Luz had been kneeling on her knees, which were already hurting, so she leaned back, resting her bottom on the grass. Both hands rested behind her as she lifted her chin to the sky and closed her eyes. "I'll try not to fear you. I still find it hard to believe that you didn't kill me."
Her words made the Alpha's heart bleed.
Luz continued, "I understand that it was a mistake, and I can't deny that you also saved my life."
Caspian's eyes lit up. He wasn't so lost in his attempt to get closer, was he? Just as he was about to speak, he heard Aliana.
"I never thought I'd find you here! I looked everywhere for you."
"Why didn't you use our link?" said the wolf.
This embarrassed the girl a little, but she composed herself and approached them both. "We need to talk."
With that, Aliana told her brother what had happened and persuaded Luz to speak for herself. After her words, she noticed the seriousness on Cas's face.
"What do you think, brother?"
"I'll meet with Xioma and Cristian, take Luz's words as a warning, and see how I can discuss it with the members of the entourage."
Caspian stood up and held out his hand to Luz to help her to her feet. She accepted, the impulse bringing her very close to the wolf. She looked down, her cheeks flushing, and thanked him. He did the same with his sister, who noticed Luz's red cheeks, causing her to make a discreet grimace.
Reluctantly, Caspian excused himself to leave; he had important things to discuss with his Beta and Gamma.
While the girls headed to the kitchen to help serve lunch, Caspian summoned his Beta and Gamma to the war room.
"How did it go with her? Were you able to approach her? Did you talk to her?" That was the first thing he asked Xioma about the Alpha.
"How did it go with whom?" Cristian was a little confused.
"We talked. I can still tell she's uncomfortable, but at least she didn't reject me."
"Did you apologize?"
"Yes."
"Wait! I'm definitely missing something here." Cristian was frustrated because he couldn't follow the conversation without having any idea what they were talking about. "What are you talking about?"
Both the Alpha and the Beta exchanged glances and proceeded to explain the situation between Cas and Luz.
"Our next Moon?" Cristian exclaimed, almost shouting. He was surprised and excited at the same time. This was what they had been waiting for for years for their Alpha. His reaction was almost childish. He jumped up and down, waving his hands. "This is great, great! When did it happen?"
Xioma nudged him. "Lower your voice, no one else knows about this. It happened during the full moon party, but the girl was terrified when she recognized the Alpha. She recognized him by his voice."
Cristian's face paled. Everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of a Moon; they knew how important it was.
"I can't force her to be my mate. I'll have to earn her acceptance."
The Gamma finally understood the strange behavior of the last few days and the Alpha's reaction to following Luz when they left the pack.
"We'll definitely have to help things work out between you two," Xioma said. "We can't afford to lose her."
After a few more words on the subject, Caspian told them about Luz's dreams. No one took his words lightly, as they were convinced that Luz had important powers. They planned how to convince the representatives of the packs at the big meeting of the reality of the coming war. They also explained to Cristian the importance of not exposing Luz's powers.
Meanwhile, the omegas in the large dining room were busy setting the tables. The members of the pack would be coming to eat at any moment, and they had arranged meal shifts because, no matter how large the dining room was, it couldn't hold everyone. And, of course, the women would be the last to eat, as they had to serve the food.
The alpha usually ate in his room since he was always busy, but remembering that Luz was in the kitchen, he decided to go there.
"Aliana, where are you?" Cas asked through their mental link.
"In the kitchen. Why?"
"Is Luz with you?"
"Yes, why?"
"I need you to let me know when it's your turn to eat. That's all."
Aliana was puzzled. Since when did her brother ask about something so trivial? She didn't think about it anymore and continued helping in the kitchen.
Two hours passed before it was the women's turn. They were hungry and happy because they could finally enjoy their meal. Aliana remembered to tell her brother that they would be sitting down to eat soon.
As they were about to sit down, they saw the Alpha enter the dining room.
"Alpha, haven't you eaten yet?" Serem was worried. With so much work to do, she had forgotten that no one had asked for food for the Alpha.
Cas scanned the women and spotted Luz next to her sister. The seat next to her was still empty, so he hurried over and sat down beside her. Luz tensed up.
"I haven't eaten yet."
Serem hurried to set a plate and cutlery in front of the Alpha and put some more food in front of the group.
While Aliana was puzzled, as her brother didn't usually eat in the dining room, Luz was tense next to this huge man. She stared intently at her plate of food, moving the vegetables around and stabbing at each piece of meat. Without realizing it, she felt her ears turn red as she smelled an indescribable, pleasant aroma coming from Caspian.
They sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes, when Caspian put a piece of meat on Luz's plate.
"Do you like it?"
Luz glanced sideways at the Alpha, her cheeks boiling like a tomato, and nodded. She didn't dare speak.
Meanwhile, Aliana watched this strange interaction in silence. She would definitely talk to her brother. Did he want more information about her dreams or not?
It definitely didn't go unnoticed by her that her brother had been looking sideways at Luz throughout lunch. Aliana was upset, her protective feelings for the human were activated, and in this case she saw her friend uncomfortable next to her brother. In her eyes, he was just a nuisance. The trauma he had caused Luz was no secret to her. She would definitely talk to him later, but for now she didn't want to spoil the meal.
After putting another piece of meat on Luz's plate, the Alpha excused himself, giving Luz an intense, longing look before leaving. With that, Aliana jumped out of her chair and said to Cas, "We need to talk!"
After telling Luz where to meet later, Aliana accompanied Cas to the war room, closing the door behind her as she entered.
"What's wrong?" The girl crossed her arms over her chest and frowned.
"Mm."
"What was that in the dining room?"
"Mm."
Aliana felt like she was going to explode. She hated it when Caspian answered evasively, but in this case, he didn't even bother to give an evasive answer. He just made a stupid sound!
"Cas, I saw how you looked at Luz. What is it?"
The man looked at his sister and decided to tell her the truth. Aliana was shocked. She had mixed feelings, all jumbled up at once: happiness, sadness, but above all fear. What would happen if she rejected him? For werewolves, finding your destined mate is a blessing from the goddess Selene. A bond is formed that lasts a lifetime. The union happens quickly, as the attraction between the two individuals is irresistible and the feelings of love and protection are practically automatic. They are made for each other, but Luz is not a werewolf.
Caspian explained all the disadvantages of not being able to recognize his mate, including the risk of exposing her to being used in battle. Putting her in danger was the last thing he wanted, and despite not showing his feelings outwardly, the Alpha was devastated. Luz's scent floods all his senses and he hasn't even been able to sleep at night. He always ends up standing in front of Luz's door, not daring to enter. The guards posted at the door are unsure what to do with their Alpha. They have no idea that the man is desperately looking for her, that he needs to claim her.
This man's pitiful condition had to be addressed quickly. They were facing the imminent risk of war breaking out, and the Alpha should have been focused on all the preparations for the arrival of the delegations, but 90% of his mind was on that woman.
"We must come up with a plan." During lunch, I thought she was upset, but I remember how flushed she was next to you. You told me that she initially reciprocated your feelings, but she got scared when she recognized your voice. She may have feelings for you, but she's struggling internally. After all, you almost killed her, brother.
The truth hit the Alpha hard again, but it gave him a glimmer of hope. He's definitely going to need help.