Lycan's unexpected mate

Eavesdropping

Triton

I hate it when my little Atalanta gets all secretive. After the Alpha meeting, she spent a day with Alpha White, they have agreed to go to the archives immediately and they spent two days there, returning with information about White's new pack members. However, we have been unable to find anything about Daniel and Martha because we lack specifics about them. Age, full name, coven of origin. We don't have anything.

And now, almost two weeks after the Alpha meeting, Atalanta decides to spend the weekend away. I turn my head and press my ear closer to the door.

"Mum, can you do me a favour, please?" Atalanta asks uncertainly.

Rhea laughs. "Oh, I knew that you didn't come to see your little sister and me just to see us."

"Busted," Tali admits and sighs. "But I'm happy to spend more time with you nonetheless." She makes a pause. "With my responsibilities and duties now, taking care of Johann and dealing with the aftermath of the Blue Moon Pack attack, I really miss the time when I was a child and a minor."

I bite my lower lip to prevent a sigh. Although Atalanta is an adult, she is still only nineteen in normal years. And she's wishing for an easier life. And here I made it even more difficult and demanding for her when I offered to train her to become our new King. I should have known better and shouldn't have started it.

I can her Rhea touch Tali lovingly, rubbing her hand or arm. "Darling, I thought the same during the Civil War. You were sixty then, so you remember that your father and I led troops to the fights." Rhea presumably rubs her hands together. "I also wished someone else had been able to take the responsibilities. My responsibilities"

I close my eyes and clench my teeth in memory. Those four years were intense. We lost many werewolves, trying to stop the exploitation system so that humans weren't considered a cheap workforce by other races.

I don't pay much attention to the two women, so I only catch Atalanta's careful question: "Has father told you that I won't be home this weekend?"

Rhea doesn't respond but I know she is well-informed. I told her personally.

"Well, I thought I would be able to take Johann with me when my babysitter had to cancel on last minute but it's an adult only event and I wanted to ask if. . ."

Tali is easily interrupted by her mother. Rhea laughs heartily and then starts speaking in her soothing voice: "Tali, you don't have to explain any further. I know how it is on such parties and you're still young. You should enjoy yourself without a child."

Tali's sharp intake of breath makes me chuckle. Rhea continues effortlessly: "I will consider looking after Johann on a condition that you answer all my questions and obey my orders about the event."

I hold in a snicker as I wait for them to talk some more. I know Rhea wants to learn more about the event and she also wants to protect our first-born daughter. Atalanta breathes deeply and I guess she is evaluating her options. Finally, she relents: "What do you want to know?"

I stretch my legs a little, mindful not to make any noise. Being in the secret passage allows me to eavesdrop on my Mate and my daughter, but I can't see them at all. Surprisingly, Pontus doesn't comment on my behaviour and even listens attentively together with me.

I can hear Rhea get up and walk over to Tali. "Whose event is it? I don't want to send my child to a completely strange place," she demands in a caring manner.

Tali answers easily: "Well, a friend of mine has invited me to his pack for a prolonged weekend. There will be a celebration and he will show me around."

"Does this friend of yours have a name?"

"Mum!" Tali whines as Rhea chuckles. "OK, fine, his name is Carson. He's a good guy, he wouldn't hurt me or let me get hurt, don't worry."

Carson. Carson. I have heard this name in relation to Tali already. And it wasn't a long time ago. I frown and listen on because it gets more interesting.

Rhea pats Tali's shoulder and wonders: "How old is he?"

"He's twenty," Tali admits silently, not giving any other information.

However, somehow Rhea has it all figured out because she announces: "You like him, right?" There is a pause and Rhea continues: "Oh come on, I can see your blush. You can tell me everything and it will stay between you and me."

"And me," I whisper almost inaudibly and wait for Tali's response. I feel ashamed but only a little because I have to know what is going on, and that my child isn't being used.

Tali sighs and explains: "Carson thinks I'm from Silent Heights so I don't have to be so cautious about my image with him. And I like his personality. Even Diana approves of him so I believe he's a good werewolf."

"That's nice," Rhea agrees but I don't like the image of Atalanta and a common werewolf, or any man for that matter, alone in his pack. Things can escalate too quickly.

Rhea asks carefully: "Is he only a friend?"

"Yes," Atalanta replies immediately but even I know that it was way too fast. I can clearly picture Rhea's raised eyebrow and Atalanta's squirm. Then I hear Tali: "Well, I like him and he likes me for me and not for my title. But he isn't my Mate and I know that." She finishes in a defensive manner.

"Dear, it's completely normal that we like other people who aren't our mates," Rhea tells her supportively.

I purse my lips and frown. This isn't good. She shouldn't like other men who aren't her Mate! She's my little girl!

