The Luna’s Pure Heart – Chapter 16

(Eleanor pov)

After bathing I decided to take a nap, the exhaustion took over and after learning that shocking news about my mate, I was done. Not sure how long I slept for, I awoke with the scent of my mate filling the room from earlier..why was it so exhilarating? Every breath I took made my lungs fill with his scent, causing butterflies to explode into my stomach and make me feel completely overwhelmed. Did he feel this way about me whenever he smelled our scent?

‘I doubt it..’

Kari said with a scoff..she didn’t trust our mate at all..not after what he did.

The realization of who he was made her even more apprehensive. The Alpha King..our mate was the Alpha King. How in the hell did that happen..and most importantly why? Why was an omega chosen for the king? What was the moon goddess thinking?

After laying in bed for a few more minutes, I stretched my arms out, letting a soft m**n escape me as I felt Kari’s strength was almost fully healed.

‘Well..we are a blessed wolf..that seems pretty rare from what Lance said.’

Kari linked me as I was trying to wrap my head around it all still. She seemed deep in thought, like she was struggling to express it all.

‘I think this is why we are here.’

I whispered into the link, my voice soft and earnest.

‘What do you mean?’

She asked as I sat up, looking throughout the room.

‘Something is pulling me towards him..it seems more than the mating bond. After everything he did…I just don’t think we should give up yet.’

I admitted, causing her to grow silent. I know he treated us pretty horribly..but honestly finding out that he was the Alpha King made me realize something..I have heard a couple of rumors about him…wasn’t it rumored that he killed his previous mate?

My heart dropped and my stomach twisted..that’s why Lance said he didn’t believe I was his mate..because he killed his previous mate. Was I his second chance mate then? Would he kill me too? Kari growled at the mere idea.

Just as that thought crossed my mind, there was a soft knock on the door, making me jump.

Before I could say anything the door opened and Lance stuck his head inside with a bright smile on his face as he saw me now awake.

“You woke up just in time, dinner is almost ready.” He said while stepping into the room and switching on a lamp by the couch. I studied him as he walked towards me, his movements effortlessly smooth.

Lance and Lucas had been nothing but kind to me since the moment I met them. I bit my l*p nervously, wanting to ask so many questions about King Damion but not sure where to start.

Lance looked up, meeting my gaze as he tilted his head and looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“What is it?” He asked while stepping closer to me.

“Is it true that King Damion killed his first mate?” I blurted, the words tumbling out of my mouth before I could stop them.

Lance blinked at me with surprise as he walked over, taking a seat on the side of the bed next to me. Why did I feel so comfortable with him already? I feel like this gesture should have made me feel awkward but it felt like I had known Lance for years.

“Is that the rumor going around?” He asked with a bemused look.

I just nodded my head, staring down at my hands as my nerves were at an all-time high. I didn’t even want to think about what the Alpha King might do to me if this was true.

Lance reached out, placing his hand on mine as he spoke softly.

“Angel, it is only a half-truth. He did kill the woman, but she was not his mate. She had a spell from a very dark witch placed on her to make him believe she was. An attempt to control him and infiltrate the kingdom. That was why..” he trailed off, causing me to look up at him as it all made more sense now…

“That was why he didn’t think I was his real mate.” I breathed, realization setting in..it was why he treated me that way. Suddenly a glimmer of hope sparked deep within me. Then does that mean he might actually want me?

‘Elle, please do not be so quick to forget what he did to us.’

Kari said firmly. I knew Kari was right, but if he did it because he thought I was another fake. I could understand, he was tricked before and feared he was being tricked again.

“I know what he did was shitty, but it was the only way for him to realize you were the real deal.” Lance searched my eyes and I nodded.

“Honestly, Damion isn’t the warmest person..his dad raised him to be a ruthless ruler. So hearing he plans to not reject you…we are just as shocked as you are.” He laughed, his words causing me to frown. Did they think I wasn’t good enough?

He must have realized what he said hurt my feelings because his face suddenly dropped and he shook his head.

