Page 83 of Crystal Luna
She sighed and tears filled her eyes, the weight of it all seeming to crush her.
Rayan took her hand in his and gently squeezed it. “Just let it out.”
“They were the ones I was trying to get away from.” She took a deep breath while they both stiffened next to her, realisation dawning on them. “And now he’s making me go back with them. I’m their mate.”
She saw Rayan pale out of the corner of her eye. Wayne, on the other hand, groaned as he pushed his hand through his hair.
“Why the fuck is he sending you back with them?” Rayan barked out, his frustration evident in his tone.
“Because she isn’t just their mate. She’s the pack’s luna, right?”
Velora could only nod in response.
“They can go fuck themselves!”
“He would never let a pack go without their luna. He knows far too well what it feels like to be without his,” Wayne explained, though he didn’t seem to agree with any of it.
“So, her feelings are just being disregarded? That’s fucking wrong.”
“It’s bigger than just that, Rayan. They have a natural claim on her. They could destroy us. For all it’s worth, it’s their right. She is their luna.”
“They fucked her up!” Then as if he realised what he’d said, Rayan softened his voice and squeezed her hand again. “Sorry. You’re not fucked up, but you know what I mean, right?”
With tears still pouring down her cheeks, she couldn’t help her lips from twitching into a smile.
“I don’t like it either,” Wayne said. “But…”
“But you’re just gonna let her go. No one else will let her go without a fight.”
“No,” she simply stated, knowing she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if anyone got hurt because of her. She sighed, having made her mind up then and there. “You can’t tell anyone about what they did.”
Rayan’s eyes widened. “Velora—”
“I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” she told him. “I don’t want them worrying about me. I know how they can be, and I don’t want there to be a fight.” She dropped her head and sighed. “I don’t like fights—not those kinds, at least.”
No one said anything for quite some time. Rayan simply kept a tight grip on her hand while Wayne looked out over the valleys.
She yelped as Rayan suddenly pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms tight around her. “I’ll fucking miss you.”
Her throat constricted with the threat of tears.
“I’m going to fucking cry,” he said, his voice beginning to crack. “What am I going to fucking do now? Who’s gonna watch my back like a hawk and bring me to my limits every second of the day?”
“If you don’t stop whining one might think you’re a pussy,” Wayne laughed, surprising them both. “Look, I know you hate his guts right now, but I’m sure he’s not doing this to punish or hurt you in any way. You did nothing wrong, and I would hate to see you two part on bad terms.”
She didn’t respond. She could only watch as the sun moved across the sky.
After about an hour Wayne stood up and sighed. “Duty calls. Let me know if you need help with anything, okay?”
She looked up at him, her eyes beginning to hurt from all the crying. “Okay.”
“And now we’re going on a run and get your mind off those shitheads,” Rayan exclaimed and pulled her to her feet.
She stood and stretched out her sore legs, then pulled the dress over her head.
“Leave it here,” he said. “It’ll just get in the way.”
She nodded and they shifted together for what would possibly be the last time.