Capítulo 49

The Alpha blushed profusely. His parents were fated mates and expounded on the magic of the bond and the euphoria that would consume him when he found his. In truth, he was a little scared; besides, it couldn't feel all that different than it did with other she-wolves. But to think he could ruin it before even truly experiencing it—that thought never occurred to him.

"I suggest you spend the rest of the day thinking about that," Phoebe said, "you can present yourself to your hosts properly later."

She turned away to make her way back to her table when the warrior roused himself from his stupor, "Just who do you think you are, missy?"

Phoebe turned back to him with a smirk, "I am Phoebe Aiman, Luna of Blue Moon, and today is my day. You would know that if you arrived on time and presented yourselves appropriately. But I wouldn't worry about who I am... there is someone here who has a few words to share with you."

Phoebe glanced over her shoulder, drawing their attention to her table. At the head of it, Jason sat quietly, fuming. His eyes shimmered amber and his Alpha aura seeped out like a fog as his gaze bore holes into the pair. The young Alpha shivered uncomfortably, but his escort's gaze fell on Lily, watching him.

"What are you doing here!" the warrior demanded.

"She came with her brother," Phoebe said as if it should be obvious. "And as fate would have it, she was able to meet her second-chance mate... who is very eager to speak with you."

Her gaze slid to William, who glared at the warrior, ready to devour him. She certainly would blame him; after all, Lily suffered because of her unapologetic first mate.

"I know you are eager, Alpha Will, but please save it for after breakfast... and preferably outside where cleanup is far simpler," Phoebe said.

"Of course," William agreed. "I'm sure Jason can schedule us some time on the training grounds. Right, Jace?"

"Sure," Jason said; it was all he could trust himself to say.

As angry as he was for the disrespect the warrior showed Phoebe, he knew William's anger ran even deeper. It was a rage he understood completely. He still longed to sink his teeth into Alpha Graham for the pain he caused Phoebe. The urge to return to Rimrock and dispose of the Alpha was almost impossible to ignore. Knowing this, Jason was content to let William handle the warrior's punishment.

Unconcerned with the male's plans, Phoebe walked back to the table. She paused to place a comforting hand on Lily's shoulder. The she-wolf was hugging herself and slowly closing herself up despite her mate's nearness. Phoebe leaned close, whispering encouraging words, "He can't hurt you anymore."

Lily blinked, looking up at her.

"Lucy and Norah planned a spa day... you should come," Phoebe smiled.

"I'd like that."

Phoebe nodded, continuing to Jason, who still glared at the young Alpha and warrior. He struggled to keep Lobo under control and wasn't immediately aware of Phoebe even as she returned to his lap. Stroking his cheek, she turned his gaze to meet hers. "Everything all right?" she asked with a gentle smile, her gaze back to its usual gray warmth.

"Of course, anything for you," he said, finally relaxing. His gaze returned to its usual brown as Lobo finally subsided along with his overbearing aura.

"Good." Phoebe smiled, planting a kiss on his lips that was all too brief and left him wanting more. Lobo stirred, wanting more of their mate too.

"Patience," Phoebe cooed through the mindlink, giving him another kiss. "Let's eat breakfast before it gets cold."

"Ah! I needed this!" Lucille sighed, sinking into the bubbling hot tub.

Theirs was a private room. Originally, Lucille, Norah, Mona, and Bridget planned the day as a special treat to spend with Phoebe, but inviting Lily, Koko, and the other Lunas seemed a natural recourse after everything that happened. After massages, they gathered together to soak in their own private Jacuzzi.

"And why is that?" Koko asked. "You seem to be living life stress-free compared to everyone else."

"Well, I... do things."

"Like causing trouble for the rest of us," Norah said. "How are you feeling, Lily? Better?"

"I'm fine," Lily said. "I appreciate your concern. I just... I just feel so stupid that I feel like this even after finding Will."

"Don't," Phoebe shook her head. "Your bond with Will is still new. You haven't even visited your new pack yet."

Lily nodded, considering this, before she asked, "How did you manage to get over your rejection? You are so strong and confident."

"Am I?" Phoebe asked. "I'm not always so sure. But my situation was different from yours. Your brother was Alpha and sent your mate away to spare you... My first mate was the Alpha of my former pack. Even if I wanted to leave, I couldn't without his permission unless I wanted to turn rogue."

