Kaden's Luna

“Luna.” I hear someone call me gently, rousing me from my sleep.

I groan and pull the blanket over my head, trying to block out the noise. The bed jostles and I am suddenly being pulled into a warm embrace. I moan softly and turn, cuddling further against the warmth. Tingles are dancing on my skin because of the fingertips trailing down my shoulder and arm.

It’s quiet for a few more seconds and I start to relax, drifting off to sleep again. But then I hear that familiar masculine voice again.

“Baby…” He groans huskily when I swing my leg across his waist. “You need to catch your flight, come on.”

I feel the butterflies in my tummy flutter like crazy at the endearment Kaden calls me, loving how his voice becomes husky and deep in the mornings because of sleep.

I huff in frustration, rubbing my eye. “It better be eight a.m.”

“It is.” I feel his chest vibrate as he chuckles, sitting up in bed. “Get up and shower, you have to eat before we leave.”

“Ugh.” I grumble, sitting up and turning to look at him.

He starts laughing loudly, pointing to my bed hair which makes me scowl playfully and attempt to shove him. He cries out whenever I push him, clearly mocking me because of how strong he is.

“Luna, stop hurting me!” He whines playfully, swatting my hand away.

“You haven’t moved an inch, stupid abilities.” I groan, crawling out of bed.

I pick up my clothes from the chair before walking out of the room and into the bathroom. As the water heats up, I strip out of my pyjamas before hopping into the shower. Since I don’t have any shampoo, I use his citrus smelling one and quickly lather my body with the shower gel before hopping out and drying myself.

I realise with a start how much I smell like him and am secretly glad because it means that even when I board the plane, I’ll have something that reminds me of him during the journey. I dry my hair before leaving the bathroom and making my way downstairs. Kaden and I decided to just leave my luggage by the door so it would be easier to move it out in the morning. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I join him in the kitchen and we quickly prepare scrambled eggs, bacon and toast before I grab the orange juice and fill up two glasses. Since the morning is nice and sunny, we eat outside on the patio with no fear of me getting sick because the air is surprisingly warm. Even though it is mid-winter, the weather today feels like the kind you get in summer.

It is nine in the morning when we finish and start loading the trunk with my luggage. After we have done that, Kaden and I make sure the patio doors are locked before we head down to the car. We get in and I strap my seatbelt on, wishing I didn’t have to leave this peaceful place just yet.

“I wish students didn’t get winter break.” Kaden grumbles with a hint of annoyance, reversing the car before driving down the narrow path.

“Kaden!” I exclaim with a loud laugh, staring at him with wide eyes.

He shrugs half-heartedly before turning right at the first junction that comes up in our way back to the city. A smirk pulls at his lips when he glances at me to see an amused smile on my face.

“I’ll be back before you know it.” I say, letting him intertwine our hands when there’s not that much traffic ahead.

“That’s nearly a month!”

“You’ll survive, there’s texting and face timing.” I grin cheekily when he frowns.

“Still…it won’t be the same. I won’t get to hold you.”

I mentally coo at how cute he is being, rubbing my thumb across his skin. “Well, we will both be going through the same thing. I won’t be able to see you for three weeks either.”

He nods, mumbling about how I’m right. We drive on and eventually reach the city in less than an hour because of scarce traffic. Now it will just take around twenty minutes to reach the airport. We chat to each other about anything and everything until the familiar building comes into view.

My chest tightens in sadness over leaving Kaden and it is only now that I get what he means. He somehow senses this and looks over at me with a reassuring smile, leaning over to peck my lips when the traffic comes to a brief halt. I remind myself that it will only be for a short time and that the holidays will fly by like they always do.

Kaden parks his Mustang in the parking lot and we hop out, taking my luggage out of the trunk before making our way to the airport. The traffic had increased on the way to the airport and I was starting to panic about taking time to check in and board. But luckily, as Kaden and I walk in and the staff check me in, I find that there is an hour left before I board.

My flight number shows up on the black digital board hanging above and I see other passengers waiting in the seats, some kids watching the planes being prepared for their journeys. Kaden and I sit down on the grey chairs, placing my luggage beside me while my backpack takes up another seat until somebody wants to sit there.