“Oh no angel, not because of who you are, but to put it bluntly…Damion’s a d**k..” He laughed again, making me relax a little..even though hearing my mate isn’t really nice wasn’t the greatest feeling.

“But, if he is willing to accept you..maybe you are the key to all of this Angel. Maybe you are the one person who can change him and open his eyes to the world.” He grabbed my hand gently and squeezed. His words filled me with hope and a certain feeling of truth..like maybe that is why I’m here..this has to be it.

“That’s why I hope you will be patient with him. I know he is a real a*****e, but this will all be new to him too. Honestly, we thought he would never find his mate after the fake one.” He spoke softly, his words touching me deeply, even Kari was relaxing a little. I guess that makes a lot of sense. He didn’t trust us because of all of the things he had gone through.

“Thank you for telling me. At least now I know he isn’t going to kill me..not yet anyways.” I said, trying to lighten the mood, causing Lance to laugh.

“We won’t let that happen, Angel, after all..you will be our queen.” Lance winked, causing me to choke on my spit.

“Queen?” My eyes widened, the word throwing me off completely.

“Well, unofficially…but I knew the moment I saw you on that river bank that you were someone special. See how dense your mate is? Even his Beta knew before he did.” His words made me laugh, hearing how casually he spoke about the king. They must have been good friends.

“Now come on, let’s go eat, Lucas won’t stop linking me. He is a real mother hen..” he patted my hand, getting up as he walked towards the door.

I slid out of bed, stretching quickly as my arms and neck were still tight and sore. I wore a pair of silk blue pajamas and looked down at them, wondering if I should change.

“We can watch a movie after too if you like, before Damion comes to get you. If you still want him too..you don’t have to go with him, Angel.” He said quickly, searching my expression as I bit my l*p nervously.

“I would like to try..” I honestly wanted to try this..to give the mating bond a chance. This was the mate fate had given me and I was brought here for a reason. I owe it to myself and the moon goddess to give it my all..even though Kari might be apprehensive. We just have to be patient and try.

“And a movie sounds wonderful.” I smiled, trying not to feel the nerves that were rising by the second.

I walked forward next to Lance and he put his arm around my shoulder, staring down at me with a smirk.

“Who would have thought our queen would be so short.” He said with amusement.

I glanced up at him scowling, my eyes narrowing as I quickly elbowed him in the side. Causing him to laugh a loud booming laugh as we walked down the hallway.

“Good things come in small packages.” I joked, making him smile once more.

“That they do angel.” He said with a wink, causing my cheeks to warm.

“There you two are, I’m just plating everything now.” Lucas said glancing over his shoulder as we walked towards him.

Peering around him, I looked at the stove and saw a large pot filled with spaghetti and meatballs..it smelled heavenly.

“It looks amazing.” I said excitedly, causing him to grin as he placed a kitchen towel on the counter and began dishing out the food.

“Do you need any help?” I asked, feeling bad for just hanging around and doing nothing. I did work in a kitchen since I was eight after all.

“If you could grab the parmesan cheese in the fridge that would be great.” Lucas said while focusing on the plates in front of him.

I turned towards the fridge and opened it quickly..glancing inside there were only condiments and expired milk, oh and we can’t forget the beer. I tried my hardest not to laugh, realizing they must eat downstairs most nights like the higher ranks usually do. Seeing Lucas and Lance cook and get all of this together for me warmed my heart. It made me think of the nights me and my old pack members would stay up late and cook together like a real family…I wonder how they are doing, I hope they are settling in okay.

Grabbing the cheese container, I walked towards the little kitchen nook they had where Lance was opening a bottle of wine and pouring it into three glasses.

I set the cheese down and Lucas pulled out a chair for me. His smile was wide and full of warmth.

After we all sat down, Lance lifted his wine glass into the air and looked between me and Lucas.

“To our sweet Angel who has gifted us with her presence.” Lance said cheerfully as I blinked up at him holding my glass.

“I should be the one toasting you two.” I said, raising my glass as I cleared my throat softly.

“To the two brothers who I owe my life to.” My words were filled with gratitude, making Lucas and Lance stare at me intently. I stood up, clinking my glasses to each of theirs and smiling brightly.