The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert

He knew she was the only one for him, but Evelyn refused to believe that for some reason.

She was older, and his boyish nature didn’t help him convince her that he was the man for her. Or maybe there was something else to it all.

He was sure that she did feel the same. They had a connection, not every mated couple had. They clicked together perfectly despite being polar opposites.

Her eyes told him she reciprocated his feelings each time their gazes locked. The delicate blush on her cheeks was giving her away too. Evelyn snarled when some she-wolves wanted to dance with him at the wedding. And when they made love, it was evident that their bond wasn’t just physical.

All the signs were there, but she kept denying them, insisting they were simply a product of his imagination.

He watched her when Zara went down the aisle in her beautiful white gown with feathers, and when she and Lachlan said their vows to each other, Kyle noticed his beloved tearing up. However, it was not the sweet adoration everyone else experienced at that beautiful moment of two souls uniting into one. What he read on Evelyn’s face was… regret. And it only made him want to hug her tight and tell her they had this too. They had what Zara and Lachlan had and what Savannah and Kai had. They had love, passion, and loyalty. She had his complete trust, and he wasn’t going anywhere. All she had to do was to let him in. Not physically this time. Mentally.

That being said, her constant rejections were bringing him down. Doubts were eating his heart and soul from the inside. What if he misread her, after all? What if she wanted all that but not with him? He would never want to force her into anything. Kyle only wished to make her happy.

Evelyn never shared why she couldn’t trust him, but he knew there was a story there, and he would get it out of her one way or another.

“Almost there.” Ash was absentmindedly clenching the folder in his hands, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. He had a problem of his own to solve today. That wedding didn’t go well for him either. Petra’s father was obstructing him from getting his Luna, which turned into an even bigger mess over time.

The first time Alpha of the Blue Forest pack refused to talk to Ash. The second time, at the very same wedding where everyone was happy except for the two new friends, Alpha Biernat laughed at Ash’s face, calling him a “westerner” as if it was an insult, and then added that he wouldn’t talk to him without a formal introduction. Queen Savannah had to step in and fix this little problem for Ash, making the introduction. Which was awkward, considering they had met before. Still, the moment she left them to perform her queenly duties, Petra’s father demanded a written request from Ash, explaining why he wanted Petra as his Luna and a marriage contract proposal attached, with a hefty sum as a gift for the pack. When Ash brought him the papers, they were turned down because no Northern AND Western Lycan Kings stamps were on them. So, they had to fix this too.

Kyle accompanied Ash each time in the hope of seeing Evelyn again. He couldn’t force their meetings, and she left the capital together with Petra. So, there was no other way to meet her because she stopped responding to his calls and messages.

“We are not giving up this time,” Ash told him, although it looked like he was talking to himself.

“No, we are not,” Kyle agreed, playing with the ring box in his pocket.

“He wouldn’t come up with something new, right?” the werewolf glanced at him.

“Of course he would,” Kyle smirked. “But we will be ready this time.”

They tried to predict everything else Petra’s father could throw at Ash, knowing that whatever he was doing, he was doing it on purpose.

The lycan and the werewolf needed this motivational talk. However, none of them was ever going to admit it.

Adventures started the moment they arrived at the pack’s border. Their car and the ones that followed after were denied entrance by the Blue Forest warriors, saying they needed the correct permits.

“Oh, really?” Kai sneered and handed a paper to the werewolf that looked like the one in charge. They anticipated all that, and he had already asked Savvy for help once again. “This should solve our little problem. It grants us entrance and an audience with an Alpha of any northern pack when we require this. Queen’s orders.”

“Unless your Alpha objects, of course,” Ash commented dryly. “Then we will pass the Queen how he feels about her commands.”

That worked perfectly; they were allowed inside the pack in less than a minute.

The Alpha’s House was easy to find as it was the biggest mansion in the area. Ash smiled when he saw flowerbeds with pink freesias surrounding the massive building. There was no doubt who they bloomed for.

The Beta met them at the doors, welcoming the two men inside the spacious house. A grand staircase was in the middle of the rich wooden hall, and they heard quick footsteps from the top floor.

