Luna Rossi: Alpha's Little Human Mate

The air around the school gates felt too thick, charged with a static electricity that made the fine hairs on my arms stand up. I rubbed my temples, trying to massage away a headache that had been thumping behind my eyes all afternoon.

"Earth to Luna! Are you even listening to me?"

Zara's voice snapped me back to reality. My best friend was walking backward in front of me, her grey eyes narrowed in that suspicious way that usually meant I was in trouble. Her golden hair was escaping its messy bun, whipping around her face in the wind.

"Prom," I said, anticipating the accusation. "You were talking about Prom. Again."

"It's three weeks away, Luna!" Zara groaned, throwing her hands up. "And you've turned down three guys today alone. You need a date, or I'm going to drag you there in a leash."

I forced a smile, though my stomach churned with an anxiety I couldn't explain. "I could just go with you. We'd be the hottest couple there."

"I am going with Julian," she said firmly, pointing a manicured finger at me. "And as much as I love you, no third wheels allowed. Julian has been planning the after-party for a month."

"Fine. I'll ask Levi."

Zara snorted, covering her mouth to hide a grin. "Luna, honey, stop trying to date the gay guys. Besides, Levi is definitely taking that cute barista he's been stalking. You're on your own."

I sighed, clutching my bag strap tighter. "Can we discuss this later? I just want to go home and-"

The scent hit me before I heard the voice.

It was a rich, overwhelming wave of fresh pine, crushed mint, and something darker, like rain on hot asphalt. My heart hammered against my ribs, a physical reaction so violent it nearly knocked the wind out of me. The chatter of the students around us seemed to fade into a dull buzz.

"Luna?"

The voice was deep, vibrating through the air like a low growl.

I spun around. The crowd of students seemed to part instinctively, creating a path for the man leaning against a sleek, black BMW.

He was tall, impossibly tall, clad in a fitted black t-shirt that strained against broad shoulders, dark jeans, and a leather jacket that looked like it cost more than my life savings. But it was his eyes that pinned me in place. They were a warm, melted chocolate brown, flecked with gold, and they were locked on me with an intensity that felt dangerous.

"Liam?" The name left my lips as a breathless whisper.

My brother pushed off the car, a bouquet of pristine white roses in his hand. He grinned, and the dangerous edge softened into something familiar, though the intensity remained.

"Hey, Lu."

He closed the distance between us in three long strides. Before I could process that he was actually here, he pulled me into a crushing embrace. His arms were like steel bands, lifting me slightly off the ground.