He is quiet as we sit there and I can tell he doesn’t want me to leave. Yesterday, at the park, he went into more detail about mates and told me that no supernatural creature likes their mates being away from them. They have extremely possessive and territorial natures and feel a need to keep their mates within their sights.

I felt slightly bad that he must go through the stages of wondering if I was okay all the way in Amsterdam. I had booked my ticket the day I found out when we were getting off for break and I couldn’t just ignore my family like that when they only get to see me during these few breaks in the academic year.

“Luna,” He starts, restlessness in his tone. “Can I hold you, please?”

I look at him, seeing that his eyes are dark. I remember that his wolf is present whenever his eyes change colour. Nodding, I stand from my seat and let him pull me onto his lap. His embrace is tight and as he hides his face in the crook of my neck, I hear him inhale quietly. I’m guessing he’s taking in my scent to calm himself and his wolf down.

I tangle my fingers into his midnight strands and caress his hair, whispering soothing words into his ear. He’s worrying too much about my safety but I guess that’s a given if you’re the mate of a werewolf. I try to calm him down, telling him how I’ll check in every day but it doesn’t seem to ease his worry that much.

“I don’t want to lose you.” He murmurs, playing with the ends of my brown hair.

“You won’t, I’ll come back to you. I promise.” I soothe, smiling down at him reassuringly.

He nods slowly before a comfortable silence falls between us. I watch people walking around, some trying to find their terminals whilst others are walking back from saying goodbye to their loved ones. Next, I avert my gaze to the large window and focus on the plane, seeing workers make their way in and out whilst airport vehicles are driving to and from the aircraft.

But all too soon, the announcement comes on the intercom that it is time for the passengers of my flight to board. I sigh and stand up, Kaden following before I pull him into a hug, wrapping my arms around his waist. He immediately embraces me, tightening his hold as if he doesn’t want to let me go.

I pull away slightly, not wanting to be out of his embrace just yet. We stare into each other’s eyes before I push myself up on my tiptoes and press my lips against his. It is a sweet, simple kiss that doesn’t go any further than our lips meeting but I enjoy it and put everything I have into it.

He cups my face and deepens the kiss, making me overwhelmed. We pull away after a few seconds, catching our breaths and he rests his forehead against mine. His eyes are closed when I open mine and I peck his lips one last time, causing him to look at me.

He smiles and I step away to put on my backpack and slip my phone and earphones into the pocket of my jeans. The queue is less now as most people are already making their way into the plane.

“I’ll miss you.” I mumble sadly, resting my head against his chest.

“I’m going to miss you so much, Luna.” He replies with a heavy sigh, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Stay safe, you’ll be back in no time and then I have you all to myself.”

I pull back to see him grinning cheekily which makes me laugh and nod. Saying goodbye, I walk over to the queue and show my boarding pass, watching them tear a part of it before handing it back to me. I pass through the entryway and look back at Kaden, watching as he walks closer until he’s right up by the barrier.

He pulls me close and presses a kiss to my forehead, telling me to text him as soon as I land before saying goodbye. I wave with a smile and walk towards the gate that leads me towards the plane. Glancing back at him, I see him standing there and watch him smile before I disappear. My heart is heavy as I walk towards the plane, greeting the air hostess and the pilot that are standing there.

Making my way through the plane, I eventually find my seat and smile when it’s a window seat. Placing my bag in the overhead luggage compartment, I take my seat and look out at the runway.

I sigh and get settled into my seat, watching the seats around me fill up with different passengers. I look out the window again and wonder if Kaden has left the airport or maybe he is by the window, waiting for the plane to fly off before he makes his way back home. Smiling softly, I decide that it is the latter based on how protective he was getting before I boarded.

The doors shut after some time and we are told to put our seatbelts on, I obey as does the passenger beside me. We hear the plane start and I look out the window, seeing it move down the runway. It stops after a while and I breathe in, knowing that it was going to take off next.

And it does.

The plane gains speed as it runs down the long strip and before I know it, we are in the air, Berlin underneath us.

“Dad!” I shout, waving frantically when I spot him carrying a sign with my name on it outside the airport.

