Mine to Protect Chapter 59: LUKAS' MOM

*Hazel*

So, I approach Derek and tell him that I am not hungry, and that I will find him later. He looks at me concerned and ready to protest, but some pal from his table calls him to tell him something, and I take this opportunity to leave the room as fast as I can, before Derek can haul me back there.

I find a quiet bench in the garden and sit there, feeling already tired by the day. My belly growls loudly, reminding me that I am starving, well, I’ll have to wait until the path is clear to fetch some leftovers. It’s a pity the packhouse is so far out, otherwise I could have gone to a café or a diner; I need to ask Derek if he can lend me one of his cars for personal use. But I still have no money, my wallet, my bank cards, my mobile are all at home, I wonder when the police will let me get my stuff back. Another issue that awaits to be addressed.

“Why looking so gloomy?” Lukas approaches me with a lunch box in his hands.

“Nothing really, I am just generically wallowing in my self-pity.”

“Here, I brought you some food, and a person who’s being nagging me for days to meet you.”

Lukas and his big frame of a body step aside, letting through a refined blonde woman, around my mom’s age. The similarities between Lukas and the woman are striking, and I don’t need to ask to know who this person is.

“Lukas’ mom, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say rising to my feet and extending my hand towards her.

Instead of shaking my hand, she steps forward and brings me into a tight hug, draping me in a warm blanket of wave flowers, her scent smelling familiar and soothing.

“You look just like her, beautiful and kind, with that fiery fire hidden just under the surface.” She frees me from her hug and caresses my cheek with her smooth hand.

“It’s a blessing to see you again, my child. The news of your mom and dad’s demise crushed me, I wanted to be here for you, I know your mom would have wanted me to take care of you, but I needed my time to recover. I am here now, though, and I am proud of you, for taking on the Luna responsibility when you are still so fresh from your grief, for standing strong after what you went through in that forsaken place. Your mom and dad would be incredibly proud too.”

I don’t know when the first tear starts falling, I know that at one point my vision becomes blurred with a torrent of tears that I can’t hold in, sobs wreaking me, making it unable to stay still. Luka’s mom hugs me again, patting my back, whispering kind words, reassuring me that everything will be ok, like a mother would do for her daughter wracked by despair.

We sit on that bench for I don’t know how long, enough to drench her jacket’s shoulder with my unstoppable tears, but after I finish crying, I feel refreshed, reinvigorated, ready to take on the world.

“Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. And sorry for your jacket, and for using you as a human pillow. I know I should know your name, but sadly, I have no memories of the time spent at your home.”

“Amanda, dear, my name is Amanda Walker. Don’t worry, you were far too little to remember, but I hope we’ll spend more time together from now on. I’ve never had a daughter, only that bear of a son, so I hope, you’ll be like a daughter for me.”

“I’d love that, Amanda. Thank you,” I say gratefully, giving her a squeeze.

“Now, I really think you should go find Derek, he came to find you, and saw you in tears, Lukas stirred him away to give us some time, but I bet he is worried sick.”

“I will. Will I see you later?”

“Certainly, I will leave tomorrow, so we still have some time. Plus, Lukas was telling me that you will go together to Elizabeth’s pack after the Alpha meeting. The trip is long, so you can spend the night at our home on the way back, if you’d like.”

“I would love that. Thank you. See you later then.”

With that, I depart in search of Derek, and I bump into Grace instead, at the entrance of the packhouse. Just the last person I want to see, when my face is all red and blotchy from crying. What’s with my luck today? Hopefully she won’t bother me this time, after all yesterday I’ve been quite clear on the outcome of her further disrespect.

“Luna Hazel, can I talk to you for a second?”

No, today is definitely one of those days where everything goes askew. The “Luna Hazel” has my ears perk up, though.

“Sure, Grace. What is it?” I try to sound as polite as possible.

“I just wanted to apologize for my behavior; you were right, you are Derek’s fated mate and are in your right to be our Luna. I was jealous, and let my feelings get in the way. I am ok now. I hope we can become friends in the future.”

She seems sincere, and I feel shocked by her words, and by her sudden change of mind; yesterday she was still throwing shit at me. Well, whatever made her change her mind, I am happy for the outcome, and I really hope we can become friends in the future, I will need more of those if I want to live happily in this pack.

“I hope we can become friends too,” I say with an encouraging smile, which she mirrors back.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a matter to take care of.”

“Sure, Luna, I’ll see you around.”

I step into the packhouse, and immediately I feel Derek’s aura approaching, he’s coming down the stairs dressed in a dark blue suit. When he reaches me, he embraces me tightly and kisses my forehead gently.

“What happened kitten? I saw you crying. What’s wrong?” he asks anxiously, his heart beating strong and fast.

“It’s nothing, I just needed some motherly comfort, that’s it.”

“I hope you didn’t get upset by Emma’s words. She can be ruthless in her ways, but she only has the best intentions at heart. We have been friends since Alpha training school, we have known each other for a decade, and I know she didn’t mean to hurt you.”

I don’t know what to think, her words sounded quite mean to me, but maybe I am just too touchy. For Derek, I will try to give her the benefit of the doubt.

I nod my head, deciding not to voice my doubts out loud, and end up upsetting him.

“Where are you going, all dressed up?” I asked him curiously.

“I have a business meeting I must attend, but I will be back in the afternoon. Alice and Damon will stay at the packhouse, so if you need anything, they’ll be here for you.”

“Ok. Be safe.” I tell him, while moving back to let him pass.

He raises an eyebrow at me.

“Is this the way to say goodbye to your mate? You are a cold-hearted little kitten,” he says playfully, before he grabs me by my waist with one arm and pulls me close, his other hand cups my face and then he kisses me deeply, letting his love for me flow through the bond, filling me with joy and desire.

He moves back far too soon, making me pout in disappointment. He chuckles at my dissatisfied expression, places another kiss on my forehead, and leaves without saying another word.

When he’s already out the door, I feel his sexy voice in my mind.

“We’ll play when I can back; I’ll make those sexy lips of yours to good use.”

The smell of my arousal floats in the luckily empty hall, and I decide to hurry back to my room to take a cold shower, before I get too hot and flustered. I mindlink Alice asking her if she can train me, and she tells me to come to the arena. So, I change into my training outfit, and go straight to the training field, not expecting to find it packed with Alphas and warriors taking turns to beat each other’s crap out.

Amongst them is Emma Davis.