Ch. I Refuse to Be Your Luna 64 I Refuse to Be Your Luna 64

Chapter 64 The Wrong Person

Apha Harold’s POV

I stayed at Phina’s apartment far longer than I should have that night. The elevator had scared her badly, and hours later she still looked pale, flinching at every sound from the hallway, her fingers tight around her

mug.

I couldn’t leave her like that.

By the time I got home the mansion was quiet, but the moment I stepped into the kitchen, my father was sitting at the island waiting for me.

“Dad?”

I loosened my tie. His wolf pressed close to the surface, thickening the air.

“Come with me.”

“Where?”

“The garden.”

“I’m exhausted.”

“Of course you are. You’re trying to please everyone at once.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Outside.” His Alpha command left no room to argue.

Under the garden lights he folded his arms, his wolf still restless beneath his skin. “Let me ask you something. The company elevator broke down today.”

“Yeah.”

“You, Phina, and Flourish were trapped inside.”

“That’s right.”

“Tell me what happened.”

The memory came back fast. Phina screaming, shaking against me, the dark pressing in. I rubbed my ‘forehead. “Phina was terrified. You have no idea how scared she is of the dark.”

“And?”

“What do you mean?”

“So she was scared.”

Obviously.”

19:57 Wed, Sep 30

Chapter 64 The Wrong Person

His face hardened. “And what happened to your soon-to-be mate?”

What about Flourish?”

He said nothing for a long moment, then laughed once, no humor in it. “She was trapped in there too.”

“Flourish is fine.” It came out automatic.

“Oh?”

“She’s not afraid of the dark.”

The second it left my mouth his eyes sharpened. “And how exactly would you know that?”

I opened my mouth and had nothing.

He stepped closer. “What girl enjoys being trapped in a broken elevator?”

“Dad.”

“No. Answer me.”

Frustration rose fast. “Why do you always take Flourish’s side? Phina is a person too.”

His voice went frighteningly calm. “She is. She’s your beta’s widow.”

“So?”

“So no matter what history you two have, that’s what she still is.” He paused. “And Flourish?”

I looked away.

“You’re getting mated in four days. You’re about to have a Luna.”

“I know.”

“Do you?”

I had no answer for that either. I turned and walked back inside, leaving his disappointment behind me in the garden.

I barely slept. Every time I shut my eyes I saw the elevator again, Flourish sitting alone in the dark, and something tightened in my chest every time the image came back.

By morning I was running on caffeine and irritation.

The first person on my mind at the office was Marcus. I’d asked administration to keep an eye on Flourish the day before, before I left with Phina, and the thought of it had been bothering me enough that I went down to find him.

He looked startled to see me. “Alpha Harold.”

Yesterday, I asked you to stay with Lady Flourish.”

19:57 Wed, Sep 30

Chapter 64 The Wrong Person

“Oh, yes.” He scratched the back of his neck. “She told me I didn’t need to.”

you left.”

He nodded.

“Was she okay?”

He hesitated. “A little shaken. Anyone would be, after getting trapped like that.”

I didn’t say anything. I walked back upstairs, but the words followed me the whole way. A little shaken.

In my office I sat behind the desk and stared at my phone, my hand hovering over her name. I should call her, I thought. Before I could, the phone rang.

Phina.

I answered right away. “Phina.”

“Harold.” She sounded hesitant. “Can you help me with something?”

I straightened. “What happened?”

“Can you talk to your father for me? I don’t want to go on that blind date.”

“What blind date?”

“Lady Daciana called this morning. Gave me a name and an address.”

“Who?”

“Alpha Cedric Thorn.”

I froze. Everyone knew Cedric Thorn, Alpha of the Thornclaw Pack, powerful, wealthy, and used to getting whatever he wanted.

Her voice trembled. “I have a recording tonight. I don’t want to go.”

“They’re forcing you?”

“Yes.”

My wolf stirred sharply at the fear in her voice, and I answered before I’d really thought it through. “You don’t have to go.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’ll handle it. No one’s forcing you into an arranged meeting.”

“Thank you,” she said, relief obvious in her breath.

After the call ended I sat still for a while. I should have been thinking about Phina, about Cedric, about the argument still hanging over me from my father. Instead my mind kept dragging me back to the elevator

B

19:58 Wed, Sep 30

Chapter 64 The Wrong Person

Finesien

Flourish’s face. The way she’d sat against the wall. The weakness in her voice, the fact that she’d needed help just to stand.

Mwolf let out a low growl.

I pushed back from the desk. Why did the thought of her being alone bother me this much?

I picked up the phone again and looked at her name. Four days. Only four days left before the Lunar Rite.

If she really meant to walk away from it, why had she been so calm yesterday? Why had she looked at me like none of it mattered to her anymore?

My grip on the phone tightened. Her sudden distance bothered me more than I wanted to admit.

lourish,” I said, barely above a whisper.

ared at her contact a second longer before locking the screen.

How long are you planning to keep this up?”

This time my wolf answered with a warning growl I couldn’t ignore.

19

19:58 Wed, Sep 30

I Refuse To Be Your Luna