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CHAPTER FORTY
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The Luna's Choice CHAPTER ONE
I stagger toward the plume of smoke rising above the trees.I have been in this forest for days, ever since my pack was wiped out.I was destined to be a luna.Now I'm just lucky to be alive."Someone's approaching!" a voice calls.I look up. Guards.They stalk down the hill toward me."Who are you?" they ask."My name is Victoria," I say."Where did you come from?""The mountains."They look skeptical."Wolves don't travel alone," the guard says."And it's a long way to travel for such a small woman," the seconds adds."My pack was killed," I say."Killed? All of them?"A lump rises in my throat.I do not want to think of the carnage I left behind.My mother."Yes," I say."How do we know you are not a spy?" he says."A spy?""We have just been attacked by other wolves.""Then you know how I feel," I tell them.They eye me warily.They are trying to decide what to do.I hope they choose to let me live.They turn to face each other and murmur.One of them no
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER TWO
The den I am led to is basic.Small and dark.Fit for an omega.I sink into the bed.Fatigue overcomes me.How is this my life?I have lost everything.I have lost my pack.I have lost my mate.I am too tired to cry.I close my eyes and fall asleep.A gentle paw shakes me awake."Time to get up. Time to hunt."I open my eyes.It is dawn.For a moment, I think I am back in my old pack.Then I realize where I am.The guard from yesterday peers at me.My stomach drops."What time is it?""Day break.""You hunt so early?""You have to hunt," the guard says. "You have to prove your worth as a hunter."I drag myself out of bed.Then I follow the guard outside.He makes his way towards the hunting grounds."What is your name?" I ask.He shakes his head. "I don't have one yet.""Your real name," I say. "Not your hunt name.""My real name does not matter."He is infuriating."I'm Victoria," I tell him."Not for long," he replies.I notice how his blonde fur
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THREE
I do not return to the same den I slept in last night.Instead, I follow Impala to his den.My new home.With my new mate.It is a mess inside."Impala," I say. "You're untidy."He chuckles. "That is why I need a mate.""If you think I am tidying up after you, you are sorely mistaken. Lunas do not tidy.""You're not a luna anymore," he reminds me."Make yourself comfortable," he says. "I'm going hunting.""And me? What will I do while you're out?"He shrugs. "You could tidyI am appalled. "You're a pig.""you'll learn to love me, Oryx.""That is not my name," I say. "I am Victoria.""whatever you say, Oryx!"He leaves the den.I sit down in the corner.I am angry. Angry at him.I do not want to accept this.We are opposites.No matter how I look at it, we are opposites.We will never be a good match.I am supposed to lead not clean!Not sit around waiting for my lower ranked mate to come home.I am supposed to lead.I am supposed to outrank him.This is
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER FOUR
I run through the camp and to the alpha's den.I walk up to him."What do you want?" he asks."My match is not what I wanted," I say. "I want out.""It's too late for that," he says."What?""Your match is final.""No!""It's final," he says. "You will be with Impala. Go back to your mate."I turn away from him.But he grabs me by the scruff of my neck and turns me back towards him."What are you doing?" I say, fearfully."When you go back to your mate, you will be submissive.""But-""Go back to your mate."He pushes me away.I return to the den.Cloud is waiting for me."Go away," I say."I can't let you leave," he says. “It’s not that simple.""I'm leaving," I say."I will hurt you if you leave."I look at him.He looks so scary. I feel terrified.It's not just him that I'm scared of.I'm scared of being alone.I'm scared of being in this new place with the foreign pack.I'm scared of my small, pathetic match.I study Cloud. His eyes are narrowed, and his
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER FIVE
I can tell that he is right behind me.I can hear his footsteps as he runs towards me.He is much faster than I am. I keep running, but he is catching up. I look around, trying to find a place to hide.My eyes fall on a hollow log.I try to remember if there are any dangerous animals in it. I hope that it is empty.Impala is right behind me, so I run to it and dive into the log.I curl up at the bottom and cover my head.I hold my breath and wait.I can hear him sniffing me.I am shaking.I don't want him to find me.I don't want to be his match.I feel the log shifting.I peek out from my hiding place.Impala is staring down at me.He growls.I feel trapped."I don't want to fight you," I whisper. "But I will.""Is that supposed to scare me?" he taunts.I have never felt so angry. My anger makes me brave.And against my better judgement, I attack.Impala is surprised by my sudden burst of energy.We tussle at the bottom of the log.I feel his teeth on my n
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER SIX
I wake up on the floor of a cave. My vision is still blurry, and my head is spinning, but I think I can make out the shape of bars around me.I am confused. Why am I in a cave? And why are there bars on the door? I try to stand up, but the room starts to spin, and I fall back down. I am dizzy. I try to crawl away from the bars, but I slip, and I feel my body hit the floor.I don't know what is happening. When I try to get up again, I start to lose my balance. My vision is getting even blurrier. I feel weak. So weak. I look down and realize I am covered in blood-- matted in it, even.It's on my legs, my belly, my paws. It's even on my back, which I can't see.I touch it, and the pain stings.I try to stop the bleeding, but I can't.My sight is fading.I'm so cold, and I'm struggling to breathe.My lungs are burning, but I force myself to inhale anyway. I know that if I stop breathing, I will die.My vision is still blurry, but I can see the bars.I can't rememb
