Chapter 8

1 week time skip

I can't believe it's been a week. Lani and I have spent time together every day this past week. And I kept my promise of not touching her inappropriately again, but it's been difficult.

The more time we spend together the more I believe she is the best Luna I'd be able to find for my pack. I know we're not mates, but I'm hoping if she doesn't find her mate soon, she'll agree to become my Luna.

Lani's POV

I woke up today excited, it's my 17th birthday. From today on I can find my mate. I'm hopeful it'll be Lucas, but something is telling me it's not. If we were mates, he would have told me by now.

This past week Lucas and I have gotten closer, he is now someone I trust and care for. But I know not to let him into my heart, I won't betray whoever my mate is by doing that.

I get up and go to my bathroom to get ready for the day. After my shower and getting dressed, I go to see Nohea. Over the past week I've checked on him every morning.

He is really struggling with what to do about his mate. I think he needs to talk to him first before trying to make a decision. After checking on him we go down to have breakfast together.

Once we're done eating Lucas comes over to our table.

"Happy birthday Lani."

I give him a smile "Thanks Lucas"

"Do you want to go for a run with me?"

I looked at Nohea, and he gives me a small nod letting me know he'll be ok.

"Sure."

I get up and follow Lucas out of the pack house and to the forest line. We both strip and change into our wolves.

He leads us to the clearing he showed me my first day here. After changing back, we both dress before meeting in the center.

"I have something I want to tell you Lani."

"What is it?"

"I like you."

I give him a smile. "I like you too Lucas, you're a really good friend."

I watch his eyes widen slightly, "Lani, I like you as more than a friend. Getting to know you more this past week, I've really started to care deeply for you."

I look away from him, I can see the truth in his eyes. He's starting to care for me in a way he's not meant to.

"Lucas, you can't care for me that way -"

"But I do! And I can't help it, I know we're not mates but I don't care about that. I want you, and I'll fight for you."

I look back at him, angry at his hidden meaning.

'He wants to harm our mate when they find us'

'I won't let him; I can promise that.'

"Lucas, I may care about you and see you as a friend. But when I find my mate, I will always choose to be with him."

As I'm looking in his eyes, I can see the hurt and quickly after the betrayal he feels. Except I didn't betray him in any way.

"Fine! If you only want to be with your mate, I'll let you!"

He quickly turned and started walking away.

"Lucas -"

"Don't! "

He yells without turning around. After that he shifted into his wolf, tearing all his clothes to shreds before taking off.

I let out a sigh, I really did see Lucas as a good friend. I hope this crush he has on me will go away when he finds his mate.

I undress and shift before making my way back. My family and I are going to spend the day together. My parents have been so busy with trying to get everything settled so we can move into the house. Nohea and I barely see them, so today is going to be a great day.

After getting back I immediately look for my family and find them all in the living room.

"Happy birthday honey!" My mom says while getting up to hug me.

"Thank you, mom."

"Are you ready to go sweetheart?" My dad asks.

"Yes, whenever you are."

"Let's go then." Nohea gets up and heads towards the door.

I sigh, knowing he is going to try to be happy today but it's still going to be hard for him.

The three of us get up and follow him out to the car. We spend the rest of the day doing things as a family. Went to see a movie, we went on a run with our wolves, and did some shopping. Now we are going to dinner.

"So, your father and I have decided to have you two start school early."

"How early mom?" I ask.

"Tomorrow." Our dad answers.

"What!" Nohea shouts. "You can't make me go yet."

"Nohea, you need to do this, you need to face your mate." Our mother says.

"Mom's right. Don't worry I'll be by your side the entire time. If it becomes too much, we'll just leave." I try to comfort him.

Nohea is silent for a while; we both know mom is right. The longer he puts off facing his mate the harder it will be.

"Fine."

With that decided we move on to lighter conversation the rest of dinner. When we're done, we go back to the pack house. We each go to our rooms so we can get ready for bed and prepare for tomorrow.

I lay in bed thinking of all the ways tomorrow could go. All I can do is pray to the moon goddess to make tomorrow a good day.

Nohea's POV

I wake up in the morning dreading the day ahead. I can't believe our parents are making us start school a week early. I'm not ready to face my mate, I know I need to hear him out, but I can't get the sight of him with that girl out of my head. All I can do is remember the heartbreak I felt seeing it and hearing my wolf whimper.

There's a knock on my door before Lani comes in. I've already gotten dressed; I just don't want to leave. Lani comes over and sits next to me.

"I know this is going to be hard, but remember I'll be with you the entire day. If you don't want him to come near you, I'll make sure he stays away."

I look at her, she's my little sister but is protecting me as if she's the older one. I know what she says is true, if I tell her to keep him away from me, she will.

"Thank you." She gives me a nod in response.

"Ready?"

"No, but I don't have a choice. So, let's go."

After a short car ride, we are at the school. I take a deep breath and try to prepare myself mentally for what may happen.

But nothing could have prepared me for what was about to happen.