "Make sure to look nice." I warned her before heading out of my guest room.

I stopped at a coffee shop a block away from her house and ordered a black coffee with no frills while I patiently waited at a booth in the back corner of the store. "Head Warrior." A spy said, slipping into the seat across from me.

I sipped my coffee and let my hand graze over the cup. "What do you have?" He looked at me with a furrowed brow and I waved it off. "Don't worry about it. What do you have?" Let's just say I'm not the one to wear suits.

"Your assumptions were correct, there is a female frequenting Donna's place of work. I'm not sure how Donna became the COO of a business in a month, but her frequent 'business partner' is not human and she has a magical air about her. We did some digging and she is definitely a transfiguration witch from a nearby coven." "Anything else?"

"No, they are using her for the disguise your prisoner talked about before. Nothing threatening. The coven isn't much either. They won't be a threat to the territory, sir." "Fail safes?"

"Already put in place. We see anything out of the ordinary, the coven becomes ancient history." I nodded and glanced at the barista, then back to my informant. "Keep Vince and I in the loop. Keep a tight leash on this witch character."

"What about Richard, sir?"

"Reinforcements are coming to watch him and I'll be here until the Luna Ceremony. Like our source said, I'm Malerie's ticket into the event." I rolled my eyes and tossed a ten on the table. "Stay out of sight." I added before blending back into the crowd and heading for Malerie's. When I made it to the driveway, I stared out the window, expecting something to show up and tell me this was a dumb idea, but I saw nothing. No magical sign.... Nothing. I shook my head and climbed out of my car. I adjusted my jacket and knocked on the door. This time, Malerie was the one to answer. She looked at my appearance slowly and I noticed she was still wearing next to nothing, but this time my wolf didn't growl possessively. He looked on in disgust.

He has completely accepted the rejection.

I cleared my throat. "No." I stated curtly before pushing past her and heading up to the room that had the strongest scent matching hers.

"Charlie!" She called after me. I ignored her and went straight to the closet. I fished through all the pieces of fabric I'm sure she calls clothes before I found a nice burgundy dress that would look nice and actually cover her body.

"Put this on." I pushed the dress at her and left the room.

I heard her huffing irritably, but she didn't object. I went back to stand at the door and she came down a few minutes later with the burgundy dress on and a pair of black booties to match. I nodded in satisfaction before opening the door for us. "I don't know why I needed to change." She grumbled. "I haven't worn anything like this since high school." As if that is a bad thing?!

"Humor me." I added before walking her to the car. She stopped short and looked up at me before shaking her head and opening the passenger door. Once she was safely inside, I closed it behind her and headed to the driver's seat.

Once we got on the road, the silence finally got to her and she dropped her hands into her lap. "Well, aren't you going to say anything else?" She added.

"What else do I need to say?" I asked, turning towards the city.

"Where we are going.... I'm sorry for storming out of your house.... You look nice." She mumbled that last thought but I chuckled at her...suggestions.

"We are going to Stix and I'm not sorry for how I acted. That was completely justified and now you do look nicer than before. Sometimes class is measured by how you accentuate not flaunt your body, Mal." I added, while my wolf continued to laugh at her squirming. She finally didn't have anything to say back until she registered something said before. "Wait, like the rooftop restaurant that has a wait list two years long?!"

Her mouth hung slack, and I glanced down at her before looking back at the road. "I'm not going to dress in a monkey suit for nothing."

She actually looked like she cracked a smile before her hair covered her face. "Right."

The rest of the drive was silent and I appreciated it. I didn't need to push for conversation. I just need to make this believable.

"Update, Charlie." Conri called.

I sighed and pulled into a parking space. "Like you thought, your sister is interested when I throw my money around, so I guess I should enjoy blowing a few grand while I'm here."

"Good. We will reimburse you." He added. Good, because I want interest. "And the witch."

"Low level, transfiguration. Part of a coven around the area. She isn't a threat offensively, but that does mean that girl was right about everything. Keep a tight leash on her and make sure she cannot communicate with Malerie."

"At least we can go off of that much. Have a nice night."

I scoffed. "Easy for you to say."

I stepped out of the car and opened the door for her. I held out my hand and she took it while the shock still laid prominent on her face. We walked up to the reception and they looked at the two of us while she looked at me. "You really don't have to do all of this." She mumbled. "Can I get your name, sir." The woman asked while her cheeks reddened.

My wolf laughed shortly. "So, Malerie thinks we're not worth it? Fine, maybe we should slip this babe our number."

"Quiet." I answered back to my wolf harshly. "It's under Fenris." I answered politely.

She hurriedly looked through the list and nodded, grabbing two menus. "Yes, of course. Right this way." She rushed around the desk and into the seating area.

We climbed up the stairs and were ushered to a table facing the skyline with a privacy wall behind the couch and a fire pit in the middle of the table. I nodded to Malerie and she slipped in first. I followed after and the waitress placed our menus in front of us. "Thank you." I said politely. "You can go now." Malerie said curtly.

I shot a glare her way, then I turned back to the waitress. "Apologies for her. Can we get two glasses of water, and I would like a whiskey on the rocks please." I requested, and the waitress blushed before disappearing to grab our drinks. "What the hell, Charlie?!" Malerie whined.

"Excuse me?" I growled irritably.

"Why are you being all nice to her? You are supposed to be here with me." She accused while her face contorted.

"Malerie. I am here with you. I didn't ask the waitress to sit down. You need to bring it down a few notches and remember why I'm even entertaining a meeting with you." I looked over the menu and kept my emotions almost unreadable. "So...you made me come out here...just for a meeting?" Just then our drinks were delivered with some bread for the table.

"It's up to you how this dinner ends, but with that attitude, it will definitely be a meeting." Okay, I'm not going to lie. I'm having fun with this.

She buried her face in her menu and I could see her ears redden. "Sorry." She grumbled.

I nodded and grabbed a slice of bread before deciding on what to order. This is going to be a long week.