Chapter 3 Attacked

Luna's POV:

The leaves were still, rustling softly in the cool night air. I grabbed the scroll as if my life depended on it; the wax seal bit into my palm as I ran with all my might along the narrow path. Running messages between the packs was not originally part of my usual duties, but Lady Seraphine had a soft smile on her face still lingering in my ears.

"You're just a slave she'd sneered at, "so go on and be useful for once.".

Her words stung, but I'd learned long ago not to let them show. It didn't matter what she thought of me-I would see this task through without complaint. It was my life, a life of suffering in silence, a life of surrender. Even then, however, I could not help but hope that this little shindig would provide me with a bit of rest, a respite from the incessant slavery.

The trail grew darker as the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving shadows that stretched across the ground to cover the floor of the forest. I decided to hasten my pace because I wanted to make it to the next camps before nightfall. Then at that time, a very sudden rustling of some bushes next to me made my body freeze and my heart beat out of my chest.

And then, from nowhere, two dark shapes ran down the path with wicked gazes in their eyes. Rogues.

"Look what we have here, " one of them sneered, a cruel smile curling his lips. "A little messenger all alone in the woods."

I took a step back, suddenly afraid, but they moved too quickly and cut off my angle. Instantly, my heart began to pound, my mind racing for an escape. After all, I wasn't a warrior, wasn't a fighter-what could I do against them?

"Please," I whispered, desperation edging into my voice. "I have nothing you want.

Oh yes, you do," the other one hissed, his eyes traveling down my body, and my skin crawled.

Just as they stepped forward, a blur of movement shot past me, slamming into one of the rogues with a force that sent him sprawling. My heart stopped because I recognized the figure.

He screamed like a wild beast and dived for the second one movement quick, powerful, a dance of death where a mistake meant a loss of life. I just stood there watching him; he kicks ass, he is so strong and good. After like a few seconds, the thugs lay on the ground, dead.

Kieran looked at me, panting, a small rivulet of blood running down his forehead. "Are you all right?" he said, his eyes losing their hardness as they took in my scared face.

I nodded, still too shocked to find my voice. A wave of relief washed over me, mingling with the strange warmth that he'd come to my rescue again. It was the second time he'd saved me, and I couldn't ignore this tug of gratitude with something deeper within my chest.

Then I saw the gash on his arm, his sleeve wet with blood. "You're hurt," I said, stepping forward instinctively to reach for his arm.

No, it's not." He smiled weakly and brushed it off. "Just a scratch.

But I knew from the pain in his face; the way he held his arm, etc. "You need to rest," I insisted, looking for shelter. It was darkening and the forest was thick. "There's a clearing nearby. We can rest there for the night.

He hesitated for a moment, nodded, and I led him onto a small patch of grass: a glade of sorts, enclosed by trees. We sat down in the silence between us, which was heavy yet somehow comforting. The suspense of the attack slowly ebbed, and tranquility washed over me; the quiet of the forest enveloped us like a shroud.

The stars were just beginning to twinkle above, and I couldn't help but glance in his direction, my heart racing with every passing moment. There was a gentleness about him now, a vulnerability that I had never seen before. I had to know this side of him to see whether it was real or another passing mirage.

"Thanks," I whispered, my voice small. "For saving me... again.

Kieran turned to me; his eyes were warm, a small smile playing on his lips. "I told you, Luna. NOBODY deserves to be treated the way you have been.

A mix of hope and longing stirred inside of me with his words. I hadn't dared dream of kindness, not after all I'd endured. It has been. "I said, "Tough." The word hardly left my lips. "Since my parents were taken, I've been nothing but a burden and treated as a slave, even prayed-yeah I prayed to the Moon Goddess to help me out and give me a husband who loves me and takes me out of all this.

I felt my cheeks heat up, embarrassed by my admission, but Kieran's gaze didn't budge, still listening to me with intent. He didn't interrupt me; he didn't condemn me. He just listened, and that was more than anyone had ever done.

I PRAYED EVERY NIGHT FOR A MATE", I continued, and my voice broke with the weight of my years of longing. Somebody, anyone, that would notice me, that would show some care for me. But it is like the Moon Goddess herself has abandoned me.

Kieran's face slackened, and for a moment, I could have sworn a look of regret crossed his features. He did, and the tips of his fingers merely grazed mine, and a hot sensation coursed up my arm. "The Moon Goddess hasn't forgotten you, Luna, he said softly. "Sometimes she tests us in ways we don't understand. But I promise... your pain won't be forever."

His words caught in my throat, and a glimmer of hope pierced through the darkness I'd grown so accustomed to. I just looked at him, searched his face, searched for some kind of hint as to why he was here, why he was being so good to me.

I don't know," he muttered, "I don't know, maybe your mate is a lot closer than you think.

My heart stuttered in my chest, catching in my throat as his words washed over me. Was he saying what I thought he was? The warmth of his hand against mine and the gentleness in his eyes felt so real, so unlike the cold rejection I'd known.

"Kieran..." I started, her voice shaking. I didn't know what to say, didn't know how to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside of me.

He smiled, soft, his eyes never leaving mine. If Luna Goddess permits it, Luna". You could be mine.

My heart was racing wildly, and my mind awhirl, as his words seemed to echo through the still night. Was this an offer of himself as my mate, the one I'd prayed for all those years? Or was this another shred of moments, just another nice gesture that would blow away as fast as it had come?

The question 'Why' kept echoing inside my head, and I could feel the hopes and doubts welling up and clashing into chaos. I wanted to, really wanted to; I wanted to believe in him, wanted to trust the smile, the warmth of it, those eyes, those eyes that seemed so honest. But the scars of my past, the sting of his first rejection of me, lingered on and cast dark shadows over the hope that dared bloom in the chambers of my heart.

As I stared at him, into his eyes, one thing kept running through my mind in the stillness.

Why now?