Page 25 of Bonded Beyond Trickery

The way she hesitates has worry filling my belly. I step closer to the counter.

The words are forced out of her, “I’m good.” She clears her throat before asking, “What can I get for you?”

“Can I get a chocolate croissant and a cup of coffee?”

“Of course,” her voice is bright; almost too bright.

“Of course. I’ll have that right over to you,” she assures me after I pay.

When I make my way over to one of the tables, the scent of the bakery wraps around me and helps me relax. I feel eyes on me, but I’m not surprised since I’m sitting at a large picture window. It’s not the first time over the last few days that my mate has checked in on me.

He never says anything; he simply watches me and then slinks away.

“Do you think he’s concerned about his pack? Like I would harm them or say something I shouldn’t say?”I can’t keep my fears from my wolf, and I wouldn’t want to.

“No,”she insists. “I think he’s just curious about how we are filling our time.”

“He could ask,”I grumble, the bitterness clear in my voice.

She lets out a growl of agreement, but Maggie is there before she can say anything else. As I look at her, I notice the exhaustion on her face. It makes my heart clench and the concern I have for her. She’s pack, even if I haven’t been made Luna or even introduced to the pack yet, and the need to soothe her and help her overrides everything else.

“Maggie,” I keep my voice gentle as I nod toward the chair opposite me, “will you sit with me for a few minutes?”

The surprise on her face is clear, but she does sit. I’m glad I came by during a lull in business because I know she wouldn’t sit with me if that weren’t the case.

“Is everything okay, Tilly?”

“Of course,” I assure her with a smile. Unsure of how to start this conversation, I take a deep breath and then nibble on my bottom lip. “I’m not sure if people have spread this information, but I have my business degree.” Maggie nods, the movement hesitant and unsure. “I just wanted to ask you how sales are and to offer my help with your business if you need it. I know you’ve been here a long time, but there are always ways to grow or maintain your business.”

Maggie narrows her eyes, but the action isn’t accusatory or even anger. She’s curious.

I breathe a sigh of relief when she starts telling me about her business and ways she’s gained more customers over the last few years. The conversation flows easily and I’m grateful that she’s willing to give me a little bit of trust even if she has no reason to.

“I think your plans sound great, Maggie,” I praise her and the pride she has for herself and her bakery shines through. My voice turns serious, and I lower my voice slightly, “Now, do you want to tell me what else is bothering you? I thought it might be the bakery, but now I don’t think it is.”

Maggie’s shoulders slump and her face crumples. When she looks at me with tear filled eyes, I practically launch myself across the table to wrap my arms around her. The whispered words coming from me are soothing and nonsensical. I would do just about anything to stop this sweet woman from crying.

“I’m sorry,” her voice is shaky, and I hate how devastated she sounds.

“You can tell me,” I insist, needing to help her and fix whatever is bothering her.

I guess it’s part of being the Luna of the pack, whether I’ve had the official ceremony, or anyone knows who I am or not.

“Yes,”my wolf growls, the sound filled with compassion,“we feel for our pack, our children. We will lead them, and their wolf knows what we are to them even if they don’t understand it yet.”

“My daughter,” her voice is strained and filled with worry, “Nyx. I’m worried about her.” I wait and let her get her emotions under control. “Three years ago, her mate died three years ago. I know the only reason she didn’t follow him to the Goddess was because of her daughter. I think she would have faded away, lost to us, without Aisley tethering her to this world.”

“I’m so sorry.” My heart breaks for Maggie, Nyx, and Aisley. I can’t imagine the pain and worry this family is enduring. “How can I help?”

“I don’t know,” Maggie sounds so defeated. “I think she’s drowning here. She can’t escape the memories, but I don’t know what to do.” With a deep breath, she pulls herself together before giving me a confused look. “I,” her eyebrows pull together, “feel better though. Thank you for listening.”

I smile softly at her and nod.

“We are Luna,”my wolf purrs.“That is why she feels better, soothed. We helped her. Our pack.”

“Anytime,” I vow, meaning it to the depth of me.

I don’t give her platitudes. I don’t promise a solution. Not yet because I’m not sure that I have a viable one and I won’t give her hope before I have the chance to speak to Whitaker.

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