The Luna He Didn't Choose

His hands are clenched into fists at his sides, and his jaw tightens. "Eli, I didn't r

n the place of the man I used to know, the lad who assured me that we would always be

ce. "If you had just-" Unwilling to complete the notion, I interrupt. Perhaps we wouldn't be standing in th

his hair. He turns away from me and paces a short distance before turning back to me. "You believe I don't give a da

n my ears, I take a trembling breath. "So, Logan, why did you pu

His voice is low and threatening as he replies, "You want to know why?" "I couldn't stand to see you g

he tension between us growing, the weight of

I ask. "You don't believe that when Lina vanished, I wasn't devast

want to know the real reason I pulled away?" His chest rises and falls with the intensity of his rage as he m

eeze. "What are you talking about?" I mumble

nd through his hair once more. His eyes dart to the floor. "I was unable to

ister passed away. No one ever uncovered a sign of the sister who had been taken from us; she di

ing I thought I understood has suddenly fallen apart, and the ground is slipping out from ben

ses my own heart to weep with pity. However, it then solidifies, the Alpha-in-training's mask reappearing. He says, "She was

ting me out-was going to fix that?" I mumble, the pain and rage returning to me in a sudden, har

ntended to cause you any harm. I pondered whether I could simply bury it. For a brief time, his voice cracks, but he quic

om? From reality? From what I've always kn

en't also felt the burden of it? losing Lina. losing you. This marriage was arranged. My hands shake, and I move closer to him as my voice rises to match the outpouring of

ppears once more, and is replaced by that icy, aloof gaze I've grown to despise. He spits out, "I never asked for any of this," in a harsh, resentful voice. "Not the

I retaliate, my voice trembling with a rage I didn't realize I still harbored. "I wished

lness. My heart is racing, and the tears I've been suppressing for so long a

He responds, "You're right," in a voice so faint that it nearly disappears in the silence between us

y chest, but before I can take it all in, I hear

or slams open. When I see who it

st speak. Somethin

hing is going to alter onc