The Second Hand Luna

4. Compromise

IRIS

After what I had told Ronan, I was not surprised when he started walking away. He walked three steps. Four. Then he stopped and turned.

For a moment, he didn’t look at me. His gaze stayed fixed on the ground. When he finally lifted his head, the Alpha mask had slipped.

“Give me a week,” he said, his eyes meeting mine and his voice rough. “Just… one week.”

The words caught me off guard. There was no command in his voice, just pure exhaustion.

“Why?” I demanded, though I could already feel my anger simmering down.

“To grieve.” He said it simply.

“The pack is in pieces. They have lost their Luna. Their Alpha is…” He trailed off, gesturing at himself and then the space between us.

“The pain of two bonds breaking at once… it’s a shock the pack can’t absorb right now. I can’t absorb it.”

He met my eyes, and for the first time, I saw a man who was barely holding himself together.

“I need some time to breathe, then we can talk about… the breaking, please.”

He was not accepting my request but it was the first time he had budged and all he was asking was for mercy. I was not cruel and I sympathized with his situation. I looked away, out at the woods as I could not bare to look at him

“I’ll think about it,” I said finally, the fight draining out of me. He nodded like that was all he had dared to hope for and retreated to the house.

When he was gone, I sagged back against the driver’s seat and took a deep breath. My hands shook as I tapped Leo’s name.

He answered on the first ring.

“Iris?” His voice was mixed with both relief and fear. “Jesus, where are you?”

“I’m okay,” I said quickly. “I’m so sorry.” I painted a smile onto my voice, the lie taking shape with ease .

“The trip… it got extended a bit. I know, I should have called. I found this incredible, remote little cabin on the way back. It’s pure songwriting inspiration. I just need a few more days to soak it in.”

There was a pause and I could tell he was fighting between his worry and his support for my job.

“A few more days? Iris, you had me so scared. Your phone?”

“Dead,” I said, the half-truth smoothly.

“Get this, the family dog here, he is a goofy pup. He stole it and hid it in the woods as a joke. Just found it this morning, covered in mud.” I forced a light laugh at the very end hoping it sold the lie.

Another pause followed, longer this time. “Okay,” he said slowly. “Okay. Just… Please keep your phone charged. Check in. I love you.”

“I love you too,” I whispered, the words tasting like ash..

I ended the call and leaned back, staring at the ceiling of the car. I had bought myself a week. A week in this hell where I would be feeding the man I loved lies while standing inches from the man tied to my soul.

I pushed the door open and stepped out of the car before I could convince myself otherwise.

I walked to Ronan’s front door and knocked. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the door opened, and Ronan stood there, bare feet in a simple grey tshirt and jeans.

“I accept your terms,” I said before he could speak. “Seven days. We start counting today. Not a day more.”

His eyes widened in surprise before they changed to relief. He then smiled.

“Come in,” he said, stepping aside. The air inside was warm and his scent was everywhere, the bond responded to it immediately, like it had been starved for too long while my wolf basked in it. Happy, my wolf murmured, stretching like a cat in the sun.

Home. Mate. Happy!

I was not prepared for the force of it all that my knees buckled without warning and I stumbled.

I watched as Ronan moved instinctively towards me before he stopped himself and pulled his hand back like he was denying himself something he couldn’t have. Maybe, just like me, he was thinking of the contact heat and rut.

“Careful,” he said quietly.

His hand dropped to his side, but not before I saw the faint imprint of claw tips pressing into his palm. This was not going to be easy.

“I need the bathroom,” I blurted, suddenly hyperaware of everything.

“Down the hall,” he replied. “Left.”

I all but fled down the hall, locking the bathroom door behind me and bracing my hands on the sink. My reflection stared back at me. I splashed cold water on my face.

Seven days, I reminded myself. That’s all.

When I stepped back out, Ronan was waiting near the living room. “There are clothes,” he said, gesturing toward the coffee table.

“Options,” he said. “Elara left some things. Or…” he gestured to the other pile. “Mine. Or,” he added, “you can stay in what you’re wearing. Or wear nothing. The house is warm.”

I shot him a glare sharp enough to cut while my wolf nudged me insistently toward his clothes.

Him. Choose him. His scent. Please.

“I hate you,” I told her.

Ronan cleared his throat. “Your room is upstairs. First door on the right. Bathroom’s across the hall.” Then he turned and left me alone.

In the end, I snatched his hoodie that was paired up with the dark basketball shorts and went to the bathroom.

I showered until my skin tingled, scrubbing away the grime from the two days.

When I finally stepped out, I reached for his clothes before I could overthink it. The hoodie carried most of his scent and it felt like being wrapped in him and my wolf purred. A few minutes later, I was asleep in what I presumed was the guest room.

The clock was ticking for both of us.