Oberon’s POV
The moment I heard the front door open and the sound of Lia and Liam stepping inside, I made my way toward them. I had a difficult conversation ahead of me, and I needed to have it before I lost my nerve.
“Hi, Daddy!” Lia greeted me with a warm smile, pressing a kiss to my cheek. That was a good sign-at least she wasn’t furious with me for orchestrating her meeting with her mate. I had braced myself for the cold shoulder, maybe even outright anger. When I glanced at Liam, I found him standing there, looking dazed and completely captivated. Apparently, she hadn’t torn him apart either. Perhaps this wouldn’t be as impossible as I’d feared.
“Dahlia, I need to speak with you for a moment. Join me in my study.” My tone made it clear that this wasn’t a request.
She hesitated briefly but nodded. “Sure, Daddy.”
I was so focused on the task ahead that I nearly forgot Liam was still standing in the doorway. I stopped abruptly, turning back to address him, when Lia walked straight into me. Before I could steady her, Liam was already there, catching her effortlessly. He set her back on her feet, and she murmured a quiet thanks.
“Make yourself comfortable while you wait,” I told him, pretending not to notice Lia rolling her eyes at my attempt to be hospitable. “You remember where I keep the whiskey-help yourself.”
“Oh, how wonderful,” Lia quipped as she shut my office door behind us. “You and my mate are suddenly best friends. That’s just fantastic.” Her sarcasm dripped from every word, but I refused to let her derail the conversation before it even began.
“Sit down and check your attitude,” I said firmly. “You know I would never force you into something you truly didn’t want, but I have things to say, and you’re going to listen.”
“Fine,” she huffed, dropping into the chair across from my desk.
I took a steadying breath as I sank into my own chair, knowing I would need all my strength for this discussion.
An hour later, after many tears from both of us, I had said everything I could to convince Lia that the mate bond was not something to fear. I shared memories of my own bond with Elin, pouring all the love and gratitude I felt into every word. I wanted her to understand how deeply blessed I had been to have her mother, no matter how brief our time together had been. And more than anything, I wanted her to know how much it hurt to think she might turn away from such a precious, Goddess-given gift-especially because of me. Maybe it was low of me, but I wasn’t above tugging at her heartstrings, reminding her how excited her mother had been at the thought of her little girl finding her mate someday.
She didn’t speak-just sat there, silent, with tears streaming down her face.
“So, do you think you could give him a chance?” I asked, searching for any sign of what she was thinking. “I know your mother would have wanted that for you.”
“That’s not fair, Dad!” she protested, her voice tight with emotion. “I’m happy that you have such wonderful memories of Mom, that you can still find joy when you think of her. But I have memories too-memories of nearly losing my father to his grief. Those aren’t so easy to forget.”
“That’s your fear talking,” I told her gently. “You’re stronger than that fear. The Lia I know never backs down from a fight.”
She shook her head, but I pressed on.
“Liam wants you to go back with him to his pack house for a couple of weeks. I think you should go. Don’t let fear make your choices for you.”
“Da-”
“Dahlia,” I cut her off before she could argue. “There’s no pressure. Just get to know him. See his pack. See if it’s somewhere you could see yourself calling home. If not, you’ll always have a home here-you know that. Besides, you could use a break. A couple of weeks away would do you some good.”
“But I have a follow-up with the Winslow pack in a week. I can’t just abandon them,” she argued, grasping for another excuse.
“Blood Moon is only an hour away. Liam will bring you back to Crystal Moon for your appointment-or for any emergency,” I assured her before she could try another angle.
She sighed, her expression shifting to one of reluctant resolve. “Does it really mean that much to you?”
“It does,” I said simply. “And I can rest easy knowing your mother would be happy.”
Lia exhaled sharply, her shoulders slumping. I held my breath, waiting for her decision.
“Even if I wanted to accept him, he’s an Alpha. You know I’m not fit to be a Luna,” she said softly, her voice laced with doubt. “Maybe I was once-for Finnian.” She winced at his name. “But I’m not that girl anymore.”
“Exactly!” I said, leaning forward. “You’re older. Wiser. Your work as a midwife has taught you how to connect with people from all walks of life. Your struggles have given you compassion, strength. And you’ve never been shy-you love meeting new people. You’ll have them wrapped around your little finger in no time. I can’t think of anyone better suited for the role.”
She let out a short laugh, shaking her head. “Ah, Daddy. You’re biased.” But her voice was fond. She stood, stepping around my desk, and threw her arms around me. “I love you for always seeing the best in me.”
I held her tightly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Her happiness was all that mattered to me.
When she pulled back, her eyes were still wet with tears, but there was a small smile on her lips. “Okay. You win. If it means that much to you, I’ll go. But I’m making no promises!”
“Of course not,” I reassured her. “Just keep an open mind. That’s all I ask. And then, follow your heart.”
She sighed dramatically. “I guess I should go pack. And I’m sure you need to check on your new best friend.” A smirk tugged at her lips.
I rolled my eyes, following her out of the study. Truthfully, I did need to check on Liam-there was still one last thing I had to discuss with him.
I had given him the choice of when and how to tell Lia about his twin brother. From our conversation, it was clear he hadn’t told her yet. Maybe he was waiting for the right moment-perhaps the ride back to Blood Moon, once he was sure she was actually going.
I hoped that was his plan. Because if Lia found out from someone else? Well… I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes when that happened.