Accepting Fate (Moonlight Trials Series #3)

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Nathan’s POV



I sat at the table, annoyed at her laughter. Why did she always do this? Make a serious situation into a joke or not talk about her feelings properly.

You’re not one to talk. I ignored Blaze yet again. I had spoken from the heart tonight and hoped she would too, but she just laughed it off. It angered me and I was also extremely frustrated, especially sexually, with her. I wanted to kiss her in that moment, but her giggle had pushed me away. Part of me knew it was nervousness, but I didn’t react good to it.

“Nathan… I’ve upset you again.” She said, as she served the baked apples for dessert. She sat down across from me, and I didn’t argue. “I’m sorry, my giggling was nerves… I just don’t know how to navigate this.” She said, putting a mouthful of apple and toffee sauce into her mouth. I sighed, knowing I was partly the issue here.

“No, you haven’t. I just…” I knew I owed her an explanation. “Ive always been serious. Ive always had to be dependable. Before my parents died, I had to grow up quickly. My parents were mates, but they argued a lot. I was under no impression that they didn’t love each other but they were both strong minded and instead of communicating they just shouted. I ended up having to grow up a lot quicker than I should have…” I sighed, thinking about them always brought up stupid memories.

“I guess we have had very different childhoods.” She said and I looked at her face, looking at me with sadness. I hummed an agreement.

“Well, I never stopped being mature. When they died, I took on my delta position early. I was only 17. I was extremely close to Fenn, Jack and Spencer and I knew they would support me, but they had their own problems too. I took on the role with all the seriousness I needed and threw myself into it. When I didn’t find my mate after years, I became a little bitter… now I guess I feel a little bitter that my mate isn’t as serious as I am. I guess I always thought she would be just as serious and sulky as I was so we could get on… your laughter does brighten me, but I’m not used to it.” She nodded in understanding and kept on eating.

“Could you tell me about how your parents died?” She asked and I looked at her and sighed. Instead of telling her, I offered my hand. She looked at me in alarm. “Are you sure?” I nodded; I wanted her to see what happened. Her eyes turned silver, and I knew she was seeing the horrible memory. My parents had died in a car crash. I had been in the car too but luckily survived. We were on the way to the hospital as my mother had been a little ill over the last few weeks and they feared the worst. However, it turned out she was pregnant, and I would have finally been an older sibling. My mother was killed on impact whereas my father had been in hospital weeks before finally being declared brain dead. She saw my memories of the crash; the car being hit head on by a truck. Then she would have seen me drifting in and out and hearing random things, such as my mother being pregnant. Then she would have seen me break down at losing my mum, future sibling and eventually my father. Then she would have seen the therapy sessions I was made to attend to talk about my feelings which ultimately ended in me clamming up and refusing to share.

“Yeah, I’m all kinds of messed up.” I answered when her eyes returned to their normal shade of blue. However, she once again giggled, and I glared at her.

“Sorry, but you aren’t. I men, if you are then I’m screwed too…” She smiled sincerely at me and my anger slipped. She wasn’t wrong… “Maybe that’s why we’ve been paired together. Maybe I need to show you what it means to see the silver linings, to separate your feelings into little boxes so that the anger or upset doesn’t spill over into things that have nothing to do with the other things. If I let what happened with my family effect our relationship, then how is that fair? You didn’t do anything wrong; you didn’t hurt me…”

“I guess… but it’s also ok to talk to me about it and be angry and sad.” I said, frowning.

“Sure, it is, which I have done…” I paused, remembering how she fell asleep crying on me and how she reached for me for protection when she had a nightmare. I sighed heavily.

“Youre right… I’m… sorry.” And it took a lot for me to say that. Id spent years refusing to say those words because I blamed myself for my parents’ death even though it wasn’t true. When my therapist told me to stop apologising, I took it literal, as a 17-year-old, and went through a time of refusing to take responsibility for any actions of mine. Now as an adult, ive worked through it but the word still stings. Freybelle smiled though, clearly sensing my hesitation and feelings.

“That’s ok. I forgive you.” She smiled and stuck her tongue out. Again, I looked at this 126-year-old woman with awe. How could she be so much older than me but be so carefree despite the hard life she had had. She may not have been beaten as a child or lost people early on, but a sheltered life and a regimented life can be just as tough. Then the last few weeks on top of that… “Right, I think I’m going to turn in for the night.” She said, standing to wash her plate before retiring to the guest room.

“Frey?” I said and she smiled.

“I love that nickname you know.” I looked at her in confusion.

“No ones ever called you that?” She shook her head. “Oh… I would have thought it was natural to shorten your name. Ive been called Nate a few times even though I hate it.”

“Well, I like Frey, I don’t mind.” I nodded, happy she did.

“Well… I wondered if we could talk more about your coven and the things you need to scry. I don’t know how long the Alpha or Luna will take and I feel bad youre just cooped up here with nothing to do.”

“Oh… sure. I can write a list and things but wont it upset them more or make them more scared if I’m doing things without them knowing.” She asked, sitting back down and looking thoughtful.

“I guess youre right. Aren’t you bored?”

“I mean, a little.” She shrugged. “But its also nice to just relax and not have to study or be demanded to talk about visions or walking through woodlands, battered and bloody.” She smiled but there was a hint of sadness to it. I sighed, understanding.

“Ok, boredom and peace it is for a while. Ill try to talk to Alpha Feen again tomorrow.”

“Ok, thanks, good night, Nathan.” She said, hesitation in her posture as she slowly stood up. I wanted to keep her close but couldn’t think of a good reason.

“Good night, Frey.” I replied, she smiled as she headed to the guest room, and I sighed heavily. I was an i***t.

Freybelle’s POV

The next day Nathan left, promising to talk to the Alpha but no less than an hour after he left, I heard a knock on the door.

“Oh, Beta Jack, hello. Can I help?” I asked, a little taken aback at him being here.

“The Luna requests your presence.” He said, his tone firm and unwavering as he gestured for me to follow him. I quickly put on my shoes and grabbed the house keys, locking the door before following him in silence to the pack house.