I see that he is wearing a striped shirt tucked into his jeans with those favourite brown boots of his. His features have aged since the last time I saw him but he still doesn’t look a day over forty. His brown eyes catch mine and they light up instantly. I rush over to him, dragging my suitcase behind me before letting go of it and hugging him.

“Princess!” He greets happily, excitement in his voice.

“I’m so happy to see you, I missed you so much!” I say, pulling back and grabbing my luggage.

“Oh I missed you too Luna, I’m happy that you are back for three weeks!” He smiles, laugh lines appearing on his face.

“I know, I can’t wait to meet mom.” I reply, fiddling with the straps of my bag.

“Your mother has gone crazy as usual, cleaned up the whole house and is cooking a storm in the kitchen.” He shakes his head with amusement, making me laugh at her antics.

“Has Nick not arrived yet?” I ask, looking around for my brother.

Just as I said that, we hear someone yell our names excitedly. I turn back and groan, hearing my father do the same when we see yet another tattoo on his arm. My father and I have nothing against tattoos, don’t get me wrong. But he’s going to have to hide that from our mother who has told us countless of times to not get inked.

“I bet you five euros it’ll take two days for your mother to notice.” Dad mutters, waving at Nick.

“Ten says she’s going to see it today.” I counter, seeing his brows arch in surprise at my confident tone.

Before he can reply, Nick is embracing dad tightly. They pat each other on the backs with dad asking him how his flight was and such. But then Nick turns and barrels into me, lifting me up from the ground which makes me cry out in surprise. I swat his arm while he laughs, twirling us around before he puts me back onto my own two feet.

“Lulu! How’s my baby sister doing?” He grins cheekily, ruffling my hair.

“I’m good, how was your flight?” I ask before shoving him away when he drapes his arm across my shoulder. “Nick, you stink!”

“Well, what do you expect when you’re stuck between two overweight men on an eight-hour flight?! I mean, no offence to them, they were hilarious and all but I don’t think they’ve ever heard of deodorant.” He grumbles, following behind Dad as we make our way to the parking lot.

“Well, you need a shower when you get home…asap.” I mutter, thanking dad as he puts my luggage in the boot of our car.

I have just rounded the side of the car and opened the door when I’m pulled back by my elbow. I shriek and punch Nick repeatedly, trying to get away from his armpit that he’s currently pushing my head towards.

“You’re so annoying!” I scream, kicking his knee.

“Kids! Stop it right now, you haven’t been in Amsterdam for ten minutes and this is what I have to deal with!” Dad shouts, pulling us apart before slapping Nick upside the head.

I slap the back of his head too before jumping into the back seat and closing the door, locking it before he tries to open it. He glares at me playfully before getting into the front seat. Dad starts the car and reverses it before driving out of the parking lot and onto the familiar roads of Amsterdam.

Taking out my phone, I decide to send Kaden a text to ease his worry.

Luna:Hey! I’ve landed and am currently on my way back home.

His reply is instant and I can tell he’s been waiting for my text.

Kaden:Okay, good. I miss you, call me before you go to bed.

Luna:I will! I’ll talk to you then.

Before I can see if he replied or not, my brother turns around in his seat and asks me if I like his tattoo. It is a very long arrow that stops right before his elbow, with a geometric design. I smile and tell him that I like it but then ask him what’s his plan to hide it from our mother.

“Oh don’t worry about that Lulu, I’m just going to wear a long sleeve shirt.” He waves me off while Dad scoffs.

“For three weeks? Not a chance.” He shakes his head, a smirk on his face.

“Yeah, you like to wear sleeveless muscle tees and t-shirts all year no matter the weather. Plus, you don’t wear a shirt to bed, she’s going to find out by tonight bro.” I pipe in, scowling at him when he imitates me but in a deeper voice.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, let’s just enjoy my seventeenth tattoo.” He states calmly, leaning back in his seat.

“What?!” Dad and I yell at the same time, catching each other’s eyes through the rear-view mirror.

“I’m kidding! I only have five.” He holds both hands up in a surrender motion, chuckling when Dad and I sigh in relief.

The first one that Nick got was of a floral crescent moon on his right wrist, with dotted chains that tiny stars and teardrops hang from. It’s my favourite one because it symbolised what I went through in high school and how he was there for me, helping me to get through it.

