Page 143 of Luna: Posy 2

And Granite rolled over with a toothy grin at the praise.

"I'm sure she knows, but I'll pass on the message." She cleared her throat and gave us The Look. "Depending on what she wants to do afterward, you boys and I need to have a talk of our own. Papa told me about how he's been treating Mase. I'm not happy you all kept that from me."

Oh, Goddess,I grimaced as we shuffled our feet.

We'd worried that one day she'd learn the truth, but Mase swore us to secrecy a couple of years ago. He'd convinced us by saying how badly it would hurt Mama, and none of us wanted to do that. He said he could handle it, and we believed him.

By the moon, we were dumb.

You were,Granite added his two cents.Still are sometimes.

Hush, wolf.

#

Posy

I heard a soft knock on the door and sighed.

I knew the boys were worried and upset, and I wanted to comfort them, but I needed to get myself together first.

They survive a few minutes without you, Lark said.Nothing wrong with taking time for yourself.

I know. I still feel guilty.

Taking a deep breath to see which of my mates was at the door, I was surprised to smell Mrs. Price. Or Mama, as she'd invited me to call her.

"Come in," I called and sat up on my bed, still cuddling Mr. Nibbles.

The door opened and Mama poked her head around.

"Hello, angel. You don't have to let me in or talk if you don't want to. You can say no," she told me.

"It's okay. I don't mind." I scooted to the edge of the bed and patted the space beside me.

She came in and sat next to me, then put her arm around me and hugged me. After kissing my forehead, she laid her cheek against the top of my head and rocked us a little bit.

As I sank into her soft warmth, I realized how much I missed the comfort only a mother could give.

"I love the boys," I assured her after a minute of sniffling. "I'm not shutting them out, I promise. I just needed room to breathe."

"That's fine. That's always fine, angel. Take all the time and space you need." She kissed the top of my head again. "I'm sorry that happened and upset you, but please know that none of us think any less of you. I know I'm not your mother, and I'd never want to take her place in your heart, but I already love you like my own daughter, Posy. Evie does too."

"That's the nice thing about hearts. They never run out of room," I whispered. "It would be nice to have a mom again."

"Then you have two."

I squeezed Mr. Nibbles and rubbed my cheek on his soft fur before I whispered, "Are my mates okay?"

"They're worried," she told me. "They're afraid you're going to give up on them. They feel like they're failing you because they make you panic and cry too often."

"What?" I raised my head and searched her brown eyes, but found only the truth. Shaking my head, I sighed. "Those silly boys."

"They are, aren't they? They love you so much, angel. You can't see it because you didn't know them before, but trust me. You have brought them so much happiness and peace."

"They've done the same and more for me." I smiled at her, then sat Mr. Nibbles beside me on the bed. "I'm ready to talk to them now."

"Would you like to change into your PJs first? I can arrange some snacks while you do. I'm staying here tonight, if that's okay with you."

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