Kaden's Luna

I sigh in relief when the lecture ends, I never like attending classes in the evening. Packing my things, I make my way out of the hall with a friend of mine. I chat to her for a while before we part ways by the library. Heading in, I manage to find a seat in the middle, placing my laptop and books on the table.

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The library is nowhere near as packed like it was before our winter exams. It was quiet and scarce, only a few students occupying some desks and others walking past the numerous bookshelves. I glance at the evening sky, sighing as I got to work. I needed to write a few notes down because I was not going to bother with a one day loan.

At seven in the evening, I make my way down the steps of the university building, my head snapping up when I hear someone yell my name across the parking lot. I focus on Rico leaning halfway out of the window of his car and waving both hands in the air like a lunatic. My jaw drops as I wonder how long he has been waiting.

I hurry across the grounds before slowing down into a walk as I reach his car. He has now sat back in his seat, waiting for me to get closer. “Hey Rico.”

“Hello there Luna Reid, ready to go?” Rico teases me with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I blush a bright red because of the title he used, remembering how Kaden told me about it. “Go where?”

“Kaden’s place, silly!” He chuckles before rolling his eyes playfully. “He’s been wallowing in misery over not seeing you for three days and I can’t take it any longer.”

I giggle and round the car, taking a seat in the passenger seat, putting my belt on as I drop my bag by my feet. He smiles cheekily, pulling out of the space and driving towards the gates. I look out the window as we drive through the city.

“How was your Christmas?” I ask, making conversation to pass the time.

“It was good.” He nods, a chuckle escaping him as he shakes his head. “Pretty chilled after we failed to make those gingerbread houses.”

I burst out laughing. “How many years in a row is that?”

“Six.” He smirks as he turns left before slowing the car down at a red light. “Kaden and I always visit Axel’s pack for Christmas no matter where we are.”

“Did you go to NYU also?”

“Yes, I design the campaigns and ads for Kaden’s company.” He smiles, accelerating when the light turns green.

“That’s so cool!” I grin at him before directing my attention towards the window.

Suddenly, he slams on the breaks making me cry out in surprise. I’m thrown forward, Rico’s arm saving me from a whiplash. He makes a U turn before speeding down the road, the angry honking of cars behind us. I try to get answers out of him but he remains silent, eyes narrowed as he takes a turn onto a street before parking.

“Rico,” I start, my voice dangerously quiet. “What are we doing outside a club?”

“Spying.” He replies before hopping out of the car. “Stay in the car.”

“Hell no.” I meet him by the front, eyes narrowed on his figure.

He sighs loudly before nodding, muttering something under his breath. Draping his arm across my shoulders, he leads me up to the bouncer who takes one look at him before nodding. I wince as the queue of people moan about how it was so unfair.

We walk in and the music is overwhelmingly loud. People are grinding against each other, the smell of sweat and alcohol making my nose scrunch up in distaste. We take a seat by the bar, Rico guiding me to a certain spot where it’s considerably darker.

He is so engrossed in looking around the place that when the bartender comes up to us, he whips around with wide eyes when he asks what drinks we would like. Rico glances at me and I shake my head in warning, glaring at him when he orders two drinks anyways.

“What?” He shrugs, taking a sip of his drink. “We can’t act suspicious.”

“Who are we spying on?” I sigh, picking up the glass and looking around.

“Just this guy.”

“Great elaboration Rico, really.” I sarcastically pat him on the back.

“Stay here.” He replies before jumping off the stool and rushing off.

I frown in confusion, trying to catch sight of him in this crowded place. Shrugging, I do as he says and wait for him, nodding to the bartender for another drink when I realize it’s all on Rico’s tab.

Rico finally comes back when I’m on my fourth drink…I think. I wave at him, watching his eyes widen as he rushes up to me and snatches the glass off me. I pout, crossing my arms over my chest in anger. He places it with the rest of the glasses, shaking his head when he counts them all.

“F*ck Luna, are these all yours?!”

“N-No, I’ve only h-had three!” I hold up my fingers, frowning when he puts two of them back down.

“You are completely smashed.” He groans as he takes a seat beside me.

I straighten up and look him dead in the eyes. “I am not drunk.”

I watch as stares at me in a sceptical fashion before cursing when I burst out laughing over nothing, spinning around on my stool. Grabbing my elbow, he turns me to face me with a worried look. He calls the bartender over and pays for the drinks before taking my hand and pulling me through the tightly packed club.

