Filed To Story: Chasing the Rejected Luna's Heart (Clara & Liam) Book PDF Free
Liam shrugged, turning back to me. He looked worried once more, his gaze softening as he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. There was no hiding the way his touch made me melt, even under such dire circumstances. “I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he said gently. “It can be difficult the first time.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “You?”
He gave a knowing chuckle. “It took me a second, yeah. But it helps to focus on the ground beneath your feet. Feel the energy of the earth coming up through the dirt and grass…the moonlight on your skin,” he said, his voice softening as his fingertips brushed over my shoulder. It was another instance of pushing the line of propriety, especially with Dad so close, but we were in the final stretch of being mated, so there wasn’t much he could do about it.
I nodded, closing my eyes and trying to do what he said, even though I had a bad feeling it wasn’t going to work anymore this time that had the last. To my surprise, I did feel something, even if I wasn’t sure what. Maybe it was just in my head, but the moonlight on my skin kind of tingled. It was more alarming than it had been before, but not entirely unpleasant. I was so desperate for something to happen, I didn’t even care the way I usually might have. My hope began to dwindle as that feeling ebbed and flowed without having any real effect. I could sense something at the door to my mind, a gentle push rather than the all-out barging I’d been told to expect. Maybe my wolf was asleep. We were really going to have to have a talk about some things when she could finally be bothered to make her appearance.
I finally gave up and opened my eyes, and when I saw Liam giving me the same bewildered stare as the others, a fresh wave of dread washed over me.
If even he thought I was a lost cause…”What the hell’s going on?” Jax demanded, even growlier than usual as he approached us as a human. I grimaced, but I was more annoyed than embarrassed for once.”I can’t shift,” I said, folding my arms over my chest and hugging myself. My hair at least allowed me to feel partially clothed. “And apparently, everyone thinks I’m doing it on purpose.””That’s not true,” Liam said earnestly. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.””What do you mean, you can’t shift?” Jax demanded as Damon came up by his side, shifting into his human form last. “That’s ridiculous.”
How had I never realized just how much Jax and Dad had in common? Maybe because I didn’t like what that possibly said about my subconscious daddy issues. This was all disturbing enough without going there.”We should try it without the audience,” Damon said, echoing Liam’s earlier suggestion. “She’s probably just nervous.”
I looked at him gratefully, even if I was surprised. Dad seemed equally surprised Damon had put in his two cents since he was usually more the strong, silent type, but he gave a reluctant nod. “Fine,” he said with a growl of irritation. He looked up at the crowd gathered and raised his voice to call, “Everyone, go home. This is going to be private affair.”
The murmurs of confusion and indignation made it clear why he had been trying to avoid that outcome, but Dad tolerated dissent from no one. Not even the entirety of the pack. “I said, go home!”
That got them moving. I could feel the confused and angry looks I was getting even though I kept my eyes on the ground, still hoping my wolf might be persuaded to show up fashionably late.
I was never going to live this down. Although, if the others had stuck around much longer, I wasn’t sure I was going to survive the angry mob at all. They really were all about tradition and festivity, even the ones I had known to shun both ideas as adolescents.”Alright, let’s try it again in a few minutes, once everyone is settled,” the priestess said in her usual diplomatic tone. I could tell Dad was getting as annoyed with her as he was with me, almost, but he didn’t dare express it.? I just wanted this to be over with. I had been dreading this night for so long, I just wanted it to happen, no matter what the cost. As Dad went off to talk with the priestess, the others crowded around me. I could tell this was weird for them, too, considering they were already wired and ready for the hunt. This was a kind of reprieve none of us had expected or were close to knowing what to do with.”Cut the bullshit,” Jax said, giving me a withering glare. “I don’t know what it is you think you’re doing, but it’s not cute. It’s just dramatic and pathetic.””Jax!” Liam barked, sounding angrier than I’d heard him in forever.”What?” Jax challenged. “It’s the truth. She’s always been a drama queen. Coddling her is just going to make it worse.””Coddling?” I exclaimed, unable to hold my tongue any longer. “This is the most you’ve even spoken to me in years. Who the hell do you think you are to say something like that?”
The force of my words surprised no one more than me, but when I realized the others were staring at me in disbelief, even Jax, I instantly regretted it.
I swallowed hard, deciding it was time to backtrack. “I’m just saying, I was telling the truth. I’m not trying to hold back. I’ve tried everything to get this damn wolf to show herself, but she won’t. If you have any suggestions, I’m all ears.”
Jax’s frown grew. “There are no suggestions. You’re a wolf. This should be second nature.””Well, thanks,” I said dryly. “When you put it like that, I feel silly.”
He rolled his eyes.”There’s no point in arguing about this,” Liam cut in. “It clearly isn’t helping. If she can’t shift tonight, then pressuring her is only going to make it worse.”
Jax turned his ire on the other alpha. “Are you kidding? It’s not like we can just try again tomorrow.””There will be other full moons,” Liam said with a shrug.”He has a point,” said Damon. “Besides, it’s not like we can force her to shift.”
Somehow, their understanding left me feeling worse than Jax’s bitching. At least I knew how to deal with that.
I knew what they were probably thinking. That I was just doing this for attention, even if Damon and Liam were too kind to say it out loud. Or at least, they thought it would be counterproductive to do so.”Fine,” Jax said gruffly, stalking toward the forest.”Where are you going?” Liam called after him.”For a run,” he growled before shifting into his wolf form with an ease that left me envious. He cast a last, furious golden glance at me over his shoulder and disappeared into the trees.
I watched him leave, lost in my thoughts until I jolted when I felt Liam’s hand on my shoulder. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just cranky because he hates his Friday night routine being interrupted.”
I forced a smile since I knew he was only trying to make me feel better. Even that was making it worse.”Come on,” Liam said, nodding to Damon. “We’ll take you home.”
Liam stooped down on the grass further down the hill and picked up a jacket from the pile of clothes he and the others had discarded on their way. He draped it over my shoulders. His pleasant sandalwood scent enveloped me, and warmth spread through my insides as the heavy fabric cloaked me.”Thanks.”