The Luna's Pure Heart
The Luna’s Pure Heart – Chapter 23

(Eleanor pov)

I was shocked..stunned to say the least. My lips throbbed as that warmth still coursed through my veins. My mate’s touch lingered on my body as my skin tingled and prickled with excitement. I had never felt anything like this in my life..the look in his eyes, the way his hands touched me. His lips on mine..then he pulled away, and that fire and passion were soon replaced with shock and horror.

After watching Damion practically run away screaming from me..which is a new low I didn’t even know existed…I was interrupted by Kari’s loud voice.

‘What the hell!’

She yelled, just as confused as I was…I replayed everything back. How he walked in on me about to reject my old pack. How he mistook it for me rejecting him and seemed hurt and betrayed like he wouldn’t believe I would reject him.

Does he really care then? Or was it all an ego thing?

Then his eyes flashed black, his wolf taking over and the next thing I knew I was baring my neck and ready to be claimed in every way possible.

I let out a shuddering breath as I fell from the counter, stumbling to my feet. My head felt light and my lips were on fire. Wow was he a good kisser..and I thought the k**s with Zack was amazing..no this..this was something way beyond that. The way he touched me and pressed into me..the thought alone caused a chill to tremble through me.

Suddenly the oven began to beep, causing me to jump as I gasped. Oh goddess..now I’m really on edge. I quickly took the scones out, not even sure what to do now. How can I function properly after that…seriously?!

‘Our mate’s wolf wants us bad.’

Kari said sheepishly..she was surprisingly into it just as much as I was..she was ready to be marked right there..wow were we weak. One look from him and I melted into a puddle.

I g*****d, frustration filling me..a kind of frustration I never felt in my life..a wanting that settled deep into my core…I wanted Damion…I wanted him badly.

‘Okay, we need to control ourselves. He obviously freaked out and took off running.’

I began trying to wrap my head around all of this..for some reason I felt…pissed..

Like really really pissed off. He freaked out about the rejection thing..then attacked my face with his lips..then almost marked me and had the audacity to just run away after all of that?! What the hell…seriously.

“Ughhh.” I g*****d, my head falling forward as I balled my hands into fists. I need to cool down..I need to do something other than being here with his scent smacking me in the face everywhere I go.

Peering out of the kitchen, I noticed Pierce was no longer there. Maybe Damion didn’t care if I left now, not after that.

I quickly put on my black sneakers and tied my (still getting used to it) silver hair up in a ponytail. I walked towards the elevator and pressed the down button. I just needed to get out of here…I needed to get some fresh air and clear my head. Once the doors opened I stepped forward and immediately slammed into something hard. Looking up I blinked my eyes and was met with Pierce..well…I guess it was too good to be true.

“Miss Winters, is there something you need?” He asked me in a firm tone.

“I just wanted some fresh air, please.” I whispered, trying not to look him in the eyes. Does he know what happened? Could he read it on my face?

Suddenly he was silent for a few moments and then cleared his throat.

“I can take you to the garden, but you must stay with me.” He said quickly and I looked up at him with excitement. I thought he would say no honestly.

“Really? That would be great!” Pure joy filled my voice as I smiled at him brightly. A soft smile pulled in the corner of his mouth as I stepped onto the elevator.

We stood there in silence as he pushed the button and waited for the elevator to go down. Damion was the only thing filling my head and I felt like I was going crazy. Had all of that really happened? Did Damion want to give this a shot? Maybe he was surprised by his own actions and needed time to think. My fingers instinctively slid up to my lips, gliding across them delicately as I felt the swollen flesh beneath my touch. That k**s was something I would never forget, it was something that will be ingrained into my body until the day I die. I wanted more, I wanted a lot more.

I glanced over, almost forgetting Pierce was in the elevator, and noticed he was studying me. I dropped my hand, trying to compose myself as I was thinking of anything to say. Before I could speak, the doors opened and we were now down by a large lobby-type room. Wow was this place huge..everything was decorated elegantly and the floor was a deep grey stone. The walls were a dark wood with beautiful artwork and sculptures accenting the room.

Pierce walked forward, waiting outside of the elevator for me as I stepped out slowly. Why did I feel so intimidated all of a sudden? The realization of where I was and who the Moon Goddess had made my fated mate suddenly slammed into me..how the hell did this happen?

I began feeling dizzy, my head spinning as my chest began to tighten with nerves, maybe I should just stay in the room…

“I..we can just go back it’s okay..” I said quickly, glancing down at the floor as Pierce tilted his head in confusion.

