Reborn Luna (Hope and Keith) novel Chapter 19

13. Change–2

That’s right. He’s here to see Emma. The more I think about it, the more I realize I don’t know the reason why. I try to think back to our past? Future?

Fuck if I know.

It’s starting to feel like more of a dream so maybe Emma is right.

Maybe I did have a walking vision.

Is it possible it didn’t show me everything because Keith didn’t have anything wrong with him

in that version of us.

My hand stills.

What if this version has more changes than just my choices?

Or what if I can see things I missed then?

I stare at Keith for perhaps the first time since this dinner started. I look over his handsome features. His sharp jawline and thick brows. The small scar on the bottom left corner of his sensual lips.

He doesn’t look sick.

His skin has a healthy glow and his body is a honed weapon of muscle and sinew.

Perfect posture. Steady voice.

What changed?

“What are you being treated for?” Ben asks, sounding casual.

Emma shoots her son a mind your business look but Ben doesn’t take back his statement. Probably because he is still peeved about my father trying to pair Keith and Tessa.

Keith’s tone is light but firm. “Nothing serious. Some symptoms I want to get checked out after my assenstion. My pack is quite large so there are many new connections anchored to

me.”

He cuts into his food with annoying grace, the action a clear end to the line of questioning.

Ben’s gaze lingers on him a second longer than necessary. Then he leans closer to me, voice

low.

“You know anything about this?” he murmurs.

1/5

< 13 Change 2

Why does he want to know?

“No,” I whisper back. “Nothing.”

+25 Points

Jace launches into a story about the last full moon hunt. Tessa politely laughs adding in her own experiences hunting on our territory effectively defusing and then of the awkward

tension in the room.

Keith nods and hums along but his gaze keeps lingering on me.

My skin heats under his attention.

It brings me back to how it felt during the beginning of our mating, how he would study me like I was all he wanted to look at.

My mind spins.

Lust, confusion and apprehension battle beneath the mask I keep on.

He was fine before. He never mentioned symptoms. Never came to Blue Rock for healing. So what changed?

Or–who?

Was it me?

Did my return to Blue Rock mess with the timeline? Did something ripple?

Or did my choice expose me to things happening beneath my nose?

Things Keith wouldn’t have told me if he thought it would keep me safe and happy. He was always doing that, shouldering burdens alone and keeping things he felt would upset me away from me.

I thought it came from a good place, but what if those secrets snowballed larger than I thought.

Ben leans into my ear. “You okay?”

I nod slowly. “Yeah. Just thinking.”

Keith’s voice rises again. “Dr. Emma, I’m looking forward to our visit. I’ve heard incredible things about you.”

Emma waves off the complement. “I just do my best.”

“You’re much too modest,” Papa praises, “Blue Rock would be lost without her.”

“So would I,” Tucker adds.

< 13. Change–2

Emma flushes from her mate’s declaration.

+25 Points

“And her son’s no slouch either,” Papa continues. “Ben is one of our finest warriors and mediators since his father. I have high hopes he’ll take over the beta position when the time

comes.”

Ben’s smile is tight. “Appreciate that.”

The corner of Keith’s mouth wobbles like he’s fighting a frown.

“It must be comforting to have him so close to your daughters,” Jace says.

My face snaps to his and for a moment I forget we’re supposed to be strangers.

I raise my brows in a silent chastise and he grins

“Extremely,” Papa confesses. “He is a great friend to them. Like a son to me.”

Keith’s knuckles go white around the fork he’s holding.

Shit. It’s time to find a way out.

When Papa calls for dessert I stand, before they can bring it out.

“Excuse me. I need some air,” I say.

I don’t wait for permission. I slip out the back door into the garden. Cool air hits my face. I breathe deeply.

A second later, footsteps follow.

“Thought you might bolt,” Ben says, joining me.

“And has Papa questioned me later? You should know I’m smarter than that.”

“You thinking of telling him any time soon?”

“Are you thinking of telling her?” I counter.

I don’t need to say who her is.

“Fair.”

We stand in silence.

Then Ben mutters, “So. Keith the Virgin.”

I snort. “Figure that would be the part that caught your attention.”

“I didn’t think he’d be the type of male to admit that in front of everyone,” he says

<13. Change 2

“Me either,” I run my finger along the balcony railing.

“He wanted you to hear it.” Ben says after a beat.

I pause. “You think?”

+25 Points

Ben shrugs. “I know guys like him. Prideful. Strategic. That wasn’t for Clinton’s benefit. Or Tessa’s. It was for you.”

“Trying to guilt me?” I guess.

“Trying to win you.”

I huff.” Yeah,there is no chance of that.”

Ben studies me. “Are you sure about that?”

I meet his eyes. “Yes.”

He nods once. Doesn’t smile or argue. Just accepts it.

Then he asks, “What do you think’s wrong with him?”

I shake my head. “No idea. Whatever it is, I’m sure your mom can help.”

I look back toward the house. Through the window, I can see Keith laughing at something Tessa said. Papa claps him on the back.

I turn away unable to stomach the scene with my emotions so raw.

“So Tessa?” I ask to change the subject to distract myself.

“Yeah.” Ben’s voice is quiet, like admitting it out loud is as scary as losing her.

We’re quiet again. Just two souls battling with the choices surrounding their other half.

Ben turns to me. “You going back in?”

“In a minute.”

“I’ll wait with you.”

So we stand there in the dark, side by side, getting ready to head in and pretend everything is normal.

Comments