No Longer Be your Luna (Jane and Xander) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4: A Crazy Plan.

*Aaron*

I could sit here and say that recruiting the help of this woman in

avoiding Hazel was all a crazy coincidence, but that would be a

lie.

I spotted her the moment I walked into the bar. She wasn’t just

the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, she was unique. Her

scent hit me suddenly, almost knocking off the fragile bar stool.

My wolf howled inside me, clawing at my chest in a way I hadn’t

felt in years. I shifted uncomfortably, surprised by my reaction.

The platinum band had been a disappointing surprise. Whoever

her husband was, he better thank the moon goddess. He’s a damn

lucky bastard.

The last time my wolf had been this restless was the night I met

my mate Yve.

“I don’t think we’ve been introduced. I’m Aaron.”

“I gathered.”

Right. Hazel had been yelling my name with so much rage.

“Great. It’s only fair if you tell me yours… even the playing field a

Chapter 4 A Crazy Plan

little.”

She finally turned to face me, assessing me quietly. She said

nothing, her eyes meeting mine for a second, maybe two. But it

was enough.

Her lips parted slightly and I caught myself staring, mesmerized

by the subtle curve of her mouth.

Shit. She probably thinks I was trying to flirt with her. I raised

my hands in mock surrender, leaning away from her. “Just to be

clear, I’m not trying to flirt. Women are…” I chuckled, shaking my

head, “frankly, troublesome.”

She arched an eyebrow, letting me know I’d said the wrong thing.

“Right,” she said flatly. “You just happened to use a complete

stranger as a shield against some innocent ex. Because all men are

the same, aren’t they?”

Before I could defend myself, she turned away, reached for her

glass of whiskey sitting on the bar and downed it in one gulp. My

eyes widened, but I decided it was smart not to comment on it.

Instead, I extended my hand, determined to salvage something

from this trainwreck. “And for what it’s worth, that woman

wasn’t an ex.”

“I don’t care.”

Chapter 4: A Crazy Plan.

Great. Another woman convinced me I was the villain. Not even

five minutes of conversation and she’d already filed me under

“problems to avoid.”

And the worst part? I couldn’t even blame her. I definitely

deserved that.

We didn’t speak for the next couple of minutes, and I took that

time to study her. At first glance, she didn’t look like just

anybody. There was something in her posture, the designer

clothes, her expensive perfume and the way others in the room kept glancing at her. Probably the wife of some CEO, someone with status among the pack.

“So, are you going to tell me your name?” I asked, trying again. “You don’t have to tell me your last name,” I said, smiling. “But you look like you need someone to talk to. Since you have just saved my life, I suppose it is the least I can do.””

“Jane,” she finally conceded. She sighed and took a sip of the

second glass of whiskey. “My name is Jane.”

“Nice to meet you, Jane,” I said, extending my hand.

She took it.

As the night went on, and Jane consumed her fifth glass of whiskey, she loosened up. She couldn’t stop telling her life story

Chapter 4: A Crazy Plan.

as if we had known each other for years. I’d already asked the bartender to interrupt her, but she hadn’t noticed.

“Xander doesn’t even try to hide it anymore,” she said, staring

into her sixth, maybe seventh glass of whiskey. “Brought her into

our home today. That bitch even made me move out of our

bedroom. Can you believe that?”

A low growl threatened to escape me. My wolf didn’t like that

one bit. Something protective flared in my chest. “He let this

like this.”

because they still loved each other. She said it was because of her

family, but I could tell it was more than that. She was not ready to let go. That was love — it made you hold on even when you shouldn’t. I knew that feeling too well.

An idea formed in my head. It was stupid and reckless, but before I could stop myself, I said, “What if you reminded him?” I leaned in closer. “You should find yourself a boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?” She looked at me, thinking I was crazy. It sounded like a dumb idea, but one thing I knew about cheated men was that they couldn’t stand being cheated on. It would drive him crazy. I hoped Xander divorced her because she was too timid to

do it herself.

“Not a real relationship. Just hire one to play that role until Xander came back to his senses.”

Jane’s eyes lit up for the first time all night. “That’s… actually not a bad idea.” she tapped her finger against her glass. “But where would I even find someone willing to do that? It’s not exactly a standard job listing.”

Chapter 4: A Crazy Plan

I felt my pulse quicken. My mouth opened before my brain could.

intervene. “I could do it.”

Jane’s eyebrows shot up in utter disbelief. “You? Why would you

want to get involved in this mess?”

I shrugged, trying to look as casual as possible. “I’ve got time. And

honestly? Your husband sounds like he could use a wake–up call.”

“Wow. I…” she paused, staring down at her hands. She looked

suspicious for a moment, but then she managed a grateful smile.

“I’d pay you, of course. Generously.”

I nearly laughed. I didn’t care about money, I didn’t even need it. I

had enough to last me a lifetime. But I decided to humor her.

“Sure. whatever you think is fair.” That made things simpler, less

personal. Refusing payment would only make her more

suspicious.

She nodded, suddenly all business–like. “I’ll need to plan this

carefully. I’ll contact you when I’m ready.” She pulled out her

phone and we exchanged numbers.

As I walked her to the door, I couldn’t help but feel concerned for her. “You sure you’re okay to drive? I could call you a car.”

“I’m fine,” she insisted, fishing for the keys from her purse. She hopped into her Rolls Royce and turned to look at me one last

Chapter 4. A Crazy Plan

time. “I know my limits.”

She drove off with more steadiness than I’d expected. Maybe I’d

been stupid to even worry. But as I watched her car disappear down the road, that was when it dawned on me. My wolf paced restlessly inside me.What the hell was I thinking? What kind of trouble have I gotten myself into?