Fated

Chapter X

Some days later, Adira sat on the kitchen table stuffing herself with pancakes, completing a crossword puzzle. Tonight, Adira would be well enough to go to her cottage and pack her things. A week later, Adrian would leave with her for Hawaii. They had acquired a rental house there and aimed to explore the place more for a permanent home. Adira had spoken to her boss who had agreed to let her work from her computer for slightly lesser pay. Once she settled in, she would try to find a job there. While she was looking forward to changing scenery, Adira would miss this place. Somehow, the pack had felt more like home to her than her own cottage was. It felt unsettling to imagine a life that wasn't here. Almost as if her body fully rejected the idea. 

She jolted out her thoughts as Adrian entered the kitchen holding a piece of paper crushed in his hand. Throwing it into the bin, he half-smiled at Adira. "Would it be okay, if we had a meeting of sorts in about half an hour? There are somethings Eden wants to tell us that might be important. Also, you should meet Amor at least once before we leave, right?" He said it lightly, but he was a really bad actor. The tightness of his shoulders never loosened up. Adira knew that leaving was tearing him apart. But every time, she suggested he stay, Adrian refused to speak about it. His misguided guilt for being unable to save her was causing him to make a really stupid decision, but she was helpless to stop it. Although, Adira admitted to herself, without him she wouldn't last a day away from here, so she didn't really push that hard.

Snapping back into reality Adira realized that Adrian had left taking her silence as an affirmative response. Curious about his terrible mood, she lifted the paper he had thrown in the bin. It was written by a 'Jonah', and contained signatures of many pack members. Turning it around, she read his message. 

Alpha,

In light of recent times, and coming into terms with our stupidity, we've realized that your gift would make the perfect Luna. We apologize for the rude way we left things. You have led us with much grace, and we hope to see it continue - 

Adira skimmed the rest of the paper which only seemed to flatter Adrian. Her heart stopped. Adrian was going to mate and give the pack a Luna? The Luna was merely a title in the pack to signify the Alpha's mate. If Aira chose to step away, Adrian could find another Luna to mate with. Even though she knew this would be the best for the pack, her heart broke. Clearly, she had misunderstood his offer. He had realized what he was leaving behind and would come back here in a month. Suddenly, she didn't feel well enough to stand. In a haze, she climbed the stairs to her room in wobbly legs. Despite knowing that his feelings were dictated by his bond, she had allowed herself to hope a little. Soul crushed, she sat on the bed for long moments, refusing to cry about another boy. How many times would she be in this position? Was she really this undeserving of love that the only men she had allowed in her heart had both rejected her?  But, why was he trying to lead her on? There was no need to be cruel. Why make these promises? How could he?! Who does he think he is?

Fully annoyed and completely angry, she got out of the bed to give him a piece of her mind but as she neared the staircase, she realized that there were other voices in the house. The meeting. Right. She would tell him how little she thought of him when everyone had gone home. Screw you, bitch.

After a quick shower and brushing her hair, she walked downstairs to see two new people seated with Adrian, Cassie, and Sebastian in the kitchen next to a whiteboard. Both Cassie and Seb shot her full grins and she waved at him. Ignoring Adrian who had stood up to greet her, she turned to the strangers. A man stood up, dressed in pants and a white t-shirt. His black hair was interspersed with grey, though he looked around her age. His green eyes smiled at her as held out his land. "Hi Luna, I am the fabulous beta, Eden. You may know me as the guy who always saves Adrian's ass." She grinned at him even as her title made her sad.