I Am The Luna (Moonlight Muse) novel Chapter 28

ZAIA.

The Moonlight Waterfall Pack.

This pack used to be the home of Valerie’s mother before she met her father. Growing up, although Valerie and I were from different packs, attending the same college brought us together.

Valerie had wanted to get away from everything after her mother’s death, wanting to just be in a new place so she could heal.

The Moonlight Waterfall Pack is small, and it usually avoids making enemies. It took me over three hours to drive from my pack to get here.

I've come alone, not wanting anyone to know, aside from Mom. Telling her I’ll be back late in the evening.

No one, including my guards, knew I’ll be leaving the pack territory. I've donned a wig and am driving a rental car that I booked in the name of one of our staff.

I’m now waiting for someone to go collect Jai, as I wait at pack borders.

I have parked my car in the visitors’ parking lot. I’m now waiting by the side of the building where the guard is watching me with interest.

I sigh heavily, remembering Atticus’ proposal last night.

(FLASHBACK)

“Zaia… I know that this is a big step… but I want to ask you… will you, my beautiful, feisty queen, marry me?”

He is down on one knee, holding up a ring with a stunning diamond sparkling under the night sky.

Time seems to slow as I find myself questioning if I ever led him on?

I’m certain I made it clear…

I know my smile has faded and I see the glimmer of disappointment in his grey eyes as I ruin the ray of hope that he held without even saying a word.

“Atticus…” I say, reaching for his hand. I wrap mine around it.

I see the flash of a camera go off to the side and suddenly I realise I need to be careful about how I react. I have just become the CEO, and I can’t let a scandal tarnish my name so soon. Everyone will be observing my reactions and decisions going forward.

I can already see the headlines; Zaia Toussaint, the divorcee, rejects an excellent proposal.

“Walk me to my car?” I ask him.

He looks up at me and nods before forcing a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes as he slowly stands up.

“It’s a no, isn’t it.” He states quietly as we fall into step with one another.

“I’m sorry Atticus… I truly am. You have given me so much… despite everything I have gone through, and even when I kept secrets from you, you stayed by my side and supported me. But… I’m not ready for marriage or a relationship.” I whisper regretfully.

Not when I just saw the man who somehow still has a hold on me. But I also know it’s not the same, it’s just pain that I’m unable to forget, a deep wound that will never heal fully.

“You are simply letting me down slowly. Don’t worry, I won’t break,” he says jokingly, placing his arm around my shoulders and kissing my forehead.

“I’m sorry,” I say, looking up at him. He snaps the ring box shut and slips it into his pocket and deep down I wonder if Sebastian hadn’t shown up, would I have accepted it for the sake of it?

Atticus is excellent with the kids, and they love him too. Mom has taken a liking to him despite how uncertain she had been of him, to begin with. Also, Dad approved, and even Atticus’s mom likes me.

Although initially, it boggled my mind how he could even be interested in a woman who was pregnant, I can’t deny that after I had the babies, even I noticed the way he’d look at me. The flirting… the teasing… the hunger.

“I’ll still wait for you Zaia… because I swear, you are the Luna I want,” he whispers, cupping my face.

I’m about to speak when he bends down and brushes his lips against mine. My heart thumps and I’m about to pull back, but he beats me to it.

“I’m going to wait, even if you tell me not to.”

(END OF FLASHBACK)

The cold droplets of water that fall on my face make me blink and I look up at the darkening sky.

A storm is coming…

The weather has been gloomy since early this morning, but it’s clearly going to only get worse.

The smell of rain is growing in the air and I wrap my arms around myself. I’m wearing a tan-coloured leather jacket, denim skinnies, with a white fitted tee and tan coloured heels.

“Luna. You finally came.”

My heart skips a beat as I’m brought out of my reminiscing by Jai’s voice.

I haven’t been called that in years…

I turn and although I have a black wig on and I’m wearing a cap and sunglasses, he still recognised me, probably by my scent.

He looks the same, perhaps a little more rugged, but there’s also a tiredness in his eyes.

He’s been here with Valerie all these years. It must have been so hard.

“Jai… I’m so sorry I wasn’t here,” I whisper, knowing that my absence hurt him, too.

I had called him last night, and he had replied back an hour later asking how soon I wanted to come, but this is regarding Valerie, and I asked if I could come today. He agreed, for which I am grateful.

“I wish you were here for her,” he replies quietly, making my heart clench as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me in for a hug.

That is the sad truth. I should have been here, but I wasn’t.

“Come on… I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you,” he says, moving back and turning away from me, leading me to his red car.

He truly loves her…

He motions to me to get in, opening the passenger door for me before he gets in.

The pack is pretty quiet, much to my relief, and we reach the Scott home soon enough. It’s an ornate home set on a slight hill, and surrounded by many trees. Jai mentions he also lives with them. He’s been by her side for the last three years and it only makes sense.

I wish she would wake up and see how much he’s done for her. That he’s been right here and deserves a chance. And me, I’m the worst friend ever.

“It’s so silent. Are the Scotts not in?” I ask.

“No, I made sure they aren’t around as Sebastian made it clear you being here should be kept a secret. They’ll be home late tonight.”

“Sebastian? He knew I will be coming today?” I ask sharply.

Why did he want it kept a secret?