Gamma Aaron let go of my mate and smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry, Alpha, Luna.” He looked at me, and when I nodded my head at him, his gaze drifted back to Nadia. “Have we met before? If you don’t mind me asking, Luna.”
“I don’t think so. Or I would have remembered you.”
“Yes, I was thinking that too.”
He was about to add more when small, rushing footsteps were heard and three females, who were almost the same height, ranging between 5’2 and 5’4, appeared at the front door and made their way down the steps.
“I’m sorry, we are late.” Luna Clair stood beside her Alpha. Her eyes were fixated on Nadia. She extended her hand as she smiled at my mate. “Clair, Clair Galhart.”
Nadia smiled and took her hand. “Nadia. Nadia Morrison.” They were just smiling at each other before they suddenly pulled each other for a hug and I could hear the loud beating of the two Lunas’ hearts. I was well aware that everyone around us could hear it, too.
“Have we met?” Luna Clair asked her. “It feels like I know you.”
“I feel the same way,” Nadia responded, her eyes closed as she hugged Clair tightly.
“Fuck!” It was Gamma Aaron. “I knew it. They feel it too.” His face was serious as he looked at his sister, Luna Clair, and my mate, hugging each other.
“Alpha Riley, if you don’t mind. How old is Luna Nadia?” Gamma Aaron asked me.
“She just turned 22.”
“I’m 22 too. It doesn’t make sense. I know she didn’t meet her parents, but whatever I’m thinking…”
Luna Clair turned to her brother. “We can discuss that later, Aaron. For now, I want Nadia to meet my females.”
Nadia turned her back and motioned for Jenny to come forward. The females formed a circle, and we men were cast out as they familiarized themselves with one another. And I couldn’t be happier. They welcomed Nadia warmly, even Alia. And I was hoping Nadia would find good friends here.
“Alpha Riley,” Aaron called for my attention again. “Have you found any leads about Luna Nadia’s parents?”
I turned to face him, slipping my handsinto my pockets. “The only lead I have is that her mother used to be a part of the Dark Forest Pack.” I held my breath as I watched him close his eyes and place his fingers on his temples.
“That’s Dad’s old pack before they were taken over.” His voice almost broke.
“I invited David for dinner, Aaron.” It was Jacob who spoke. He was standing beside me. David was Gamma Aaron and Luna Clair’s father and was the son of Alpha Carlos Montrell of the Dark Forest Pack before it was attacked and taken over by another Alpha.
He nodded his head. “But it’s impossible. We are almost the same age. Dad would never cheat on Mom.”
“Relax.” Jacob tapped his shoulder. “That’s why we need to see if David will recognize her. Riley told me. Her aunt said Nadia looked exactly like her mother. But it still doesn’t mean that he is. But maybe he knew who it was.”
“You’re not going to hold this against Nadia, if…” I asked, and I didn’t dare to continue my words because I had no fucking idea how he would take it.
“No. No, of course not. It’s not her fault. I just couldn’t believe it was possible. Dad adored Mom too much. It’s the thought that he… I couldn’t take it.”
Jacob was about to open his mouth to say something when Luna Clair called out for attention. “Jake, maybe we should all settle at the dining table so we can eat dinner. I’m sure Nadia and Alpha Riley are starving.”
Jacob nodded at her before she turned around and walked inside the packhouse with the rest of the females.
“Your father is already on his way. Let’s go inside now and wait.” Jake put his arm around Aaron and mumbled something to him, which I heard through my werewolf hearing. “Whatever happened, don’t judge before you hear him out.”
“I just wish you had told me, man. I’ll be fine, but how about Clair?”
I closed my eyes, my hands inside my pockets, coiling into fists as I stared at Nadia and Clair, who were talking and walking side by side as we followed them. I should have prepared them, too. I was so fucking focused on Nadia that I forgot about the other side.
As soon as we entered the dining hall, Nadia moved beside me and flashed me a warm smile before wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her head on my chest for a few seconds before pulling away. “Thank you.”
“For what?” I asked her, my brows furrowing.
“For taking me here. The Luna and her females are lovely. And Alia told me snippets of your childhood.” She winked at me before I placed a hand on her back, guiding her to the seat that was assigned to us.
