Reborn Luna (Hope and Keith) novel Chapter 39

23.Proof–1

Keith

I press my hand to my cheek where Hope’s slap cracked the haze around me.

The sting isn’t physical–more a jolt. A snap back into clarity when I was too far gone to separate reality and instinct.

I exhale, steadying the chaotic thrum inside. Her words, her touch–they rattled something deep within

1. me.

Pulled a selfish possessiveness I had no idea I was capable of feeling

Mate, my wolf grumbles.

Must find her. Now, my Lycan urges.

We would have to find her if you keep yourself together in the first place, I snap.

My Lycan huffs. She is ours. The sooner she accepts it, the better.

Goddess, I’ve never been so at odds with my metaphysical beasts before.

At least now, my wolf and Lycan aren’t vying for control.

They are separate now, but unlike last time, part of them remains intertwined.

Emma said I would go through a “metamorphosis,” until the full presentation of my combined genes would show themselves. I just wonder what that final form will look like. What it will feel like.

I remember when my wolf first presented as a pup. The fluctuating emotions and need to learn to wrangle with my dominance.

Would this be like that?

Would it be worse?

I shake loose from my thoughts. Hope is my main priority. I’m in her condition. There is no telling what could happen to her at the black market. I have to find her and make sure she is safe.

I sniff the air, hoping to pinpoint her scent.

It hasn’t been long since she left, but already it’s hard to find the trail of that jasmine and pine.

I lock up my jeep and walk in the direction she fled.

After only a few steps, I scent her. Fading but unmistakable.

Hope. Her earthy, floral, musk is wrapped around the tang of pheromones. My pulse ticks faster as I start tracking her, eventually making my way to the black market.

The scent leads me through the throng of merchants and beggars, shifters and thieves. Each breath brings

a–haze of sweat, spoiled meat, grease, body odor, rotting garbage.

The trials tangle and twine until the thin threads of their distinctions are barely perceptible.

Her calmer note drifts through the chaos, dipping and gazing behind noxious plumes of others. Clever. She’s hiding, and it’s impressive. The kind of stealth a warrior hones over the years.

But my wolf and Lycan approve of our slippery mate. It takes a lot to keep me on my toes, and I’ve been balancing on the balls of my feet since I met her

I cast a glance over the nearest stalls and shops, hoping something stands out.

A buxom female materialized beside me in my idleness. I spare her a cursory glance and decide she isn’t a threat before moving on.

The female, however, doesn’t take the hint and pushes out her substantial breasts, making it clear what’s

on offer.

My wolf bares his teeth, and my Lycan ignores her, completely unimpressed.

“Well now, I don’t think I’ve seen you here before,” she purrs seductively.

“You haven’t,” I say shortly before attempting to leave.

She darts out a hand to stop me, placing it on my chest and I freeze. My gaze crawls down until it locks on the offending hand.

“Don’t touch me,” I say calmly.

The female pouts. “Aww, don’t be like that.” She starts to finger walk her hand down my torso. I’m sure there are places you’d love to have my hands…or my mouth.”

Disgust roils in my stomach.

“No thanks. I enjoy being free from disease.” I say taking a large step back to dislodge the contact.

Somewhere beside me, an old man cackles from his perch on a worn milk crate.

Humiliation and anger flash in her eyes.

“Well fuck you then!” she shouts, heading back into the alley she crawled out of.

The need to find my mate and take her out of this infested shadow of society triples.

I continue my search. I know where she’ll be, at the healer she said is in the black market. There are two major issues with that information, though. One, I’m not sure if he is the only healer in the black market, and two, I don’t know where he is.

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