A Luna's True Mate

Chapter 2: Getting Stronger

-Lauren-

I was so happy when I had my daughter in my arms again. She was hugging me so hard as if I could disappear if she let go of me or loosened her hold. It was only when Rider finally came to have a look at me that she let go of me, and we all walked into an examination room, where he quickly took a good look at me. I had lost a lot of weight, and it was clear I should not be doing anything that forced me to strain myself, but other than that, he didn’t look very worried. I would have to get a psych evaluation to make sure I was truly all right mentally too, but he seemed hopeful, and that made Angela and me hopeful too. He left us shortly after the examination, wanting to give us some privacy, and I could see how happy Angela was. She was just smiling like crazy and squeezing my hand in hers. I knew she was relieved to see me finally being myself again, but I hoped I had not caused her too much trouble. That was the last thing I wanted.

“Why are you not in England?” I asked.

“I was needed here,” she said.

“You should be with your mates and children. I am sure I could have been taken care of by someone else,” I said.

“Like who?” she asked. “I was not just going to give you over to some stranger.”

“The people here are not strangers.”

“So, I should just leave my mother to them?”

“You’re a luna now, Angela,” I said. “You are needed by your pack.”

“Mom, you needed me.”

It was hard to deny that I, of course, had needed help, but I didn’t want to cause my child more trouble. I had already cost my son his life, and later on, his mate followed. I was the reason why my grandson now had no father or mother. I was not doubting that the king and queen took good care of Ethan, but I could not let go of the guilt either, which was why I wanted Angela to go home.

“Well, I am better now.”

“And I am happy about that,” she said.

“Then perhaps it was time you went home?”

“Mom!”

“Angela, really, I am fine.”

“No, you are not fine,” she said. “You have only just woken up, and you need time to recover.”

“Sweety, I don’t want to keep you from your children and mates any longer. I hear it has been months,” I said.

“It’s okay. Hunter and Elijah got it all handled. And they keep me updated on the boys. They know I won’t return until you are stronger,” she said.

“Angela … please … I will be fine,” I said.

“Mom. Stop. I am staying!”

I sighed, knowing that stubbornness came from me. Many might think it came from Connor, but that was because they had no idea what I was like when I was young. When I always defied the rules. I could never listen to my parents. I hung out with the wrong crowd, and when I say the wrong crowd, it was not because the people I hung out with were bad, but because my parents thought they would damage my reputation and ruin my chances of finding a good alpha.

“I just don’t want to keep you from your family any longer,” I said.

“Mom, you’re my family, and after everything, we have lost. Don’t you think we should be there for each other even more now?”

I sighed again, knowing my sweet daughter would never just abandon me. She was so kind. I had no idea how she turned out to be so good and so strong.

“Maybe you’re right,” I said.

Angela smiled and squeezed my hand even harder.

“I am not going anywhere,” she told me.

“How is everyone? After … your father?” I asked.

“Better … I mean, we have had some trouble, but it is all solved now. Things are great actually,” she said.

“Trouble?”

“Lucian’s brother paid us a visit. He is not … nice,” my daughter said.

“Like your father?”

Angela shrugged a little.

“No, he did not want the crown,” she said. “Just his brother.”

“And?”

“Well, he did not succeed. We actually have no idea where he went,” she told me.

“Oh … Should we be worried?”

Angela shook her head.

“No, he left willingly.”

“I see … that’s … unexpected,” I said.

Angela nodded.

“We all thought it was very strange, but it doesn’t seem like he will come back,” she said.

“So, everything really is … peaceful?”

She nodded and smiled.

“Yes, it seems that way, but you know how it is with our luck,” she chuckled.

I just nodded a little, not because I thought we were about to fight in another war, but when she said that, I just thought about what had happened out in the hallway.

Logan …

My wolf purred his name inside of my head. I was almost surprised to hear her speak like that. She had been very quiet for many, many years. Of course, we talked, but she always sounded so sad, and she never really spoke a lot. Now, it seemed like Logan had coaxed her to be more verbal. She definitely approved of him, and I had to say I did not think he was a bad choice. I remembered Logan. We had seen each other at a few parties and such, and I had heard how well everyone spoke of him and what a good beta and parent he was. Of course, back then, Victoria had been his true mate. We had not really seen each other after she died. I became more isolated over the years and simply did not want to participate in those awful social events. Maybe it was good I didn’t. I didn’t believe I could handle being pulled from another mate.

“Mom?”

“Huh?”

I looked at my daughter, who was looking at me concerned.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

I nodded.

“Just fine,” I lied.

“Are you sure? I called your name twice.”

“I am still a bit groggy from everything,” I told her.

“Should I get Rider or Lily?”

I shook my head.

“No need to trouble them. I just need some rest,” I told her.

Angela didn’t seem convinced, and I understood why she was worried. I would have been worried too, but I was not quite ready to talk about what I had discovered. I needed to talk to Logan first before I told everyone else what had happened.

“Maybe you should eat a little. Rider said it was okay,” she said.

“Maybe you’re right.”

“Should I get you something?”

“How about we both go?” I asked. “I could use the exercise.”

“Are you sure you’re strong enough?”

“I am just fine, I told you,” I said.

Angela smiled, but still held tightly onto my arm, as she helped me stand.

“How is that?” she asked.

“I was walking around when you found me,” I reminded her.

“But that doesn’t mean you could feel worse now. Maybe I should just go on my own!” she said.

“I can do this,” I told her.

“Are you sure?”

“Let us just go and I will prove it to you,” I told her and winked.

We walked towards the door, and it was actually going just fine even though we were moving slower than a turtle.