The Unclaimed Luna

Breaking point

(Darius)

I had a reason to keep going on, so I headed to Emma’s room. I was ready to set boundaries, to make it clear whrre she stood. But the moment I reached the door, I started to doubt myself.

Kael stirred inside me, restless. 'Be careful,' he warned. 'She’s not the same anymore.'

I pushed open the door with enough force to startle Dr. Harris. His head snapped up in surprise, but I barely acknowledged him. My focus was on Emma. She was sitting on the bed, her hands gripping the edge as if bracing herself.

Her gaze met mine, and I saw the shift in her expression—surprise, then something colder. “Darius.”

“I heard what you said, you’re not going anywhere,” I said, my voice firm.

Her knuckles turned white against the bedsheet. “You can’t keep me here.”

I took a step closer, ignoring Dr. Harris as he silently excused himself. “Watch me.”

Emma stood, her shoulders squared, refusing to back down. “I’m serious, Darius. I can’t do this anymore.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

Her jaw clenched. “Give me one good reason why I should stay.”

I didn’t hesitate. “Because you’re carrying my pup. That alone means you stay.”

Her lips parted, but no words came at first. When she did speak, her voice was harsh. “You think that’s enough? That just because I’m pregnant, I’m suddenly your responsibility?”

“You’re not a responsibility,” I snapped. “You’re mine.”

Her eyes darkened. “Yours?” She let out a bitter laugh. “That’s what I am to you? A possession? An obligation? Something you’re forced to claim now because you can’t risk losing control?”

My patience thinned. “You don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“I understand perfectly,” she countered. “I’ve been nothing to you until now. And suddenly, you want to play the protective mate? No, Darius. That’s not how this works.”

Kael growled. 'Fix this. Now.'

I ignored him. “You think you can just leave?” I asked, voice dangerously low. “Take my child and disappear?”

Emma’s glare didn’t waver. “It means I get to make my own choices. It means I don’t have to stay somewhere I’m not wanted.”

“You are wanted,” I bit out. “More than you know.”

“Then prove it.” Her words came fast, slicing through the air. “Because all I see is a man who doesn’t want to lose his claim. Not one who actually wants me.”

The accusation stung, but I refused to let it show. “You don’t get to walk away from this.”

Her eyes flashed with defiance. “And if I do? What will you do, Darius? Lock me up? Force me to stay?”

My hands curled into fists. “If I have to.”

She stepped closer, her chin tilted up. “You don’t own me.”

I took a breath, struggling to keep my voice even. “You’re right. I don’t. But this isn’t just about you. It’s about the pack. About our pup.”

“No, Darius.” Her voice was quiet, but the strength in it was undeniable. “It’s about you. Your control. Your pride. Your rules. I’m done playing by them.”

Kael inside me, urging me to do something—anything—to stop her from pulling away. “You think you can just leave and everything will be fine?” I demanded. “You don’t know what you’re walking away from.”

Her gaze bore into mine. “Then tell me. Tell me what I mean to you, Darius. And don’t say ‘mine’ like that explains everything.”

For a moment, I couldn’t find the words. Kael snarled in frustration. 'Tell her the truth, you i***t!'

But the words lodged in my throat. “You’re not leaving,” I said again, my voice softer now. “Not now. Not ever.”

Emma exhaled, shaking her head. “When the time comes, there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

I didn’t reply. Because deep down, I knew if I didn’t change something, she might be right.

The air between us was heavy, filled with things left unsaid. Then, before I could think, I moved. My hand caught her wrist, and I spun her back toward me. Her wide eyes met mine, and in that moment, the world around us faded.

I cupped her face, crashing my lips against hers. It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t gentle. It was desperate.

For a brief second, she froze, her body stiff. Then she pulled away, her breath uneven. “You don’t get to do that,” she said, voice shaking slightly. “You don’t get to kiss me and think it fixes everything.”

“It doesn’t,” I admitted. “But it’s a start.”

Her eyes searched mine, but whatever she was looking for, she didn’t find it. Without another word, she turned toward the door.

“This isn’t over,” I said as she reached for the handle.

She paused, her fingers resting on the wood. “No, it’s not. But it’s not up to you anymore, Darius. It’s up to me.”

And then she was gone, leaving me standing there, heart pounding, my mind filled with everything I should have said but didn’t.

A growl of frustration tore from my throat. Kael was restless, pacing inside me. 'You’re losing her,' he warned. 'Do something before it’s too late.'

I ran a hand down my face, my heartbeat still racing. Then I stepped out of the room, needing air, needing something to clear my head.

That’s when I ran into Lauren.

She smiled at me, her expression soft. “Rough day?” she asked, holding out a drink.

I took it without thinking, my mind too clouded to question. “Something like that.”

I downed the drink, the liquid burning slightly as it went down. Lauren watched me closely, her eyes gleaming with something unreadable.

And then, just like that, the tension in my chest dulled. The fire inside me cooled.

Something wasn’t right.

The argument with Emma, the emotions clawing at me—it all felt distant, as if it had happened to someone else.

I frowned, trying to grasp the thoughts slipping from my mind. But they were already fading, leaving behind nothing but a strange, creeping calm.

Lauren’s smile widened. “Better?”

I swallowed hard, suddenly unsure of everything.

Something was very, very wrong.