A Return to Happiness (The True Luna Series Book 1)

Chapter 4

Lily

Walking inside the grand palace again after so many years makes me feel extremely melancholy. So many memories in my heart and mind I feel like I might burst any seconds now. My steps are a little wobbly but Mason is there with me the whole time holding my hand. My son, my twenty-two years old son, I’m so proud of him, proud of how he carries himself. He’s so handsome, I’ve got a feeling that even though he’s a mama’s boy, he’s also a heartbreaker. Although, that part I’m sure he’s trying so hard to keep from me knowing.

But here, as we walk hand in hand, we almost look like lovers. I’m not that old, I’m only forty-two. I still look incredibly youthful with no wrinkles on my face yet. My skin is also still soft and firm and my muscle is toned although still feminine. I take care of myself and try to keep in shape. My wolf and I run a lot.

“Are you nervous, mom?” Mason whispers.

I nod. “A little.” The truth is, I don’t. I know Luna Andrea very well, she’s a wonderful older woman. Still a captivating beauty in her fifty-four years of age. Now I wonder if she still remembers me. If she does, the job is the definitely in the bag. Beta Bradley, though, he may not be as keen although I can’t really see the reason why. I love children and have raised two wonderful kids of my own. I also used to teach at a kindergarten since Mason was two until before the beginning of the war, which was seven years ago. Unless, he’s looking for someone younger.

My mind wanders to the contract that they sent via email. I read it and frankly got a bit confused with one of the clauses. It was very detail to a point of ridiculous. The clause was about a non-fraternizing agreement with the Alpha King, Princess Seraphina’s father. The consequence of the violation was an immediate termination. That particular clause made me laugh like crazy. Me, fraternizing with the King? Yeah, as if he would look my way, a woman ten years his senior.

But then Mason told me about all these nannies that threw themselves at him at night. How these women cared more about getting his attention than caring for his daughter. How they did whatever they could to get his affection. I suppose I couldn’t blame them, Alpha King Wolfe is a man that can easily give Adonis a run for his money.

“Don’t worry, okay?” Mason says, trying to give me encouragement. “Beta Bradley is a cool guy, and he knows that Alpha King is looking for a more mature woman to take care of his daughter. Younger women have been nothing but trouble so far. And I remember you told me that you knew Luna Andrea very well, right? And that she liked you, hopefully she still remembers you. Luna Andrea is great, she’s taken over Luna Queen Theresa’s job after she passed.”

Ah yes, of course. Somebody has to assume that position even though only temporary. After King Henry died, Luna Andrea stayed as the Luna of the Kingdom ruling beside her son, the new King. Not long after, King Boone found his mate, Theresa, who then became the Luna. Unfortunately, she passed away three years after giving birth to her daughter. Luna Andrea then left retirement and back to assuming her position as the Luna. She’s been reluctant, still she’s a true Luna, she does what is required of her.

“Who are we going to meet first?” I ask Mason.

“Beta Bradley,” he answers. “He will not see you long, he has stuff to attend to. That guy is a busy man. The thing about Beta Bradley, though, he’s very intuitive and his intuition is seldom wrong. He can tell if someone is good or bad just by a couple of minutes talking and observing the said person. If he likes you, you’ll definitely get the job.”

Wow, now I’m nervous. I have nothing to hide and I know that I’m a good person. Still, Mason’s description of the guy was pretty intimidating.

Mason stops in front of a huge door, an office, I assume, and can’t help but being mesmerized. The door itself is already quite intimidating, I wonder what’s the inside look like. “Here we are,” he says. “The Beta’s office. Good luck, mom. I just mind link Beta Bradley, he’s expecting you now. Just knock on the door.”

“You’re not coming with me?” I ask.

“Unfortunately, I can’t. It won’t be professional. I’ll be waiting nearby, the Beta will mind link me and tell me what to do next.” Mason gives me a hug and a kiss. “Again, good luck.”

I say my thanks and knock on the door. When I hear someone tells me to come in, I open the door and walk in. Beta Bradley is sitting on his chair in front of his office desk, he looks up when he sees me and smiles. I smile back, and wait as I see him standing up and walking towards me. The guy: tall, built of bricks, handsome, commanding, with no nonsense attitude, but somehow, likeable. I find myself liking him. I find myself staring. I find myself cursing inwardly. Yeah, not a good idea, Lily. This guy is ten years your junior, you knew him when he was a child, although he may not remember that. And the guy already has a true mate, with two children.

Shoot, shyly I turn away, focusing my attention to his huge office. He has an office desk in the middle of the room along with a full set of sofa with a coffee table. The office is fully equipped. I’m impressed.