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER SEVEN
It seems impossible. Ajax, a traitor?But I don't want to question it. It doesn't seem like the right time or place. "I don't want to pry," I say. "If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine, but--""No, it's okay," he says. "I'm just not sure where to begin.""How about the beginning?" I ask, smiling at him."The beginning?" he says. "It all started the day my father died.""Your father died?" I ask."He was my alpha, and he was the one I looked up to-- the one I aspired to be like," he says. "He was brave and strong. I wanted to be just like him. And I was, too. But then, he died.""I'm so sorry," I say."It was a long time ago," he says.I can tell he's about to say more-- that he wants to tell me everything, but before he can, someone else appears in the cave. I can't see them, but I can hear their footsteps approaching.I watch as they approach the cage where I am being held and am surprised when they open it."Come" the man says in a gruff voice."Where?" I ask
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER EIGHT
"Are you finished?"I turn and look. The man from before, the one known as the guard, is standing just outside the door.I am nervous and I don't know what to say, but I don't want to say the wrong thing and get into trouble.I have no idea what the Alpha expects of me, and I have no idea how much trouble I can get into.The only way this is going to work is if I follow their rules. If I play by the rules and do what they say, I might get a chance at escape."I-- I need your help," I say. "I don't know what to do.""Then let me help you," he says."I don't know what the Alpha expects," I say."Just follow my lead and you'll be fine.""But--" I start to say."Just do what I say."I hesitate, but then I realize there's no other way, so with a nod, I agree to follow his lead.He tells me that I'm to get dressed in the clothes that are set before me, in the little basket.At first, I'm confused, as there aren't any clothes in the little basket, but then I realize he's talkin
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The Luna's Choice CHAPTER FORTY
VICTORIAI stare at Ajax who is grinning, looking healthier than ever.“How are you alive?”I can barely speak but I manage to garble the words out.He rushes towards me, helping me up, “I never died. When you ran away, Brian’s people gave chase. You gave me those few precious moments to heal and I took over the pack.”I can barely see anymore.I can see him mouthing something.“…ust me?”I don’t know what it is but I nod.Then he’s forcing a bitter liquid into my mouth. I’m too weak to throw it out but as he feeds me the potion, he yanks out the broke piece of spear within me. I scream silently as the agony overtakes me but then I feel the wound healing almost instantly.I go limp in his arms, struggling to breathe as he pats my back, reassuringly, “Just breathe through it. It’ll be over in minutes.”I follow his instructions and sure enough my visions grows clearer.However, the first words out of my mouth are a cry for my mate, “Max!”I yank myself out of Ajax’s hold,
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
VICTORIA“Impala,” I breathe in horror. “What the hell are you doing here?”I stagger back in shock and fear and Jacklyn smiles, “I brought him here. I mean he was your mate first. So technically you can’t be mated to Max.”“Max is my true mate!” I shout at her. “Impala tried to force himself on me! My mating to Max is valid!”Jacklyn sneers, “Doesn’t matter now, does it? Impala has decided that he wants you back or kill you, depending on how much you resist.”Max is in front of me, his shoulder bleeding but his stance is protective, “She’s not going anywhere with you, you bastard! She’s my mate!”“She was never yours,” Impala spits out. “That bitch was mine and I don’t like mates who run away so she will have to be taught a lesson. You, however, you belong to this big mouthed woman.”“That’s the deal,” Jacklyn smiles. “You take her, I take him.”“Have you gone crazy, Jacklyn?” Max growls.“Crazy?” Jacklyn looks offended. “I love you! I’m doing this for us!”“Victoria is my
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT
VICTORIAIt’s like I’m reliving my worst nightmare as I hear screams of terror, of the people I had grown to love.“What have you done?!” I scream at Jacklyn. She smiles, “I made a deal. A deal to get my mate back.”I try to run past her but she steps in my path, “And just where do you think you’re going?”“You’ve lost your mind!” I hiss at her, terror and adrenaline pumping through my blood. “That is your pack, people you grew up with! You know what happens when another pack invades! They will kill everyone, man, woman, child! They will torture the women, you friends, your family-”“Well they deserve it!” Jacklyn screams suddenly, getting in my face. “They were all complicit in keeping my mate from me!”My breathing is hard as I stare at her, “You’re crazy! You think they will let Max live? You think they’ll keep him alive for you?”“They will,” Jacklyn sneers. “They don’t Max. They want someone else. But don’t worry. They’ve promised to chain Max and bring him to me. Once
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
