Rising Luna (Of Shadows and Wolves #2)

Chapter One Silas

A searing pain, as if someone had snapped my chest in half, consumed my thoughts as I sat only three feet away from the love of my life.

I looked over at her, and my heart broke more, seeing her face twisted in anger, hurt, confusion, and annoyance all at once.

Dylan sat cross-legged, arms hugged to her chest, her gaze fixed on Council member Louve Lupe.

The sight of her gorgeous purple and black hair falling past her shoulders caused me to swallow.

The way her teal eyes looked cold-hearted as she avoided looking back at me made me hang my head low.

I did this. I fucked this up. Her rejection was understandable, given that I’d rejected her and sent her here.

I let out a sigh full of self-disappointment and self-loathing.

When I heard fingers snapping and my name called, I brought my attention back to the room.

I looked up at Lupe and her eyes were on me.

From beside me, I could hear Dylan scoff.

More than anything, I needed to know what would happen next after having Dylan reject me for payback.

I was grieving the bond I threw away and thought I could restore with just a simple apology.

Yeah, that was stupid. Never again will I listen to Jack’s views on women.

The council member’s grey eyes focused on me, waiting for my answer to a question I’d missed. I cleared my throat and straightened myself in my chair.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that."

Lupe looked at Dylan, then repeated her statement.

"Since Miss Pierce is still attending the academy, she can tell you what she would like you to work on while you are attending classes here.

All wolves are to complete Etiquette, Pack Politics, Pack Magic, and Combat.

What Miss Pierce decides is what else she wishes for you to work on; this will be completed during a mentorship class with me.

Are you okay with her telling you what she needs from you, considering she did not get the same privilege? "

Dylan scoffed quietly. “I wouldn’t call that a privilege,” she murmured.

Despite the hurtful intention, I fought to suppress my smile.

That’s the thing I like best about her—her fiery attitude.

. It will keep me on my toes and turn me on to the point of my dick hurting.

But I knew better than to show her how much I liked this side of her right now.

If anything, that would land me with her foot in my crotch.

As much as I want her to touch me there, that's not how I want it to happen.

"I am. She deserves to be able to do this to me after what I did."

I noticed Dylan’s head snap around to face me with one eyebrow raised in the most irreverent facial expression I’ve ever seen as she gave me a disapproving glance from head to toe, replying with a tone to match, "Oh, I most certainly fucking do."

Lupe gasped. "Miss. Pierce! You don't need to use such language. ."

Dylan growled... growled at the highest ranking wolf at the academy. It was hard to steer my thoughts back from wondering if this hot as hell woman was this commanding in the bedroom. Now that would be a fucking turn on.

Focus. Silas's wolf snarled. It is your fault we are here. Pay attention so we know how to get her back.

I glanced Dylan's way, attempting a smile. "I'm fine, ma’am, and I deserve that and more for rejecting her."

Dylan snarled at me. “Don’t expect your brown-nosing to sway me, Lynch.”

Yep. It's a turn on with how fiery she is. It was the night I met her and still is now. Why the fuck did I reject her again?

Because you are an idiot.

I would continue this discussion with my wolf, but he had a point.

So, I thought giving her a lopsided grin stretching my face would do something for her. "I didn't think it would. You seem to have a lot to say right now, Pierce. Lay it on me."

Well, that didn't work.

"What I wish I could do was lay you the fuck out on this ground, but I'm pretty sure this old fuck won't let me. So, I am going to punch you as hard as I can verbally instead. You sure you are ready for that, pumpkin?"

Silas lifted an eyebrow at her. "Pumpkin?"

“Dude…That orangish hair of yours. Why the hell am I wasting that kind of gold on you?

Ugh. Anyway. My list of demands is for you to grow the fuck up and understand what having a mate means.

I want an apology letter from you by end of term listing the reasons you rejected me and why that was the biggest mistake you've ever made.

Also, I want you to read that damn letter on your knees to me like you are worshipping me and that letter is you pouring your undying love for me.

I also want his arrogant ass to unlearn his toxic bullshit understanding about Shadowborns being the root of evil.

" Dylan blinked and then glared at Lupe. "From Wilcox. Not you."