I had been with him in the tattoo parlour that night, begging him not to do it because I didn’t think it was worth it. But he still went ahead and got it done. It reminded me of how I was worth something to someone, that my brother would always have my back no matter where he was in the world.

He had some other tiny ones here and there, one on his butt cheek that he got as a dare when he was completely smashed one night. All hell will break loose if mum ever hears about that one. He had never got anything big done and I don’t think he ever wanted to.

I was brought out my thoughts when the car came to a sudden stop. Looking up, I see the familiar sight of my parent’s house, reminding me that I am home. We live just thirty minutes away from the airport which I find to be a bonus point since I don’t have to spend hours in a car.

My Dad is an architect so he designed our house when we were planning to move, it took him a year to get it just like him and my mother dreamed of before we could properly start living in it. It’s one of those modern houses with a lot of technology but very spacious and cosy inside. I prefer simplicity and if a house provides me with safety and comfort, I’m good.

Just as we are dragging our suitcases up the path, my Mum comes out to the front door with a wide smile. She looks beautiful as always, dressed casually in jeans and a sweater with an apron on her, smeared with flour. Her blonde hair is up in a messy pony tail while her blue-green eyes watch us with delight.

I inherited Dad’s brown hair and brown eyes whilst my Mum and Nick share blonde hair and blue eyes, although my mother has green specks while Nick has Dad’s brown specks in his. I’m very slim like my mother and Nick and Dad are quite muscular.

I make my way to her and she pulls me into a tight hug, kissing my cheek and telling me how much she’s missed me. Her scent envelopes me in a warm hug and I tell her how I have missed her too, glad to be back for Christmas. She pulls away and stares at me, brushing my ruffled brown locks away from my face before pressing a kiss to my forehead.

Next, she moves onto Nick, who has put a long sleeve shirt on. He shoots Dad and I a smirk as he hugs her, making me roll my eyes. I knew she was going to find out about his recent addition soon. As we move inside, she asks the usual questions like every mother; if we have been eating correctly and taking care of ourselves before worrying over how long the flight was for Nick and if he felt tired.

We manage to reassure her that we are completely fine before moving to the kitchen. I perk up at the sight of her chicken pot pie on the table with salad, lemonade and a chocolate cake. My mother can literally make anything whereas I struggle to perfect my cooking just so I can be like her.

We sit around the dinner table and dig into the food, catching up with each other. Nick always has some wild stories to tell us from his time in New York but even I know that those aren’t his craziest ones. Mum tells me she’s joined a gardening club while Dad talks about one his latest projects.

After we’ve had food, I help Mum with the dishes before going upstairs to unpack. As I open the door, I’m hit with a nostalgic feeling when I see the lavender walls I begged my parents to have in my room. My bedroom is exactly how I left it with its double bed, a study table, a large window that looks out into the garden and a closet beside the bathroom door. It’s nothing special but it’s mine.

I smile as I place my suitcase on my bed, seeing band posters and pictures taped to the walls of my time in Amsterdam. I had a passion for photography back then and Nick had bought me my very own camera for my birthday as a surprise.

I start unpacking, each item having its own place in my room. It doesn’t take that long since I didn’t bring much. I’m walking out of my room twenty minutes later and making my way downstairs. After Nick joins us in the sitting room, we decide to relax and watch a movie, finally getting a slice of chocolate cake. I praise mum on her baking skills and tell her to teach me the recipe before I go.

About halfway through the movie, our empty plates are on the coffee table and I’m covered with a blanket. I feel quite sleepy because of waking up early and flying to Amsterdam, but I know I must talk to Kaden before I doze off. I look around to see my brother completely passed out on the couch next to me, one of his legs hanging down and his arm covering his eyes.

My parents are also sleeping so I decide to turn the television off. I get up and grab my phone before making my way upstairs and into my bedroom, shutting the door behind me. It’s around half six in the evening and I hope I won’t be disturbing him.

The bell rang for a few seconds before he picked up and my heart starts racing in excitement.

“Hello?” He mutters huskily, causing me to assume that he had been sleeping.

“Hey.” I greet, taking a seat on my bed and crossing my legs.