"You know what?" Rhea suddenly suggests. "Have a great time with Carson. But . . . But I want photos. Send me photos of Carson, of the activities you do together. Of Carson's pack. I want to see that you really enjoy yourself without worrying about us, our pack or your future."

"That's it?" comes Atalanta's uncertain voice.

"Yes, that's it," Rhea confirms. I can hear her smooch Atalanta's cheek. "I will babysit Johann if you promise to do that. What's more, you deserve to be happy without worrying about the consequences." Then she pauses and adds: "But no i*********e, Tali."

I inhale my saliva instead of swallowing it and feel the need to cough it out. But then I would disclose my presence and I can't do that. I cough gently as I retreat hastily deeper into the corridor. There, I cough hard and wheeze. Pontus is snickering in my mind, but I couldn't care less. When my coughing subsides, I take a few deep breaths and complain to Pontus incredulously: 'i*********e? i*********e?! My daughter isn't even 200 years old yet. She shouldn't be thinking about that.'

'Triton, she's old enough. Many werewolves of her age already have mates and do it regularly.'

I don't like Pontus' remark but, unfortunately, it's true. And it's even worse because I know that werewolves and Lycans are always clean, so we don't need protection. I clench my fists at my side angrily.

'Triton, you didn't wait for your Mate, either,' Pontus chimes in, and I feel a sudden urge to strangle my Lycan.

'It's different with Atalanta,' I argue back. 'She's a woman. She's pure. She doesn't know what . . .'

'What to do with what you have?' Pontus supplies.

Oh, damnit. Damn Lycan. I hate Pontus sometimes. 'Pontus, I don't want her to second-guess her choice of a partner once she finds her true Mate. Given that I offered her to choose a partner just to have a man by her side.'

'Yeah, you shouldn't have told her that,' Pontus agrees. 'But she's old and wise enough to say no. And she wants to choose her Mate, nonetheless. She doesn't want to wait.' I purse my lips but let Pontus explain. 'Let her experience what she likes and dislikes. That way she can choose a man who will complement her and they will be happy together.'

I sigh because it all makes sense, but I don't like the prospect. Then I hear steps right behind me so I school my expression, trying to appear calm and unbothered.

"I didn't take you for the eavesdropping type, Triti," comes my Mate's voice and I cringe. Of course, she knows that I was in the corridor in our room thanks to the mate bond. There are many secret passages in our castle and this one is ours when we want to go outside unnoticed.

"Honey, how can you say that?" I try to stall for more time.

She comes closer to me as I turn around slowly. She's pursed her lips disappointedly and her whole posture shows that she has thought better of me. I rub my forehead and apologise: "Rhea, I know it was wrong." She raises her eyebrow expectantly and I swallow my pride. "I shouldn't have listened in on you two but Atalanta told me close to nothing about her weekend getaway. She said she was staying with a friend and she wanted to do some hiking to be alone with Diana." I look my Mate in the eyes. "I knew there was more to the story but no matter how hard I tried, she wouldn't tell. I hate it when she becomes so . . . so . . ."

"Mysterious?" Rhea supplies.

"I would say reckless," I finish sadly.

Rhea comes closer to me and catches my hand. "And you've received more than you wished for, right?"

"Unfortunately, yes," I reply sourly. "She shouldn't be such a big girl already. Leading troops and fighting rogues is different from . . ."

"From being emotionally mature?" Rhea interrupts me easily. "Triton, she is both. Remember how she used to have issues speaking to strangers? She used to stay at home all the time and we couldn't get her out of the castle. And look at her now. She has grown, matured. She is ready to conquer the world."

I can't help chuckling. Rhea is probably right that the whole world will be at Atalanta's feet one day. But I still want to be a part of her world no matter what happens next. I can't lose my place due to another man!

Rhea seems to feel my scattered thoughts as she kisses my cheek. "Atalanta will be all right," she tells me with confidence. "She has to know that we trust her judgement. For better or for worse."

I close my eyes as she rests her face on my chest. I decide to obey my Mate and let Atalanta go. I hug Rhea and rest my chin on her head.

"By the way, when is Tali leaving?" I ask gently.

Rhea looks up at me and answers: "Well, she has probably left the castle already. She claimed she was meeting Carson in two hours and he was picking her up outside our borders."

I grumble: "And I thought she would be staying with a female friend."

"Oh, Triti, she knows how to behave," Rhea answers with a laugh. "But we should prepare the birthday party for next week. Our daughter is turning 199."

I rub my chin. "This year will be fine. But next year . . ." I shake my head. "Next year will be more special. It's hard to realise that she was born almost two centuries ago."

I still see Tali as the little girl who trailed after me asking about different things in wonder. Could it be that she is really an adult already? I try to compare those two images and realise that I can see the same thing. I shake my head and smile at Rhea.

"Maybe we can make the plans upstairs," I suggest and she nods. Then we start walking back to our room.