CHAPTER 10

The sky was filled with stars. Illuminating the pack grounds with a dreamlike glow. Standing on her room's balcony, Amelia traced the outline of the crescent moon mark on her chest with her fingers, serving as a constant reminder of the Rite of Unity she and Bruce had completed. The calm night air did nothing to calm her racing heart.

She heard the door softly click open behind her. It was obvious to her that it was Bruce because she felt a familiar shiver run down her spine.

Surprisingly close to her expectations, his deep voice rumbled "Amelia." "We must have a conversation."

With a steely expression, Amelia faced him. Her heart raced when she saw Bruce, his strong physique silhouetted against the moonlight. She forced a neutral expression on her face, reminding herself that this arrangement was temporary and to guard her heart, as she had promised.

"What is it, Bruce?" she inquired, pleased with the steadiness of her voice.

Bruce stepped forward, peering into her face. "Amelia, I can not ignore this any longer. Beyond this contract, there is something more between us."

Amelia felt her determination falter. How simple it would be to cave in and acknowledge how deeply she loved him. However, she was held back by the recollection of their agreement and their brief time together.

"I am not sure what you are saying," she lied while turning away.

Bruce felt a low growl rumble in his chest. He uttered, "Do not lie to me," in a frustrated tone. "Remember that I can feel your emotions? When I am close, my heart rate goes up. Your scent changes. You and I both have feelings for each other."

Amelia's surprised eyes widened as they snapped back to his face. "You... do you feel anything for me?"

Bruce's features flashed vulnerable for a moment. "Yes," he mumbled in agreement. "I have made an effort to push against it and remind myself that this is only a temporary situation. But now I am unable to ignore it. I, Amelia—"

Amelia interrupted and held up a hand, saying, "Stop." She was certain Bruce could hear the pounding in her heart. Do not say that, please. Bruce, we just can not do this. Remember that our contract has an expiration date? I will be leaving in a few months, so you will need to find a true partner who can raise your pups and stay by your side as the pack leader forever."

Bruce clenched his jaw and hardened his expression. Is that all you see in this situation? A commercial exchange? Following all that we have experienced together?"

Tears were stinging Amelia's eyes. "That must be," she muttered. "Any other course of action will only cause heartache."

Bruce made quick work of bridging the gap between them. Despite the intensity of his gaze, his hands cupped her face with a surprisingly gentle touch. "Amelia," he uttered in a low, urgent voice. Tell me you have no feelings for me. I promise not to bring this up again if you look me in the eyes and tell me that."

Amelia found herself gasping for air. Her mouth opened to push him away, to deny her feelings, but the words refused to come. Rather, a lone tear ran down her cheek.

Bruce wiped it away with a gentle thumb. He leaned in slowly, making his intentions plain. Heart racing, Amelia felt every strand of her being yell at him to meet her halfway so she could finally experience the kiss she had been longing for for weeks.

She looked away at the last possible moment. With broken lips, she uttered, "I can't." "Bruce, I apologize. I simply am unable to."

Bruce's face flashed with anger and hurt like a blow to the body. His expression darkened as he let go of his hands and took a step back.

"I understand," he uttered in a chilly, detached tone. "I won't make this mistake again."

Without saying anything more, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Amelia by herself to deal with the consequences of her choice.

---

The following days were tense, to say the least. Bruce and Amelia barely spoke, interacting only when necessary for pack business. The rest of the pack picked up on the strained atmosphere, whispers, and concerned glances following the Alpha pair wherever they went.

Amelia threw herself into her duties as Luna, desperate for any distraction from the ache in her chest. She organized pack events, mediated disputes, and even started a program to integrate human technology into pack life more seamlessly. All the while, she felt Bruce's eyes on her, a mixture of anger, hurt, and something else she couldn't quite define smoldering in their depths.

One afternoon, as Amelia was overseeing the construction of a new community center on pack lands, a commotion broke out at the edge of the clearing. She turned to see a group of unfamiliar wolves approaching, their postures aggressive.

"Well, well," the leader sneered as he drew near. "If it isn't the human Luna. We've heard so much about you."

Amelia straightened her spine, calling on every ounce of strength and dignity she possessed. "This is our pack's territory," she said, her voice clear and commanding. "State your business or leave immediately."

The strange wolves laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Our business," the leader said, taking a menacing step forward, "is you, little human. Our Alpha has a proposition for yours – an exchange. You for an alliance that would make your pack unstoppable."

Fear gripped Amelia's heart, but she refused to show it. "I think you'll find that I'm not a bargaining chip to be traded," she replied coolly. "Now, I suggest you leave before—"

Her words were cut off as the leader lunged forward, grabbing her arm in a bruising grip. "I don't think you understand, human," he growled. "You don't have a choice in this matter."

