Chapter 20

Prue

My heart was racing fast in my ribcage as I slipped into the pack house with the help of a stolen scent-masking spray bottle tucked into my bra – just in case it wore out. I could already feel the shift in energy: clean floors, heavy silence and authority in the air. Showtime.

A tall man stood in the hallway, posture rigid, aura screaming Alpha. Even without the title or introduction, I could tell from the sheer dominance of his scent – earthy, sharp, laced with steel. Yep. That had to be him.

“Dad!” I called out, my voice bright and full of unfiltered joy as I beamed at him, stepping forward like a long-lost daughter in a soap opera.

The Alpha's brows drew together in visible confusion, and I almost snorted at how hard he was trying to play it cool. Dad? The word clearly bounced around in his head as he stared at me like I’d just thrown a live grenade into his living room.

I saw it in his eyes – the mental math. Could I have fathered a child before meeting my mate? His gaze scanned my face like he was searching for the ghost of some long-forgotten hookup. I fought to keep a straight face.

I reached him and threw my arms around his solid chest, hugging him with the kind of affection that usually came with birthdays and graduation caps. His body stiffened like a soldier caught off guard. I peeked up at his face and saw the shock ripple beneath his stoic mask.

“You’re just as handsome as your wonderful son,” I said with a sweet smile, my tone light but deliberate.

He didn’t know what to make of that. But the compliment? That softened the lines around his eyes just a bit. Pride flickered there – probably at the mention of his son more than anything else.

“What is going on?” a woman’s voice cut through the moment – cool and measured. With a sharp undertone of suspicion – and just a hint of jealousy. Perfect timing.

I peeked around the Alpha’s broad torso and spotted the Luna – regal, composed and fierce. A woman used to being in control. And definitely not used to surprise guests throwing around parental titles.

“Mom!” I beamed again, turning my full attention to her with open arms.

“Mom?” the Alpha echoed me, still clearly trapped in a loop of disbelief. Luna’s brows knit together.

I walked straight to her and wrapped her in a hug. She didn’t react right away, but she didn’t push me away either. I inhaled deeply – her scent was warm, floral, comforting. And for a fleeting second, it hurt. The ache of what I’d lost.

“You smell just like my mother,” I murmured softly. “She passed away years ago… but I still remember her scent.”

That line usually worked like a charm. Whether people pitied me or felt protective, didn’t matter. The moment they heard “dead mom,” their defenses cracked just enough. Luna was no exception. Her arms slowly wrapped around me, and she began to rub my back in gentle circles, maternal instinct kicking in on autopilot.

Lunas were always extra protective – every pup in the pack was like one of their own. And even though I didn’t belong to this pack... yet... I was still a pup. Just a lone one looking for shelter.

I pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, letting mine shine with a mix of pain and hope. “I’m sorry for ambushing you like this, Luna. It’s just... I miss my mom so much it hurts. And seeing you – I couldn’t help it. Maybe now… maybe I’ll have a mom again.”

That did it. Her expression softened completely. A small, genuine smile formed on her lips, and I saw the warmth bloom in her eyes. The Alpha stepped closer, arms crossed now, standing protectively beside her. He cleared his throat.

“Uh… child, what exactly is going on here?”

“Oh!” I gasped, as if just remembering myself. “I’m so sorry – I got carried away. I didn’t even introduce myself properly. I was just so excited, and I – please forgive me if I came off rude or inappropriate.”

I put on my best apologetic smile, every inch of me radiating politeness and charm. Presentation mattered, especially now.

“I’m Prudence Grace Whitmore. From the Crescent Moon Pack. I’m Andrew’s mate.”

There it was. I dropped it like a firecracker and waited for the fallout.

“Mate?!” they both shouted, almost in unison.

I grinned inwardly. Bingo.

Of course Andrew hadn’t told them. That would have required emotional maturity and communication skills – two things he clearly hadn’t unlocked yet. How shocking. Not.

This was all unfolding exactly like I’d pictured it. Almost too perfectly. I might have to stir the pot just to keep myself entertained. But not yet. First impressions mattered.

My smile faltered slightly, just enough to show a crack. “He… he didn’t tell you?”

Cue hurt expression. A little softness in the voice. Not too much. Just enough to stir a little guilt.

“Uhm… well, not yet,” the Alpha said, clearly recalibrating. “Prudence, was it? Please, come into my office. We clearly have a lot to discuss.”