“Mrs. Mills,” Beta Bradley greets while still smiling. If he senses that a moment ago, I was ogling him, he doesn’t show it. He extends his right hand to shake mine, which I enthusiastically welcome. Hopefully I don’t look too enthusiastic. Somehow, I feel like he’s grinning instead of smiling. Perhaps, he feels it. Damn! What can I say, the guy is famous for being intuitive. “How are you?”

Wow! Well that’s just impressive. What a people person the Beta is. He did not say, Nice to meet you, he say, How are you?. He wants to give the impression that we have met and that he remembers me. But then again, I’m the widow of a national hero. My husband died protecting the King, he did not leave the King in the battle ground, he died alongside the King. Yes, of course the beta should remember me, it’s his job to do so. I’m also one of the warriors’ and the King’s private secretary’s mother.

I look up, way up. I’m only 5’3 and the Beta is, what? 6’3, maybe even 6’4? Mason is 6’3. Beta Bradley laughs good naturedly, sensing my neck discomfort. “Perhaps we should sit down?” he suggests, leading me towards the sofa.

I nod happily before sitting on the center of the sofa, Beta Bradley sits beside me. Close, but not too close, still quite justifiable. “I’m fine,” I say. “Answering your earlier question, that is. Just wonderful, and, how are you?”

Beta Bradley looks at me, a smile still adorning his handsome face. Somehow, he can read me, somehow, he knows. I’m not just wonderful, my husband died six years ago during the war. I was so devastated I had to leave the Kingdom. The way he looks at me makes me feel like I have to continue talking, so I do. “Well, it was difficult losing Gareth. But things are getting better and better now. It was after all, six years ago. When Mason told me that the King is looking for a nanny, I’m excited about the possibility of getting the job. I love children, I really do. I used to be a kindergarten teacher for more than ten years. And, I have raised two of my own, I’d like to say wonderfully so.” I laugh a little, somewhat nervously. “Wouldn’t you say, Beta Bradley?”

Beta Bradley laughs with me, his laugh sounds incredibly comforting. “I have to agree with you there,” he says, a humor in his voice. “Mason, we love him around here. Good guy, and a mighty warrior too. I’d say you’d raised him extremely well, Mrs. Mills.”

He doesn’t say anything about Moira, I wonder why but can’t bring myself to ask. Instead, I look down, I feel, troubled. Beta Bradley senses my apprehension, somehow, he knows I was waiting for him to talk about Moira, even though only a little. It takes him awhile, as if he’s trying to summon strengths from within him and successful, because then he says, “And Moira, very efficient, very… efficient.”

Wow, that’s one adjective that he said twice. He couldn’t think of two adjectives? That makes me sad. Okay, I guess Moira isn’t as likable as her little brother. But at least she is efficient. I will say that is good enough, somebody has to. Be efficient, I meant. Especially if you work as the King’s private secretary. “Thank you,” I say. “I will try to be as efficient.”

Now Beta Bradley laughs out loud at my attempt of a joke. Somehow, he even winks. “Don’t try too hard,” he says. “You know, Mrs. Mills, I like you. Have you read the contract that we asked Mason to send you?” When I nod, he continues, “Do you have any questions about it? Anything at all?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s pretty straightforward, really.”

“It is,” Beta Bradley says, agreeing. Somehow, he blushes before saying, “There is a clause about fraternizing.”

I try not to laugh but I can’t help myself. Beta Bradley laughs with me. Wow, this is such a great interview. “Please don’t worry about it,” I say between my laughs. “As if the King would look my way.”

“I don’t know, Mrs. Mills,” Beta Bradley says. His voice sounds teasing, although not in a sleazy kind of way. “I’d say you’re still incredibly stunning. If I hadn’t known that you’re Mason’s mother, I might’ve made a pass on you. You look at the very least ten years younger, more even.”

Now I’m blushing all over, can’t quite know how to handle the compliment given by a guy who at only four years old I had seen running around buck naked. Which was wrong, because he was not a buck. Still isn’t. He’s a werewolf, a very handsome werewolf. Ten years younger than me, and married. “Thank you,” I finally answer, happy that my voice does not desert me.

“Well,” Beta Bradley starts again. “For what it’s worth, I really like you, Mrs. Mills.”

“Lily.” I smile

“Lily.” He smiles. “Now, if you can charm Luna Andrea the way you did me, I’d say you get the job.”

“No need to worry about that,” says a voice as the door suddenly opens. Luna Andrea stands gracefully in front of us with a smile on her face. Beta Bradley and I stand up and bow our heads respectfully. “Lily,” Luna Andrea continues, arms wide open, inviting me to come and hug her. “How are you, my love? It’s been a while.”

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