My head spins slightly and I clutch at it with my other hand, trying to keep up with him. We finally exit into a hallway at the very back, a relieved sigh escaping my lips as the bass fades away. Rico presses his index finger to his lips making me frown before I blink and nod. He turns right and walks on, leading me down the hallway.

“Moon Goddess, please protect me from Kaden.” Rico mutters, steadying me when I stumble.

I snort unladylike as he loops his arm through mine. “Who’s t-the Moo G-God?”

He chooses not to reply, freezing instead when we pass by a door. Pressing his ear to the only door there is, he goes completely silent. I shuffle forward and copy his actions, making him glance down at me. I can’t hear anything and huff at how pointless this was. So, I poke him, calling his name and asking if we could go. Rico pushes me up against the wall with wide eyes, his hand covering my mouth.

“If they find out we’re here, you won’t get any more of that special drink!”

My gasp is muffled under his hand and I shake my head, my vision blurring slightly at the action. I want more of them! I remain quiet as he stands close to the door again. After a couple of minutes of silence, I start to become tired just standing there and walk off towards the exit.

Just as I’m halfway down, I get picked up which makes me cry out in shock. I turn my head to see Rico as he tells me to hold on. There is a blast of wind before we are outside the club and I look around in disbelief and awe.

He buckles me in before hopping into the driver’s seat, slamming the door shut and starting the engine. The tires squeal as we drive away into the night, the club fading into the distance behind us.

Kaden Reid’s P.O.V.

I unlock my front door and walk inside, only to stop and stare at Rico and Luna who are in my sitting room. My mate’s legs are propped up on my couch with Rico holding a glass of water as he tries to make her drink it. She pushes him away with her hand on his face, concentrating on her chicken nuggets again.

“Rico.” I call, making his head snap over to mine.

His eyes widen in fear while mine narrow in suspicion. I place my bag on the couch, slowly walking towards them, frowning in confusion when Luna holds up a nugget in the air and bursts into a fit of giggles for no reason. I inhale deeply, my eyes widening when I smell alcohol rolling off in waves from the pair.

“What the fuck did you two do?” I growl, standing before them as I wait for him to speak.

He remains quiet, visibly gulping at my angry tone. I grow frustrated with his silence, my eyes on Luna as she finally notices me and waves.

“Bro,” He stands, holding his hands up in a surrendering motion. “First, I want you to promise me that my future children will be safe.”

“I promise.” I grit my teeth in annoyance, crossing my arms in front of me.

“Pinkie promise?” Luna chirps, holding her little finger out.

Her chocolate brown eyes that I love are fixated on mine as she takes a bite of the fried food, sauce smeared on the corner of her lips. I want to grab her and smash my lips against her soft, addictive ones. But instead, I huff and loop my little finger around hers, watching her grin happily before nodding at Rico; as if giving him permission. I turn to my best friend, daring him with my eyes to lie.

He gulps before letting out a shuddering breath. “I saw Ace at a club and I may have dragged Luna along to spy on him, please don’t kill me!”

“You what?!” I roared, charging towards him with my fist raised.

“Hey! No hurting your fellow pack members Kaden! Rude!” Luna snaps at me, appearing in between Rico and I from nowhere before pushing me away.

“Pack members? What are you talking about?” I mutter in confusion, looking between the two.

“She may have asked me a question or two about how packs run and I don’t think she understood any of it. I think she believes she’s our leader.” Rico laughs nervously, shutting up when I growled at him.

“You better not have left her alone.” I pull Luna to me by her elbow, glaring at her when she tries to push me away.

“Uh…” His eyes widen before quickly masking his expression with a poker face.

“So, you mean to tell me,” I start, taking slow steps towards him as he backs away. “That you left my human mate alone, intoxicated and defenceless in a bar where my father’s Beta and his men could have caught her because our scents are all over her?”

He holds his hands out in a surrendering motion when he realises exactly what he did tonight. He mumbles out a curse word when he glances at Luna behind me, finally realising that my mate could have been kidnapped or hurt.

“Oh…shit.”

I lunge at him with an angry growl, punching his jaw as he fell to the ground at my forceful hit. Luna shrieks behind me and I feel her tiny hands wrap around my bicep, trying to pull me away. My hands are around his neck, a snarl escaping my lips as he shouts his apologies.

