A Luna's True Mate

Chapter 8: Telling His Kids

-Logan-

“Where were you?” Noah’s voice echoed through the house as I stepped inside. He appeared on the staircase, a young reflection of myself with his red hair, inherited just like Lara’s. Mason and Alexander carried more traces of their mother.

Suspicion glinted in his eyes. So much had gone wrong between us since his mother died, and I feared we might never resolve it.

“Out,” I replied tersely. “Am I to report to you now?”

“Maybe it was a good idea to let your children know where you are,” he retorted, matching my attitude.

We didn’t bother with pleasantries anymore. We both knew where the conversation was headed.

“I’m the parent,” I asserted.

“And you’re doing one hell of a job,” he shot back sarcastically.

I groaned, pressing two fingers to my eyes and rubbing them, trying to avoid this confrontation. I was too preoccupied with everything that had happened with Lauren, and we hadn’t figured much out yet. I still had to inform everyone about us, and I wasn’t sure if it was the right time. But I knew Noah wouldn’t let this slide.

“Can we not do this today?” I pleaded.

“I just think it would be best if you let us know where you’re going.”

“Why don’t you put a tracker on me, son?” I retorted.

Noah crossed his arms, his lack of trust in me evident. In his mind, it had been my responsibility to protect his mother, and I had failed at that. I had let her down, and he would always hold me accountable for it. I understood.

I would have felt the same if my mother had died and my father had not been there to help her. Betas were just as protective as alphas. We were also guardians, albeit not as driven by aggression and instincts as alphas, but we could still become overbearing.

“Not a bad idea,” he admitted, and I shook my head. “I just don’t see why you needed to be gone for so long. We had important matters to attend to today, remember? You’re soon going to make it official that Kai and I will take over. What could be more important?”

“You really want to know?” I challenged.

He nodded firmly. “I do.”

“You won’t like it,” I warned.

“I still want to know,” he insisted.

“Okay, son, it’s your choice, remember that."

Noah simply nodded, exuding confidence that this revelation wouldn’t change anything. But I knew he would take it the hardest. I believed the others would accept it eventually, maybe struggling to digest the news initially, but they would come around. Noah wouldn’t.

“I’ve met my mate,” I disclosed.

Noah’s eyes widened, his arms slowly lowering.

“What?” he whispered.

“Lauren. She’s my mate. I found out yesterday,” I informed him. “It’s new, and we needed to talk before I told you guys. We’re still figuring out some things.”

“Lauren? Lauren Adler?” he clarified.

I nodded. “That’s the one.”

Noah began shaking his head, and I sighed, knowing this reaction was inevitable when I told him. He would immediately reject the idea.

“That luna who was mated to that sicko?!” he shouted.

“Enough!” I yelled. “Lauren is not like Connor.”

“How can you possibly know that when you don’t even know her?!” he countered.

“Because I do know her! I’ve known her my whole life.”

“Not personally!” he exclaimed.

“I know her, son, and I knew you wouldn’t like this, but we are not the Goddess. It is not up to us!” I shot back.

“But it is!”

“Are you telling me to reject her? Do you think she can survive going through that pain again?” I asked.

“You survived it!” he countered.

“I was lucky! She almost died!” I retorted. “We’re all different.”

“Your connection is new. Now would be the time!” he insisted.

“It’s not up to you!” I shouted.

“Then why the heck tell me?!” he demanded.

“Because you wanted to know!”

“Hey!” Soon, his brothers came running, and Kai too, having heard us arguing again. They knew how intense it could get and swiftly intervened to diffuse the anger.

“What’s going on?” Mason inquired.

Noah and I simply stared at each other for a long moment, his eyes brimming with anger. I knew he could never forgive me, but I wasn’t going to reject Lauren just because he demanded it. This might be my chance to have a true mate again, one I wouldn’t let slip away this time.

“Ask Dad,” Noah said darkly.

Mason and Alexander turned to me while Noah turned around, Kai following him. Kai was the best one to be with Noah right now. They had been best friends for a very long time, and if anyone could help calm Noah down, it was him.

“Dad?” Alexander asked.

I sighed and looked at the ground for a moment as the two of them looked at me.

“I found my mate," I revealed.

“What?!” they both questioned, shocked.

“It’s Lauren.”

“Angela’s mother?” Alexander inquired.

I nodded, and the two of them looked at each other. I was not sure what they were going to say, but I could see they needed some time to process it.

“Have you told Lara?” Mason asked.

I shook my head. “Not yet, but I will. I was hoping to wait a little, but Noah kind of cornered me.”

“Wow…” Mason murmured.

“I know this must be a shock…”

“Just a little,” Alexander said, but then smiled. “But you should do what you want to.”

“What? You’re not mad?”

“Mad? Dad, we’re adults now. It’s not like we need you in the same way, and if you want to be mates with Lauren, then be mates,” he said.

“Do you feel the same way, Mason?” I asked.

“Am I thrilled? I am not sure I can say I am, but I do want you to be happy,” he said. “Mom has been gone for many years now, and we all know you weren’t true mates. If you and Lauren are, then I don’t really see how this is up to any of us.”

I smiled a little, glad my other sons at least could accept my bond with Lauren.

“It’s still new. We are figuring it out.”

“Isn’t she still recovering?” Alexander inquired.

I nodded. “Which is why I will give her some time before I go visit her again. Don’t tell your sister, though. I want to be the one to do that.”

“I think you should say that to Noah,” Mason said, and I nodded, knowing it would probably be him who told Lara. They had become very close already.