The Alpha's Mate Who Cried Wolf novel Chapter 12

"Who is it?" I ask. 

"Hello, Luna. It's me. Mia! Alpha Ryker said you need something to wear. So I brought you one of my dresses. It will be warm today," she says loudly and excitedly.

"Okay. Let me unlock the door." I open the door to see a very sweet-faced, blue-eyed girl with brown, shoulder-length hair, around my height and only a little older than me. I'm guessing no older than nineteen. Her face lights up with the biggest smile before it changes into a look of horror.

"Luna! What happened to you? There are bruises everywhere!"She says, dropping the dress and covering her mouth with her hands in shock. I look down at all the bruising as I stand in my black underwear and bra. Then, ashamed, I hug myself and look away. 

"Mia, just leave the dress and go, please," I say. 

"But Luna!"She says before I shut the door and lean against it so nobody can enter. "Just leave the dress there, and go, Mia!"I say, wanting her to leave.

The bath is about to overflow. I run to it and twist the taps off. Then, removing my undergarments, I toss my underwear and bra on the floor and lower myself into the water. My whole-body stings while I scrub my body, wash my arms and legs and shampoo my long brown hair.

After the bath, I dry myself off. I find a neatly folded, maroon-coloured dress with a bra, some underwear and slip-on shoes. The short-sleeved dress sits just above my knee, hiding some bruises. The sweetheart neckline, unfortunately, doesn't hide much.

I find a brush behind the mirror door and see my reflection: my green eyes, small nose, and full pink lips. The bruising around my eye has faded a lot, thankfully. I apply a bit of foundation I find to hide what remains of the bruising.

 Ryker and Seth are talking just outside my room. 

"You know this will not go down well with Alice," Seth says. 

"I know, but I have my mate now, so things have changed." I open the door. They go silent and smile at me.

"Luna, that dress is very flattering on you," Seth smiles. 

"Thank you," I smile. Ryker walks over to me. 

"You look beautiful, Astrid," Ryker says. His face lights up with a big smile.

"I'm so hungry," I announce. 

"Well, you're about to meet Alice downstairs. She's the cook," Ryker says.

Ryker insists on holding my hand down the stairs in case I fall. I know it's because he wants to be close to me and enjoys our closeness, just as I do.

We enter the dining room. A plate smashes to the ground. 

"What is the meaning of this?" The older lady asks, staring at our hands.

 Everyone stands at the table as we walk in. 

"I'm sure everything is fine, Luna," Hayley says, reassuring me. 

"So, you'll be eighteen soon?" Mia says. 

"Yes, in nine days," I smile. 

"How exciting! It must excite you to meet your wolf?" She asks.

Ryker said something about shifting into a wolf on my eighteenth. I'm going to turn into a wolf. I don't want to shift and don't want to meet my wolf. What if I hurt someone or kill again? I can't repeat what happened to mum.

My chest suddenly feels heavy. I hyperventilate. 

"Luna, are you okay?" Mia and Hayley ask. With teary eyes, I stand.

"I'm sorry. I can't do this! I can't be here!"abruptly, standing up, I run out of the dining room and down the hall until I find the front door and run down the street and keep running, with no idea where I am going.

It's a beautiful town with lush trees and plenty of parks. I see a shopping strip and some cute cafes and clothing stores. There are plenty of people around who are most likely werewolves. I feel many unwelcome eyes on me. I perk up when I spot the watchtower and go there.

After climbing hundreds of steps, I take in the view of Shadow Crest sure is beautiful. A dense, green forest surrounds the town for miles, and I'm unsure which way to go. Finally, I sit down, defeated, and dangle my legs over the ledge, resting my head on the rail. What am I going to do? Turning into a werewolf scares me, but I can't run from that. It's going to happen no matter where I go. I reflect on last night: My dad shot Ryker, and he protected me from my father, and how my heart ached at almost losing him.