After finding seats at the long, ornate dining tables of the Packhouse’s dining room, the two women and the twins settled down to a delicious breakfast. They sat on one of the window tables, Diwa’s tray full of small plates with delicious fruit, cereal, and fresh cinnamon rolls. Siel had pancakes with fruit for the babies, bacon, and eggs, and fruit and cinnamon rolls too, for herself.
Of course, this was the perfect time to catch up…
“Tell me, how are things going with him? I told him already that nothing should happen to you, or he will see my evil side,” Di asked Siel while taking a big bite of her berries with yogurt and granola mix.
“Di, he’s awesome. Sometimes he feels too good to be true.”
Diwa shrugged. “What you’re feeling is the mate bond. Believe me, he’s not that good a person. He’s naturally cranky, strict, a workaholic, an over thinker…”
“And loving and caring, and sweet… But is it really just the bond?” Siel interrupted with a little disappointed sigh. “He told me the bond made people want to stay with each other, but… I wish he would love me for who I am, and not just because of that.”
“Oh… I don’t know what he said to you, but the bond is much more than that, Siel. You are mates because you’re perfect for each other, in every aspect. Even when you’re mad at each other,” Di explained, looking through the window.
“Well, yes… I do remember that feeling when I was so mad at him back then. And that was a few times, too.” Siel said, thoughtfully.
“Yes, there is the pull and the irresistible sexual attraction. There is the other side too… There are those who are not happy with their mates and can end up rejecting them. Others have also hit and even kill their mates. We believe that the Moon Goddess makes us complement each other. But it’s very much a personal decision, too. Its what V sees in you that makes him really love you, which encourages him to follow through with the bond.”
Siel remained silent all throughout Diwa’s speech. The female wolf could see that her friend’s eyes were not as doubtful as before, so she continued, putting a bit more enthusiasm in her explanations…
“We, the wolves, are lucky enough to have the signs that tell us who this special one is. Those are the tingles, the scent, the sexual pull, along with the enhanced sensations that are almost too much to control. But that’s not all. Finding your mate is like finding the place you can call
‘Home’ because that’s where you truly belong. Also, if he is what he is with you, it’s because you deserve it. It takes plenty to be the mate of a Pack’s higher rank, as your mate, and mine are. It’s not just for anyone, really.”
“How was it for you, before Aaron? I mean, I remember you told me THAT other ‘fake mate’ story, but I’ve seen you so happy with him. I don’t know if I’ve changed as much as you, but you seem… different, Di, and in a good way too. Stronger, more determined, if it was ever possible. And happier, too. Also, I just have to mention, it’s amazing that we found our mates almost at the same time! What are the odds?” Siel said while taking another bite of bacon.
“Well, I definitely found the strength I needed to fight my past, so I believe you. And Aaron has changed completely as well. He had decided to stay loyal and faithful from the very first time we met… and well… I’m amazed at him, and I can easily love him for who he is and trust that he would do everything for me. I just wish my brother understood that too,” Di finally sighed.
* * *
“Remember, he’s supposed to see us, hubby cat. Just as he enters the Packhouse…”
“No worries, wifey, I got it…”
“HEY! What are you two doing there? How did you get inside my apartment?”
“Oh no… we’re busted!”
“Beta, please… let me explain. We really had no choice but to obey him…”
“Him? Wait… let me guess…”
About a quarter of an hour later, Aaron had shooed Myron and Raquel from his apartment and was soon angrily stomping towards the Gamma’s living quarters. He knocked loudly, his voice even louder.
“MA’HERON! OPEN UP! WE NEED TO TALK!”
* * *
Let’s get back to the dining room…
Diwa loved watching Siel’s twins as they made cute noises while speaking their own language. To her delight, Rose and James were especially talkative right now as they enjoyed their breakfast.
“I love their Christmas-y clothes. Remember, I asked you to go to work in matching holiday outfits too and you didn’t want to? I almost can’t believe you got matching Christmas sweaters for them!”
“Oh, I didn’t buy them those,” said Siel, slightly blushing.
“What? Then, who? I’m sure it wasn’t that asshole ex…”
“Of course not. It was V,” Siel said with a heartwarming smile.
“Wow… Well, talking about change!” Diwa exclaimed as they both laughed.
“You know yesterday, V kinda talked about… and then Lena, asked me directly last night… if
I’m willing to live here in the Packhouse with my babies.”
Diwa swallowed hard. Her mind was suddenly overwhelmed with a realization…
“I’m still unsure. I have my whole life going right now… the new house, a new job… but then… this place is fantastic for the babies… I love to be here, but… Di… Are you ok? You’re suddenly so pale.”
A very frightening realization.
“Y-yes, I’m fine. I just didn’t think about it until now. You know, Aaron being the Beta… he can’t exactly leave the Packhouse to live full time anywhere else. We’ve been seeing each other when he visits my house, but this is the holidays… I know I can come here, but still…”
“So, you don’t want to stay here with him?”
“I don’t know; it feels too soon. But the problem is that he doesn’t know about… What I told you. The thing that happened here that caused me to leave…”
“What!? Oh no, Di… So that’s what happened yesterday? And that’s what your brother meant?”
“Yes, M knows that I haven’t told A, and I’m honestly happy that Aaron didn’t ask me what my brother was talking about. But I know it will happen soon. It’s not that I think he won’t understand, I’m sure he will, but… I put so much effort into building myself after that, trying to forget… It was already so hard to tell you about it… And just staying here has been getting on my nerves… you have no idea how happy I was when I saw you here…”
“You too? I have my reasons for feeling like that, but I thought you’d be more comfortable since your family is here.”
“Well, you saw my brother’s reaction… And I… do you mind if we just drop the subject, for now, Siel? I’m really not that keen on talking about it right now.”
“But of course, no worries, Di.”
“SO… if you still want to wear ugly Christmas sweaters, I’m all for it!” Diwa finally said after a brief moment of silence. As Siel laughed, she joined in, but she felt her laughter was a little forced.
Damn it, what if Aaron does ask me? I need to get myself together fast or try to find a way to refuse without upsetting him. I really don’t want us fighting over this…
“Excuse me, Di. I think you need to come with me. My hubby already called V… your mate has just gone to your big brother’s apartment, and he’s really angry…”
Di’s thoughts were cut short at the mention of her mate. “Raquel? Oh my God, what happened?”