Curse of the Moon Goddess
Ian's Mate and Promises

Everything about this situation was so wrong. My alpha had finally found his mate and so had I. But I couldn’t accept her. Why? Because she was Jace’s mate. My future Luna. I felt sick and angry inside. How could the Moon Goddess do this to me? How could she send me someone who belonged to my alpha? It was wrong in so many ways and I hated it. But what I hated more was Jace’s neglect towards her. Ever since he entrusted her with me yesterday, he hasn’t been near her. He ran up the stairs shortly after coming back, then snuck outside, and only came in when this other girl had tried to escape. Something was not right. I could feel my mate tense up anytime Jace got near the other girl. I even heard her growl a few times, but there was nothing I could do for her.

I knew she was my mate the moment I laid eyes on her. However, when she looked at me it didn’t seem she felt it too. It hurt. A lot. I’d been waiting for my mate. Everyone thinks it was since my brother mated, but it was long before that. I’d wanted a mate since I knew what one was. I couldn’t wait to give my whole soul to someone as my parents did for one another. I couldn’t wait to have someone love me back as much I loved them. Now, I’m sitting here watching my mate watch my alpha watch some random girl. It was infuriating!

I didn’t want to say anything. I was afraid if I did, it would become obvious to everyone that the girl on the couch, Venessa she said her name was, was my mate too. I didn’t want a fight with Jace. We had been friends since we were pups. Yet, if he treated her wrong in any way, I would fight him for her.

I couldn’t hold my tongue anymore though when Jace announced she was a werewolf. Alpha or not, he shouldn’t have been able to tell. I mean, Lukas is an alpha and her mate, yet he looked just as shocked to hear the news as the rest of us were.

That’s why I finally asked, “Lukas, did you know she was a werewolf?”

When he confirmed that he did not know this, I couldn’t resist whispering, “How’s that even possible?”

The room grew uncomfortably quiet with my question hanging in the air. I looked at Alpha Jace. He was the only person in the room who seemed to know something. It was almost as if the old book of his had held some sort of information to this whole situation. When we were younger, I’d tried reading it once. However, it was in a language I could not understand. I even tried replaceing the language on the internet, but to no avail. I finally decided it must be some sort of family language and no one was to know. It drove me crazy, but I finally stopped pestering him about it.

Just as the silence was becoming unbearable, the door suddenly blew open and one of the pack members comes flying in.

Nearly out of breath, he coughs out, “The rogues. They’re here. They want her. Rematch.”

I didn’t understand a word the guy just said, but apparently Lukas, the other girl, and Jace knew as their faces paled. This wasn’t good.

Jace’s POV

I silently cursed at myself again, which I seemed to be doing often in the last 24 hours. A rematch? They’ve got to be kidding me! They can’t expect us to allow a she wolf who hasn’t shifted yet fight these guys. Especially not if it is Aleina. I won’t allow it.

Before I could get a word out, I heard a sweet voice speak knives, “Good. It was getting awkward here.”

I openly gaped at the girl as she stretched out her muscles and walked towards the door. It was immediately blocked by Lukas.

“Forget it. I command you not to go,” Lukas stated using his alpha tone.

It should have worked, but instead she completely ignored him and turned to the other girl, “Hey you. Sorry I haven’t caught your name yet. What is it?”

Stunned, the girl on the couch apprehensively said, “Venessa.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Sage. Now, what were those mutts doing to you or about to do to you?” the girl, Sage, spoke with such authority no one would dare not answer her.

Venessa’s eyes turned to the ground, away from mine, and blushed.

Sage’s face softened as she understood, “Never mind. I get the idea.”

Sage then turned with piercing eyes towards Lukas, “Command? Forget it. Those mutts are going to pay for what they did. No one deserves to be treated like that.”

