The Lunar Queen (Lyric and Mason) novel Chapter 40

pter 40

it like that, I see it-the shift. The walls. The part of her that learned how to survive by not pushing too hard against things

‘t prove.

ns to the doctor.

go back to training?” she asks..

ut no heavy sparring for a few days, at least,” she says.

Cha

And

Int

Oh, and Daddy, I need you to come to the school so I can graduate early. I tested out of my junior year on the first day and

en taking senior classes all year, but Principal Jameson said you need to sign some papers so I can graduate with the seniors

ar,” she says.

“Con

I put

se she did. Of course she found a way forward even in the middle of everything.

he impresses me more every day.

wait to learn every little thing about her.

sweetheart, I’ll go with you in the morning,” her dad says.

ks at me.

fee

I not

“Ma

“I he

“Wel

the v

To gu?” she asks.

the pray, princess,” I reply.

es any hand, and everyone in the room looks at her hand in mine.

“Wh

And

my ghoy shoulders.

klonkuétricontering go.

te are you guys guys leaving?” she asks.

about we go otototo town and have some fun?” she suggests.

u have in mind?fast. I ask.

archery range, there sherbs other stuff 100a skating rink, bowling alley,” she says.

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Chapter 40

“I just don’t want to be around the pity stares and all the apologies yet. I’ll get enough of that at school,” she explains.

And there it is again-that quiet honesty she doesn’t dress up or soften.

“Whatever you want, princess,” I say.

I notice Mason standing off to the side of the hospital parking lot.

“Mason is here,” I say softly.

“What do you want to do?” I ask her.

“Come with me?” she asks.

I put my hand on her lower back to try to ground her and lead the way.

I feel the slight tension in her body the closer we get. Not panic-but not calm either. Controlled. Held together.

I notice her look around before we get closer to him.

ร

“Mason, what are you doing here?” she asks.

“I heard you were getting released today, and I just needed to see it for myself,” he says

“Well, now you have. But please-I know it may be hard to actually stay away from me, but I need you to really try. If you love me

the way I know you do, I need you to stop, please,” she says softly.

“What about us?” he asks.

And just like that, everything stills. Even my wolf goes quiet, waiting.

My heart stops at that question.

She pauses for a moment and then steps to him.

She puts her hand out, and he bends down so she can cup his cheeks.

“I’m not sure about later Mason, but right now there isn’t an us, only me. I just want to reach a day where I can actually feel a bond

with you. Honestly, I think that can only happen if I am around you less, and I don’t even know if that will be enough. I am just

trying to keep things low-key,” she says.

“I will answer your messages when I can, but this can’t happen again,” she adds, gesturing to their public conversation.

“Bye Mason,” she says, walking away.

I clap Mason on his shoulder.

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Chapter 40

“It’s going to be okay, just give her some time,” I say before turning and following her to the car.

Whether I believe that or not doesn’t matter. He needed to hear it.

“You okay?” I ask, catching up to her in a few steps.

“Yeah, I hate seeing him hurt, but Ljust can’t right now. And then meeting you and feeling safe and comfortable around you is just

messing with my head. It’s a lot,” she says.

“I know what I need to do, but the idea of actually doing it is scary,” she adds.

“I’m sorry,” she says, looking at me. “I know meeting you and feeling safe around you while I’m still trying to figure out what

Mason means to me has to be confusing.”

I let her get in the car before getting in behind her.

“Honestly, it is,” I say. “But I understand this is not a normal situation. I could have stayed away to make things less confusing for

you, but when I arrived and you were missing, I couldn’t do anything except look for you.”

“Thank you for finding me. I heard them calling and looking for me, but I couldn’t speak, and they walked past me,” she says, tears

falling.

I wipe them away instantly.

“Don’t cry. If nobody else would’ve found you, I would have-I will always find you,” I say seriously.

Although I don’t understand it. I mean that in a way that goes deeper than this moment. Deeper than this pack. Deeper than this

life.

“Now, no more tears. We’re supposed to be having fun,” I say.

“Yes, we are,” Winter responds from the seat in front of us.

“Where to first?” Dominic asks from the wheel.

“Oh, definitely the bowling alley,” Lyric says.

“Oh yeah, let’s do it. I love bowling,” Dominic says as he pulls out of the lot toward town.

She’s smiling like she’s safe.

Like it’s over. It’s not.

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