Just then a familiar voice called out my name, causing me to glance up.

“Miss Winters, oh am I so glad to see you. I was getting worried because we never received a meal order for you.” Jane said with relief, walking towards me with another young woman next to her.

“Jane, it’s so nice to see you.” I breathed, equally relieved from seeing someone I had already met. I felt like I had known Jane even before all of this, she honestly reminded me of Helen a lot.

Stepping out of the elevator, I walked towards her as she reached out and gripped my hand gently.

“Come, let me make you some lunch, you look so pale, when was the last time you ate?” She asked, placing the back of her hand on my forehead and feeling my temperature like I was a small child.

“I made an omelet this morning.” I said quietly, making her smile softly.

“That’s right, you used to work in the kitchen. Well come, you can see our kitchen and tell me the things you like to eat for the future.” She began pulling my hand and Pierce looked between us hesitantly.

“Miss Winters, the Alpha King only approved of the gardens.” He said quickly, looking away from Jane’s now glaring eyes.

“Oh Pierce, it will only be for a few minutes. Come let’s go now.” She said waving Pierce away as she tugged me along.

I glanced over and noticed the younger girl that was with her. She looked to be around my age.

She peered over at me and I smiled softly, causing her to smile too as her cheeks turned pink. She reminded me of Rachel a little. I could tell she seemed very shy.

Pierce quickly followed behind us as Jane began giving me a tour of the castle. I guess she had lived here since King Damion was a young child. She wasn’t the head omega at the time but Damion changed that once he took over.

We walked to a pair of double doors and Jane pushed them open, what was inside caused me to gasp. Wow, this kitchen was absolutely stunning. Everything was sparkly and looked brand new. There were four stoves and separate ovens making eight total. All of the appliances were stainless steel and the latest technology. They even had a pizza oven…a freaking pizza oven! Jane saw me admiring everything as I stopped in front of the oven and peered in.

“Pretty cool huh? King Damion requested it to be built after visiting overseas.” She smiled, watching me curiously as I nodded and moved over towards the counters, seeing the baking station and the proofing drawers they had.

“This is amazing..” I breathed, if we had a kitchen like this back in B***d Moon, I might have been excited to go to work every day.

“How long did you work in the kitchen for?” Jane asked, taking out a loaf of bread as she began to cut it carefully.

“About ten years, so since I was eight.” I peered over her shoulder, trying to see what she was making.

“Do you like chicken salad?” Her eyes drifted towards the fridge as the girl with her got the hint and went to grab the ingredients.

“I love it.” Honestly, I was a huge foodie..I always tried everything at least once. That’s how you know what you like, you gotta try it!

“Sit, I will make you lunch.” She said, looking towards the counter island that had four stools.

“Do you need help?” I felt bad for just sitting and doing nothing, It wasn’t in my nature.

“Oh don’t you fret, I’ve got young Liz here. She just started a few days ago so she is my shadow for the time being.” Jane chuckled, her eyes warm and full of kindness.

I nodded my head and went to sit down, noticing Pierce was now guarding the door. Did he think I was going to make a run for it or something? I thought about asking him to join us but I knew better than to do that. I’m sure Damion has some type of rules set in place..and I’m guessing that would go against at least one of them, if not more.

“So is this your first time in Night Shade?” Jane asked while grabbing a bowl from Liz.

“Yeah, B***d Moon didn’t really let us leave very often.” I spoke honestly, I’m sure everyone knew how badly B***d Moon treated their omega, Alpha Richard didn’t necessarily keep it a secret.

Jane tisked, glancing up at me as she shook her head.

“That man should be stripped from his title and punished for his crimes.” She said angrily, surprising me as couldn’t help but smile.

“You know what Jane, I think you and I are going to get along just great.” I beamed, anyone who was against Alpha Richard’s definitely got some brownie points from me.

That man has gotten away with too much for far too long. I pray to the goddess that one day he would be given the same treatment that he had given those who he felt went against him. So many people deserve to seek retribution for what that wicked man has done.

Just as Jane was finishing up the sandwich, I heard a shrill voice yelling outside and what sounded like plates crashing to the floor.

My eyes widened as I jumped off the stool, before I could move towards the commotion, Pierce stood right next to me as he gripped my arm holding me in place.

“Here she comes, everyone brace yourselves.” Jane sighed heavily, annoyance filling her as the shrill voice got closer and the door flung open. Why did I have a very bad feeling about this…