Alpha’s Rue: His Shunned Luna (Athena Enchanted) novel Chapter 180

Chapter 180

“AELIANA

When it comes to being an idiot, I take the cup.

Only an idiot would want to spar a trainer who happens to be her arch-nemesis friend. I knew it was a trap the moment I stepped into the ring, I saw it in her smile before they joined me in the ring. It was clear that Audrey planned it all, but somehow proving I’m not a weak little girl anymore has become very important to me.

Luna Estelle’s faith in me and my ability to fulfil my duties to the best of my ability, when I didn’t think much of myself, changed something in me. I don’t want to disappoint that woman ever. I want to be a Luna she is proud of, and for that? I need to prove I’m neither a walkover nor a decorative Luna.

Kingston lays me down in bed after having lectured me the whole way here, one, for getting hurt, two for playing doctor on myself but he has no idea how many times I’ve had to put myself back together because no one was there. I didn’t learn to reset my joints out of sheer boredom, I learned because I was alone and crying with a broken arm for hours, and no one came looking for me. I had no other option, I had to suck it up and wipe my

tears.

“You can’t keep calling Maddox for every little thing,” I tell him. I’m not used to having doctors or healers around for the finest things, I’d have to be on my deathbed before my parents had me see one because I was the ‘dramatic ‘child.

Kingston’s face twists with something I’m slowly getting accustomed to, concern. “Little? You’re hurt.”

“It’s bound to happen, people get hurt,” I tell him, smiling.

“You’re not people, you’re my Luna.” He says, his words possessive and deep.

I know what he is trying to say, being his means I should be untouchable in every space I step into, but I can’t afford that luxury, because to the people of Mooncrest, I’m still nothing but a sub for the Luna they desired. “I’m theirs too,” I swallow. “I don’t want to be useless if God forbid this pack ever needs me to fight for them.”

“That’ll never happen, as long as im here.” He confidently declares, “I’ll take care of it, I’ll take care of you.”

“Kingston, you won’t always be there, what if you’re gone?”

“You’ll still be protected,” he says, his hand smoothing over mine. “This pack will lay its life down for you. You’ll always be safe here.”

“You’re impossible,” I say with an eyeroll.

His lips curve into a grin, small and unsure. “I’m a caring husband.”

“Well, your care is making people think I’m a weak Luna and I need to hide you.”

His hand stills, “Did someone say that to you?” He asks, the anger bubbling beneath enough for me not to answer that question. His warning to the staff did not go well, they’re avoiding me like the plague and being overly kind, a kindness I would have liked to have earned from them on my own, with no fear attachments.

“Was it Audrey? Gemma or Rita?” He pauses, his eyes searching mine. “I need a name, Aeliana.”

I smile, stroking his cheek with my hand. “No one important,” I sigh, and it’s not a lie. They’re of no importance

to me despite the nerves their words hit. “But Honey, I’m not made of glass, okay? I won’t break just because I’m in the training yard three or two hours a day.”

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“I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“If I can wrestle you in this bed every night? I’m pretty sure I can take a punch or three.”

He smiles, “I’m gentle with you.”

“Gentle?” I snort out a laugh. If I weren’t flexible he’d have broken my legs at least twice every week. I know gentle, and we haven’t been it in a long time. “Oh, I can still feel you inside me from yesterday afternoon.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” His smile falls, replaced by that darn pitiful concern yet again. I don’t know why but it makes me so very uncomfortable. “I didn’t know I was hurting you, I’ll be more-”

“Stop,” I groan. “I like that, I like a lot actually.” My cheeks heat up, and I have to fight a smile back. “Before I lose it, the point I’m trying to make is that I’m not made of glass, so stop trying to handle me as such, Jesus.” I wince, “I’d hate to see what you’d do to me if I were pregnant.”

“You’d never leave my side,” he says, his voice teasing, but he certainly isn’t making jokes. “I would find a witch to put you in a protective bubble only I can access.”

“Imprisonment, aww.” I feign a gasp. “How romantic, honey boy.”

He cups my face in his hands, “You have no idea the lengths I’ll go to protect you, Aeliana Hartley Vale.”

“Knock, knock.” Someone calls from the open door, clearing their throat.

My gaze shifts, smiling when I see Maddox. “Come in,” I say quietly. I feel bad that he is always running about to cater to me, I coughed twice a day ago, and Kingston summoned him. Surely, Maddox is sick of us both, but he doesn’t show it.

His smile is bright and wide as he enters the room, “Aeliana, what has gotten into you lately?” He asks, an accusing eyebrow raised at me. “You just can’t help getting injured, can you? Lately, I’ve seen more of you than the three women I’m bedding this month.”

“Do not compare my wife with the sluts in your sheets, you overgrown drop of precum.” He calmly says.

I gasp, “Kingston?”

He flashes me a small smile. “It was an abominable comparison, Siren,”

Maddox tsks, shaking his head in disbelief. “What do you see him? Ellie bear?”

Ellie bear?

Kingston lets out a disapproving growl, the sound every bit territorial. “No,” I command, grabbing his hand before he stands.

I haven’t been referred to as Ellie bear in years, the last time Maddox made a habit of calling me that, Kingston punched him. It happened several times when we were young, and just like back then, Maddox wants to get a rise out of him.

He grins. “The real you is back, and to think you’ve convinced people you’re a rational man because you didn’t have your emotion stimulator.”

“You’re a thorn in my side right now, don’t make me regret having called you.”

“I’m your best friend,” Maddox snickers. “And you love me. Now, where are you hurt, Ellie bear…Kingston’s wife?”

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