Luna On The Run!

Alpha Zane’s POV

Walking through this crowd makes me feel like I’m alive again.

With Mase at my side, I make my way through the corridors, stopping to window shop here and there before we continue on our way. When we reach a sports shop, my friend dives in and I follow.

He frantically rummages through a couple of baskets, picking up a few shirts until we reach the jeans section.

“Try these too. These are the most popular ones and have a great fit,” he insists as he tosses three pieces onto his arm. Aaahhh, trying them on and taking them off, I hate that so much. The only time I had planned to go shopping was with my mate. But then she would be the one doing the shopping and I would just organize a private catwalk show for myself. Women love shopping and I was so looking forward to spoiling Ariel. I was even prepared to put aside my dislike of walking around just to please her.

I need to control myself and stop thinking about what I could have. The present is here, healing is my new path. So I pick out a cute pair of jeans in my size and head for the fitting room.

Damn, they fit me like a glove, even if I say so myself.

As I leave the fitting room, I see a woman not far from me. “Lady, I’ll take these pants. Where is your checkout?” I ask as I walk towards her. Then she looks up at me and our eyes meet. Deeper blue than mine, with a happy gleam. Her face immediately changes to a smile after staring at me blankly at first.

“Hi.” Her voice is so raspy that Claw jerks to his feet and stares at her in awe.

“I don’t work here, I’m shopping myself, but I was inattentive and ended up here. The register is around the corner.” Stunned, I kept looking at her, her voice hypnotizing me. I could listen to her for a long time without getting tired.

Then I noticed that she was looking at me strangely. “Hmmm, of course. Thank you. I was distracted by your voice. I have never heard such beautiful intonation”. She smiles confidently. “Thank you. But why do I feel you are flirting with me?” Without waiting for an answer, she walks past me. I looked over at her before heading for the till. Mase is nowhere in sight.

Carrying my bags, I sit down on one of the waiting chairs.

“Zane, is that you? It’s been so long, babe.” A woman sits down next to me, her pungent perfume almost suffocating me. And when I turn to face her, I see no one else sitting there but Amelia, daughter of Crescent Moon Alpha. She has been hunting me ever since she turned eighteen. She has this idea we could be mates. But she is not my type at all. Don’t get me wrong, she’s beautiful and all that, I’m sure she’ll make her mate happy one day, but I’m not the lucky one. I think it’s my Alpha title that attracts her.

“Amelia,” I greet her coolly. Diplomatically, I try to make it clear that I have no feelings for her. “Shopping again?” My comment doesn’t go down well, her face contorting insultingly.

“That was mean, Zane. I honestly don’t spend that much on shopping. But my father’s birthday is in a few weeks and I want to look my best. Is that a crime?”

“No. Not at all, Amelia. I didn’t mean it as badly as it sounded. You see, I bought myself something here. It’s all worth the price.” And then I see her lift her nose, her eyes grow wide before she slowly turns away.

Behind her, Mase approaches, his expression changing from surprise to disbelief to delight. Amelia staggers on her high heels. Her height matches Mase’s, so he doesn’t have to bend down at all. He cups her face in his hands. “MATE!” he whispers. “Finally! Where have you been? I thought you’d never come.”

Their lips meet in a hungry kiss, revealing their relief. Both had waited so long, had given up hope of ever meeting one another. As they part breathlessly, a tight embrace follows. Everyone in the shop stops what they are doing and stares at the two lovers.

“Champagne! A few glasses of champagne to celebrate my friends’ mating,” I call. It was as if the shopkeeper had already put the bottles in the cupboard. The assistants ran from here to there to get everyone a glass. When the wine was poured, I raised my glass.

“Hooray for the new mates. My best friend Mase and the Alpha female Amelia. This is great”.

Congratulations echo from all sides as the two become completely absorbed in each other. It gets cozy in the shop and a couple of mated wolves give them advice on how to keep their relationship healthy.

In a far corner, I spotted the red-haired beauty again.

I slowly made my way over to her. Passing the cash register, I hand over my credit card to pay for the wine and everything else. And then I was standing in front of her. Again I noticed how beautiful she is. Claw is on edge, he too stares at her like a puppy in love.

She is human, with the scent of werewolf around her.

“We haven’t been properly acquainted. I’m Zane and my friend just got engaged.” She smiles at me again, and then I think that she fits perfectly into the image I have of my bed partner. But now I will have to woo her like humans do. Her round hips and slender legs conjure up visions of us in bed.

“What is your name? Are you from here?” I asked her.

“No, I’m not from here. A friend took me in for a few weeks,” she answers again in that heavenly voice.

“And my name is Clarita.”…