Dylan's power filled the room, and I could smell the potency of her anger laced within the cloud of it. I gulped as I felt it brush against me, averting my gaze to prevent Dylan’s wolf from becoming more enraged by my contact.

“Perhaps Professor Wilcox isn’t the ideal choice at this moment, Miss Pierce,” Lupe said, a hint of irritation in her voice.

“I don't give a shit if she's pissed off at Leahy. You aren't to teach him about Shadowborns. That is a term of mine, and I will go over your head to ensure that happens."

Unsure of what was happening, I looked from one she-wolf to the other.

I knew Dylan was brave, but this was beyond anything I’d seen.

She was an Alpha by nature, and it showed.

For her to go toe-to-toe with someone like Lupe, she would make an amazing alpha to a pack.

Our kind would force her to be a Luna, but I know for damn certain I would be listening to her if it came down to it.

Lupe could have Dylan turned over to the entire council to decide if Dylan could return to her pack if she wanted to right now. This woman didn't seem to give a shit.

My woman.

"Dylan," I wanted her attention just so the simmering cloud of anger would dissipate. She glared at me, her eyes still burning with rage. "I agree with your terms. I'll agree to anything you want because I promise I will fix this."

She scoffed at me. "Doubtful."

I smiled at her. Everything about her made me so powerless to stop myself from smiling or getting aroused by her.

Dylan knew what she wanted and wouldn't settle for less. Winning back her heart would be a hard journey, but I believed the reward was worth the struggle. Dylan’s alpha personality was evident in her recent daring actions.

To prove my regret for rejecting her, I would do whatever she wanted.

It would not stop me from flirting or testing ways on how to make her happy in between trying to show her how sorry I was.

Dylan glanced at Lupe. "Are we done here? My mates are not happy they weren't allowed to sit in on this conversation and are too antsy for me to sit still any longer."

Silas saw Lupe’s jaw twitch; she seemed to count to five before she answered. "You may be excused, Miss. Pierce. Unless you have anything else to say to Mr. Lynch."

Rising from her chair, Dylan paused next to Silas. Growling, she looked down at me when I dared to meet her gaze. Her lip curled when she noticed me looking in her eyes, but I didn't dare move my gaze. She had to know I would not back down, either.

"Don't think some cheesy lines, presents, and any other bullshit will remove what you did from my memory.

Only when you stop being a jackass and pay for sending me here will I reconsider keeping this bond severed.

The Moon Goddess saw something in you, though I'm not sure what, and I don’t take that lightly. "

I sighed. "I made a mistake."

"Yeah, you did," she confirmed.

I swallowed once more. The anger in her eyes made my dry throat even drier.

"I'll go through the mentorship with Wilcox and write that letter. Whatever it takes to show you I want this, I’ll do it.

I will make things right with you. I was an asshole, but I was also raised to hate your kind.

My bigotry should not have gotten in the way of what our relationship should be. "

With her hands clenched into fists, I braced myself for a punch.

I felt I deserved it if she did, yet also hoped she wouldn’t.

Dylan exited, slamming the door shut behind her.

I cast a look at Lupe after hearing her sigh.

With a longing gaze, the councilwoman watched the door, as if wishing Dylan hadn’t left.

Something went down between Lupe and my mate.

Dylan left before I could ask the hundreds of questions swirling in my head.

I cleared my throat. Lupe snapped out of it and smiled at me.

"Let me give you a tour of the campus. I will show you the areas for your classrooms and then the dorms."

I looked back toward the door, almost hoping Dylan would be there. "Will my room be in the same building as Dylan?"

Lupe lifted an eyebrow at him, "You will be in the same building but not on the same floor. Miss. Pierce now shares her room with her two mates."

I lifted my eyebrows at her. "Two? I thought she'd have more with how powerful she is."

Our kind, being one that allowed for the female to have multiple mates, did scare me a bit considering it meant I would have to share my mate with other men.

I already knew I would be jealous of seeing my mate with other men and hoped I'd get lucky and have a mate of my own.

If anything, I prayed I'd only have to share her with one more.

After meeting Dylan, I knew I'd end up having to share her with more than just one.

Two were on the lower end, which I was thrilled about. I just thought it'd be with more.