The Luna’s Pure Heart – Chapter 72

(Damion pov)

It was taking every ounce of strength inside of me to hold Titus back. This guy Zach would not stop glaring at not only me, but now my mate. What the hell was his deal?!

‘Let’s solve that and make it so he can’t see at all.’

Titus growled a little too excitedly.

‘Titus, you know we can’t do that, as much as I want to strangle the guy myself.’

I let out a deep breath, feeling Eleanor’s hand on my thigh as she rubbed it in a comforting motion. Titus grumbled something I didn’t quite catch and went to the back of my mind, shutting himself out for once. Maybe that’s the best thing for us right now..

So much has happened in the span of a single day..now my Beta found his mate, which honestly I’m thrilled for them. But I have a feeling it might be a challenge to get her to come to Night Shade with us. Eleanor being there might be something that helps though but Rachel seems very timid and introverted which is more similar to Lucas than Lance..One thing I have learned though is that the Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes, so she must have another side to her that matches with Lance too. One that will be interesting to see..I can’t believe that jackass is running all the way here though. That’s such a Lance thing to do.

“King Damion, I was curious how the preparations for the moon ball were going this year. That will be when the Queen’s ceremony will be held as well correct?” Alpha Kilo asked curiously, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Yes, this Moon Ball will not only hold the Queen’s Ceremony but will also be a blue moon.” I informed them, causing the table to erupt in chatter.

“A blue moon, I hadn’t realized..that is really special..not only do we get a blessed wolf as the future Queen but also a blue moon to welcome her.” The woman mated to the Gamma said excitedly.

Blue moons were extremely rare, only happening once every few decades. So the fact that this will be happening when I found my mate, it honestly gives me chills. Like it was meant to be..I was truly blind to all of it before, but now I am seeing all of these things that have pointed to Eleanor from the start.

The blue moon is almost like an energy boost for our wolves. It connects us fully with ourselves and strengthens our bonds. It is also a night said to be blessed with miracles, the moon goddess is more favoring of us and examines us as a whole. Some wolves are even granted second-chance mates if they have redeemed themselves in the goddess’s eyes.

“Well, you all are invited, we are having a blue masquerade theme and you are the first to know.” Eleanor said excitedly and everyone burst with excitement.

I watched as Eleanor spoke with Rachel and Helen about finding dresses together and I couldn’t help but notice Lucas watching Rachel with captivation. I had never seen him so taken before, but I can see his internal struggle going on. His wolf, Dakota, is trying his hardest to get out. I even used my Alpha aura earlier to get him to submit and calm down which made Lucas relax exponentially.

I heard Zach scoff, drawing my attention across the table as he lifted his wine glass and drank deeply.

Right as I was fighting with myself not to instigate this situation, the doors opened up revealing a group of servers carrying our first course.

They quickly placed a salad in front of us all with some bread and butter. Maybe partly why I am ready to tear this guy’s head off, figuratively and literally, is because I’m starving. I won’t lie, I can get ‘hangry’ as Eleanor likes to call it. I like to eat..plus Titus takes up a lot of my energy so I eat a lot.

“This looks delicious, thank you.” I heard Eleanor praise the staff before leaving.

I quickly dug in, listening to the Alpha talk about some type of new training routine, and was trying to get a very distracted Lucas’s input. He pretty much told him the most generic answer and continued eating while watching Rachel the entire time.

Goddess help us, it’s like we never go anywhere..I feel like a social pariah and now Lucas is drooling on the damn table clothes. Eleanor is our only hope and she is getting more annoyed by the second. By what, I’m not sure..I hope it’s not me at least.

By the main course, which was filet mignon, I realized these people went all out for us. I appreciate the gesture but it isn’t necessary..I will literally eat anything and I don’t want them to waste their pack funds on something like this. I need to have a serious conversation with Alpha Kilo and tell him for future reference, it’s careless and can end up biting him in the a*s down the road.

“I can show you the library after lunch if you like.” I overheard Rachel telling an all too-eager Lucas as he nodded his head excitedly. I couldn’t help but smile inwardly as I noticed them now sitting a lot closer than before. Maybe this won’t be so hard after all..they do have the mating attraction to help smooth things along.

Out of nowhere, Eleanor swiftly slammed her fork down and stood abruptly.

