Moonlight Betrayal-Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Astrid’s POV

"Will you be my Luna, officially?"

I stood in shock, my heart pounding in my chest. "Can you hear yourself?" I asked, my voice laced with disbelief. "Do you even hear what you’re asking me?"

Kaeleen stood up, his expression serious, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and vulnerability. "Yes, Astrid," he said, his voice firm. "I know what I’m asking you. And I understand the implications."

He took a step closer, his gaze searching mine. "I can’t sit back and let you go back to Leon," he said, his voice low and sincere. "Not after everything you’ve been through. I won’t allow it."

He paused, his eyes softening. "I’ve grown to care for you, Astrid," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "There’s a connection between us, something real. And...I know you feel it too."

"Kaeleen..." I began but he reached out, gently taking my hand in his.

His touch sent a jolt of electricity through my veins, a reminder of the undeniable attraction that simmered beneath the surface.

"During the week you were held hostage by Leon," he continued, his voice filled with emotion, "I was worried sick about you. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep. I had to keep myself occupied just to cope with the anxiety. And I never thought I’d say this but thank God we had an issue to keep me company if not I’m not so sure I wouldn’t have infiltrated the Moonshade pack to get you back. The thought of you being hurt, of you being subjected to his cruelty, it was unbearable."

"Everyday I thought of what you were doing, how you were coping. Even Shadow’s information wasn’t enough to give me the reassurance that you were safe."

I swallowed. It was like my heart was in my throat. That was how much his words seemed to affect me. It was comforting to know that he cared, that he was willing to go to such lengths to protect me. But the thought of becoming his Luna, of entering into a formal mating bond, still filled me with a sense of unease.

"But Kaeleen," I said, my voice trembling, "to become your true mate, we’ll have to do the mating ritual. You know what that entails."

Kaeleen nodded, his expression solemn. "I understand," he said. "And that’s why I’m here, Astrid. I wouldn’t ask you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. But I need you to know that I’m serious about this. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Couldn’t you just make me a member of your pack?" I asked, my voice laced with hope. "Wouldn’t that be enough to protect me?"

Kaeleen shook his head, his expression apologetic. "I wish it were that simple," he said. "But according to the laws, since you ran away from someone else’s pack, we can’t officially make you a member of our pack without certain conditions being met."

"What conditions?" I asked, my brow furrowing in confusion.

Kaeleen sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Well," he said, his voice hesitant, "the laws state that if a member leaves another pack without permission, they cannot be officially accepted into another pack unless they are either mated to the Alpha of that pack or they have a valid reason for leaving their previous pack."

"And you don’t think being abused and held hostage is a valid reason?" I asked, my voice laced with sarcasm.

Kaeleen winced, his expression filled with regret. "I know it’s not fair," he said. "And believe me, I wish I could change the laws. But they’re in place for a reason, Astrid. They’re meant to prevent pack members from running away on a whim, from disrupting the balance of power." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

"And yes, being abused and being held hostage is a valid reason but do we really have evidence? Did Leon hit you?" He asked me.

"There were cameras..." but even as I said those words I realized just how hopeless it was.

The cameras were all controlled by Leon. And I knew how sly Leon was. Every evidence was in his hands and he could twist it anyhow he wanted which was why Kaeleen didn’t even bring it up.

"The cameras were all in Leon’s control. He could distort information and even if we try to go by witnesses, you and I know no one in the Moonshade pack would speak up for you." He said.

The words hurt but it was the truth.

He paused, his eyes searching mine. "But if you’re mated to me," he continued, his voice pleading, "your position will be secured. Leon won’t be able to claim you back. You’ll be protected by my authority, by the strength of our bond."

I understood what he was saying, but the thought of being mated to someone else again didn’t sit well with me. I didn’t want to rush into anything and even though I wasn’t Leon’s official mate, I had done everything a luna was supposed to do. And after what I had gone through with Leon, the idea of surrendering my independence, of being bound to another person, filled me with a sense of dread.

"I know you’re scared," Kaeleen said, his voice soft and reassuring. "And I understand why. But I’m not Leon, Astrid. I would never hurt you. I would never let anything happen to you."

He stepped closer, gently cupping my face in his hands. His touch was warm, comforting, and it sent a shiver of longing through my body.

"We can do the ritual," he said, his voice barely a whisper, "but we can do it on your terms. We don’t have to force you to do anything you don’t want to do. I just want you to be safe, Astrid. And I believe that this is the best way to protect you."

I hesitated, my mind still reeling. "But what about... you know," I stammered, my cheeks flushing with heat, "a huge part of the ritual involves us... sleeping together."

Kaeleen’s expression softened, his eyes filled with understanding. "That’s not a must," he said, his voice gentle. "I know that you’re not ready for that. And I would never force you to do anything you don’t want to do."

I frowned. "Physical intimacy isn’t a must?"

"No." Kaeleen replied to me.

"But..."