“Kaden Reid, I command you to stop hitting Rico!”

“Oh, for fuck sake,” I growl, turning to face my very drunk mate. “You don’t run this non-existent pack!”

She glares at me in response, pointing to the couch with a stern look. “Get your sexy ass on that couch or a spanking is in order!”

Rico groans, holding his jaw as he sits up. I growl at him before crouching so that we were at eye level. “Stay put. If I come back here and see that you’re gone, you’re a dead wolf walking.”

He sighs and nods before I stand up and turn to face my mate, only to find her gone. I notice the front door swinging shut and run outside, catching sight of her by the tree line.

“Luna!” I yell angrily, watching her freeze when I snarl at her in warning. “Get back here right now!”

I point to where I’m standing, glaring at her when she only shakes her head in response before running through the trees. I curse loudly before racing after her, easily catching up to her small frame in seconds. Biting her lip, she backs away with every step I take towards her, eyes following my every move. I am so angry right now and she isn’t making this easy for me one bit.

“Come on, Luna.” I bend down and pick her up bridal style, a squeal escaping her lips as I carry her back inside the house.

“Are we going on an adventure?!” She gasps, swinging her legs excitedly.

“Yes, that’s exactly what we’re doing.” I huff in frustration, walking past a guilty looking Rico.

As soon as she realises that I’ve brought her to my room instead, she frowns, looking around in disappointment. “This sucks, I want to go back to the club.”

“Absolutely not.” I growl furiously, taking off her shoes and socks.

“Rico is more fun, he even let me have drinks.” She grumbles, a pout on her lips.

“How many?” I growl, gripping her chin and turning her head so that she looked up at me.

“Um…two.” She mumbles with a confused look, holding up seven fingers.

“I am going to fucking kill him.” I snarl under my breath, walking away to get some clothes for her. I can feel her eyes on me as I move around in the room, a pout on her irresistible lips when I glance at her.

“You can’t. He’s under the protection of the Mooing God.” She smirks smugly as I make my way back to her with my clothes.

“Who?” I ask, completely lost with what she’s saying.

“The Mooing God!” She raises her voice, thinking I can’t hear her.

“She means the Moon Goddess.” Rico yells from downstairs, making me turn to her with my brow raised.

She shrugs and nods, making me sigh before I place the clothes in her lap and tell her to change. I turn around, hearing rustling as she struggles with them. After a while, she finally mutters that I can look and I turn around. I bite my lip to stifle the laugh threatening to escape when I see that she hasn’t put her arm through the holes of my shirt.

I help her, trying my best to be stern so she doesn’t think this situation is good. When she has her arms in the correct place, I pull back the covers and try to push her under them. She whines and grabs my hand instead, attempting to pull me in with her.

“Luna, get in the bed.”

“I’m not sleepy.” She replies tiredly, her eyes slightly red.

I sigh, letting go of her hand and walking towards the balcony doors to pull the curtains closed. The room is instantly flooded with darkness apart from the warm glow that the lamp emits. When I look at her again, her expression is twisted in sadness making me rush over, wondering what had upset her.

“What’s the matter, Luna?” I ask worriedly, taking a seat on the bed.

“You haven’t called me little moon yet.” She mumbles, her gaze downcast.

I chuckle in amusement, pulling her onto my lap. She immediately grins, wrapping her arms around my neck. I guess my mate is a clingy drunk, not that I’m complaining. She’s much more daring around me than when she is sober.

“You like me calling you little moon?” I coo softly, rubbing her back in soothing circles.

Luna shrugs half-heartedly and nods, playing with a button on my shirt. She looks up again and I have to stop myself from attacking her with kisses when her eyes meet mine. I can see every one of her freckles from here, the slight pink flush to her cheeks, every messy strand of her hair teasing her soft skin. Even though I can smell the alcohol, my mate’s true scent overpowers it as if she’s been wandering past peach trees and eating vanilla cupcakes.

“Kaden.” She calls my name, her eyes fixated on my lips.

I gulp, hoping she doesn’t brush her lips against mine because if she does, I’ll lose it. I nod, tucking her hair behind one ear and caressing her cheek. “Yes, baby?”

“Kiss please? Like t-the one in the car?” She asks, a hiccup escaping her lips.

