The Alpha King's Battered Luna
Chapter 9

Everything in me was telling me to run after her. To chase her down, make her see my reasons, but I knew that wouldn't work with her.

Forcing Maya to do anything would only further push her far away for the opposite reason.

She had been telling me from the beginning that she needed space, so I planned on giving it to her.

First day, second day, and now the third day.

It felt like dying a slow death, but we both needed it-her to think and me to get my shits together.

I walked into the packhouse because I wanted to see her and not because I wanted to talk to my beta and zeta like I claimed that was my silly excuse to see her one more time for the night.

"You called us," Daniel started when we were all seated on the three-seater couch in the packhouse living room.

"Yeah, I did," I answered bemusedly.

"Why?" Edna flared. For reasons unknown to me, she's been acting weird lately. Always on the tip of her tolerance if you ask me.

I opened my mouth to speak, but my words disappeared in my throat when Maya suddenly appeared out of nowhere, looking fresh and clean.

Her thin flawless legs were left on display, and so also was her belly button. She was wearing a sporty nude color with green striped Nike shorts and a matching crop tank top.

The urge to run my tongue across her belly button was overwhelming. I became speechless as I watched her form.

I swallowed and swallowed until there was no more saliva in my mouth. I wanted to hold her in my arms, but I refrained from touching her.

Hell, my look was subtle because I didn't want to be caught or to come off as too strong. I struggled to keep my face neutral, but that didn't stop her from eyeing me curiously. Or maybe the rising dough in-between my legs was what made her hesitant. "When you're down gawking at her and ready to talk, you can call me. I'm off," said Edna irritably, stood up, and began to walk her quarters.

I cleared my throat, and that made her stop. "I was about to send for Maya because what I have to say concerns her, but since she's here, I'll go ahead" my words captured Maya's attention, and she turned to look at me.

"What did I do this time?" She snarled.

"I think the right question is what am I about to do this time," I said, emphasizing the last eight words of my sentence.

"I don't understand," Maya replied, looking at me as though she was searching for something in my eyes.

"Neither do I," Daniel chirped in, looking truly confused for the first time since I had known him.

There's always a first time for everything

"I'm allowing Maya to leave," I said, and everywhere turned serene. Not even the sound of our heartbeat was heard.

"You might have to say that again. I don't think I heard you clearly the first time," Daniel said and shifted on his seat as though something suddenly stung him in his butts.

en Narugi

"Since Maya came into the royal pack, her greatest wish hadn't wavered-her desire to leave had been so strong. And now, I'm granting her wish."

I turned to Maya and said, "you can let me know when you want to leave or not, but I want you to be safe, so I'd appreciate it if you let me know when you'd leave.

And if it doesn't seem like crowding your space, I spoke to some of our allied packs, and they agreed to let you come live with them.

I want you to be safe-they are allies, so you should be safe" I finished my spiel, and they all looked astonished, especially Maya.

Litany of other emotions danced across her face, but I couldn't quite decipher what it was.

"Asher!" Daniel's voice cut through in anger making everyone but myself and Edna flinch. "This wasn't what we agreed on," he further seethed.

"I know. But anything else, I want

Maya to be happy. I'll be a dick of an

Alpha and a mate if I make her

wither instead of making her glow and grow," I said, and a snicker from Edna greeted us all. Narugi

"Oops, sorry. It's just funny. Since when did you become a poet? WTF, Ash?" Another snicker erupted from Edna's mouth, but she did quick work to end it.

"Can you guys please leave us

alone?" Maya's little voice suddenly sounded heavy with authority and need? "Can we talk, please?" She asked quietly after Edna and Daniel left