The others frowned, considering her confession. Aside from Bridget, they were all high-ranking members, so they took their freedom for granted. Only Phoebe and Bridget understood the restrictions placed on lower-ranking pack members.

"I did try to leave once," Phoebe sighed. "A friend wanted out of the pack too and sensed I was having a difficult time. He thought we should both transfer. He even contacted another pack. Graham blocked it, of course. Dash decided to go rogue and make his way to the other pack on his own. I couldn't leave Blake and Emma, and I couldn't let the pups go rogue either."

"W-why would he block the transfer?" Lily asked.

"It sounds strange, doesn't it? He didn't want me for his mate or Luna but also didn't want anyone else to have me," Phoebe shook her head. "I had no choice but to stay and endure his presence and his chosen mate. You say it made me stronger, but I think it just made me colder and more distant. You should ask Jason about our first meeting."

The others listened with pensive expressions. Only Bridget had been there as a witness, so she knew some of Phoebe's struggles. Jason forbade anyone from asking Phoebe about her past, wanting to spare her the pain of reliving it. However, if she was willing to share her experiences freely, then they were willing to listen.

"Meeting your mate is supposed to be a magical moment," Phoebe said, "but I didn't feel anything: not joy, not relief. The first words I said to him were to ask if he was there to reject me too. After one rejection, I couldn't fathom anyone actually loving me. Luckily, Jason's stubborn."

Norah and Lucille chuckled. It wasn't any wonder why Jason was so protective of Phoebe from the very beginning. Given how hard he worked to earn her trust and break the walls she erected around her heart, it was remarkable he even let her out of his sight.

"I had no idea it was like that for you," Norah shook her head. She couldn't help think of her own struggles. Her mate was never able to break through her walls.

"I didn't know your first mate was an Alpha too," Lily said.

"Alpha Graham," Phoebe nodded with a twinge of regret. It always hurt to say his name. Máni lazily stirred with a half-hearted growl. It was less in anger and more out of disgust. With their new bond firmly in place, the pain caused by their first mate no longer had a hold of them, but Phoebe couldn't help but feel its echoes.

"Well, that is all in the past, for both of you," Norah said. "You both should look to the future now. You are Lunas. You are the heart of your packs. Lily, I'm sure your new pack will be as welcoming to you as Blue Moon was to Phoebe. Winter Moon has been waiting for their Luna for quite some time."

"And enduring Camilla's ridiculousness," Lucille added, earning an elbow from her mother before she realized her mistake.

"Who?" Lily asked.

The others hesitated, not wanting to explain the situation. Lily's bond with William was still new and it was already clear she lacked confidence. What if she thought William would keep his mistress because she wasn't good enough?

"Camilla is a member of the Winter Moon pack. She has been vying for Will's attention since he was not yet mated," Phoebe explained, much to the shock and horror of her sister and mother-in-law. She understood they wanted to spare Lily's feelings, but this was information the other she-wolf needed if she was truly to be William's Luna.

"Oh... she's one of those," Lily sighed, disappointed. She should have known there would be complications. Was there nothing in her life that could be simple?

Phoebe nodded. As much as she wanted to spare Lily, there was no ignoring the facts. The worst thing they could do would be to lie or cover it up. She understood William wouldn't want to talk about it, but it was all the more reason they needed to.

"Is she... is she pretty?" Lily hesitantly asked.

"Some probably think so," Phoebe said. "Personally, I find her piggish and shameless. She is no more a Luna than a houseplant. And a houseplant has a better personality."

Norah and Lucille's mouths dropped at Phoebe's harsh critique. They certainly would argue with her assessment, but neither expected it from Phoebe. Her eyes flickered silver, indicating her wolf had come forward, but there was no indication it had taken over or that she had to fight it back. Evidently, this was an opinion Phoebe and her wolf shared.

"W-what should I do if I see her?" Lily asked, not sure she could handle an actual confrontation.

"If she has any sense at all, she won't come anywhere near you," Phoebe said, "if not, I suggest slapping her."

Norah and Lucille shared a startled look. Was this the same shy she-wolf their pack had welcomed just a few weeks ago? Phoebe's silver eyes sparkled with mirth.