From Rougue To Luna novel Chapter 29

"Breathe Lili. Just breathe." He whispered, leaning forward and pressing his forehead on mine.

"What the hell was he doing here Rhett?" I finally choked out, taking a step away from him and pacing the floor in front of his desk. As much as I wanted to be near him, I needed space. I needed a minute to get my head straight.

"I'm sorry Lili. By the time I realized you were outside, it was too late and he was already leaving. I tried to tell Asher to get you out of there, but we just weren't fast enough." He said lowly. The anger was still rolling off of him, but it was slowly beginning to fade.

"Wh-what did he even want? Why was he here?" I said breathily.

"He found out you were here. He wanted to take you back with him, but I told him I wouldn't allow it and that you would be joining my pack tonight. I told him I wouldn't allow you to go anywhere unless you requested to." His voice was strained, and I could see that he was fighting to control his emotions.

"Did you tell him I was your mate?" I said quietly.

"No." He said tightly. His hands were clenched at his sides and his face was pulled into a scowl. "He guessed. And then confirmed it when he baited me. I should have controlled myself. Now he knows."

"Now the others know. I can't..."

"I've instructed them to keep that a secret." He snapped.

My eyes shot up to meet his and I could see pain flash across his eyes before it was quickly replaced with an icy stare. "Oh." I said quietly. "Ok that's good."

Without thinking, my body immediately reacted, moving to stand in front of him. "Take away his mark." My eyes widened in surprise at my own response, but as soon as I said it, I knew I wanted it. I needed it gone, and I knew he was strong enough to replace it.

"I don't think I can do this Lili. I think it's best if you reject the bond."

He didn't want me. I knew it. I could feel it rolling off of him. Something had shifted within his gaze as he'd looked at me.

"I just don't think the pack will accept this for my Luna. It's going to bring war with the Shadow Pack if I take you as my mate, and I have to consider the well being of my family here. I can't put them in harm's way just to make myself happy."

I staggered back, the pain beginning to move out of my chest and filling throughout the rest of my body as tears pricked my eyes. I know I'd said I needed time, but I was finally beginning to come around to letting someone in. But now he'd seen me for what I was. Someone weak. Someone tainted by another's mark. "I...understand." I said quietly, trying to hold the tears back until I could get away from him. "What does that mean for me staying here?"

He sighed, turning to stare at the wall beside him, refusing to meet my eyes. "Normally, if I rejected you as Alpha, it would mean you'd be forced to leave the pack. But since no one else knows other than my team and the council, I will order them to hold that secret and let you stay if that's what you want. If you reject me, it's your choice to stay. You shouldn't be punished for who your mate is. This is your home too. I won't force you out the way my father did."