I groan lowly at how she was unknowingly teasing me. Chuckling, I can see in her big, brown eyes that mine are swirling with a gold hue. Not good. “No sweetheart, not tonight.”

“Oh…” She frowns, pushing away from me and losing her balance, landing on the bed with a bounce.

“We can do plenty of that when you’re sober, okay?” I ask, rubbing her bare knee soothingly.

“But, I am sober.” She mutters in confusion, making me laugh and stand up.

“Come on, in the bed.” I say, trying to convince her to get some rest.

She shakes her head, pushing herself up on her knees and hugging me again. I smile softly, stroking her hair when she holds on to me tighter, refusing to let go. I wrap my arms around her waist, peppering kisses to her cheek and neck which makes her giggle.

“In the bed or no kisses tomorrow.” I finally decide to threaten her.

She gasps, her eyes wide when she pulls away. Shaking her head, she immediately turns and crawls to the centre of the bed. I have to try my hardest not to laugh at her antics, at least I know now how much she loves it when I kiss her.

She slips under the covers before I lean down and press a kiss to her lips, turning the lamp off and making my way out of the room. I hear rustling and immediately Luna calls my name. I have stepped out in the dimly lit hallway now, stopping as I turn and look at her expectantly.

“Where are you going?” She asks in a small voice, sadness radiating off her in waves.

“I have to talk with Rico about a few things, I won’t be long.”

“Just talking, right?” She asks suspiciously, smiling sleepily when I nod.

“Just a chat Luna, don’t worry.” I reply, knowing one punch was enough for that idiot.

“I miss you already.” She pouts, lying back down with a loud huff.

I chuckle lowly before whispering goodnight, closing the door gently behind me. Making my way downstairs, I go straight to the kitchen and pull out an ice pack. I walk over to Rico and hand it to him, my jaw clenched as I sit on the opposite couch.

“What you did tonight was stupid.” I growl, clasping my hands in front of me.

He sighs guiltily and nods, remorse in his eyes. “I know. I told her to stay in the car but she didn’t listen, so I took her with me.”

“What were you thinking following Ace into a club?!” I run my hand through my hair in frustration.

“Kaden, that guy has been following us ever since we left New York. That doesn’t seem suspicious to you at all?!” He glares, adjusting the ice pack to his jaw.

“Of course, it is!” I snap, standing up and pacing in the room. “But there is no reason for you or Luna to be in the same building as that man. You don’t know him like I do Rico, he’s just as crazy as my father was.”

He remains silent, understanding flooding his eyes before he nods. “Sorry man, I just don’t want what happened in Vancouver and Spain to happen again. He’s been attacking us for no reason.”

“I know.” I sighed, leaning against the patio doors and looking out at the garden. “I’ve had enough of his bullshit.”

“And I’m sorry for bringing Luna to the club.” He mumbles, looking at me with a hopeful glint in his eyes.

“Just…don’t put her in danger ever again. What if Ace and his men found you two? You would get away but Luna? They could easily capture her because she doesn’t have our abilities.” I explain, trying to make him understand how important my mate’s safety was. “Put her first, always. I don’t give a shit if anything happens to you and I, but no harm should come to her. Ever. Do you get me?”

He lets out a shuddering breath and nods with determination. “I understand.”

“And call me next time you ever feel like going after him, I don’t want to be paying for your funeral costs.” I smirk, rolling my eyes when he gapes at me.

He follows me to the kitchen, leaning against the counter as I take out some leftover food. “I would pay for yours!”

“See that’s the thing, I wouldn’t die by getting my ass handed to me by a group of boys.” I chuckle, shoving him when he tries to hit me.

As I’m heating up the food, Rico coughs making me turn around with an expectant look. “What exactly did Luna tell you about tonight?”

“That you let her have seven drinks and there is a cow up in the sky.” I mutter, putting some lasagne on both plates before handing one to him.

“Okay great.” He chirps and turns around, making me grab the back of his shirt.

He grimaces when he sees what I’m sure are my dark eyes, sighing in defeat. “Uh…a guy serving us at McDonald’s tried to flirt with her. She tried to attack him first but she was too drunk to get over the counter, so she threw her burger and shake at him. We’re banned now thanks to your mate.”

“That’s my girl.” I reply proudly, chuckling at the look of disbelief on his face.