“Ash!” Petra beamed as she ran down the stairs in a flowing pale pink dress, her hair unruly as she probably did not expect any guests today.

Kyle’s heart skipped a beat when he noticed his Lyn following the other woman slowly. There was so much grace in her that she could easily pass for a werecat. Their eyes locked, and his throat bobbed with how emotional the moment felt.

she saw him, and he hoped it was because she

father caught her wrist halfway and turned her around, eventually bringing her

fast!” he grunted, and the smile dropped from

him reproachfully, furrowing

Alpha brushed his daughter off, turning back to their guests. “Gentlemen, to what do I owe the

since the last time we spoke, Alpha,” Ash met his future father-in-law’s gaze. “I came to claim

Alpha Biernat frowned, shooting a

you asked,” Ash

we waste time on all this,

Ash nodded, suppressing an

Then you don’t mind fighting

my mate. As long as Petra is willing, I will not give up on her. So, bring your line of Alphas, please. I would like to deal with them as soon as possible. I went to fight for Petra before I knew who she was to me, and I am not leaving her now.” Ash finished his speech, staring straight at his mate’s father without blinking, their Alpha

around them got quiet, and Kyle exchanged concerned glances with Evelyn. This would either be a breakthrough or the

laugh brought them back to reality. Alpha Biernat threw his head

“Imagine my disappointment when my girl who was raised to become a Queen was mated

everything a queen has,” Ash assured him. “I

you are destined mates, I knew you did not appreciate the gift that Fenrir bestowed on

to Alpha Jones?” Kyle decided to clarify everything at once. If a northern alpha gave his or their word, he had to keep it. They were earnest about the honour here, and the Gamma

all the money we agreed on, he can take her,” Alpha Biernat confirmed in a business-like manner, and they all wanted to cheer, but, luckily, they knew better. Petra’s father would only take it as a

wait to meet their Luna, and I want to bring

Kyle finally managed to catch another

he was ready for. And that meant Kyle would have his chance to speak to his beloved now while everyone else was

of raspberries and mint made Kyle search

and everyone in the spacious reception area froze in

of the staircase she stood on tightly, watching Petra’s cousin Lila appear from the opposite passage. The beautiful young girl descended slowly, sniffing the air with her cute button nose and ignoring everything

the word sounded

She was already twenty, which meant she hadn’t been mated to any of them. The only two new males in the room were Ash

her eyes, the realisation slowly sinking in. This was the

was going to end this way. They were doomed from the

hands in pockets. Evelyn realised that he had probably forgotten about

a chesty laugh. “Our Lila got herself the kingdom’s

She was perfection from head to toe with her short lilac hair and deep blue eyes. One of the best pack’s warriors, she was also well-educated and of pure alpha blood. Lila never lacked male attention and was destined for a great mate. Now, as she stood before the redhead lycan, anyone who saw them together could tell they were a

couldn’t look

sooner or later, he would meet his mate and forget about his temporary fascination with her. This was

did was the safest option, and Evelyn knew enough grief not to want

was of the right age and background. She would give him

was the only one happy now. No one else still commented. “The Gamma of the North! What a catch! And

for her own good, considering she had her own

throat quickly, attracting everyone’s attention but stubbornly avoiding sparing Kyle

this torture, she retreated to her bedroom. They would all understand her, after all. And

of Evelyn hoped that Kyle would rush after her, that he would choose her over everything.

single tear run down her cheek. And then a few more. She

best. They would have a happy life together. The same as Petra would have a

She had to be…

opened it, wishing

written all

on her face. Over the years, she became very good at those. “These are happy tears! Petra, Lila

her, but she dodged, knowing that if she didn’t, she would burst out

Evelyn scolded. “This girl is now

forced his way into

closed her face with her hands, trying to form the words she needed to persuade that insufferable man. “Lila is amazing! You and her… it makes so much sense! She will make you happy. She will give you the life you deserve with kids and love. She

stopped talking, finding it painful to breathe. “With you,” he added quickly and placed his