True Luna: Finding My True Mate (The White Wolf Series Book 3)

Emma POV

　　I was just about to walk into the restaurant when someone called my name.

　　I turned to my left and saw Jake.

　　“I will be here the whole time.” he said, his voice laced with anger. “If he does something, mind-link me immediately.”

　　I nodded and gave him a small smile.

　　“It will be okay, Jake.” I said. “I will be okay. Thank you for being here.”

　　I saw his jaw clench. He closed the distance between us in just a few long strides. He pulled me into a tight hug.

　　“I will fucking kill him if he tries something.” he mumbled, tightening his arms around me.

　　“He won’t, Jake.” I said as I patted his back gently. “I will be okay.”

　　Jake took a deep breath and let me go. He took a step back, and I gave him a small smile. He didn’t smile back. He looked furious.

　　I sighed and turned back around.

　　I could do this. Everything would be okay. It was a business dinner. I would go in, talk to him, and go back home to my mate.

　　Everything would be just fine. It had to be.

　　I took a deep breath and opened the restaurant door.

　　“Luna.” Liam said, bowing his head a little.

　　Liam was the owner of the restaurant Alpha Nathan and I were having dinner in. He was an older wolf who was very valued in our pack. When I was thinking about the place to have this dinner, Logan suggested Liam’s restaurant. I agreed immediately. I knew that he would do anything to make me feel as comfortable as possible. I knew that he and I would arrange something without any issues.

　　“Hello, Liam.” I said, smiling at him. “Is the food ready?”

　　Liam and I arranged for the food to be prepared before we arrived. I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.

　　“We are just finishing it up, Luna.” Liam said, smiling back at me. “Alpha Nathan is already at the table.”

　　I glanced toward the room he was in and took a deep breath.

　　“Call me Emma, Liam, please.” I said, looking back at him.

　　He smiled and gave me a small nod.

　　“I will bring the food in about 15 minutes.” he said. “Is that okay?”

　　Liam offered to work as a server as well. I didn’t want to bother him, but Logan agreed. He trusted Liam, and knowing that Liam would be here made him feel better about this whole thing.

　　“Of course.” I said. “Thank you, Liam.”

　　What I really wanted was to run to the kitchen, grab our plates and rush them to the table. I needed this dinner to be over as soon as possible.

　　“Let me take your coat, Emma.” Liam said, smiling at me.

　　I took it off and gave it to him.

　　“Thank you so much.” I said, glancing toward the dining area.

　　It was time. I couldn’t prolong it anymore.

　　“I will be in the kitchen.” Liam told me as he hung my coat on the coat rack by the door. “Mind-link me if you need anything.”

　　“Thank you, Liam.” I mumbled as I walked toward the room we were having dinner in.

　　The restaurant was closed, and the whole dining area was empty. We thought that was the best. We didn’t want to scare our pack members with all the warriors around the place.

　　I opened the door and stepped inside.

　　Alpha Nathan looked up at me, and a huge smile spread across his face.

　　“Emma!” he exclaimed as he stood up.

　　I took another deep breath and approached the table.

　　Alpha Nathan pulled out a chair for me, and his smile grew.

　　“I was hoping to see you in a dress for our special evening.” he said as I sat down on the chair.

　　He was closer to me than ever. My body trembled, and my lungs filled with his scent.

　　This was going to be so hard. This was going to be a battle between my heart and my instincts.

　　I didn’t wear a dress on purpose. I didn’t want him to see me like that. Only Logan could. Only Logan should. I wore jeans, a blouse, and high-heeled boots.

　　He leaned in and took a deep breath. He growled, and I knew exactly why.

　　“Why do I smell another male on you?” he asked, bending down and getting into my face.

　　He was only a few inches away. I could feel the heat radiating from his skin. His scent clouded my mind.

　　I needed to get away.

　　I leaned back and gulped.

　　“My friend said hello to me before I came here.” I said, making him narrow his eyes at me.

　　“What friend?” he asked.

　　“Jacob.” I said. “My childhood friend.”

　　I leaned further away from him.

　　“Please sit down, Alp…” I started speaking, but stopped myself when I remembered his rule.

　　He raised an eyebrow at me.

　　“Please sit down, Nathan.” I said, pointing at his chair.

　　He looked at my neck. My body heat up. I was painfully aware of his hand on the back of my chair. If he moved it just a little, he would be able to touch me.

　　My instincts wanted him to. My heart didn’t.

　　Unfortunately, he did move his hand. He moved it and caressed my cheek.

　　Sparks and tingles exploded on my skin. I forced myself to stop a gasp from escaping my lips.

　　He didn’t.

　　He gasped and smiled.

　　“Goddess, I waited to feel this for so long.” he mumbled as he traced my jaw with his fingers.

　　I had to stop it. I had to stop him.

　　I moved out of his reach. He looked me in the eyes, and the hurt I saw in his made me sad.

　　“Sit down, Nathan, please.” I said quietly.

　　He tightened his jaw and stood up straight.

　　I kept my eyes on his the entire time. The flash of anger I saw made me a little worried, but I pushed that thought away. I wasn’t alone. I had my warriors here. Andrew and Logan were close by. Everything would be okay.

　　Alpha Nathan walked to his seat and sat down.

　　A wave of nervousness washed over me. What would we even talk about? How could I ignore the elephant in the room? This man wanted to take me from my family. I had to sit here and pretend that I wasn’t angry at him? How the hell was I supposed to do that?

　　‘For our pack members, Emma.’ Eliza reminded me. ‘You can do it for them.’

　　She was right.

　　I could do it for them. I had to do it for them. I was their Luna. I wasn’t going to let anyone hurt them.