The Forbidden Child

Accepting Each Other

Mason moved slowly and as quietly as possible towards the door. He listened for a moment but didn't hear anything. He opened the door a c***k and couldn't see anyone. Then he stepped out into the hall; the only thing present was the same stench that he smelled from the Luna. It lingered only briefly as it followed Luna Sarah up the hall. Mason walked back into the bedroom and looked at Skylar. 

"You're shaking. It is all going to be okay now, trust me," Mason said as he sat back beside her on the couch. 

Skylar moved over closer and closer until she was seated in Mason's lap. "Yes, I know it will be now. James, you are my mate, aren't you?"

Mason smiled and looked into her ice-blue eyes and nodded. "Yes, I am."

Skylar giggled, "I'm not human, after all. I don't understand everything going on."

"No, you're a wolf just like me. I need to ask if you remember anything from last night."

"The last thing I remember is washing dishes after everyone in the packhouse ate. I went down to have supper with the other servants. Jericka and I finished eating, washed dishes, and she asked me to go for a walk with her. As I was putting the dishes away," Skylar shook her head. "I don't remember anything else. The next thing I remember is waking up in your bed, in your shirt."

Mason was fuming, he wanted to know what happened, but now he thought who might have been behind the attack. "I found you in the river. I was on the midnight patrol when your scent caught me off guard. I knew it as the scent of my mate. Even though we have known each other all of our lives, it was different after you turned 18."

"Wait, the river is freezing. Why would I be there?" Skylar was shaking again. Mason wrapped his arms tighter around her waist and pulled her closer to him. 

Mason knew there were other questions that he needed to know the answers to. At this moment, though, his mind was only on holding Skylar. After a couple of moments, the sobs lessened. 

"I need to tell you a few things I learned this morning." Skylar took a deep breath before she continued, "I met my wolf, Sky. She told me that you are our mates. Jericka came in angry that I was in your room. She has always had a crush on you and wanted you as her mate. Then she just changed and was different and accepting. It was weird and very unlike her. Then she left to get some things from our room, and when she came back, her mood had changed again. It was like she is a puppet or something."

Skylar took another breath and looked into Mason's eyes. She felt the move from need to desire flow through her body, but Mason looked away as she felt him getting hard against her thigh. 

Mason cleared his throat and placed Skylar on the couch. He stood up and walked across the room. There was an investigation, and he needed to get to the bottom of it. Holding Skylar wasn't going to help him right now. Mason shook his head as he tried to clear it. 

"Did you notice anything different about the Luna?" Mason questioned. 

Skylar blushed and knew Mason was trying to get back to why he was there, "Yes, that's why I called you to come here. I didn't know who else I could trust. At first, she seemed too nice. You know she has always held me at more than arm's length and has abused me with her words. Then something shifted, and I felt this overwhelming evil come over her. I began to panic, Sky even tried to reach Luna's wolf, but there isn't one. After a while, Jericka brought up the tea. I didn't drink it; it smells different, and come to think of it, Luna didn't drink any either. She kept trying to get me to drink it. The closer she got to me, the more I smelled this awful stench. It was so strong that it burned my nose."

"I know what you are talking about. I smelled it when I came in here. I don't know what to do. Alpha Jackson will not be pleased when I accuse the Luna of attempted murder. Let me call Dawn up here to test the tea. Do you want me to get Jessi to check on you again?" Mason's voice was shaking with anger and stress. He was trying to stay calm but knew that he needed answers. The more Mason dug, the more questions arise. 

"James, what will happen when it comes out that we are mates?" Skylar looked concerned. 

Mason turned and kneeled next to her, "I don't know, but I have always loved you. You are so much more than you will ever know. I have to talk to Alpha Jackson and let him know. I am going to wait and see what else I can find out about the Luna before I bring those findings to him."

Skylar placed her hand on his face and smiled, "I love you." She leaned in to kiss him, but at that moment, there was a knock on the door. 

Mason chuckled, "Perfect timing." He walked over to the door and let Dawn and Jessi in. 

Dawn walked over to the table, not saying a word, and got to work. She poured the tea into a jar, "Did you want me to test the cookies as well?" she asked no one in particular. 

Mason nodded, "Yes, I don't know who did this, but we need to get to the bottom of it."

"You are accusing the Luna, Mason. That's serious, and I hope you are wrong because she will be put to death for the crimes she has committed against the Princess." Dawn spat out. 

Dawn turned on her heels and stormed out. 

"Pr...Princess?" Skylar stuttered. "Who's the Princess? I thought she only caused me harm. 

Jessi narrowed her eyes at Mason, "Will you please step out of the room?" She didn't give him any time to answer. Jessi knew the whole truth, as well. "Skylar, let's get you out of the dress and into something more comfortable. I don't know why Luna wanted you dressed so early in the day when the party isn't until this evening."

Skylar nodded, "But I don't have any more of my clothes here."

Jessi walked to the door and spoke with Mason, but Skylar couldn't make out the words.