Page 49 of The Alpha Wolf's Pregnant Bride

“I need to meet the others.” He lifts his head, eyes glossed over with firmness. “The rogues left our borders last night and attacked another pack in Tulsa.”

“The Blackmaw Pack?” I ask, the town name familiar.

“Yes. Alpha Theodore's pack.”

I nod slowly. My parents had a friend in that pack. That's why I'm familiar with the name. With the attack on our pack last night, I know that the situation is highly intense right now.

That would explain Cyrus's sudden shift, from hot to bitterly cold, as he turns to the window overlooking the city and grunts.

“Let's go,” he instructs, turning back only to grab his car keys off the desk before making a beeline for his office door. “I'm gonna take you home and go to meet the others.”

Slightly taken aback by his shift, I assure myself that this is nothing personal and that he has more important things to take care of right now.

It doesn't help ease my concerns when the ride back to Mysthaven is done in complete silence. His jaw stays clenched throughout the drive, his knuckles pale on the gears where he clutches the knob tightly. Imaginary, strong fingers seize my heart and squeeze them, anxiety plaguing my thoughts and corrupting my mind.

When we pull up to the main house in the small town that houses the Moon Shine Pack, Cyrus leans over me and opens my door.

“I'll see you later,” he says as he leans back in his seat. He nods toward his house, brows firmly knitted into a tight frown. “Stay here with my mother. I'm sure she could use the company,” he chuckles, breaking the ice of my intrusive thoughts.

For a hot moment, I thought he'd gotten what he needed and saw no use for me anymore.

Thank Goddess, it's just my mind playing tricks on me!

“I'll see you later, then,” I smile, hopping out of the Jeep and waving at him when he reverses and drives off.

“Was that my son?” Luna Phoebe calls out, prompting me to turn and find her standing on the porch.

“Yes, Luna Phoebe,” I reply, bashfully stepping forward.

“Come, child,” she waves me over with a cheerful smile. “How have you been?”

***

Munching on a delicious strawberry, my eyes light up with cheer as Luna Phoebe fusses over me the way a mother would.

The waymymother would, if she'd still been alive, spreading homemade fig jam on a slice of rye-bread toast hot out of the oven.

The sweet aroma of warmed figs brings memories of my mother hosting Luna Phoebe in our home. The subtle walk down memory lane is something I didn't know I needed until now. I'd been trying to keep myself busy so that I wouldn't wallow in grief.

After all, a Moon Shine werewolf isn't supposed to grieve.

“It must be tough now that you're back,” Luna Phoebe says, watching me through soft eyes as if she can read my mind.

I shrug nonchalantly, hoping that I don't give too much away. “I'm adapting to life back in this small town,” I admit bashfully, keeping my eyes down. Ever since I arrived at the main house, I've been avoiding eye contact with the older woman.

She has no idea that her son and I have been… well acquainted. She thinks that I'm here just for a casual visit.

“That's not what I meant, Cassandra,” she says as she reaches over the table and takes my hand in hers. The warmth of her dainty fingers gives me the comfort and encouragement to look up and meet her eyes.

“Losing someone is never easy. I would know,” she whispers the last statement, glancing at the picture of her late husband hanging above the fireplace.

“I'm sorry for your loss, Luna Phoebe. Alpha Ambrose was a great man.”

“Indeed,” she agrees as she turns to me with a thoughtful smile on her face. “And he wouldn't want us to keep grieving. But I still find myself mourning, even after five years.”

I know that the luna is extending her condolences, affirming to me that it's okay if I'm still grieving. I bask in my own silence, lamenting over my loss and mentally reminding myself that the tears that cloud my vision now are warranted.

“Goddess knows that getting over the loss of a loved one isn't easy. Not even the Alpha can do it.”

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