Chapter 8: The Beta's Future Luna

Carter was avoiding me.

I wasn’t stupid, I could see it.

The first few times, I thought maybe I was imagining things. That he just happened to be busy when I walked into a room. That it was just bad timing when I saw him sparring and he turned away.

But now? Now, it was undeniable.

Carter wasn’t just distant. He was gone.

And it hurt more than I wanted to admit.

He really doesn’t care, does he? I thought bitterly, staring at the reflection in my vanity mirror.

Riley stirred in the back of my mind, restless. That’s not true.

“Then where is he?” I muttered aloud, gripping the edges of the wooden table. “If he cared, wouldn’t he have said something by now?”

Silence.

I inhaled sharply, straightening my posture. It doesn’t matter. He made his choice.

And I had made mine.

I smoothed my hands over my dress, preparing myself for another night of pretending.

Another night of standing by Jace's side.

The last time I was alone with Jace, he had kissed me.

I had shoved him away, my skin crawling from his touch. He had pushed, testing my boundaries, pressing for more. I had left that night feeling suffocated, shaken.

And yet here I was again.

I stood outside the packhouse garden, inhaling slowly, steadying myself

The feast was already in full swing by the time I arrived. The evening air was crisp, the scent of pine and burning wood drifting from the bonfires below. The Moonshadow Pack’s grounds were alive with celebration: wolves drinking, laughing, sparring under the rising moon.

Tonight was another feast, another excuse for the pack to bond. I had spent most of the evening blending into the background, performing my duties as an Omega, avoiding unnecessary attention.

But, of course, I didn’t make it far before he found me.

“Ruby,” Jace's voice cut through the noise, smooth as honey.

I froze.

Riley, my wolf, let out a low growl in the back of my mind. I don’t like him.

Neither did I.

I turned slowly, forcing a polite smile. “Jace.”

He was already walking toward me, his posture relaxed, but there was an unmistakable sharpness in his eyes. He looked… pleased.

Like he had expected me to be right where I was.

“Finally,” he murmured, taking my hand before I could stop him. “I was beginning to think you were avoiding me.”

I stiffened, but kept my expression neutral.“Not avoiding. Just busy.”

Jace tilted his head. “Busy doing what?”

Surviving you.

Instead, I said, “Omega duties.”

His smirk deepened, and he stepped closer, his presence overpowering. “You know, Ruby, you don’t have to keep saying that like it defines you. You won’t be an Omega forever.”

I stiffened slightly.

He reached out, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear, his fingers grazing my skin deliberately. “You’re going to be my Luna,” he murmured. “The future Beta’s mate. You’ll stand beside me, not behind me.”

Riley bared her teeth in my mind. Tell him to back off.

I stepped away subtly, pretending to adjust the sleeves of my dress. “That’s a long way off.”

Jace chuckled. “Not as long as you think.”

Something about the way he said it made my stomach twist.

He lifted my hand to his lips, brushing a light kiss over my knuckles. The action was smooth, practiced, meant to make my stomach flutter.

Instead, I had to fight the urge to yank my hand away.

Riley bristled. Don’t let him touch us.

I swallowed hard, keeping my voice steady. “Enjoying the celebration?”

Jace exhaled, guiding me away from the center of the feast, toward a more secluded area near the stone terrace. “It’s been… entertaining. But I think I’d rather spend the evening with you.”

I forced a small laugh. “I’m sure there are plenty of others who would love your company.”

His blue eyes gleamed under the firelight. “Maybe. But none of them are my future Luna.”

I tensed at the word.

He turned slightly, stepping into my space. “You look beautiful tonight, Ruby.”

I tried to step back, but my heel hit the edge of the stone railing. I was trapped.

Riley growled again, louder this time.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about us,”

Jace murmured. “About last time.”

Ice crawled up my spine.

He meant the kiss. The one I had pushed away from.

The one that had left me feeling claimed in a way I wanted no part of.

“I owe you an apology,” Jace continued, his voice softer now, his gaze almost remorseful.

I blinked, caught off guard.

He sighed. “I was too forward. I got caught up in the moment, and I made you uncomfortable.”

I stared at him, unsure of how to respond.

Jace narrowed her eyes. Careful. This is calculated.

Jace smiled, tilting his head. “Can you forgive me?”

I hesitated.

He sounded genuine. Looked genuine.

But something about him always felt a little too polished.

Still, what choice did I have?

I nodded. “Of course. but please don't try again.”

His smile deepened, but there was something else there now. A slow, simmering confidence.

Like he had just won.

The conversation drifted after that.

Jace was good at talking: good at making it seem like we were having an actual connection when, in reality, he was doing all the talking and I was simply existing.

I barely heard him.

Because my thoughts kept drifting to

Carter.

Where was he now? Was he at the feast? Or was he training, avoiding the festivities just like he was avoiding me?

Did he even care that I was standing here with Carter? That I was being touched, claimed, by another wolf?

No.

He had made it clear where we stood.

He was gone.

He had left me to this.

I clenched my jaw, forcing my attention back to Jace just as he brushed his fingers along my arm.

My breath hitched.

I hadn’t been paying attention.

And suddenly, he was close again.

Too close.

“Jace—”

“You know,” he interrupted smoothly, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’re lucky.”

I blinked, taken aback. “What?”

His fingers trailed lower, over the curve of my wrist, his grip subtle but firm. “Most she-wolves would kill to have someone who knows how to handle them.”

My stomach twisted.

Riley let out a sharp snarl. Enough.

I exhaled slowly, pushing back against my wolf’s rage. “Jace, I think I should—”

But Jace wasn’t done.

His grip tightened just slightly. “I wonder,” he mused, studying me, “what it’ll take to make you see us. To make you realize that this bond is inevitable.”

I stiffened. “Bond?”

He smirked. “We may not be fated, Ruby, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be great together.”

I clenched my fists, trying to steady my breathing.

I needed to end this conversation.

“I should go,” I muttered, stepping back.

Jace's expression shifted ever so slightly: still charming, still smooth, but there was something else there now.

Frustration.

Possession.

“You really do make things difficult,” he murmured.

I crossed my arms. “What?”

Jace chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t mind the challenge. In fact, I think I prefer it.” His voice dropped lower. “It’ll make things that much sweeter when you finally give in.”

I clenched my fists. “I think you should stop talking.”

His smirk widened. “And if I don’t?”

Riley surged forward before I could stop her.

I met Jace's gaze head-on, my voice cool, steady. “Then I’ll make you.”

His blue eyes flickered.

For a moment, we just stood there, the tension crackling like a live wire.

Then Jace chuckled, stepping back fully, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll behave… for now.”

I exhaled, trying to steady my pulse.

Jace leaned in slightly, whispering, “But just so you know, Ruby… I don’t intend to lose this game.”

I held my ground, refusing to let him see how much his words unsettled me.

Finally, he turned on his heel, disappearing into the celebration.

Riley's voice was a low growl. We need to be careful.

I pressed a hand against my chest, forcing down the unease curling in my stomach.

Because Riley was right.

Jace wasn’t just interested.

He was hunting.

And I had no idea how much longer I could run.