The Luna's Shadow

CHAPTER 2

“How long do we need to stay here to be respectful? I hate everyone staring at me,” I whispered to Bella, keeping my eyes fixed on my coffee.

“Just a couple more minutes,” she whispered back. “Then we can leave for school.”

I nodded, trying to ignore the prickle of eyes on my back. That’s when the head warrior, Mason, walked in with his two shadows, Levi and Lockie, trailing close behind. Mason’s gaze locked on me the second he entered, and my stomach dropped.

They filled their plates at the buffet and then, without asking, made their way to our table. Mason slid into the seat beside me, dragging his chair closer until our arms almost brushed. I leaned away from him as much as I could without drawing attention.

He was big. Handsome, even—sharp jaw, dark eyes, built like a soldier—but he was as dangerous as my father. Maybe worse. I’d seen the kind of man he really was. Mason was the one the Alpha always sent to track down the families who tried to flee. The one who brought them back—or didn’t. Rumor had it he’d killed a child once. I believed it.

“I have exciting news for you, Tessa,” he said, his voice too smooth to trust.

My hand froze around my coffee mug. “And what’s that?” I asked, keeping my tone flat.

“I have your father’s blessing,” he said, drawing out the words like a weapon.

My head snapped toward him. “What?” I almost shouted. A few people turned our way, then quickly pretended they hadn’t heard. Mason only smirked, enjoying the reaction.

“As soon as you turn eighteen,” he said slowly, “I’m taking you as my mate.”

I choked on my coffee. “And what about my true mate? My goddess-given mate? He’s out there somewhere.”

Mason shrugged, his grin spreading as he leaned closer. “Who cares? He’ll find someone else. Or he’ll wither and die after you reject him. Doesn’t matter to me. You’ll be mine. That’s all I’ve wanted for years.”

He reached up and twirled a strand of my hair between his fingers. My entire body tensed. I wanted to recoil, to slap his hand away, to scream. But all I could do was look at Bella. Help me.

“Yeah, we have to get to school now,” Bella said quickly, standing up so fast her chair scraped against the floor. “It was good seeing you, Mason.”

I followed her lead, pushing my chair back and grabbing my bag. Mason just smirked and went back to his plate like he hadn’t just claimed ownership of me in front of half the dining hall. Levi and Lockie stayed seated, watching us with smug little grins.

We didn’t stop to say goodbye to anyone—not even our fathers. We almost made it to the door when the Alpha’s voice thundered across the room.

“You two will be home straight after school! We’re hosting a party tonight for the visiting Alphas!”

We froze mid-step. Both of us turned, nodded politely, and slipped out as quickly as possible.

The cool air outside hit my face like freedom.

“I can’t believe your father promised you to that sack of s**t!” Bella yelled once we were down the road.

“I can,” I said bitterly. “My father knows his own kind.”

Bella’s anger melted into sympathy. “I’m so sorry, Tess. What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted, tightening my grip on my bag strap. “But I’ll figure something out. Even if I have to run before it happens.”

“Then tell me before you go,” she said firmly. “Because I’m coming with you.”

A small smile broke through the fear twisting my stomach. “Sounds like a plan.”

Just then, a sleek black BMW screeched to a stop in front of us. We both froze, instinctively stepping back. The tinted windows made it impossible to see who was inside. My pulse raced.

Then the driver’s door opened, and a tall man unfolded from the seat—six-foot-four, short brown hair, clean-shaven, muscles pressing against his shirt. The moment he smiled, Bella gasped.

“What, no hug?” he teased.

“Ethan!” Bella squealed, launching herself into his arms. He caught her effortlessly, spinning her once before setting her down.

The passenger door opened next. Out stepped Wyatt, Ethan’s best friend—equally tall, with dirty-blond hair and a bit of scruff on his jaw. Both of them radiated the kind of confidence that came from years of training and power.

When Bella finally let go, Ethan turned to me. “Tessa,” he said warmly, and pulled me into a hug. I winced at the pressure on my ribs but tried to mask it with a laugh. Wyatt hugged me too, and I did my best not to flinch again.

Ethan drew back, studying me with sharp eyes. “Are you hurt?”

“Yeah, it was stupid,” I lied quickly. “Roughhousing with a couple of the warriors. I should know better.”

Wyatt frowned. “Girls aren’t allowed to train. Why would you be roughhousing with warriors?”

I forced a shrug. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

Bella cleared her throat. “Come on, Bells, we’re gonna be late,” I said quickly, looping my arm through hers.

Ethan smiled, but I saw the doubt in his eyes. “We’ll see you tonight,” he said.

Bella hugged him once more, and then we started walking down the road again. I could feel both their gazes burning into our backs. When I glanced sideways, they were leaning against the car, talking quietly, eyes still following us.

“They don’t believe me,” I muttered.

“No, probably not,” Bella said softly. “You winced when Ethan hugged you.”

I swallowed hard. “Bella… what would Ethan do if he found out about my dad?”

She shot me a knowing look. “You know him as well as I do, Tess. What do you think he’d do?”

I didn’t answer. The image came too easily—Ethan storming through the packhouse, tearing my father apart.

“Just wait until he finds out your dad promised you to Mason,” Bella went on. “Ethan’s always hated him. I don’t think that mating will go through with Ethan around. That’s a good thing.”

“Yeah,” I said, though doubt crept into my tone. “I’ll take your word for it.”

I stared at the ground as we walked. The morning sun warmed my hoodie, but it didn’t reach the chill in my chest. My father always got his way. Always.

If he’d already given Mason his blessing, then my fate was sealed. It didn’t matter that I didn’t want it. It didn’t matter that my true mate might still be out there somewhere, waiting for me.

In this pack, what my father wanted was law—and the Alpha would make sure it stayed that way.

But as Bella’s shoulder brushed mine and the road stretched out ahead, one thought burned quietly through the fear.

Not this time.

Even if it killed me, I’d find a way out before Mason ever laid a hand on me again.