Suddenly, a bone-chilling roar split the air. Bruce burst into the clearing, his eyes glowing Alpha red, his entire body radiating fury. In an instant, he was on the wolf holding Amelia, tearing him away, and throwing him to the ground.

"You dare touch my mate?" Bruce snarled, his voice barely human. "You dare threaten what's mine?"

The other wolves backed away, their earlier bravado evaporating in the face of Bruce's rage. Even Amelia found herself taking a step back, awed and a little frightened by the raw power emanating from her Alpha.

Bruce stood protectively in front of Amelia, his massive form shielding her from view. "Leave," he commanded the intruders. "Leave now, and I might let you live. Return, and I will tear your pack apart with my bare hands."

The strange wolves didn't need to be told twice. They retreated hastily, dragging their unconscious leader with them. As they disappeared into the trees, Bruce turned to Amelia, his eyes fading from red back to their usual deep brown.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice gruff but tinged with concern. His hands hovered over her, as if he wanted to check her for injuries but was unsure if his touch would be welcome.

Amelia nodded, still a bit shaken. "I'm fine," she assured him. "Thank you for coming when you did."

Bruce's jaw clenched. "I will always protect you, Amelia," he said. "Regardless of... anything else between us."

The unspoken tension hung heavy in the air. Amelia opened her mouth, wanting to say something – to apologize, to explain, to finally admit the truth of her feelings. But before she could find the words, Bruce turned away.

"I'll increase patrols around the borders," he said, his tone businesslike once more. "And you'll have a personal guard from now on. No arguments," he added when Amelia began to protest.

As he walked away, Amelia felt the distance between them like a physical ache. She had pushed him away to protect her heart, but in doing so, had she lost something infinitely more precious?

---

Amelia could not sleep that night and tossed and turned in her bed. The day's events replayed themselves in her thoughts: the strange wolves' threat, Bruce's fierce defense, the hurt and longing she would see in his eyes before he would shut her out once more.

She threw off her covers and padded through the pack house, unable to take any more of it. She headed to Bruce's study as if her feet were moving on their own.

With her hand lifted to knock, she paused outside the door. How would she respond? How could she make sense of the jumbled, conflicting feelings in her heart?

The door opened before she could make up her mind. Bruce stood there, looking just as confused and restless as she did.

"Amelia," he uttered, his expression full of surprise. "Why are you in this place?"

"I..." Amelia hesitated, dubious at first. "I had trouble falling asleep. I could not stop thinking about today, about anything.

Bruce's face barely registered as he softened. He moved aside and silently asked her to enter the space.

Just as the door shut behind them, Bruce's presence overpowered Amelia. His aroma filled the room, a heady blend of musk and pine that never failed to make her heart skip a beat.

Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper as she said, "Bruce." "I apologize. For shoving you aside and downplaying our relationship. I was afraid.

Bruce stepped forward, his gaze fixed on her face the entire time. "What are you afraid of?"

Amelia inhaled nervously. "Of how deeply I am moved by you. Of how much it will hurt to have to say goodbye when our time is up. I reasoned that it would be simpler if I kept my distance and refrained from allowing myself to sink any further."

"Amelia," Bruce uttered in a deep, low voice. "Who is saying you have to go?"

Amelia felt hope surge up in her chest, only to be dashed by reality. However, the contract...

"Ignore the agreement," Bruce cut in. Gently, he extended his hand and grasped her hands. "Amelia, you have changed everything in the past few months. With you in charge, the pack is flourishing. You have introduced fresh concepts and vigor. Additionally, you have added something to my life that I never would have imagined."

Amelia found herself gasping for air. "What is that?" she murmured.

She felt weak at the knees as Bruce's intense gaze locked onto hers. "Love," was all he said. "Amelia, you are loved. Furthermore, I never want you to go—not in a few months, not at all."

When the barriers surrounding Amelia's heart finally broke down, tears streamed down her face. "I love you too," she whispered. "Enormously. I have been battling it for a very long time, but I can no longer. I have no desire to."

Bruce drew her in close, cupping her cheek with one hand. Then please don't, he muttered. "Amelia, stay with me. Be my partner in every manner, not just on paper. Remain by my side."

Bruce leaned in this time, and Amelia did not look away. Months of suppressed desire spilled out in a single, ideal moment as their lips met in a tender and passionate kiss.

It seemed like a huge burden had been taken off of Amelia's shoulders as they parted ways, beaming and out of breath. She was aware that obstacles lay ahead, such as gaining the pack's acceptance and dealing with current threats. But she felt strong and capable with Bruce at her side.

Knew she had made the right choice. In letting go of her fears and embracing love, she had found not just a mate, but a true partner, a home, and a future brighter than she had ever dared to dream.