Page 69 of Two Years Gone

“We have an announcement,” he said, motioning to Zane to join him.

“Zane and Ella have decided to accept each other as mates, and we will be having a luna ceremony next week on the full moon!”

I blushed as everyone clapped and whooped. Zane walked over and took my hand.

“I hope they’re okay with this,” I mumbled.

“Why wouldn’t they be?” Zane asked, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

“I’m just an omega, they probably don’t want me as their luna.”

Zane shrugged and then faced me, taking my face in his hands.

“But I want you, so they’ll have to deal with it.” He gave me a soft kiss and I blushed again at the whistles from the dining hall.

We didn’t see the scowl spread across Mariah’s face.

We met with Alpha Daniel to go over plans for the ceremony, and then I left them to pack business. I needed a moment to myself anyway.

I really cared about him and loved the new person he was becoming. He had gone from cruel and dark to kind.

I knew he would become a great alpha. But I needed to come to terms with the fact I would be luna. I decided to take a run to get my mind straight.

As I made my way to the edge of the forest, I started to strip out of my clothes. I hid them next to a tree and then shifted.

It had been a long time since I shifted, and my wolf was excited to have some time out to run. I sprinted through the forest, jumping over rocks and fallen trees.

It felt good. I knew exactly where I was going to go. I turned to the east and was excited as I saw the tree line begin to thin.

I kept sprinting, running down the dock, and jumping into the cool water. My wolf paddled along, enjoying the lake and the alone time.

I made my way back to shore and lay down on the rocky sand, looking out at the calm water. I had almost fallen asleep when I heard a twig snap behind me near the treeline.

My ears perked up and I looked at the trees behind me, trying to see what had made the sound.

I turned back around to the lake.

“Stupid rabbits…,” I mumbled to myself. I looked back at the lake and took a deep breath.

Snap!

My head shot up again.

“I don’t think you realize the mistake you’ve made.”

I turned around to see Mariah standing there. I growled, which only made Mariah smirk.

“You see, Ella, you really should have just kept your head down and let him get over that stupid crush.”

She stepped forward, glaring at me with fire in her eyes.

“I am meant to be luna. I am meant to be his mate. You should have left it alone!”

I stepped backward. I didn’t know what Mariah was capable of.

“Now you’re in the way! You should have just accepted your place, you little omega! You. Are.Nothing!” In her anger Mariah shifted, her wolf moving forward aggressively.

My eyes were wide, fear creeping into my mind. I was just a cook who had never been trained to fight. Suddenly, Mariah lunged forward. She bit at my neck, which made me yelp in pain.