Luna’s Mating Trilema

Chapter 7

Natalie’s POV

As he finished speaking, a shadow descended over my eyes. I got exactly what he was getting at. The Winter Pack considered it a grave sin if a female were to be mated before the first full moon of her eighteenth year. A direct insult to the Goddess may have been intended.

"But, Dad!" I pushed myself up from the table and glared down at him, my indignation unaffected by the presence of others.

He could only give me a growl of response. Resuming my seat, I turned my gaze aside.

My apology was a soft sob.

Before I was your dad, Natalie, I was the Alpha of this pack. Once again, I am reminding you as your Alpha that duty must always come before emotion.

"Yes, my Alpha," I bowed to him, "I am loyal to you."

"Therefore, you will stay for the remainder of the Blood Moon Gathering to make sacrifices to our Goddess."

I said again, my expression more glum than before: "Yes, Alpha."

And as your father, I want to caution you against rushing through life.

I once again gazed up at my dad. As the strict Alpha he was, I anticipated seeing his stern countenance. However, I was able to read the uncommon sign of kindness in his gaze. Instead, he had a gentle and friendly expression.

I c****d my head toward him, wondering what he may say. When my dad extended a hand, I grabbed it. As he talked, his thumb brushed the back of my hand.

Remember that a wolf is only mated once, Natalie, even though all you can think about is being with the one you love. This is a permanent condition. Consequently, I would be remiss in my role as your father if I didn't caution you to give careful consideration to your decision, as much as you adore the boy and as much as I welcome him.

“What?" I inquired, bewildered by his explanation. However, he is my partner.

Alpha Venom scowled and said, "That may be, but there is no rush." "It's unusual that you found your soul mate at such a young age."

I scowled and said, "I don't understand." "What do you mean?"

My heart sank with true worry, and a panic I barely recognized welled up from the depths.

Nothing to worry about, sweetie. Think of it like your dad not wanting to see his baby girl become an adult.

“But—”

I sighed, Alpha Venom, "the Blood Moon Gathering is a holy time. This is the time when we pray to our Goddess and ask for her favor. Therefore, you and Raymond should feel fortunate to be in this location. Our mate relationship is a gift from the Goddess. With your wedding day quickly coming, wouldn't it be ideal to ask for her blessing during this solemn ceremony? Can't this simply help to deepen your friendship?”

As peace returned to me, my anxiety subsided. My nerves calmed down.

When my father said he needed to go find my mother, that was the end of our chat. Before his responsibilities got in the way, he wanted to make sure we had time to dance together. Still, I was filled with gratitude and optimism that Raymond and I would eventually have the same level of fulfillment in our relationship.

The relationship between me and Harry erupted in a fire that now leaves me hurting less than 10 minutes after conversing with my father.

I sprang out of bed. I quickly made my way to the bathroom so I could throw up as the weight of my predicament once again hit me.

I splashed the cold water on my face and thought, "Just a few more hours." Only a couple more hours until...."

I turned to look at my reflection in the glass.

In that case...' I questioned internally. It's the same situation whether I stay or leave.

Someone knocked on the restroom door.

I moaned and tightened my hold on the counter. My eyes hurt, and I felt completely spent. I made a move for the entrance, assuming that my mom was just outside.

As I pushed through the door, I felt dizzy and began to collapse.

Two powerful hands seized my shoulders, and I let out a gasp. My eyes slowly opened. The sight I saw made my head hurt even more.

His beautiful pale blue eyes lit up as he smiled at me. It was very attractive.

Indeed, he was my true love. Not even Alpha Harry.

I mumbled, "I'm sorry," as my awareness faded.

Once again, I awoke in my bed. My dizziness began the second I opened my eyes and sat up.

"Whoa," Raymond exclaimed as he walked in and sat down on the bed next to me. "Take it easy for the time being."

He was gently stroking my back. "A single faint is probably enough for the day, but you know I appreciate your flair for the dramatic."

He flashed me a grin, and I gently touched his cheek. I needed the warmth and solace he provided.

A flash of grey eyes and the warmth of his skin on my hand played in my memory, and guilt quickly became an old friend. I withdrew my hand from Raymond's grasp.

"What's wrong, Natalie?" Taking my hand in his, he asked.

With a shake of my head, I walked away.

He heaved a sigh and stepped closer to me, encircling me with his arms so that I could do nothing but lean into him.

'Luna Jane informed me you changed the wedding date,' he said softly.

I backed away from him once more, avoiding eye contact as I repeated my mother's story.

"The birthday party is coming up, and the wedding is so shortly after that I didn't believe I'd have time to fully plan everything out."

He reached out to touch my chin and gently urged me to look up. "Yes, that's what she told me," before saying, "I was hoping you would tell me the truth."

Integrity, sincerity, loyalty, and affection. That's how I felt about him. I knew I had his undivided attention and adoration as his pale blue eyes landed on me. I owned him. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I wailed.

"I sincerely apologize to Raymond."

He comforted me as I sobbed in his arms. I eventually calmed down, and he said nothing more to me than words of consolation and support. After he dried my tears, he looked me straight in the eye.

"Natalie, you may be completely honest with me. Always," he brushed a loving hand across my cheek. "I understand your concerns. Give me the details."

I paused, but when I met his gaze, I knew I had to speak to him. I filled him in on my experiences since our arrival. Raymond remained silent as I told him about my interactions with Harry in general. There was no need to go into detail about the range of emotions I experienced.

He broke off our embrace and strode across the room. They might as well have been separated by an ocean between us, as far away as we were.

"Do you love him?" he whispered to me.

“No!" Instantly, I screamed. "We only just met the other day, Raymond. I swear, I have no interest in any of this."

In other words, he didn't turn around. Instead of talking to me, he turned his back and glanced out the window.

"You sensed him, though." His voice was laden with sadness and confusion as he said, "You felt the mate bond with him."

My response was hesitant.

"Yes," I mumbled through fresh sobs.

His head sagged between his shoulders.

"How could that be?" he spoke aloud.

When a sob tried to escape me, I muffled it. I was really affected by the sobs in his voice.

"I don't know," was my response. The weight of my remorse and shame finally got to me, and I sobbed again. I pressed my knees to my chest, choking back the sobs that threatened to spill.

His kindness astonished me. I hadn't even realized he was on the bed with me until he wrapped his arms around me.

I looked up into his eyes. Despite his obvious suffering, I saw the same love and dedication I had known for the preceding two years. The sad corners of his mouth lifted.

"Are you in love with me?" he questioned, tears welling in his eyes.

I cried softly.

"Yes," I said softly, pressing my palms against his cheeks. "Just you. I can only adore you."

Another tear trickled down his cheek as he grinned.

"That's all that matters," he said in a whisper, his voice shaking with the weight of his suppressed emotions. "We are madly in love. I love you, and you are mine forever. We'll sort out the rest afterward."

He leaned forward and gave me a soft kiss. We continued to hold each other in silence as I reciprocated his kiss.

We spent the rest of the day in my room, cuddling and talking. Finally, we came to terms with the fact that we needed to keep our conversation private, at least until we figured out what was going on. We did not reunite with the outside world again until Jane informed us that attendance at the closing celebrations was mandatory.