Chapter 81
Lily POV
The morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of the packhouse, casting golden streaks across the polished floors. I sat in the living room, my legs crossed and my hands wrapped around a steaming mug of tea.
The packhouse was unusually quiet – different from what I was used to back at my pack and for a moment I allowed myself to ask in the rare peace.
I rubbed at my hands fervently trying to fight the chill I felt not from the weather but because I was meeting Helen Ryker – Kai’s mother today.
I had gotten a call from her yesterday after my evening classes – she sounded so polite and proper on the phone and before I could say anything, she introduced herself and asked if we could meet today at no other place but the pack house.
At first, I’d been sceptical but before I could voice out my doubts, she said she didn’t want Kai to know that we’d be meeting and she wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk and the only place she could be comfortable enough for that was the pack house.
I agreed, I had to.
Since Kai had a meeting with a neighbouring pack this morning – the meeting would take almost the entire day until mid-afternoon, I decided to come to the pack house instead of going for training.
A while ago, an Omega ushered me in and told me to wait while she informed Luna Helen of my presence. She had returned almost immediately to tell me that the Luna would join me soon. It’s barely been five minutes but I was nervous.
Usually, I’d expected she would cuss at me or warn me or something else on the phone, that would have been easier than the polite way she had greeted me and had politely asked that we meet. I didn’t know how to act.
I had worn my best dress too.
A pink- knee length A- gown, that looked modest enough and for the umpteenth time, I wondered if I had not gone overboard. I’d wanted to ask Celeste what her mother’s sense of fashion was like but I didn’t want anyone to know I was meeting her. If I had told her, she would tell Kai.
I took another sip of my tea and had set it down when I heard the sharp click of heels against the hardwood floor echoing through the house. Immediately I rose to my feet, adjusting my dress as I readied myself to meet Helen Ryker.
“Lily p>
A voice that was as cold as the morning air suddenly filled the room.
I looked up to see Helen Ryker – Kai’s mother standing in the doorway. Her elegant frame was clad in a crisp cream-coloured suit and her piercing blue eyes bore into mine as her eyes flickered over my frame with unspoken judgement.
For the first time since my arrival, I sighed with relief that I had worn heels and dressed properly because the woman standing before me didn’t look like someone who would have allowed me to stay a moment more if I had shown up in joggers and t-shirt.
Most men look like their mothers, but except for her hair, Kai, was nothing like her. Instead, it was Celeste. It seems like I was sitting with a more mature version of her.
“Good morning, Luna Helen,” I greeted, hoping my voice was steady, despite the tension that had thickened the air.
She nodded, crossed her arms and stepped further into the room, her gaze never wavering. “I finally get to see you in person, Lily –,” she arched a perfectly trimmed brow at me.
“Stone – Lily Stone,” I said hastily.
“Lily Stone,” she repeated the name, rolling it around her tongue.” I wanted to meet you today because I wanted us to have a chat. Sit down p>
My stomach twisted with unease but I maintained an outward smile as I took my seat again. I had a feeling this wasn’t going to be a casual chat.
“You’ve been spending quite a bit of time with my son p>
I met her gaze, refusing to back down. “Yes, I have p>
“And do you think you’re ready for what that means?” she pressed, her voice hardening. “Do you understand what it means to be with someone like Kai p>
My heart pounded but I kept my expression calm. “I care about Kai,” I said firmly. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t p>
Her lips thinned into a tight line. “Caring about him isn’t enough. Being by his side means stepping into a role that requires lots of strength, responsibility and sacrifice. Kai needs a Luna who can handle that. Can you p>
My breath caught in my throat. “I’m sure with p>
“That’s not what I asked you, Lily,” she cut me short, her eyes hardening even more. “Do you even understand what’s at stake? What does it mean to run a pack as big as ours p>
I met her gaze directly again. “I understand completely p>
“Kai is the future of the pack,” Helen continued “His decisions would affect hundreds of lives that’s why I wanted him to marry Briella because she was trained to be a Luna. All her life, that has been hammered into her but from what I’ve seen and gathered about you, you seem to be a novice in this role p>
She sighed, drawing in a deep breath. “Being a Luna is a dangerous role. You must always be on your toes, help your mate in making crucial decisions, protect the pack in his absence, produce an heir and see that he’s trained properly, handle a lot of issues that don’t cover the responsibilities of the Alpha and it’s usually so much. How can you even begin to do these things if you have no idea about them p>
I straightened my spine. “I’m not going to hide from any of it, Luna Helen. I’m willing to become a Luna deserving of Kai. I love him so much and p>
“Yet you haven’t made up your mind about him. Tell me, what is holding you back?” she interrupted me. “My son is perfect, all the women want him and the one woman he wants so badly, the one he disobeyed me just to be with doesn’t want to accept him. Why p>
I took in a shuddered breath, wondering if she would understand if I told her the truth.
“Actually,” I lifted my eyes and sorted hers. “It’s not like I don’t want Kai but I’m trying to protect myself. Officially, he’s engaged to someone else. How can I accept him blindly knowing that he’s committed to another person? I wasn’t always brave but now that I’ve found the courage to love myself first and put myself first… I’m sorry if I’m a little selfish p>
“So, Briella is the reason why you’re not choosing him yet and not your ex p>
“Yes,” I nodded.
She studied me for a few minutes before nodding, then reached for her teacup, and took a sip before turning back to me.
“Alright, because this pack doesn’t need a Luna who cowers behind her mate. If you want to be with Kai, you’ll need to prove that you’re capable p>
The words felt like a challenge to me and it ignited a fire within me. I wasn’t going to let Helen’s doubts define me.
“I will,” I said calmly “Not because I am in desperate need but because I will do anything to be next to Kai always p>
She studied me again for a few minutes before giving a curt nod. “We’ll see about that. In the meantime,” she rose to her feet “You could come over whenever you’re not busy with school work and I can teach you some things, like how to make his favourite dish or something p>
I was starting to smile when she cut me off with a cold gaze. “That doesn’t mean I have accepted you yet. I just need to see how willing you are. Have a nice day, Lily Stone. I need to be somewhere now p>
I nodded and rose to my feet, bowing as she walked out of the room.
“Well,” I grinned “That went well – better than I expected for sure p>