28. Chapter 28

Chapter 28

-Naomi-

W atching Reese leave because he was needed with Rosa stung deeper than words could describe. I knew I had no right to feel this way. I had no right to demand he stay with me. After all, I was the one who suggested we stay away. Yet, I found myself rubbing the spot where my heart resided, feeling on the brink of breaking into pieces. How could it hurt so much?

Maybe the Moon Goddess has a cruel sense of humor , my wolf scoffed, clearly angered by the fact that Reese was needed elsewhere too.

“You’re jealous,” I whispered.

I am not!

“It’s okay. I can admit it. I’m jealous,” I whispered. “I’ve been jealous since the moment I heard someone else had claimed him.”

My wolf sighed deeply in my mind. You finally admit it , she murmured.

“Yeah, I think there’s no reason to hide it anymore.”

Maybe you’re right , she agreed, sighing once more and whimpering a little.

“You like him too,” I reminded her.

But I don’t think I want to… Not if we must share him.

I could only agree with her. It was incredibly painful to share Reese with someone else when all I desired was to be the one he wanted.

“Maybe… Maybe this week will help,” I suggested.

I hope you’re right, because I don’t know if I can bear this pain for so long. For the rest of our lives, even.

I couldn’t either, and tears threatened to well up in my eyes at the thought of enduring this agony indefinitely. However, I quickly composed myself, taking a deep breath and steeling myself as I walked out of the office to resume the tasks that awaited me.

There was much to handle, but too little time to do it in. It didn’t escape notice that I had been excused from my duties because Alpha Reese needed me elsewhere. I faced many stares, but thankfully, someone sought me out after dinner, joining me as I continued cleaning while others ate. I was informed I could have my meal once I finished with the room.

“Hey!” Thomas greeted, poking his head into the little game room.

“Hey,” I replied, noticing he held two plates.

“I can’t eat yet. I’m not done,” I explained.

“I think they are being unfair, so I brought food,” he stated matter-of-factly.

“Thomas,” I scolded gently.

“What?” he asked innocently, shrugging, then coming over to me and placing the plate on a round table often used for card games.

“Not hungry?” he teased, knowing full well I was.

I could smell the delicious scent of food, and my stomach growled loudly, prompting him to chuckle.

“Come on,” he urged, pulling out a chair and gesturing for me to sit.

“I-I really shouldn’t.”

“Yes, you should. You were only with Alpha Reese because that is your duty too. It’s not like you were hiding away from work. They are being unreasonable,” he reasoned.

I sighed, grateful for his support, and made my way over to where Thomas had set everything up. I sat down, and he joined me before we grabbed the utensils and started to eat.

“Thank you,” I said sincerely.

“Not needed. I’m just glad I can be of a little help,” he replied, though a mischievous smile crept onto his lips.

“What?”

“H-How is it going between you two?” he inquired, his tone suggestive.

“You mean me and the Alpha?”

“I think you knew I was referring to him,” Thomas teased, nudging my shoulder playfully.

“It’s… complicated,” I admitted with a sigh.

“I can imagine.”

“We barely know which way is up, and we can’t seem to figure out what we really want, or what our wolves want,” I explained.

“Have they not said anything yet?”

I shook my head. “No. My wolf seems to want him, but she won’t claim him for some reason. She is quite hurt by everything.”

“You must feel exhausted too,” he observed. “It’s been a confusing time for you as well.”

“Yes, but I can’t really focus on it.”

“Why not?” he prodded gently.

“Because if I do, then I think I might burst into tears,” I admitted, feeling a lump form in my throat.

“Naomi…”

“It’s just… I never thought I would ever share a mate,” I confessed, turning to Thomas and meeting his gaze. I knew he saw the intensity in my eyes because he drew back slightly, taken aback by the raw emotion.

“How did you see it?” he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

“Well, I saw that he was mine,” I confessed. “It wasn’t as complicated as this. I imagined him being honest about his feelings for me and everything just… falling into place.”

“You know it isn’t always so easy between mates. You need to fight for the bond and prove why you’re worthy, or it doesn’t become this beautiful thing the older wolves speak of.”

“No, I know, but that doesn’t mean this situation isn’t extremely complicated,” I countered.

“No, of course, it is,” he agreed. “I know no one pictured this ever happening, but maybe that’s just how lucky the Alpha is.”

I shot him a glare, and he began chuckling. “What? Most male wolves would probably be jealous.”

“It’s not as glamorous as it seems. Alpha Reese is losing his mind too,” I confessed.

“He is?”

“Yeah, he seems even worse than me, but maybe that’s because he’s an Alpha,” I murmured.

“Or maybe you’re just stronger,” he pointed out.

I couldn’t help but laugh at his remark. “He is an Alpha. How am I stronger?” I asked.

Thomas shrugged, but his own words didn’t seem to amuse him, halting my chuckle.

“I think you’re much stronger than you seem.”

“Really?” I whispered, touched by his words.

He nodded. “I admire that you’ve been able to handle so much from a young age.”

I had never received praise like this before, and it deeply touched me. I began smiling, and he returned the gesture, lightening the mood with a wink.

“I’m really grateful,” I whispered.

“For someone acknowledging what you’ve done?” he inquired, sounding confused.

“No, for your support. No one else seems to want to give me any.”

“And that is their mistake,” he snapped.

I continued to smile, feeling warmed by his words.

“So, what’s going to happen between you and the Alpha?” he questioned, changing the subject.

“I don’t know. Right now, we’ve decided a little time apart might do us some good.”

“You’re not going to see each other?”

“No,” I replied, and Thomas grew quiet, which puzzled me. Then his focus shifted back to me.

“Why?” he asked.

“I think it will help.”

“This was your suggestion?” he questioned.

“Yes.”

“Wow, you must be the only one wanting to deny an Alpha,” he murmured.

“But it’s not an Alpha I want.”