“I’m sorry, please excuse me..I just have to use the restroom.” She apologized and walked out towards the hallway.

I glanced over at Helen who shrugged, feeling just as confused as I was but I could feel Eleanor’s emotions..she was pissed?!

I stood quickly, looking around the table as they all stared at me with confusion.

“I will be right back.” That was all I could even think to say. I needed to know what the hell was going on.

I walked out of the hall, following the pull to my mate as it led outside where Pierce was now standing by the door. Damn, he is such a good warrior, I am even surprised to find him standing guard in certain places sometimes..he does his job so well and I think he deserves a raise.

I stepped outside, seeing Eleanor squatting down with her arms wrapped around her knees and her head resting on top.

‘Sorry, I just needed a break.’

She linked me, my feet crunching against the gravel as I went to stand by her, squatting down next to her as I placed my hand against her back.

‘What’s wrong Bunny, did I do something to..’

Before I could even finish she snapped her head up, looking deeply into my eyes.

‘No, of course not, you did nothing wrong..it’s..it’s me..’

She said weakly, a deep sigh leaving her as she slowly began to stand. I quickly stood with her and wrapped my arms around her small frame, pulling her into me as I rested my chin on the top of her head and inhaled deeply.

‘You can tell me, we are in this together remember?’

I whispered into the link, feeling the cool air blow past us and causing her to shiver.

‘I just..I want to punch him in the face so freaking bad.’

She linked, causing me to blink my eyes in confusion..wait..

‘Punch who?’

I had to make sure before I started throwing names out..one can only hope though.

‘Zach, he is being a total jerk. The way he keeps glaring at you..it’s really pissing me off.’

She practically whined and I had to stifle my laugh, this was no laughing matter..but hearing Eleanor say she wanted to punch anyone in the face was so shocking it was almost hilarious.

‘It’s okay, Helen already warned me a little before. It’s annoying but I am just choosing not to engage.’

I said honestly and now Eleanor was the one to pull back and look at me in shock.

‘Wow, I think we have switched roles..’

She laughed into the link, the sound filling my heart with joy as I smiled down at her. My fingers slid up carefully, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

‘It’s okay to get angry sometimes..but I think you did the right thing..something I always struggle with and that’s just walking away for a moment.’

I was still amused that Eleanor said she wanted to punch someone in the face..that was honestly the most adorable thing I have ever heard.

Just as Eleanor was about to respond, I felt him before he came outside. I pulled away from Eleanor and glanced back at Pierce nodding my head.

‘It’s fine, he can come out.’

I told him, knowing he wouldn’t let him pass unless I said. Pierce was almost as protective of Eleanor as me and not just because I hired him for this job. I have caught him checking on her a few times and even witnessed him putting a blanket on her when she fell asleep on the couch once. It doesn’t bother me because I know he has a mate and loves Coco more than anything. It’s more of a guardian type of relationship.

Looking up, I saw Zach step outside as Eleanor let out a frustrated sigh.

“Are you ready to talk now?” She asked firmly, she looked pissed..Woah, I have never seen this side of her before..other than talking to Elder Paul that one time. Why the hell does this turn me on so much? This is not the best time for that!

“Are you going to snap my head off?” He retorted and for some reason, I almost calmed immediately. The way he spoke to her..it was almost more like a sibling than an ex-flame..why didn’t he see that?

“I’m sorry about that, I just was mad at you because you completely ignored me and have been glaring at my mate this whole time.” Eleanor called him out, making his cheeks redden instantly as he glanced towards me with a flash of fear showing in his eyes like I was going to rip his head off or something..well I might have thought of it..but I’m not that barbaric.

“Well honestly, I’m pissed at myself Eleanor, for letting another man like Malcolm try to stake his claim on you. But it looks like this time you had no choice but to say yes.” He growled out, his hands clenching into fists as my head snapped to Eleanor.

That one Malcolm prick, what the hell was he talking about that guy for? Then it all clicked who Malcolm was..that was the same a*****e who she said tried to buy her before..I don’t know why I never connected the two..I thought it was a lie at the time so I never thought about it after..I should have killed that kid when I had the f*****g chance.

I was about to lose it when Eleanor stepped forward pointing her finger toward Zach.

