MIA’S POV
Walking back to my room after the conversation with Tristan, I felt a
strange heaviness in my chest. I had told him to be with Daisy, and he
had agreed. It was the right thing to do-for both of them. Daisy was
kind and had been nothing but family to me, and Tristan deserved
someone who could give him everything.
But even knowing that didn’t stop the ache in my heart. Tristan was the
one person I didn’t truly resent. He had searched for me, cared for me,
and never treated me like I was worthless. He was the closest thing to a
friend, maybe even more, and now, he belonged to Daisy.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone. My thoughts were
tangled, and I felt torn between relief and sadness. Relief that Tristan
had found someone like Daisy, and sadness that it wasn’t me.
“You’re doing the right thing,” Ima whispered in my mind. “He’s not
meant for us.”
“I know,” I replied silently, sighing as I leaned back against the
headboard. “But it doesn’t make it any easier.”
The next morning, Tristan and I met again, this time under less
emotional circumstances. We sat in the library, talking about everything
and nothing. I didn’t bring up the brothers-I couldn’t. If he found out
they were here, it would only make things worse.
“You’ve really settled in here,” Tristan commented, his voice light as he
looked around the room.
I shrugged, offering him a small smile. “It’s starting to feel like home,” I
admitted. “Damon and Daisy have been good to me.”
He nodded, his gaze soft. “I’m glad you have them. You deserve a family
like that.”
We talked about our lives over the past few years, and for a moment, it
felt like nothing had changed. But every time I caught myself relaxing, I
remembered Daisy and the bond they now shared.
When the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Tristan leaned back in
his chair, pulling out his phone. “We should stay in touch,” he said,
handing it to me. “Put your number in.”
I hesitated for a moment before taking the phone and typing in my
contact information. “You know, you didn’t need to ask,” I teased
lightly, trying to keep the mood light.
He chuckled, a genuine smile lighting up his face. “Just wanted to make
sure I had the princess’s permission.”
I rolled my eyes, but a small laugh escaped me. It felt good to laugh, even
if only for a moment.
As we sat there, the library door opened, and I turned to see Daisy
walking in. Her smile was bright as always, but it faltered slightly when
she saw us.
“There you are!” she exclaimed, her tone cheerful but with a hint of
curiosity.
“Here I am,” Tristan replied, standing up to greet her. “We were just
catching up.”
Daisy’s gaze flickered to me, and I offered her a smile. “He was telling
me about some of the places he’s visited,” I said quickly, trying to ease
any tension.
Daisy’s expression softened, and she nodded. “He has some interesting
stories, doesn’t he?”
Tristan laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I wouldn’t say that, but I
try.”
Daisy moved closer to him, her hand brushing against his arm as she
leaned in slightly. “I was looking for you,” she said softly. “I thought we
could go for a walk.”
Tristan glanced at me, and for a moment, I thought he might hesitate.
But then he nodded. “Of course. Let’s go.”
As they turned to leave, Daisy looked back at me. “You should join us for
dinner tonight, Mia. It’s been a while since we all sat down together.”
I forced a smile, nodding. “I’ll think about it.”
When they left, the room felt impossibly quiet. I stared at the spot where
they’d been standing, my mind racing.
“You did the right thing,” Ima said again, her voice firm.
“I know,” I thought, my chest tightening. “But why does it feel like I just
lost something I never really had?”
I pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on what I needed to do. If I
was ever going to be free from the brothers and the mess they had
dragged me into, I needed to sever the mating bond. It was the only way
to move forward.
“I’ll find a way,” I whispered to myself, determination hardening in my
chest. “No matter what it takes.”
When I got home, Daisy immediately pulled me aside into her room. Her
expression was calm but curious as she gestured for me to sit on the
couch.
“So,” she began, leaning against the dresser with her arms crossed.
“You and Tristan seem pretty… comfortable with each other.”
I blinked, trying to find the right words. “Daisy, it’s not what you think,”
I started, my voice steady. “Tristan and I… we knew each other before.
Back when I was with my old pack.”
Daisy’s brow furrowed slightly, but her tone remained even. “Knew each
other how?”
I sighed, clasping my hands together in my lap. “He was… someone I
trusted. Someone who helped me when no one else did. But that’s all it
was. He didn’t know about my past or what happened later. We lost
contact before things got really bad.”
Daisy tilted her head, her curiosity softening into understanding. “And
now?”
I hesitated, shaking my head. “Now, it’s nothing. He’s your mate, Daisy.
I would never try to interfere with that. I just… it’s strange seeing him
again, that’s all.”
Her lips quirked into a small smile, and she moved to sit beside me.
“Mia, I’m not mad. I get it. You two have history, and that’s okay.”
I looked at her, surprised by how easily she accepted it. “Really?”
“Of course,” she said, patting my hand. “I trust you, Mia. And Tristan’s a
good guy. If anything, I’m glad you had someone like him in your life
when you needed it.”
Her calm and understanding demeanor put me at ease, and we spent the
next hour talking about everything-my connection with Tristan, the
struggles I’d faced before finding the Blood Moon pack, and even my
plans for the future. Daisy listened intently, her eyes kind and patient.
But then, the conversation took an unexpected turn.
“Mia,” Daisy began, her tone thoughtful. “You know… I’ve been
thinking.”
“About what?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well,” she said slowly, a mischievous glint in her eye. “What if we use
Tristan to make the brothers jealous?”
I blinked, caught completely off guard. “What?”
She shrugged, leaning back against the couch with a casual smile. “I
mean, it’s not like I’m head over heels for Tristan yet. The bond is there,
but it’s still new. And those brothers of yours-”
“They’re not my brothers,” I interrupted firmly.
“Fine,” she corrected, her grin widening. “Those ex-mates of yours
could use a little payback. Don’t you think it would be satisfying to see
them squirm?”
I stared at her, unable to believe what I was hearing. “Daisy, that’s…
that’s not a good idea.”
“Why not?” she pressed, sitting up straighter. “Tristan already cares
about you. He’d probably go along with it if you asked him to. And it’s
not like you’re doing anything wrong. You’re just… shifting the power
dynamic a little.”
“Daisy,” I said firmly, shaking my head. “I don’t want to get Tristan
involved in this. He doesn’t deserve to be dragged into my mess.”
She frowned, tilting her head as she studied me. “You’re really against
this, huh?”
“Yes,” I replied without hesitation. “The last thing I want is to cause
more chaos. Tristan and I… whatever connection we had is in the past.
And I’m not interested in using him to make anyone jealous.”
Daisy sighed, leaning back again. “Alright, fine. I won’t push it. But if
you ever change your mind…”
“I won’t,” I cut in, offering her a small, apologetic smile. “But thank you
for… trying to help, I guess.”
She laughed softly, shaking her head. “You’re stubborn, you know that?”
“I’ve been told,” I said lightly, though my mind was still spinning from
the conversation.