He gestured toward a side hallway, probably hoping to move this little drama out of public view in case I was bluffing. Suspicion came with the territory of being an Alpha. They were all the same that way.

He opened the office door for me like a gentleman – or a cautious interrogator – and I stepped inside.

The space smelled like leather, paper, and power. A massive mahogany desk sat at the center, flanked by shelves lined with files and a few framed photos. He walked around and took his seat, motioning to the chair across from him.

“Please, dear,” the Luna said, following him in and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder as she stood behind him.

They both watched me. Not coldly, not warmly either – just... measuring. Judging if I was good enough for their son. For this pack. For the role of Luna.

Luna. That word hit differently now. The Moon Goddess must really love me. I still couldn’t wrap my head around it. Me? A Luna?

Under their gaze, I felt something I didn’t often feel – self-conscious. I usually didn’t care what people thought, but now? With their son’s future and a whole pack possibly tied to mine?

Yeah. I cared. Even if all the Luna things were just a fantasy.

Good thing I’d dressed for the occasion: black tailored trousers and a deep blue silk blouse. Conservative and elegant. Not tight, no cleavage and no crop tops either. I looked more like a young professional than a high school senior. I wasn’t even sure what image I wanted to project. But I knew what I didn’t want – so I picked what was left in my closet and made it work.

And now, here I was. The almost orphan. The outsider. The wildcard.

Ready to become the “Luna” of a pack that hadn’t even let me through the front door properly. Let’s see how this plays out.

“Andrew is on his way here, but you said you’re his mate?” Alpha Daddy started interrogating me – gently, like he was trying not to scare the little bunny I was supposed to be.

“Well, yes. We sniffed each other out just after his birthday last week. I’m already nineteen and a half, so him shifting triggered the bond.” I said it with the sweetest girly smile I could manage.

Who cares if I tacked on a few extra months to my age? No one was going to fact-check me.

“And you’re from which pack?” he asked, squinting like I was a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit.

“My dad came to visit you when we moved here a few months ago. He brought a scroll from my pack–”

I was mid-sentence when Andrew stepped into the office, hitting me in the face with his delicious scent. For Goddess’s sake, why did it smell ten times better than it had just a few hours ago at school? Fu.ck me, I want to eat him.

Calm. The. Fu.ck. Down, I ordered myself, widening my eyes before relaxing them again. I had to rein in this stupid bond’s ridiculous reactions.

“What are you doing here?” Andrew boomed from the doorway.

“Who let you in?” He added soon after.

Good questions – logical, even – but sorry, I wasn’t planning on answering them. Ew. Why was I mentally complimenting him right now? Disgusting. Still… let’s play.

I turned to him with the happiest smile I could muster, locking my gaze on his like some hopeless girl in love. His frown deepened.

“Why are you smiling like a creep?” he asked, like the dou.che he is.

My smile faltered, and I turned back in my chair, making sure his parents could see the pain of my poor, rejected heart. This was, after all, a performance for them.

“Andrew, sit down,” his dad reprimanded, voice clipped. I heard his feet shuffle before he plopped down on the sofa – visible in my peripheral vision.

“Prudence has come to us saying she’s your mate. Is that true?” his dad asked, his voice cold enough to frost the air. Ooh, someone was angry. Lovely.

Andrew said nothing, letting the silence grow thick enough to choke on.

“She’s just a mistake I’ll deal with soon,” he finally deadpanned.

Wow. That one stung. Perfect. I took the pain and stretched it across my face until my eyes shimmered with tears. Then I looked up at his parents, humiliation dripping off me in waves. They stared back with pity, then turned to their son with disappointment. They looked like they were about to scold him – dessert for me, served on a silver platter.

But I didn’t have time to savor it. I shot up from the chair, letting anger pour off me in molten waves.

“It is not my fault the Goddess chose to pair me with you!” I shouted, my voice cracking with pain and fury as tears spilled down my cheeks.

“It’s not my fault my dad chose to live a life of solitude!” I screamed again, watching Andrew’s face twist with anger and sneer.

“And it is definitely not my fault that you lack dignity, humanity, and overall respect toward the Goddess!” I jabbed, each word sharp enough to cut.

Wow. Should I be a preacher?

I didn’t wait for an answer. I bolted out the doors, my heart pounding.

Wasn’t that a lovely family chit-chat? I snickered to myself as I stormed away.