“Don’t you ever, and I mean ever put my mate in the same category as that pig. You have no idea what you are even talking about. For you to assume that the only way I would fall for my mate is if he forced me to is not only insulting to my mate..but it is insulting to me as well. You don’t think a man like this could actually fall in love with a woman like me? That I am not good enough to have a mate that would accept me for who I am and actually be kind and caring?” Her voice shook and I gripped her hand, pulling her into me as I held my trembling mate. She wasn’t trembling with sadness or fear…it was pure anger.

“No Elle, I didn’t mean that..you know I wouldn’t think that…I just..the rumors going around..the things said about him..I didn’t think you could love a man like that.” He sputtered out and honestly, that one kind of hit me deep.

He didn’t think Eleanor could love a man like me..hell..I guess I thought the same thing..some days I still question how it’s possible.

“I am so tired of people judging this man on baseless rumors..on lies..he has done nothing wrong and yet he is looked at..like..like..I can’t even say the word because I despise it so greatly.” She said sadly, turning to look at Zach now. I know the word she was talking about..how they all view me..how even my own father viewed me..a monster.

“I’m sorry, it was wrong of me..I just..” he suddenly glanced towards me and then back to Eleanor..I had a feeling I was going to hate what he was about to say.

“You told me no matter what you would choose me..so I thought..I thought maybe he made you..” He looked down, shame filling his face as a low deep growl left me.

Before I could lunge forward, hating how he wanted my mate..my Eleanor..she stepped in front of me. The look of pain filled her eyes and snapped me out of whatever I was about to do. She placed her palm flat against my chest, tight above my heart as she spoke once again.

“Zach, I am sorry I said that..I’m sorry I left you with that small grain of hope and for bringing you sadness and anger. At the time, what we shared was something meaningful..but it was also something we both needed. We needed to have hope for our future but little did I know that my future was waiting for me. He had been waiting for so long and had gone through so much. But it was always him Zach, it was always going to be him..and I’m sorry that it had to be that way..” she said all of this while looking at me, her eyes not leaving mine until this very moment when she turned towards him.

“But Zach, when you meet your mate, that one girl waiting for you..you will realize in that exact moment that it was always her. Then maybe you can forgive me..but until then I understand how you are hurt and feel betrayed. So for that, I am sorry, but I cannot apologize for meeting my mate and for choosing him..because it was always him from the very start.” She smiled sadly, the look on Zach’s face broken and defeated. But I was stunned by this woman and the words she spoke..it was always her..and it always will be.

Eleanor turned toward me once more, taking my hand as she squeezed it gently.

“Do you think we can go lay down? I’m not feeling well.” She asked softly and I nodded my head, glancing back towards the guy one last time. I can see he did care for Eleanor, as much as it pains me to say, but she is right…he will meet his mate one day and he will understand it all. Until then I don’t think they can be friends..and sadly I think Eleanor just realized that too.

I lifted my Bunny, letting her wrap her arms around my neck and bury her face against me. I could feel the warm tears falling from the pain of hurting another..that’s how pure and kind my Bunny is..she hated doing that and I know she is hurting now because of it..because she has lost a friend.

“It’s okay..it will all be okay.” I whispered into her, wishing I could make it all better now. I hate seeing her like this but I know it will be better soon.

“I don’t..know..why..I..am..always crying” She breathed through her sobs, letting out a muffled laugh mixed with her cries as I rubbed her back gently.

“It’s okay, you just have such a big heart.” I tried to console her, making her cry even more as the hiccups now started.

“Thank you, for not killing him.” She managed to say through her hiccups.

I couldn’t stop the laughter now. I was close to snapping but one look from her stopped it all.

“Only for you Bunny..” I kissed her cheeks, peppering her face with my smooches until I heard that raw laughter I loved so much. She was already coming back, I could feel her sadness lessening by the minute and relief filled me.

“No one talks bad about my Damion..that I won’t tolerate.” She said firmly, and that did me in. I rolled her onto the bed, my arms wrapping around her as I squeezed her tight.

“I f*****g love you Eleanor Winters…so damn much.” And I do..more than anything in this world. She is the only thing that matters to me and she is unlike anything I have ever seen..my blessed wolf with a temper..damn am I lucky.