We meet again.

Karina

I constantly waited for the other shoe to drop. It felt too good to be true.

But it didn't. For the first time, I made friends with others, not just temporary connections and I was greeted with a pack that accepted me no matter where I came from. The other young women doted on Levi, helping me out when they could.

For the first time in a long time, I found something I hadn't realized I missed. Support. Safety. Family.

And now, even though it had only been three months, my wolf and my heart echoed the same thing.

The place felt like home.

“Isabella’s parents are coming over today.”

I turned to Sam, the young woman I had been working with amongst others.

It came as a surprise to me as all the others addressed her by her name before even she persuaded me to do the same.

Even though people gave her the respect of a Luna, it didn't seem that way. Rather than the ruler I had grown used to, she acted more like a motherly and friendly figure.

She was always there to assist me in adjusting to the pack. At first, I was defensive and suspicious of her constant presence until one day they spoke of her son.

I was shocked the moment I saw her with a young boy that looked exactly like the Alpha of the pack and when she introduced him as my son, I was left dumbfounded.

“It's complicated.” She told me. “But, long story short, I know how it feels to support yourself alone with a child and how lonely and hard it is. I'll be honest, that's partly the reason why I knew I couldn't refuse you.”

“You remind me of me. Well… me a long time ago.” She giggled.

So dumbstruck was I then that I didn't even point out how she he wasn't that much older than me.

I let my guard down with her after that and in no time we became friends, with her giving me advice and helping me take better care of Levi. Finding out that she was only a year older was like a stepping stone that solidified my trust and respect for her. Although there were still some things we disagreed about.

Isabella had tried, time and again to persuade me that there was no need for me to work within the pack, and as always, I refused. In spite of her effort to sway me, I persisted in working. It was what I was used to already and in my own twisted way, a way to repay her for the kindness she had shown me.

Just as I was doing now.

“Is that why we’ve been making all these drinks?” I asked, looking at the variety. As it seemed, Isabella was trying to really impress her parents.

“Yes. I think it's really adorable. I miss when that used to be possible.” The girl beside me spoke, sadness and nostalgia imbued in her tone. Sympathy filled me when I turned with the sad smile on Sam's face.

She was the only survivor of her pack, constantly on the run until she came here two years before I did. With our closeness in age, we became friends very quickly.

I nudged her, giving her a small smile as a sign of comfort which she smiled back in return.

“Anyways,” she said in a brighter tone, “Aren’t you a little bit curious as to what they look like?” She nudged me back.

I couldn’t deny that I was curious as to how she was still in contact with her family - and by extension, her pack - when she was…

My thoughts trailed to my mother with a pang. It had been seven years without her. And it still haunted me how I had left and stayed strong without seeing her.

But now at the moment, I wasn’t ready to look deep into myself for any reason whatsoever.

“Maybe a little,” I honestly spoke, smiling as she giggled in return.

The older woman, Agathe, simply watched whilst we worked. It took plenty of pressure to get her to retire and rest. We worked together, preparing the drinks and snacks which were soon to be delivered.

And in no time the moment we were called, we came.

I moved easily, my time working in the service industry paying off. In a movement, which was practically instinct, I lowered my eyes as I set the drinks on the table.

Although I embraced and most times volunteered for the work done, this time I was more impatient than ever. All I wanted was to go back to seeing my baby, especially after being separated from him for so long.

Before I could turn to leave along with the others however, a loud voice stopped me short.

“It's you!”

Confusion filled me before I looked properly to see his face. My heart fell as I locked eyes with him.

It was Connor.

My mate.

My mate who I abandoned almost a year ago.

Panic trailed through my entire body as I looked in horror.

I felt the stares from Leo, Isabella, and the two older people whilst I grappled with the realization that he was right in front of me.

I reared to my instinctual route; defensive.

“I’m surprised you gathered that so quickly, considering how slow you were back then,” I retorted.

“You…“

It was a harsh, almost mocking insult, but I was all I could think of at the moment. It was a low jab at how dumbstruck he looked back then.

But then I remembered his smile, his breathless almost whispery voice as he asked if he could kiss me and my heart skipped a beat.

Not to mention…

Horror filled me as I thought about my baby. Levi, who was still in the cot asleep, was being looked after. Levi, who was his son.

I swallowed thickly.

Nothing was ever going to be the same.