Surrender To Us, Our Luna (One Luna, Four Alphas) novel Chapter 218

Chapter 218: 218-The Desperate Fauna

Haiden:

Watching Clementine stand in the doorway, waiting to say goodbye, was so hard for me. Every part of me wanted to take her with me, but I couldn’t. There were things going on that I knew would hurt her badly. And it was tied more to my life, to how I lived it now.

After my shower, I threw on a white shirt and gray pants, then slung my bag over my shoulder. The envelope sat snug in my pocket.

"Okay guys, take care of yourselves. We’ll meet again," I told them, giving Yorick a side hug and trading a tight fist bump with Troy before pulling him into a hug. Then I walked over to Ian’s bed and patted his shoulder. "Take care, man," I uttered.

Honestly, I wasn’t upset that Clementine wasn’t going with him. Although we all looked upset with Ian in the beginning, in the long run I realized it was better this way. She would be much safer away from him. Or maybe I would be less jealous if she wasn’t staying with anyone else either.

I would’ve been so uncomfortable. It was better she stayed behind. I knew it was selfish, but at least she wouldn’t be somewhere her life was in danger. She’d probably enjoy it more on her own anyway. That was who she’d always been, a loner.

After saying goodbye to everyone else, I turned to the door and looked at Clementine. Every part of me wanted to hold her, to kiss her. But after what happened up North, when she made it clear none of us could touch her without her permission, I knew I had to keep my hands to myself. Just because she was my mate didn’t mean she’d automatically accept my touch, or that it was okay for me to reach for her whenever I wanted.

I stepped up in front of her, staring at her innocent little face. Her curly red hair was perfect. I loved its color, its texture, and its smell. She carried this natural sandalwood scent. Everything about her felt special.

"Take care of yourself, okay?" I told her. She raised her head and gave a small, uneasy nod, fidgeting with her fingers. She was nervous.

"You too. Have fun with your family," she replied quickly, looking away.

"Goodbye," I said, holding my hand out for a shake. She gave it right away, probably scared that if she didn’t, I’d try to kiss her. I smiled at that.

Still, I leaned down toward her hand, watching her eyes. I waited to see if she’d pull away. When she didn’t, I pressed a kiss to the back of it. It felt like the right kind of goodbye. And I knew it didn’t make her uncomfortable, because she smiled softly.

"Take care," she whispered.

Then I walked out, following the second lurker who had come to fetch me.

"Haiden, you’re the first one getting picked from your squad." I heard Oriana’s voice behind me.

I turned to my side and watched her run toward me on the road. I didn’t know she was out there just wandering around. We were always so busy in our own selves that we barely paid attention to the other squads.

"Yeah, why? Is there a problem?" I asked, confused.

"Oh no, there’s no problem. I just wanted to talk to you." she smiled.

"Okay, goodbye," I said, shrugging.

"Are you excited?" she pressed again.

I slowed down after a few steps and turned to her.

"Yeah," I replied. I wasn’t excited, but I didn’t want to stand here and talk with her about my personal issues.

"Me too. I’m so excited. You know, my father, he loves me so much," she said, clapping her hands happily.

"Your father is an alpha?" I asked, and she nodded.

"Oh, I didn’t know," I mumbled. "So, why did he send you to the academy?"

As soon as I asked, I noticed her smile start to fade.

"Well, he had to send someone, and it’s not like it was his fault. The council decided it," she answered hesitantly, almost as if she was offended or didn’t want to talk about it.

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