VICTORIATears of horror fill my eyes, “Why would she do that?!”“Because she she knew the witch would help us track her down,” Max hisses. “What is this woman planning?”“Even so,” I cover my mouth. “Why do it so viciously?”Max doesn’t have an answer to that.My heart pounding with sick fear, I look at him, “She’s not going to leave us be. I don’t believe it.”However. Max looks unsure.“Let’s wait and see.”Two days later there is still no sign of Jacklyn.“She’s left the pack territory,” One of the group leaders of the search party reports. “We can’t catch her scent anywhere. Wherever she is, its not here. We’ve combed the woods.”Max looks relieved, “Maybe she’s truly left.”However, there is a niggling suspicion in the back of my head. I don’t think Jacklyn would leave. Her obsession with Max goes way beyond that. She tried to kill me twice. She has killed two people.“What about her godfather? Doesn't he know?” I look at Max.“He says he knows nothing,” Max takes
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
VICTORIA“How could you give me something that belonged to Jackyln?!” I ask Max, tearfully, “You knew what she tried to do to us!”“I thought she had a change of heart!” Max looks just as upset. “I would never have knowingly put you in danger!”“Grace!” I look at the red-eyed woman. “Go tell the Alpha everything.”Grace nods, eager to help and when she disappears, I turn to face Max, “Look.”He looks at my ring and I wince.It’s glowing red.“It is the cursed object.” I say, dread in my voice. “The more I try to pull it off, the tighter it gets.”I give him a frightened look, “Max.”His expression is tight, “Okay. We have two options.”“Waiting for me to take my last breath is too big of a risk. The other option is cutting off my finger.”I hold his gaze, “I prefer the latter option.”However, he shakes his head, “There’s something else we can try. Come on.”He wraps his hand around mine as he begins to drag me along with him.“There’s a jewellery maker in the pack. He
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
VICTORIA“Cursed?” I give the old witch a stunned look. “Cursed by what?”She looks unsure, “Whatever it is, I can’t sense it. But this is not a spell on you. You touched a cursed object some time ago.”I look at my mate who is frozen in place and then I glance at the witch, hope in my voice, “But you can fix it right?”She hesitates, “If it was another witch’s doing, then yes. But this is through some cursed object. There are two ways to undo it. Find the object and destroy it. Or, wait till you are on your last breath and your mate gives you the mating mark. I would suggest the first one. The second one can always go wrong.”My heart sinks and she reaches behind her and stuffs some of the herbs into my hand, “Keep these with you. Chew on a few leaves every twenty four hours and you will be able live. But this solution is temporary. You need to find that object and destroy it.”“Is there any way of tracing it?” Max asks, urgently. “We don’t even know what it is? Maybe if y
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
VICTORIA“You’re just upset,” The Alpha says after a few brief moments. “I won’t push you right now. But the Elders’ decisions are absolute. And you know that.”He takes a step back, “Jacklyn will come to you soon. Don’t lay a finger on her. Am I clear?”I just stare at him in stony silence, refusing to say anything.I won’t accept her. There is no way in hell!Fortunately, Jacklyn doesn’t seek me out till a few days later. I’m in the hospital at that point when she comes striding through the doors, smiling.“Max-““Get out,” I snarl at her.However, she is undeterred, “Look, I know you’re upset but this is for the best. I understand you better than anyone. And you’re not even mated to her yet. Look, once we mate, it will be-““My mate is there!” I point towards the unconscious Victoria on the bed. “That’s my mate! You’re not! So get out!”Her smile slips, “Don’t be delusional Max. Victoria is dying. In fact, the elders consider her dead at this point or they wouldn’t have
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
MAXA scream leaves my lips. I run towards her, my heart racing, fear a bitter taste in my mouth.Victoria is sprawled on the rock, unconscious, blood seeping from her mouth and ears, her body limp. She is dressed in the mating robes and she had been probably waiting for m.I start checking for injuries but I see none. It is almost as if she was suddenly seized by an illness.I put my ear to her chest and hear a death rattle.Panicking and terrified for my mate, I pick her up in my arms and run all the way back the pack. The celebrations are still going on and they come to a screeching halt when I barge in with my unconscious mate. Shocked faces greet me till the Alpha forces his way from between the crowed, his voice urgent, “What’s going on, Max? What happened to your mate?!”People have already summoned the pack healer as I begin to recount how I found her. The pack healer is by my side within seconds and the first thing he does, while I’m still holding Victoria in m
The Luna's Choice CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
MAX“Jacklyn wants me to have this?” I ask in disbelief, looking at Grace.Grace nods and her voice is filled with sympathy, “She is trying her best to come to terms with it, Max. With all of it. I know she messed up and she knows it too. But you have to understand, she’s loved you since we were all children. You loved her too.”My heart tightens at the memories.Grace sounds sad, “You were the one who found your true mate, not her Max. You’re happy and in love. Her heart has been crushed. I’m not saying what she did was right but Victoria could have given you two some time to work things out. She immediately rushed you into a mating ceremony-““I was the one who rushed her,” I say, sharply, looking at Grace. “Victoria has suffered a lot. I want to give her some stability. And I did talk to Jacklyn. I explained everything to her and she told me she had no hard feelings. Grace, this happens. Sometimes true mates do appear and you can’t do anything. Jacklyn should understand that.
