Chapter 10: Water Drips

A Luna.

Of course, this would come up one day. Maverick will need an heir. But…I thought I had more time.

It feels strangely disconnecting to feel your heart break from something that was never a likely scenario in the first place. I mean, Maverick has never really expressed anything like what I feel for him, and I always distantly knew that ‘we’ would never be more than friends. And that was always enough for me. Just being close to him made everything…right.

But now that Maverick is about to become a ‘them…’

I sigh.

My hand finds its way to my mark, my fingers work their way under my collar. My skin has already healed, but the moment of Maverick’s teeth sinking into my body lingers.

I leave the cafe with the excuse that I need some air, but with the promise that Alpha Horace could count on me.

My heart may crumble, but be damned sure I will only pick the most perfect person for Maverick. He deserves no less.

I’m not really sure where I’m walking to, but the black sedan Angela and I rode in follows behind me at an even slower pace. I know Angela is probably in there cursing my firstborn for blowing off her schedule, but there was no way that I could give someone else my prompt attention when a list of potential Lunas is burning a hole in my pocket.

Actually, I’m not in a position to give anyone my attention.

I stop walking and turn toward the car.

The door opens and Angela rushes out with a cry of “Don’t you even think about it!”

I shift and turn the corner before she can tell the driver to follow me.

Never in a million years could I outrun a car, but I know these streets like the back of my hand and all I need to do is get away from the town square.

Once I break the treeline, I slow down.

My wolf embraces the wind through his fur. I haven’t been able to pay him the attention he deserves, but his warmth engulfs me in understanding.

‘I’m glad we have each other.’

We run to the forest’s edge, where the freshwater spring moves and runs through our pack lands. It’s a place that holds many memories.

What I find there will end up being something I never forget.

I shift back and tread slowly to the water’s edge.

Swimming in the water, seemingly without a care in the world, is Maverick.

Or, slacking off is more like it. No wonder Alpha Horace hasn’t been able to find him.

“Don’t you have a pack to run?” I call out. Maverick turns quickly. His hair whips around with the motion and sticks to his forehead, and the grin he pairs with it is endearing.

“I’m taking a break,” he calls back.

I shake my head, “you can’t take a break when you haven’t broken a sweat.”

“Who says I’m not sweating? It’s hot today,” he spreads his arms out, gesturing to the water, “the water’s washed it away.”

“Get your ass out of there and get back to work.”

Something passes on Maverick’s face that I can’t quite place, but then he looks at me with an inquisitive eye. He swims toward the shore.

“Where is your respect for your king?”

“I have endless respect for my king, but for my best friend, I’m fresh out.”

I turn and reach for the towel I see lying across a rock. The water breaks and splashes behind me.

When I turn around, I’m face to face with a very wet, very naked Maverick.

As if I didn’t have enough of a heart attack from one Richards today, I am now faced with another life-threatening situation.

Everything Maverick has to offer is on display, and I’m not sure I can feign casual indifference when I know my eyes are looking at everything but the man in front of me.

They are drawn back like the traitorous, yet strangely on my side, balls of jelly they are.

Maverick takes the towel I forgot I was holding, a smirk planted firmly on his face. I’m not sure what about this situation is funny to him but at least one of us was having a good time.

The towel ends up wrapped around his neck, and if I were in his shoes—erm, or lack thereof, it’s not the first place I’d consider covering. But what do I know? It’s not like I have a body like that to show off, which is a good point since it’s only the two of us out here.

When Maverick’s hands find their way to the lapels of my blazer, I’m sure all the blood drains from my brain.

“You haven’t dressed like this since prom,” he says, pulling the lapels slightly to straighten them out.

“No reason to,” I breathe between the two of us. I thank the Moon Goddess that there was something left in my head to direct my mouth.

Water drips from Maverick’s bangs, now hanging back in his eyes. It glistens with the glare of the sun, catching my eye. I’m absorbed in the way it swells and fattens, growing heavy and ready to fall.

It lets go, and I follow it all the way down.

Holy shit.

I blink up quickly. My cheeks are on fire, spreading heat throughout my entire body.

The sun hides behind the clouds, dropping us in a shadow and taking the illumination I swear I saw in Maverick’s eyes.

He blinks away, shaking his head and moving around me.

“You look like Kline.”

And like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head, I’m shocked back into reality.

I don’t know if I should be insulted or angry at his comment. On the one hand, Kline’s a sleazeball. On the other, I can’t deny he dresses well even if it’s not my taste.

But never has Maverick ever compared us.

I’ve decided.

I’m angry.

“Does that not please you, your Majesty?” I snap, turning toward him. My anger is a cushion between his nakedness and my desire.

“Don’t be like that.”

“Like what? A replacement? I’m dressed to the nines, ready to serve. Isn’t this what you wanted when you named me Beta?”

My voice is rising with each word. I don’t remember ever yelling at Maverick in all the time we’ve been friends. But I can’t help but feel as if I’ve fallen short of his expectations. His silence as he dresses is all the answer I need.

“I see. Am I a joke to you?”

“No, never.”

The conviction in his eyes isn’t enough to give me the relief I want from him. I scoff and look away. I can’t even look at him right now.

It’s time I left.