The Luna's Pure Heart
The Luna’s Pure Heart – Chapter 42

(Eleanor pov)

We climbed into the back of a sleek black SUV. Pierce got into the driver’s seat and I noticed another car with four more warriors piled in behind us.

I guess it’s good to have some type of security on this trip, considering all the things I have heard about Night Shade..

I didn’t know what to expect but the rumor was that the most ruthless werewolves resided here. So you can imagine the surprise I felt when we drove through the castle gates and made our way into Night Shade. My jaw practically hit the floor.. Families were walking around, every building was modern and surrounded by trees and potted plants. There were parks with small children and a plaza where a band was playing live music. The street lamps all had beautiful flowers hanging from large planters that burst with vibrant colors. There were bicycles and people walking their dogs, one person was even selling their art in a corner of town and I was shocked. Why did this place have such a bad reputation? Why was it rumored that if you walked into this city, there was a high chance you would never leave.

My favorite part of the whole thing was driving up past the ocean where there was a shopping pavilion and what looked to be a few restaurants. The sound of seagulls shrieking from above filled the car as I rolled the window down, sticking my hand out and feeling the salty ocean air. I couldn’t help but feel the tears pricking my eyes as memories of my parents filled me. My mom’s beautiful smile and the way she held my hand, dragging me behind her as we chased the seagulls. My dad tried to teach me how to fly a kite and accidentally let go, his face set in a frown as we watched it crash into the sea. These memories that I had forgotten but now returned with one breath of the thick ocean air.

For the first time in years I felt the relief of being out of B***d Moon..the realization that those days were over slammed into me. But I couldn’t help but still feel sad, sad for all of those families and people still trapped there. Things needed to change in this realm..people needed to change.

“What do you think Elle?” Dani whispered, smiling brightly as she interrupted my heavy thoughts.

“It’s amazing, where are we headed now?” I asked, looking out the window once more as we started to slow down.

“This is the local market, Jane likes to buy the freshest ingredients. She also knows a lot of people so she gets a good discount.” Dani relayed with a wink.

I couldn’t help but feel the excitement bubbling up. Smelling the fresh air and all of the local fairs where the outside market opened up. There was booth after booth of food being sold and I wanted to jump out of the car to try each one.

I bounced in my seat excitedly, waiting for Pierce to open my door, which he insisted as I looked up at him, my eyes sparkled as he couldn’t help but smile as well.

“This way first your highness.” He said smoothly, extending his arm toward the booths.

Pierce had started calling me your highness since he met Kari that night of the party. It’s still so weird to get used to, but everyone in the castle addresses me by ‘your highness’ or ‘my queen’..unless I ask otherwise, which Jane chastised me for, saying I need to let people address me properly because it’s a sign of respect..so I let it slide now, no matter how weird it feels.

After stepping out of the car, the atmosphere around me came alive. All of my senses were going crazy as different scents and sounds filled the air. The sun was shining brightly and people walked in and out of the shops carrying boxes full of all different kinds of food and decadents they purchased. I looked over at Dani, noticing her own excitement buzzing as she reached out, gripping my hand and pulling me along.

“Please, stay where I can see you.” Pierce said firmly, I could tell he was already stressing out as he looked around the crowd nervously.

“Don’t worry Pierce, we will.” I reassured him with a smile, not wanting to make his job any harder.

Dani continued to pull me along as I gripped the list Jane had sent us with in my hand. I had only gone to the market in B***d Moon a few times with Helen, and it was never this lively. It was actually a stressful situation because we were always on a time crunch and weren’t allowed to be away from the packhouse for too long.

That was definitely not the case this time. Dani pointed out to me all of the different foods we should try and some of the homemade crafts a few of the vendors were selling. Pierce walked behind us, he wore a black t-shirt and slacks. His hair was slicked back and I could clearly see the tattoos that decorated his large muscular arms. Pierce wasn’t a small guy in any way and a lot of werewolves seemed to know him. Nodding their respect and even trying to get a good look at me as we walked by. I didn’t think I would be recognized yet as the Alpha King’s mate..but I could hear the whispers already. Maybe my silver hair was what gave it away…still getting used to that myself.

“Hey Edgar, we came to get that box for Mrs. Jane.” Dani spoke cheerfully, this obviously not her first time being here.

“Of course..” the man with kind hazel eyes said. He looked to be in his forties and once his eyes locked on me he seemed to freeze in place. I smiled softly, not wanting to make anything weird for him as he cleared his throat and bowed his head.

“Your Highness, I did not realize you would be in the market today.” He sputtered out, glancing at Dani briefly as she couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I wanted to help out Jane, she seems busy enough as it is.” I spoke softly, my tone seeming to make him relax as he nodded his head.

“She has spoken very highly of you. She mentioned you love to help out in the kitchen.” He managed to say, surprising me that Jane has been telling others about me. To be honest it kind of warmed my heart to hear she has said such kind things.

“Yes, that I cannot deny..when she lets me that is.” I laughed, suddenly feeling tingles sliding down my back as a chill ran through me. What was that? I slowly turned my head to the side, glancing behind me as I felt someone watching me..but this didn’t feel just like anyone..this felt like him, my mate. But why would he be here? I must be going crazy..

I shook the feeling away, trying to focus back on what Edgar and Dani were saying as he relayed that he would get the box ready for us and we can pick it up on our way out.

