His Scarred Luna

Chapter 10

Jake stood at the window of his office, arms crossed tight over his chest. The morning sun slanted across the training fields, catching on blades of dew-tipped grass and illuminating the moving figures of warriors running drills. He should have been down there. The field was where he belonged, among sweat, barked commands and discipline. Not stuck in his office waiting for a meeting.

He loved being alpha, but the politics were tiring to him. He was tired of dealing with elders pushing their agendas, pack members who couldn’t figure out how to get along and people who didn’t know how to work as a team for the betterment of the pack.

The door opened with a soft click behind him.

He turned to see Kylie enter, her long legs clad in dark joggers, hair pulled into a severe bun that left no room for distraction. She looked like she’d just come from sparring. There was a quiet tension in the way she held herself, like her muscles hadn’t quite cooled down from the fight.

She gave him a small smile but didn’t move far from the door.

“Russ said your patrols picked something up,” Jake said, turning fully toward her.

She nodded. “Witches from the smell. Russ had me send out two scouting groups. They circled the area twice, but there was nothing. No tracks, no remnants. Just that scent, sharp and lingering.”

He frowned, dragging a hand through his hair. “Witches? We haven’t had issues with them since I was a kid. Why now?”

She didn’t answer right away, and he could see the wheels turning behind her dark eyes.

“There are several enclaves in the forest, but they’ve stayed out of our business for years,” he said, pacing slowly. “As long as we don’t interfere with them, they’ve had no reason to test the treaty. So what’s changed?”

Kylie shifted her weight, expression unreadable. “I don’t know. But it feels… off. Too calculated. Like they wanted us to smell them but not find them.”

“When was the last incident?” Jake tapped his fingers on the back of his chair, thinking. “I was five. A witch harmed a pack member. My dad executed her. There was backlash, a lot of unrest for over a year. Then he negotiated the treaty that kept us from killing each other.”

“What are the exact terms of the treaty?” Kylie asked, arms crossing.

Jake shook his head. “Not a clue. It’s buried in one of the old lockboxes or scrolls. I’ll ask my father.”

She gave a curt nod, then paused, lips pressing into a thin line. There was something else she wasn’t saying.

“You alright?” Jake asked, eyes narrowing. “With what you dealt with on patrol. You’re not hurt, are you?”

“No.” Her smile returned, but this time it was too bright. “I can take on a couple of witches. Doesn’t scare me.”

It didn’t quite convince him, but he let it go.

“My mom wants you at Sunday dinner,” he said after a moment.

Kylie’s brows lifted. “Really?”

“She said she wants to start preparing you to be Luna.”

Kylie stepped forward, her expression lighting up like she’d been waiting to hear those words. “That sounds amazing.” She closed the space between them until she had to tilt her head to meet his eyes. “I know you still have your hesitations, but I’m ready, Jake. I’ve been ready for a while.”

Jake stared at her, her face so familiar, so earnest. He reached up and brushed a speck of dust from her shoulder, more to buy time than anything else.

He wanted to say something, anything, but the words caught in his throat.

She laid her hand on his arm. “Don’t worry. We’ll make a good team.”

Jake swallowed hard. He wished her certainty was contagious.

He moved his hand from her shoulder to her cheek, caressing her warm, soft skin. She pressed into his touch, smiling slightly as she looked up at him, her brown eyes warm. He leaned down to press his lips gently against hers and she pressed up into him, grasping his biceps.

He felt nothing. No sparks. No desire. Just… nothing.

When they broke apart, she looked at him with such hope that his stomach twisted with guilt. Before he could figure out what to do or say next, there was a knock at the door.

They took a step apart before he called for the person to enter.

Callan stepped into the room, looking between Jake and Kylie before giving his sister a soft smile. “Heard about the witches. You ok?”

“I’m great,” she replied, waving off his concern, her cheeks flushing red.

“The Harts are here,” Callan said to Jake.

“Ok.” He looked at Kylie. “I have to meet with them. Maybe we can meet up for dinner this evening.”

“Absolutely!” She bounced on the balls of her feet, smiling widely. “Just let me know later.” She gave her brother a quick hug before leaving.

Callan watched the door shut before he turned back to Jake. “Everything ok?”

Jake felt heat creep up his neck as he turned away from his beta’s piercing gaze. “Never better.”

“I know…” Callan paused, rubbing the back of his neck. “I know taking a chosen mate isn’t what you want, but she’s my sister. Please… be careful with her. She’s been through a lot, you know.”

Jake nodded. “I know,” he muttered, his voice low. “I don’t want to hurt her.”

Callan considered him for a moment. “I’ll go get Lyra and Donovan.”

Jake sank down on the couch in his office as he waited for Callan to come back with the Harts. Rome was pacing restlessly in his mind, panting.

What’s wrong with you? Jake asked him, rubbing his temples.

She’s not our mate, Rome murmured, pacing. This isn’t right.

Jake wanted to agree, but he also saw no way forward. He had to take a mate. His pack had to have a luna and this was the only way forward. He pushed his hair back from his face, his mind replaying the less than spectacular kiss.

Goddess, what was he going to do?

Unless our mate walks through the door right now, he told Rome, I have no idea what to do. We don’t have another choice.

There was a sharp knock at the door and Jake pulled himself to his feet, pushing thoughts of Kylie and his impending mating to focus on the business at hand..

Callan pushed open the door and Jake was struck by a powerful scent.

Honey and strawberries.

Jake’s heart began to pound, his palms dampening, his throat constricting slightly.

Donovan followed Callan, wheeling himself in and right behind him, his sister.

Long black hair, storm gray eyes, a jagged scar running down the left side of her face.

Rome howled loudly in his head as Jake watched his mate walk through the door.