I wish I could argue with him about it, but he is right. Lissa is bubbly and sociable. During the last event we attended, she befriended two young lunas and then engaged in a talk with their two alpha mates, which furthermore led them to seek me out and engage in a talk with me.
It was all thanks to Lissa that this deal we struck was possible.
“You should leave, or you won’t be on time,” Mom says, ushering us towards the doors. She makes sure to check me over and straightens my suit and tie, again. With a frown, she checks me once more, and then just smiles slightly like she always does when she looks at me. I know that smile. It means that I am doing or looking okay, but not more than that. The extra mile I could go is still missing. I am also aware that by now she has given up on demanding more; instead, she moves towards Lissa and beams at her. “You look absolutely perfect, sweetie!”
“Thank you, Luna.”
Mom laughs, an open and happy laugh. “How often are we supposed to tell you that you should call us by our first names?”
“I know, I know,” Lissa sighs. “Old habits.”
“You are almost like our daughter-in-law,” Dad adds. “No need to be so shy.”
Daughter-in-law? That’s how they see her? Is that what Lissa and I are in the eyes of my family, and maybe also in the eyes of the pack?
While both of us make our way to the car, I keep thinking of my father’s words over and over. I am so caught up in my thoughts I barely notice my future beta, greeting us. He isa promising young man named Martin, coming from a strong lineage of wolves. His father is an elite warrior and a very good friend of my parents. Dad recommended him as my future beta.
Martin drives us, while Lissa and I take our places in the backseat. I look at her from the corner of my eye. She is a beautiful woman; there is no denying that. She knows how to dress and has an overall winning personality. She is charming. I guess she would make a great luna.
But is that fair? Doesn’t she want her mate? And what about my own mate? I haven’t even met her yet. Am I okay with taking a chosen mate for the luna position without even knowing what’s out there?
Well, I am not sure if Iactuallyhave a choice.
Of course you do,my wolf, Darien suddenly intervenes. We don’t talk an awful lot, so hearing him speak out now surprises me a little. I know he wishes for a less meek counterpart.
We have expectations to fulfill,I point out.
Yes, but not the ones you believe we should,he groans.Who the fuck cares if Lissa is luna material, or not, since she isn’t our mate!
You don’t like her?
I don’t care about her,he says.She isn’t our mate.
Now, that was straightforward! In a way, I am envious of him for being like that. I have a much harder time making decisions and knowing what I truly want, but he… he always knows what he wants.
We are in our late twenties,I point out.
So what?
What if we don’t find our mate?I ask.You know, our parents said that we can only take over the pack when we have a luna.
Then let’s get out there and find her,he snarls.
But our responsibilities—
Fuck them!Our responsibility is to find our mate and become as strong as possible, not to go to a shady gala, full of shifters who waltz around. We are better than that!
Are we? I am not sure. I need these business deals for the pack. Dad has made that clear every time we talked about these events. I don’t enjoy them, I just go because I have to, and unlike my wolf, I know I can’t just quit my responsibilities.
I didn’t say you should quit,he intervenes.It’s about priorities.
Before I can answer, he has retreated to the back of my mind, blocking me out like he usually does.
“Wow, this place is stunning,” Lissa exclaims.
I offer her my arm, which she accepts with a bright smile. “You think so?”
“That was the moment you were supposed to say thatIam stunning,” she laughs.
