Luna On The Run!

Alpha Zane’s POV Now

My gut tells me to keep an eye on Eric.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Something is definitely going on with him and I think it has everything to do with Ariel. The way they interact is not normal. Ariel is hungry for his attention, always seeking his opinion, and she is too close to him for my liking. And the way he looks at her when he thinks no one is watching looks like a man in love.

But his analysis of Ariel’s behavior is what interests me now. Eric is right, there are some things about her that no one would expect in a mate. The fact that she is not attracted to me may have something to do with her bond with Gorgio. But she doesn’t seem to tolerate me around her, often looks at me disapprovingly and never has intimate contact with me of her own accord. And then her ridiculous conditions. I almost feel like a clown, my pack is starting to get anxious about my inability to control my Luna.

Of course, Midnight Moon senses through the pack bond that Ariel and I are not having sex.

My missing mark also speaks volumes. Because of her tight clothing, I have not been able to see Gorgio’s mark, which is also questionable. She has been here for almost two weeks and I have never seen her naked. Even in bed she is fully clothed.

But what makes me nervous is that she never mentions Gorgio’s name or talks about Eclipse Moon. She always talks about Blue Blood and her father, the Alpha King. And her performance during the conversation with the Mayor confirms her authority as the daughter of the elite werewolf family and is in no way a netted Luna ruling alongside an Alpha. Eric was right about all this.

Yes, I think there is more going on here.

And I’ll be damned if I don’t find out. In the meantime, I’ll try to gain Ariel’s trust. I will take her out on a date, as Kensley suggested, and then watch her closely.

This is my first mating, but I have seen enough with others to know how it works. I climb the stairs to our flat but don’t find her there. Then I make my way to the back balcony where I see her sitting on a sofa with a liqueur in her hand.

When she sees me approaching, she turns her head to me with a polite smile.

“Alpha,” she acknowledges my presence as if allowing me to appear before her. “I am your mate, you should call me by my name, Ariel. Why are you being so formal with me?” She blushes and looks away for a moment before facing me again. “There’s no problem calling you by your name, Zane. You didn’t permit me and I didn’t mean to be rude.” “Do mates have to give each other permission to be affectionate with each other? You can do anything to me, I belong to you as much as you belong to me. But I notice that you are very reluctant.”

Is it because of Gorgio?” And now she turned fiery red as if I had just reminded her of his existence. Her tongue moistens her lips.

And then she shakes her head in denial.

“I notice you’re not contacting him. Does that mean you fully accept me and won’t go back?” A contemptuous smile leaves her lips.

“Gorgio is my mate. You already knew that. And I must go back, otherwise, his wolf will weaken and the pack will become vulnerable. I came here so that we could bond and see if our relationship has a chance,” she tells me. “Gorgio will always be a part of me.”

That stings, I would have liked to hear her say that she wanted to stay in Midnight Moon and never leave. But I will have to be patient and use the time I have with her wisely.

“I will have to come to terms with this, although I admit it is not the most ideal situation. But now that the Moon Goddess has decreed it, she will have her reasons,” I admit sourly. “But you need to make some adjustments, Ariel. You are not behaving like my mate and my wolf is very unhappy about that.”

And now I have her full attention, but I still sense a certain distance from her.

“Adjustments? And what makes you think I’m not behaving like your mate?” she asks innocently.

“I’ll be honest with you. I want to own you so badly, as mates do. But when we’re in bed, you turn your back on me, as if I don’t attract you. And that should be impossible, the pull should drive you towards me,” I tell her quietly.

“You avoid any physical contact with me, you never sit on my lap or give me a kiss. The pack is starting to notice that you don’t pick up your Luna duties either, you’re nowhere to be seen”.

“Oooh, I’m so sorry, Zane. You’re right. I’m just sitting here eating your food and doing nothing. Of course, I’m supposed to be on duty. I’m so spoiled,” she replies. “Why don’t you ask Eric to show me around tomorrow? Then I can see where I fit in and talk to the women. I promise I’ll get more involved with the pack then.”

I can’t believe my ears, does she really prefer the company of the Beta to that of her Alpha mate? This proves once again that she does not like being with me.

“Why do you keep avoiding me, Ariel? Can’t you feel the attraction?” I sound almost desperate, I can’t believe my mate doesn’t want me. This is hard to deal with.

What should I do if she rejects me? “Give me some time to get used to it. We are in an uncomfortable mating, I never thought this would be my fate, Zane”.

“I can do that, but you also need to work on our relationship. How about we start with a date? I’ll show you my best side and believe me, in no time you’ll be so in love with me, you’ll never want to leave”.

We both burst out laughing and for the first time the atmosphere between us loosened up.

And my hopes for a great relationship with my mate grow…