Chapter 2: You'll Never Be Luna
Skye's POV
Tuesday afternoon, I make a decision.
I'm going to surprise Caden. Maybe grab lunch together. More importantly, I'm going to show him I can be the girl he wants.
I raid my roommate's closet and end up borrowing a light blue dress. It's not my style at all. I'm more comfortable in jeans and athletic tees, but today I want to try something different.
I even do makeup. YouTube tutorials, though it takes three attempts before I'm remotely satisfied. The lipstick goes on, gets wiped off, goes back on. I settle for a nude shade that looks natural enough.
When I check the mirror, I barely recognize myself.
The dress makes my shoulders look huge. All that training muscle looks awkward under the feminine fabric. The heels make me unsteady. I miss the solid grip of my training shoes.
But maybe Caden will like it.
Maybe this time when he looks at me, I'll see pride in his eyes.
When I reach the student government building, I spot Caden through the glass windows.
He's not alone.
A girl sits close to him, too close. She's wearing an elegant beige suit, perfect hair cascading over her shoulders. She's saying something that makes Caden smile and lean in. Then her hand touches his arm, intimate and casual, like she's done it a thousand times before.
My heart drops.
I push through the door anyway.
"Hey." I try to sound casual.
Caden looks up. When he sees me, something flickers across his face. Annoyance, maybe.
"This is Skye," he tells the girl, tone flat. "A pack member."
Not "my girlfriend."
Just "a pack member."
The girl gives me a once-over, her smile perfectly polite. "Oh, you're that fighter girl! Caden's mentioned you. Such an... interesting choice."
Her voice is sweet, but the condescension bleeds through every word.
"I'm Autumn Sinclair." She extends her hand. "Shadowpine Pack."
I shake it, noticing her flawless manicure. My nails are clipped short and practical. Long nails interfere with training.
"Sorry to interrupt." Caden says to Autumn, then glances at me with obvious impatience. "We're discussing pack business."
"I thought we could grab lunch." My voice comes out small. I hate how I sound.
"Autumn and I have things to handle." He's already turning back to her, dismissing me completely. "Go ahead without me."
I stand there feeling like the whole world is watching me make a fool of myself.
Autumn gives me a sympathetic smile, but her eyes gleam with triumph.
I turn and walk away, heels clicking against the floor. Each step reminds me how stupid I am.
That evening, I change back into my training gear and wait for Caden at the pack facility.
He usually comes by around this time to check the equipment, though he never actually trains.
When he shows up, I step directly into his path.
"We need to talk."
He sighs like I'm wasting his time. "About what?"
"Autumn." The name tastes bitter. "What's going on with you two?"
"She's the Shadowpine Alpha's daughter. An important future ally." His tone sharpens with impatience. "Can you please act your age? Stop being such a jealous teenager."
"I'm not jealous..."
"Then what is this?" He cuts me off. "Skye, do you have any idea how important pack politics are? Autumn's father controls the northern territory. We need to maintain good relationships."
"Then why don't you ever introduce me as your..." I bite my lip, unable to finish.
"Your what?" Caden actually laughs, cold and harsh. "Girlfriend? Skye, look at yourself. What do you do besides fight? You don't even know basic social etiquette."
The words hit like a slap.
"Autumn is what a Luna should be," he continues, brutally honest now. "Elegant. Articulate. She knows how to handle important situations. And you? You just throw punches."
Heat builds behind my eyes, but I refuse to cry in front of him.
"I'm trying to learn those things." My voice shakes. "I wore a dress today. I did my makeup..."
"So what?" His cruelty cuts deeper. "You think putting on a dress changes who you are? Skye, you're a fighter. That's all you are. Stop reaching for things you can't have."
"What can't I have?"
"The Luna position." He states it like a fact, simple and undeniable. "You'll never be Luna. Accept reality."
He walks away, leaving me alone in the empty training facility.
This time I can't hold back. Tears spill over and I hate myself for being this weak.
I think about the half hour I spent on makeup this morning. That uncomfortable dress. All those training sessions I skipped trying to be more feminine.
None of it mattered.
I slide down against the wall, sitting on the cold floor. The bright facility lights leave nowhere to hide.
Why am I doing this to myself?
Why am I changing everything for someone who doesn't even appreciate me?
But even as I ask, I know the answer.
Because I love him.
Because I've already invested three years.
Because I don't know what else to do except keep trying.
My phone buzzes. A text from Caden.
"My parents are having a family gathering this weekend. Same as always. You don't need to come."
I stare at the message for a long time.
Then I do something I've never done before.
I type back: "I'll be there."
