30. Chapter 30

Chapter 30

-Naomi-

T he morning was as bewildering as the previous evening, with my mother rising early to prepare breakfast. Reluctantly, I ate the food, finding it edible albeit with a peculiar taste. Despite my reservations, my mother remained in high spirits, insisting that I should invite my mate over, as if it were a simple task. I offered a feeble excuse in the hope of appeasing her before hastily departing for the pack house. My mission: to fulfill my promise to Reese’s mother and engage in a conversation with her.

As I entered the pack house, the atmosphere remained subdued. Barely having stowed my belongings in the kitchen, I was greeted by the presence of the older Luna. She offered me a small smile, which I returned, albeit with a touch of nervousness.

Be prepared , my wolf warned as I followed the Luna to the living room.

It’s going to be all right. She is just a mother concerned for her son’s well-being , I reassured myself, though my wolf remained skeptical.

I hoped my assessment was correct. Despite having relinquished much of her authority to her son, the former Luna still exuded power. I couldn’t help but feel inadequate as I sat before her, my hands trembling, struggling to maintain eye contact.

“So, Naomi,” she began.

I gulped nervously. “Yes?”

“This is an interesting situation, don’t you think?”

“I...”

I observed as she poured herself some coffee, already having prepared breakfast for herself. I was taken aback when she offered me something to eat as well. Politely declining, I watched as she took a sip of her coffee.

“You and Reese,” she murmured, stirring her drink.

“Um, it’s not really decided yet what we are,” I whispered.

“But you want to be his mate?” Her gaze bore into mine, causing a slight sweat to break out on my forehead.

“I… don’t know.”

“Let’s be honest with each other, Naomi. Don’t you think we should?” she inquired, her tone gentle yet insistent.

I nodded.

“Then tell me how you really feel. I want to understand your perspective as well.”

“I… do… did want him,” I admitted, my fingers fidgeting with the sleeve of my black dress.

“Did?” Her voice was filled with curiosity.

I hesitated before continuing, my voice barely above a whisper, “He hasn’t been very nice to me lately, and he… threw me in jail.”

“You must understand my son is under a lot of pressure. He hadn’t expected there to be two mates,” she explained, her tone softening with empathy.

“I hadn’t either,” I defended, my words slipping out before I could stop them.

I glanced away, fearing I had overstepped, but then I noticed her setting her mug down. Carefully meeting her gaze again, I saw a small smile on her lips.

“No, you’re correct. You must feel a lot of pressure too, and I’m unsure what exactly is going on here, why this is so complicated for you two, but I truly do hope that you have nothing to do with it.”

Told you she would accuse us! my wolf snapped within me.

Straightening up, I made myself appear larger. “I can assure you that I have nothing to do with it. I’m just a lower-ranking wolf in this pack, but I would never hurt Reese. I would never do anything to harm him because…” I trailed off, the words catching in my throat, but the former Luna seemed to understand my unspoken sentiments, and I lowered my gaze.

“How long have you had these feelings for him?” she inquired.

“I don’t—”

“No, lies, remember?” she cut in.

I sighed. “For as long as I can remember.”

“Your entire life?” she asked.

“Most of it,” I admitted.

“Why?”

“He seems… different,” I replied.

“Different?”

“I can’t explain it. I just felt connected to him. He seemed a bit lonely, like myself,” I admitted.

“Lonely?” his mother mused.

“Maybe searching for something, something he couldn’t quite find here.”

“Had you hoped you might be what he could find?” she asked.

I blushed a little, embarrassed, and she chuckled.

“I see,” she replied.

“It doesn’t matter. I always knew it wouldn’t come to be,” I sighed.

“But you say you have felt connected to him all your life.”

“It’s not… It’s just a feeling,” I whispered.

“Yes, so you say,” she murmured, and I glanced at her, seeing the way she seemed to contemplate what I had informed her. Feeling unsure of what to make of it, I settled for watching her.

“I heard that Reese needed you in the meeting just to focus on work,” she said.

“Um…”

“Means your connection is growing.”

“I, well, I don’t know,” I replied. “I guess it is.”

“Then you should work on that. You’re free from your duties today. Go find him,” she replied.

I stared at her, shocked, remaining in my seat. “Sorry?”

“I said you’re free from work today. Permission from me. Go find Reese. He would enjoy having you bring him breakfast,” she said.

“I-I’m sure he is sleeping.”

“In another room than Rosa, yes,” she replied.

“What?”

“I noticed it late last night,” she explained. “He went to sleep somewhere else, which is not a good indication, but it could merely be because his new bond is battling with the old one.”

“But isn’t that bad for him and Rosa?”

“If you are both meant to be Reese’s mate, it’s going to take some adjustments, but if you aren’t willing to fight for it, then it was never meant to be,” she explained.

I looked a little surprised at her. “You think it could still not work out for them?” I couldn’t ignore the almost hopeful plea in my voice.

The older Luna noticed, smiling, and I looked away, embarrassed.

“The bond is a magical thing, but it won’t fix all your problems. You need to work for it, show why you are deserving of it,” she revealed.

“I see.”

“I know my son and you didn’t have a great start, but if you are mates, then I think it’s worth fighting for. You might not be so lucky to find a second chance.”

“But I’m not a Luna.”

“Some people don’t have to be,” she said. “Sometimes the love aspect is enough. Maybe you even have enough fire to challenge Reese.”

“I don’t,” I stated.

“Don’t say that yet, not until you have given it a chance.”

“A chance?” I echoed.

“You seem ready to bolt,” she admitted, and I felt my cheeks heat again.

“I just don’t know if… if we should even continue it.”

“Does Reese want to?”

“He seemed very upset whenever I brought up a rejection,” I explained.

“Then don’t do it,” she insisted. “At least not yet.”

“What am I waiting for?”

“The mate bond can move mountains. It’s worth fighting for, trust me. So give it more than a few days. Try to continue to see where it might take you, spend some time alone. You might be surprised by it.”

“We agreed to stay away from each other for a week,” I said.

“What a horrible idea!” she exclaimed, shocking me.

“No, that was our agreement, and then I would maybe stay here for a night or two.”

“I urge you, Naomi, not to follow through with that plan. It won’t help you.”

“How can you be certain?” I inquired, yet she smiled mysteriously.

“Go see him,” she persisted, making me waver in my decision.