My ears shot up as I noticed the quiver in her voice as she said the last sentence. It no longer seemed to be about Venessa but on a much more personal level. My heart ached at the sound while at the same time anger filled my vision. Someone had hurt her or someone close to her. I didn’t know the details, yet that was one thing no one dared do in my territory. I didn’t tolerate abuse in any way shape or form. I don’t care if they are your relative or a complete stranger. I’d seen too many victims in my lifetimes.

Before Lukas could say anything, I spoke first, “Then you better make them pay.”

Sage’s eyes snapped to mine. She seemed to understand my message. She couldn’t lose this time. This time, it was a fight to the death and there was no way she could lose. As much as I was afraid to lose Aleina in this life, I also understand Sage on a level she may never know, nor did I want her to know. All she needed to know was there is someone wanting her to win.

I felt Lukas’ heated glare on me. He didn’t want to see his mate hurt and I’d just given that very permission. There was nothing he could do about it though. He was in my territory and as long as we don’t know which pack she’s from, she is my responsibility.

Sage walked confidently out the door followed by a very bewildered pack member. The poor guy had no idea what was going on. Only that not only did some human smelling girl just defy an alpha, but she had also agreed to take on a group of rogues.

I followed out as well. The others came quickly while Lukas hesitantly came last. I’m sure he didn’t want to watch, but he also wanted to make sure she didn’t die on him.

Halfway to the meeting place, Sage paused. I caught up to her in seconds and asked, “What’s up?”

She thought for a moment before turning her beautiful eyes to meet mine, “Will you teach me to shift?”

I was a bit taken aback. No one had ever, in all of my lifetimes, asked me to teach them how to shift. I wasn’t entirely sure if I could do it.

She must’ve taken my hesitation as not wanting to do it because she quickly added, “Never mind. That was a stupid question.”

She turned her face from mine and tried running away from me. Before she could go too far, I gently grabbed her arm to halt her progress. I could feel Lukas’ disapproval as well as Venessa, but I really could care less. She trusted me and I wasn’t going to break that trust.

“I will help you,” I explained as she looked at me questioningly. Her eyes immediately lit up.

“Seriously?”

I nodded. Then she did something I didn’t know she was capable of. She squealed. A high-pitched girl scream that I thought I’d only hear from girls who saw me look their way. It was actually kind of cute the way her eyebrows launched up in an arc, her eyes glowing, and a smile that would go from ear to ear if it was possible.

“Ok. Show me now,” she said, obviously excited to learn. I’m sure my face turned a bright shade of pink as I remembered the first step of shifting.

“Huh, what’s wrong?” she asked giggling at my pink face.

“Well, uh, how do I say this?” I sputtered out.

“What? What is it?” she said, getting a little too close to my face for comfort.

“Well, you can’t… be wearing that,” I said, not daring to look at her face.

I could feel her staring at me, trying to comprehend what I meant. Then, as realization dawned on her, I could see her turning red in the corner of my eyes.

“Oh. I… see,” she said hesitantly.

I tried to think quickly. This was way too embarrassing!

Then, an idea popped into my head.

“Here. Follow me,” I said, gently grabbing the top of her arm again and pulling her towards the woods near us.

Once we were a good distance away, I stopped.

“Ok, I’m going to go over there and turn around. Go ahead and, uh, well, you know. Then just shout when you are ready. I’ll yell instructions to you. Once you are in wolf form, I’ll shift too since it will be easier to tell you telepathically how to turn back. Does that work for you?” I asked a little warily. I could sense she had a bad past, so I was afraid my request would be too much for her.

Finally, she answered, “Can you promise me something?”

I nodded.

“Promise not to look. Please.”

I could hear the pleading in her voice. It was a test. If I looked, she would never trust me again. However, she didn’t trust I wouldn’t look, and that’s why she asked.

I smiled reassuringly at her, “I promise on the one I love that I won’t look.”

I held my pinkie finger to her. She gave a small smile as our pinkie fingers intertwined. There was no way I would break this promise. Never.