Maureen steps in front of me and grabs my hands. Usually, most wolves give me a wide berth, especially other females, but not her. There is no fear in her eyes, only compassion.
“You haven’t lost everything, Kara. You have your vineyards, and you also have a place with the Timberwolf pack.”
Mouth gaping, I stare at her as if she’s lost her mind. “Your pack doesn’t want anything to do with me. I’ve seen that firsthand.”
She shrugs and lets me go. “Maybe some of them, but I know my son doesn’t feel that way. That’s all that matters.”
The mention of Chase sends butterflies through my stomach, and I do my best to ignore it. “His association with me will only bring him grief.”
Maureen shakes her head. “He’s the alpha, Kara. The pack loves him. He’s hard when he needs to be but also caring and supportive, even when all of his friends are finding their mates, and he’s not.”
A pang of jealousy tightens in my chest. I can’t imagine Chase with a mate. “Do you think Sierra is Chase’s mate?” I ask, hoping my curiosity doesn’t pique her interest.
“No,” she replies quickly. “They had chemistry, but something was always missing.” A smile lights up her face when she looks into my eyes. “Although I am looking forward to the day my son does find his mate. I’ll have the daughter I’ve always wanted, and soon after … grandchildren.”
It’s crazy to think that she’s younger than me with a full-grown son. I’ve dreamt of the day I would have children, but it’s never felt like it’ll happen for me.
“Chase is a good man,” I say, knowing it’s the truth, even though I really want to say how much of a pain in the ass he is. “He’ll find his mate.”
Maureen’s eyes twinkle. “Something tells me you will, too.” She nods toward the path we just took, and we start on our way back to her truck.
I scoff. “Doubtful. I’m over two hundred years old, and it hasn’t happened to me yet. I’m pretty sure I’ve been forgotten.” I’ve had some animosity toward the Great Luna for a long time now. There are wolves who’ve only lived twenty-something years and found their mates while I’ve had to roam the country on my own for two centuries.
Maureen sighs. “You’re angry.”
“Hell yeah, I am,” I say with a huff. “Wouldn’t you be if you were in my shoes? It was all I could do to stomach through being around the new Royal pack. All around me were nothing but true mates; it was infuriating.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see her watching me, but I keep my focus on the beach. With every year that passed where I hadn’t found my true mate, I could feel the burning inside of my chest growing and festering. I used to believe in the Great Luna with all my heart, but she’s let me down so many times.
We make it back to the truck in silence, but I could feel Maureen’s eyes on me the entire time. I move to the passenger’s side and hop in just as Maureen slides into the driver’s seat. She slips the key into the ignition but doesn’t turn it.
“Do you want to know the real reason why I wanted to be with you today?” Maureen asks.
“I don’t know,” I answer, turning to face her and feeling the weight of everything on my shoulders. “Do I?”
A bit of humor touches her lips. “I think you do. The Great Luna does things for a reason. A long time ago, she gave me a gift.”
I render a light laugh that comes out snarky. “Of course she did.” Maureen’s smile fades, and I instantly regret my words. “I’m sorry. Again, all I’ve been around recently are true mates and those gifted with special powers.” There are several words for the way I’m feeling: jealous, envious, resentful, bitter. The list goes on and on.
Maureen nods in understanding. “I can see why you’d be upset, but you also need to realize how others feel around you. You may not have a magical gift, but you are a royal. There are shifters everywhere who wish they could call themselves that.”
My chest tightens, and I rip my gaze away from her. Maybe I am the cold-hearted, selfish bitch I’ve been told I was a million times over. I’ve always wanted more out of my life.
“Being a royal female has been a curse,” I whisper, keeping my eyes straight and focused on the ocean. “Ever since I’ve been on the run, I had to hide my true self. There are too many who want my power.” Power-hungry wolves would kill just to bond with me, even if I wasn’t their true mate. My royal power would become theirs.
Maureen blows out a sigh. “I can only imagine how lonely that must’ve been. The pack was a little nervous when Chase wanted to bring you here. But now you don’t have to hide.”
“I beg to differ,” I say as an exasperated laugh escapes my lips. “That’s not the impression I got. On the contrary, Sierra enjoyed giving me hell; she didn’t seem nervous at all.”
Snickering, Maureen starts up the truck. “That’s because she knows you don’t have your strength.” Her gaze lands on my wrist, where Laila put the bracelet. “If you did, I’m sure she’d steer clear.”
When I get my wolf back, Sierra better hope and pray she’s nowhere near me. I don’t forget so easily. The truck sputters a few times and shakes as Maureen pulls out onto the main road.
“What gift did the Great Luna give you?” I ask, realizing she never told me.
Maureen keeps her focus on the road, and she quirks her lips. “She gifted me with the ability to see the good in people. Luckily, I’ve never been around someone truly evil.” Her grin widens, and she looks over at me before having to concentrate back on the highway. “I knew you weren’t evil, Kara. As I told you before, we choose our own paths. You strayed a little bit, but I know you’ll get back on track.”
Will I? It sure as hell doesn’t feel like it.
I hold up my hand, and the bracelet slides down my wrist, looking as if I could just take it off. It’s strange seeing it on my body and not being able to remove it.
“Do you know how to take the bracelet off?” I question.
She doesn’t look at me, but I can see it in her eyes that she knows. “It’s a potent spell, Kara. Fae magic is something I’ve never come across before.” We come to a stop at a traffic light, and she places a hand on my shoulder. “You’ll figure it out. I know you will.”
Hopefully, it’ll all be figured out soon. Evangeline should be finding her way to California any day now. If there’s anyone who knows about fae magic, it’s her.
12
CHASE
The Bolognese sauce is ready, and the spaghetti noodles just finished boiling. Kara has been gone all day with my mother, and I haven’t heard a word. I’m assuming it went well; otherwise, I would’ve heard something by now. Nevertheless, I made sure my day was productive. I went to see Raina to talk to her about the bakery counter at the restaurant. I’m good to go with it if it’s something she’s fully committed to. The second I said that to her, she flung her arms and screamed so loud I was afraid she’d burst my eardrums. I can’t wait to see what this new adventure does for the Timberwolf business.