Page 131 of Luna: Posy 2

"He needs a mate to remind him that life is worth living," Mama said. "The past few years have been overwhelmingly stressful for him. It's only eased up since the others came of age and could take their alphaships. For a year and a half, Mase was the sole alpha of five packs."

And the pressure Papa put on him didn't help one bit,I thought to myself.

You think she know how mean Papa is to Masey?Lark asked.

I hope not,I replied with a frown.She seems too sweet, though, to support her husband behaving like that with their son.

Then it was time for cake and ice cream, and my mates reclaimed me from their moms. After we ate, Peri began to open her presents. I didn't know what all the technology gifts were, but she made a fuss over everything she was given. When she got to my present, she stared at it for a long moment before looking at me with tears in her eyes.

Uh-oh! I messed up!

My heartbeat sped up and my breathing increased as she carefully set down the intricate kaleidoscope, then she flung herself at me and hugged me hard.

"How did you know I wanted this?" she whispered in my ear.

"Tyler took me to Stella's. She told me you've been obsessed with it since she got it."

"Posy, this is expensive! That's why it's been in her shop for two years."

She pulled back and gave me a worried look.

"Peri," I framed her face in my palms, "my mates are freaking billionaires. I can afford to spend a couple thousand dollars on my sister-in-law. Besides, I can't think of anyone else who will enjoy it and take care of it like you will."

Her face broke into a brilliant grin, and I hugged her.

"Happy birthday, Peri."

"Thanks," she giggled.

She went back to opening presents as Mom and Mama admired thekaleidoscope and kept the curious little boys away from it. Eventually, Dad carried it away, saying he'd put it in Peri's room away from "busy, destructive fingers."

Next, Peri opened Tyler's present, and her eyes sparkled with tears as she looked at him.

"Thank you so much, Tyler! It's beautiful!"

She held up a beautiful prism sun catcher, and the dying sun's last rays caught the crystals and hundreds of tiny rainbows suddenly danced all over us.

"I'm glad you like it," he said with a small smile.

They didn't hug, although we all knew they wanted to.

By the moon, I hope they're mates,Ash linked me and his brothers. Per will be devastated if he isn't.

Whoever her mate is, I don't want to see them kissing. Ever,Cole grumbled.

They'll be doing a whole lot more than kissing quick enough, Wyatt snickered.

Shut up, Wyatt!

As they bickered and Peri finished opening her gifts, I entertained myself by observing the two sets of parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Price's eyes found each other constantly if they weren't in touching distance. He held her in his lap, she played with his hair, or they held hands. Although he'd been a mean jerk to me and Mason, it was clear to see that Mr. Price was completely devoted to Mama and she to him.

It was the same with Wyatt's mom and Cole's dad, but the energy between the two was much more intense. Dad couldn't keep his hands off Mom, and Mom whimpered very quietly if he left her side for too long. It made me curious.

Is a chosen mate bond different from a Goddess-given one?

I mean, the boys were constantly touching me since we'd mated, which I loved and wanted, but they didn't smother me like Dad was doing to Mom.

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