Reassurance

               Esmere POV

               “His mate?” Ophelia blurted out in bewilderment.

               As expected, everyone was shocked upon hearing Aamon’s sudden revelation.

               His mate. His fated mate.

               Yes, everyone was astonished to hear such news, but no one could protest since Aamon’s words were the rules.

               “Stop talking about it in front of madam,” Cecilia warned Ophelia.

               We were in my room at that time.

               Upon arriving, Aamon told us that he and his mate were too tired and had to rest for the day; that’s why we were compelled to cancel the welcoming celebration and return to our regular activities.

               “But isn’t it ridiculous?” Ophelia continued despite Cecilia’s warning. “After being married to our madam for five years, he suddenly found his mate, and of all species, a human mate?”

               On the other hand, I was quiet the whole time — trying to process the situation.

               A human mate. In all honesty, the thought still has not sunk in me.

               I know that Aamon finding his fated mate should be the least of my concerns because everyone knows that what we have was just a marriage of convenience.

               We are not mates. And we will never be.

               And I know from the start that Aamon was bound to find his mate in this lifetime. After all, every werewolf has one.

               But…

               But I did not expect that he would find her this sooner.

               And most significantly, I did not expect her to be human.

               Yes, a human mate is possible, but it hardly occurred throughout history.

               “Madam, are you all right?”

               Hearing Cecilia’s question made me realize that I was staring at nothingness at that time.

               “Yes. Yes, I am fine,” I answered, although I could feel my expression was contrasting my answer.

               After noticing I was not okay, Cecilia told Ophelia, “Will you please make us some tea?”

               The latter nodded and immediately followed her request.

               And when she was gone from the room, Cecilia approached me and held my hand. “I know you are bothered by that woman.”

               I gave her a bitter smile and replied, “I am Aamon’s wife and the northern luna, after all.”

               Shen softly pinched my hand. “You should probably talk to him about this matter.”

               “But…” I hesitated. “What if he gets angry at me for asking such things?”

                “Why would he be angry at you?” Cecilia asked in a gentle voice as if comforting me. “He never gets angry at you because he knows how kind-hearted you are.”

               “But what if he feels like I am nagging at him?” I bit my lower lip.

               Cecilia then brushed my silver hair with her fingertips. “He owes you an explanation because you are the luna of the pack he leads.”

               So many things ran inside my head, but I could only heave deep sighs. I almost lost count of how many times I have done that.

               I know Cecilia’s suggestion was the proper thing to do, but the anxiety was swallowing me up for some reason.

               I couldn’t imagine myself confronting Aamon, especially about another woman — I just couldn’t.

               But as the luna of the northern pack and the closest person to be with Aamon, I know I should ask him — for everyone’s sake.

               I gazed at Cecilia and told her, “Will you please tell Rocco that I am asking for the alpha’s time?”

               “Sure, madam.”

~~~

               I could not stop fidgeting with my fingers as I sat on the dining chair, patiently waiting for Aamon to arrive.

               I instructed Cecilia to tell Rocco that Aamon must meet me in the dining area.

               After a few minutes, Aamon finally arrived. His hair was slightly messy, as if he had just woken up from a deep sleep.

               And even before he could sit on the chair across from me, he instantly asked, “What is it you want to talk about?”

                I knew I should answer his question, but somehow his presence was blocking my words from coming out.

               He was making me nervous, and I was not like that around him before — six months ago.

               “What is it, Esmere?” Aamon asked again after he sat.

               “I-“ I stuttered. “I just want to see you.”

               He stroked his forehead with his fingertips and answered, “I know we didn’t see each other for six months, but I’m telling you, I am exhausted now. Can we do this another time?”

               I just lowered my head. As expected, I couldn’t say anything to him. I had no courage to confront him.

               Aamon looked at me, and somehow I could see that he was very annoyed then. He said, “If that is all, I will leave first.”

               He was about to walk away when I stood up. “Aamon,” I uttered.

               He stopped and gazed at me.

               I clenched my fist, trying hard to pull the words out of my mouth. “I want to talk about that supposed mate of yours.”

               “What about her?” He asked as if oblivious to what I was trying to say.

               “Everyone is confused right about now,” I said. “I am confused as well.”

               Aamon quietly sat on the chair and stared at me.

               I was waiting for him to say anything, but he was just there — calmly sitting and staring at me.

               I bit my lower lip and clenched my fist, trying to suppress my annoyance and anxiety. “Aamon, I need an explanation.”

               He still looked at me, saying nothing.

               His dark gray eyes were so deep that I thought I could drown in them.

               And then…

               He laughed.

               Aamon laughed and said, “I didn’t realize that I missed you so much until I saw your face full of annoyance.”

               And hearing his laugh somehow lifted the heaviness in my chest. “Aamon,” I murmured.

               He stood up and set himself on a chair closer to me, then said, “Are you thinking that the existence of my fated mate could affect your position?”

               “The thought seems reasonable,” I answered. “Especially with that indifferent attitude you displayed upon arriving.”

               “You know I am not friendly and always act cold in front of others, right?” Aamon said. “And I only act like that towards you because I didn’t know how to face you with my exhausted appearance.”

               “W-what do you mean?” I said.

               Aamon smiled, and I realized just how much I missed his face. He replied, “Come on, we didn’t see each other for six months. I don’t want to look messy in front of you.”

               And that was when I was able to let out a smile. “Silly,” I said. “But how about your mate? Why did you bring her here?”

               “Aren’t you a jealous little wife?” Aamon teased me.

               I breathed a heavy sigh.

               He looked at me and laughed again. “I’m only kidding,” he said. “I only brought her here for a while. The enemies from the south discovered that she was my mate, which put her life in danger.”

               “The southern pack?” I asked in surprise.

               The southern pack was the close opponent of the northern pack on the continent. They could rival the northern pack’s power. 

               “Yes,” Aamon replied. “Once we find a safe place, we will immediately transfer her there.”

               “I see.”

               Aamon looked at me, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes. “I will never put you in a complicated situation, Esmere,” he said. “You are the northern luna, and you will hold that position until the day I die.”

               “Aamon,” I uttered, and I could feel the tears on my lids.

               He smiled as he patted my head. “You are my wife, and I will never put your life at risk.”

               My life. Yes.

               Removing an alpha’s mark from a luna could cost her life, and I would face the same if Aamon decided to do so because of his mate’s existence.

               “I promise you,” Aamon continued.

               I smiled at him as tears started to run down my face.

               I realized that I was worrying for no reason.

               Aamon wouldn’t do anything that would put me in the wrong place, right?