Page 54 of Alpha's Choice
Megan gave me a hard, measuring stare. “Even after rejecting Tobias and the Luna position, you still want to help Jenny?”
“Of course. I read all the recommended books, but other than connecting with her wolf, there’s nothing I can do. And she’s rejected that connection for some reason.”
Megan huffed out a breath. “What if I could tell you why?”
I narrowed my gaze at her. “You know why?”
“Lisa told Jenny and her mother you didn’t actually care. That you were just visiting to impress Tobias because you wanted to be Luna.”
“What? Why would she hurt Jenny’s recovery like that?”
“She thought Jenny deserved the truth.” Megan looked like even she didn’t believe her words. “At least that’s what she said.”
“She told a grieving wolf that one of the connections keeping her grounded to the pack was fake.” All my jumbled emotions coalesced into anger, and I let it fly. “There’s no excuse for that, even if it were true.”
I scribbled down the name of the book I wanted and shoved it at Megan. “I need this book if the library has it. I’ll be at the hospital trying to fix the mess Lisa created.”
* * *
I rubbed my hands against my pants as I stood in front of the hospital room door. The nurse hadn’t even hesitated in giving me directions, calling me Luna. I guess word of the rejection hadn’t spread yet.
Pushing the door open, I slipped inside the dark room. The nurse told me Jenny’s mother was getting a bite to eat, so I knew I had at least a few minutes alone with her. I walked to the bed, stopping in shock at how frail Jenny looked.
She had an IV in her arm, clear liquid dripping from a bag on the stand. The slow, steady beat of her heart was evident with the beeping of the heart monitor. Her eyes were blank as they stared off into nothing.
I eased into the chair next to her bed and reached for her hand. It was cold, her skin dry against my own. I hesitated, not quite knowing what to do next. Was it even possible for me to reach her wolf?
“Jenny-” The door opened, and I glanced at Helen with a coffee in her hand, staring at me in surprise.
“Luna. I wasn’t expecting you.” Helen’s eyes were red and puffy. “Alpha said you wouldn’t be visiting.”
“I needed to try and help.” I hesitated, wondering if I should throw Lisa under the bus and if so, how hard. “I think there was a misunderstanding regarding my intentions.”
I was sure my pain was visible in my eyes. “I may not have a wolf, but I bonded with Jenny as a Luna. And even though I rejected Tobias, I care about what happens to her.”
“You rejected the Alpha?” Helen’s confusion was obvious. “I thought you wanted to be Luna.”
“I tried for Tobias, and for a moment I thought I could do it. But I failed your daughter.”
Tears filled my eyes, for Jenny and for Tobias and me. “I should have tried harder when she pushed me away. Insisted on knowing why. Maybe this was avoidable.” I gestured at Jenny in the hospital bed. “I’m so sorry, Helen.”
“Luna, I…” she trailed off, her mouth opening and closing as she searched for the words she wanted.
“It’s Emma, not Luna anymore.” I looked at Jenny’s hand, lifeless as it lay in mine. “I shouldn’t have come here. I thought I could reach her wolf, but I don’t even know where to begin.”
Helen settled on the other side of Jenny’s bed, taking her daughter’s other hand. She reached out and brushed Jenny’s hair back. “I appreciate you coming, and Jenny would too. I’m sorry we ever doubted you, Luna.”
“Emma,” I reminded her.
She shook her head. “It will always be Luna to me.”
This was my little pack within the pack. The first ones to accept me as a Luna. Had I stayed with Tobias, Jenny and Helen would always be special, but instead, I was choosing to walk away.
I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. The tension in my body eased, and I regained control over my emotions. All of it would spill out if I let it. Every doubt about walking away, every break in my heart from letting Tobias go. The loss of a life I had just started to accept.
I was so focused on my breaths that I almost didn’t register the pressure on my hand. My eyes flew open, and I watched, and felt, Jenny’s fingers twitch, as if trying to squeeze my hand.
“Jenny, can you hear me?” I squeezed back lightly. “Your mom and I are here for you.” I once more let the Luna energy wash over me and into her.
