Reborn of the Luna novel Chapter 27

His face suddenly looked relieved, but also slightly hurt. Why was he taking this so personally?

Then again, this was probably why he was considered such a good king. He cared about the matters of his subjects.

Without realizing it, I rubbed the mark on my neck as it started stinging again. This had been happening a lot lately.

“That omega,” Jacob continued, “Is she always like that?”

“She’s usually worse,” I muttered under my breath, though it didn’t escape the Lycan.

“Then your husband is an idiot,” he snorted, making me smile, though I tried to regain my composure immediately.

“Don’t hide that smile,” he told me, surprising me. “It looks good on you, and I prefer my... allies to be honest with me about their feelings.”

I swallowed. So, my hunch was right. He didn’t like being lied to. Not that anyone did, but for some people, honesty was extremely important. As a skilled politician, I knew that. Nodding, I curled my lips into a smile again, much to his satisfaction. His eyes lingered on my lips for too long, and I turned away, feeling unnecessary heat rising inside me with each passing moment. Why did this Lycan affect me so much?

“So,” I managed to speak, clearing my throat, “Are you seriously considering helping me?”

“I promised you, didn’t I?” he confirmed, standing right next to me as his hand accidentally brushed over mine, making me feel tiny tingles.

Tingles! My eyes shot to his at once, but he only looked at me expectantly.

No, this couldn’t be. This was probably all in my head. At least, that’s what I tried to convince myself.

Besides, it was nothing like the mate-bond tingles. I experienced those after Maximus marked me, and this was definitely more intense.

My mark started stinging again, and I rubbed it more furiously, trying to gather my thoughts.

“What is it?” Jacob looked at me with sincere concern, and I opened my mouth to try to explain, but he had already taken my hand in his, revealing my mark and lowering his head to get a better look at it.

I felt a bit embarrassed. The marks of chosen mates were just ugly red scars. Everyone knew what they were, of course, but it wasn’t the same as what true mates had, no matter how much people pretended otherwise.

True mate marks looked like two crescent tattoos facing each other. Deep down, this was what I dreamed of every time I looked in the mirror.

Jacob’s hot breath on my neck distracted me from my thoughts. He was close. Almost too close. He gently brushed his thumb over my old scar, making me feel emotions and sensations I couldn’t quite place.

“It looks a bit inflamed,” he said with concern in his voice. I gasped. Inflamed? Why on earth was my mark inflamed?

“Please, forgive him, Your Majesty,” I said formally, trying to ease the tension. No, no, no. This was wrong.

“Jacob,” he corrected quickly, surprising me with his urgency. “Remember, we’re not using formalities anymore,” he added, clearing his throat.

“Of... course,” I whispered, unsure how to respond.

“Luna!” Will tried to steady himself, still catching his breath. Before he could say more, I shot him a look that said, “Shut up now, or I won’t be able to help you next time.”

“Did something happen?” I asked, trying to change the subject. “Were you looking for me?”

“Yes,” he confirmed through gritted teeth, straightening his crumpled shirt. “The mail came.”

“And?” I raised an eyebrow, not understanding why that mattered.

“I think you need to see this.” Will turned, and I glanced at Jacob, shrugging.

“Well, if you must,” Jacob chuckled, acting as if he hadn’t just tried to choke someone from my pack. Still, I didn’t feel threatened by him. I motioned for him to follow me; leaving him alone wasn’t an option.