After saying our goodbyes, we continued on our way as I nodded and smiled towards the on-looking werewolves that seemed to gather around to get a good look at their future queen.

“Sometimes I forget you are mated to the king.” Dani admitted, and to be honest..sometimes I forget that too.

“Maybe I should have wore a hat.” I joked, making her laugh as she looped her arm through mine once more, pulling me along through the market.

I felt on edge the whole time as if my mind were being pulled somewhere else, but I wasn’t sure where.

Kari began pacing in my mind, that leather scent wafting towards us every now and then as I continued to look over my shoulder.

“Mate is here, I sense him.’

She said excitedly..someone changed her tune real quick. Not that I’m complaining, but I wish Damion would be on the same page.

‘Where is he? I can’t find him..’

I linked nervously, feeling like my skin was crawling just from not being able to locate him.

The memory from that night was still so fresh in my mind. The way he touched me, how he held me and kissed me. I quickly shook my head, looking over at Dani as she continued to prattle on about some story of when she was in school. I tried my hardest to focus, to be present and try to have a good time..but I felt him..I felt him so close and yet I couldn’t find him.

Could he be following me? Spying at me from afar..maybe he didn’t trust me. There is no way he came here to take a nice stroll..Damion is not the strolling kind of guy, that much I know.

I came up with a plan, I quickly took a left turn, surprising Dani as she tried to catch up with me. Even Pierce was caught off guard. He began picking up his pace and I decided to take another sharp left, my mate’s scent growing stronger as he himself must have been struggling to keep up.

Then I saw the perfect opportunity, I looked behind me, catching the sight of a very tall muscular man with a black baseball cap and sunglasses on..it was Damion..and boy did he look sexy..I couldn’t help but grin as I quickly took two more rights and ended up losing Pierce and Dani, but I didn’t lose my mate..I knew for a fact he was hot on my trail as I ran towards an opening that led to the ocean. Before I could even breach the sand I felt a hand grip my arm, the sparks, and tingles from that one touch shot through me, causing my heart to race as I swung around. A stupid grin pulled on my face as I jerked my hand forward poking Damion right in the chest with my finger.

“I knew you were following me!” I exclaimed, breathing heavily as I looked up at him with the biggest grin like I had just outsmarted the cat in this cat-and-mouse game.

He stood there, his chest rising and falling heavily as he let out a low growl.

“Why were you running?” He breathed, anger filling his voice as my smile faltered.

“I just wanted to catch you.” I spoke softly, not realizing I had done anything wrong.

“Promise me you will never run away from me like that again..” His voice was filled with desperation and my stomach dropped. Did I really upset him this much? He should be happy I’m not giving him the cold shoulder right now for ignoring me the last few days!

I slowly reached my hands up, placing my fingers on either side of his sunglasses as I pulled them down slowly. The sight before me made a sharp gasp leave me as I looked at my mate’s blue eyes which were now clearly filled with hurt.

Then I felt confused..confused why he said this..why he was here and now acting as if I was the one that had done something wrong.

“Damion..I haven’t been the one running.” I whispered, sadness filling me as I felt tired..tired of these confusing emotions..tired of being pretty much rejected over and over again. What did he want from me?

I turned away from him quickly, trying not to show him how much he has hurt me. How I felt like my own mate didn’t want me..I just wanted someone to love and for someone to love me with everything they had. I didn’t care if he was a king or a rogue..as long as he truly wanted me was all that mattered..and so far, Damion hasn’t even given us a real chance.

Suddenly I felt his long arms sliding around my waist, pulling me close to him so my back was now flat against his chest. The action causing me to lose my breath as my eyes widened and butterflies filled my stomach.

“I’m sorry..I’m done running, I’m done fighting this Eleanor. You are mine, I want you and only you..but I need to know if you will want me, if you will accept me.” He whispered against my ear, his warm breath seeping into my skin and causing a shudder to run through me.

“I have accepted you Damion, I was yours since the moment we met.” I choked out, feeling those emotions that I have been bottling up now coming to the surface.

He pulled back, turning me around slowly as his hands cupped my cheeks and his eyes searched mine intently.

I opened my mouth to speak, and before I could say a word, Damion bent down quickly, his soft lips finding mine as he kissed me with such a burning desire my knees turned weak. He firmly tightened his grip as he held me against his hard-toned chest, making my head spin.

His hands held my head in place as he claimed my mouth desperately. His sweet breath mixing with my own while he tenderly glided his lips over mine. His soft m***s vibrated against my tongue, making me swallow each sound with such a deep hunger that I wanted Damion with every fiber of my being. He was it for me, this man was the only one who would ever have all of me.

I let out a soft whimper, the lack of oxygen making me dizzy as he slowly pulled away. His blue eyes were dark and full of desire as he brushed his thumb against my cheek delicately.

“Tonight, come on a date with me.” He whispered, surprising me as I swallowed hard. A date? That was the last thing I expected for him to stay.

I nodded my head, gazing up into his eyes as the corner of his mouth twitched into a crooked smile..why was he so freaking handsome?!

“Okay.” I choked out, my heart about to beat out of my chest.

“Eleanor, if you choose to stay..to accept me after tonight..you will be mine forever.” His voice was deep and serious, his words causing my stomach to flip as I nodded once again..Unable to form any words as he let out a deep sigh and pulled my head close to his chest, letting me rest against him.

His..I would only be his forever..I quite like the sound of that.