“Luna, hey. I was beginning to think you wouldn’t call.” He admits, making me shake my head before I realise that he can’t see me.

“I promised I would. I was getting sleepy so I thought I would ring you in case I doze off.” I explain, picking at the ends of my hair.

“Okay, how was your flight?”

“It was good. I feel disoriented though no matter if it’s a long or short journey.” I lie back on my bed till my head is touching the pillows, my hair fanned around me.

He chuckles and I can almost picture his smile from memory. “You’re a weird one, Luna.”

“Hey!” I laugh in reply, turning on my side. “What did you do today?”

“Nothing much. Axel needed some help with training the warriors so I agreed since I used to do it back when I was training to be an Alpha. I stuck around there for a bit before meeting Rico and Matt in town for dinner.”

“Nobody hurt you, right?” I ask worriedly, thinking back to the wound he received that one night.

“I’m fine Luna, Axel made sure to warn everybody.” He chuckles and I hear him opening a door before closing it. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to get hurt when my own nurse isn’t around.”

I’m thankful that he can’t see my blush, playing it off by laughing lightly.

“What did you do today? How is your family?” He asks, making me smile.

“We just had a chilled day. Dad came to pick my brother and I up from the airport, mum made her amazing food and we just watched a movie together before everyone fell asleep.” I reply, making a mental note to have some more cake later.

“Do you only have one brother?”

I am just about to reply when I hear someone running up the stairs before my door bursts open and Nick stands in the doorway, wearing muscle tee and sweatpants. He screams “belly flop” at the top of his lungs before running towards my bed, making me shriek. I roll over to get out of the way only to end up on the floor, hearing him jump onto my bed.

“You idiot! Why can’t you be sensible?!” I whine, rubbing my elbow that I knocked on the carpet.

“Because we only need one smart, goody two shoes in this household. Someone needs to balance it out.” He smirks, shoving me so that I lose my balance and land on the floor again.

“Mom! Nick is annoying me!” I yell, hearing my parents make their way upstairs.

“Nicholas Gage Winters! How many times do I – is that a tattoo?!”

I immediately sit up with a wicked grin on my lips, seeing Nick’s face drain of colour as he refuses to look back to where my parents stand in the doorway. Dad pulls out ten euros, handing it to me with a sad expression and I take it with a joyful smile.

My mum marches towards my bed and grabs his ear making him cry out as she drags him out of the bedroom, saying how they were going to have a talk about this. My Dad rolls his eyes on how he must join them now and pretend to be strict about the Nick’s decision, walking out of my room and telling me to get some rest.

“Goodnight, Dad.” I smile, waving at him.

“Night, princess.”

I sit back on my bed, almost forgetting about Kaden but then I see my phone and hold it to my ear. “Hey, sorry about that. My brother was being annoying like usual.”

He is laughing loudly and I groan mentally, knowing he heard every bit of that. “Your brother seems like a funny guy.”

“Sometimes…most of the time he doesn’t seem like a twenty-four-year-old.” I grumble, drawing aimless patterns on my bedsheet.

We chat for a while, Kaden asking me about how my parents and brother were like as people and what we were going to be doing tomorrow. I ask him about his parents but he mostly talks about his mother, describing her. It makes me wish I could have known her because she sounded like an amazing person.

It is around eight when my fourth yawn escapes my lips which makes Kaden laugh softly. I have laid down on my bed and closed my eyes, hearing his voice as he talks to me, not wanting to end the conversation.

“I should let you get some rest.” He says, making me hum in agreement.

“Okay, I’ll call you tomorrow. I miss you.” I reply, getting up to pick a pair of pyjamas for tonight.

“I miss you more, Luna. Sweet dreams.” He wishes, before we end the call.

I sigh, a little sad that our conversation ended but, we had been on the phone for almost two hours. Changing into my printed pyjamas, I turn off the lights and blindly make my way to the bed. Slipping underneath my covers, I am just about to close my eyes when my mother opens the door and whispers goodnight.

It reminds me of how she did this every night before I left for college and now it’s only when I come back during the breaks or for summer. I smile and mumble out goodnight to her before watching her close the door. Sighing softly, I close my eyes and fall asleep.