Capítulo 7

Together they headed down to the dining hall. Because of his conversation with Cam, Jason didn't expect to see his mate at breakfast, but he was still disappointed by her absence. As they loaded their plates, a shrill voice called to them.

"Over here, Jason!"

He suppressed a growl as he looked over at the table where their hosts sat. Kristie stood waving them over enthusiastically while Graham nursed what had to be a severe hangover with a strong cup of coffee. After one day, it seemed they thought they were free to address him casually.

"Well, have fun," Luke said.

"Don't you dare leave me alone with those two," Jason warned. Last night had been torture in more ways than one.

"Yes, Alpha," Luke said. "But I do still need to bring Cam his breakfast, so don't take too long."

Together they joined their hosts. Jason made Luke sit across from the overeager Luna, allowing him to sit as far from her as possible. An awkward silence descended on the foursome while Jason warily eyed his hosts.

"So... Alpha Graham," Luke said after a moment, "we're looking forward to training with your warriors today. I'm always interested in new techniques."

Graham grunted, sipping his coffee. He hadn't shaved, and dark bags hung under his bloodshot eyes. Luke was fairly certain he never saw any alpha in such a condition, and certainly not Jason, who took his responsibilities seriously.

Given the conversation Jason related to Luke, he was inclined to agree with his pack's former Luna. Not only had Graham taken a chosen mate, but he had rejected his fated one. As a result, a rift opened between him and his wolf spirit. The disconnection also damaged his bond to the pack, affecting his connection to it and perhaps the pack's bonds to each other as well. All of that could have been negated if his chosen Luna was serious about her position, but Kristie was not a proper Luna in the least. If her designer clothing was anything to go by, she was only concerned with shopping and self-gratification.

If not for the fact Jason had found his mate, they would certainly have cut this visit even shorter than the last. Hopefully, the warriors would make up for their lackluster leadership.

After an arduous breakfast, Luke slipped out to deliver Cam his meal before meeting Jason at the training facility ahead of their host, who continued to linger over his coffee. They were disappointed to see Rimrock's warriors didn't have any more motivation than their leaders. Far fewer than they predicted even showed up, despite knowing Jason and his visiting warriors were training with them.

Compounding the problem was the fact neither Alpha Graham nor Beta Michael showed up. Jason gritted his teeth, struggling to suppress Lobo, who prowled the back of his mind.

"Do you suppose this is their actual, everyday training?" Luke asked, eyeing the disorganized troop struggling with inadequate equipment.

Jason rubbed his temple, fending off a headache.

"Well, at least there is good news."

"Such as?" Jason sighed.

"Now you can spend time with your Luna," Luke smirked.

Jason blinked, glancing at his Beta. That was right. If their hosts were not attending the training session, then sneaking away was much simpler. Luke could handle the joint training without him. A smile twitched his lips as Lobo came to attention.

"Cam, where are you?"

"In the woods."

"Woods?"

"Head south if you are coming from the packhouse."

Giving Luke a silent nod, Jason slipped away and headed in the direction Cam indicated. The nature of his bond with his pack members made it easy to locate them. Entering the woods, he stuck to trails and eventually reached Cam standing just off of it.

"Cam, where..."

"Up ahead," Cam nodded.

Anxiously, Jason peered through the trees to see Phoebe watching over the pups as they scattered through the woods with baskets in hand. The two-year-old that normally was always on her hip was now being carried by one of the older girls, eager to test their motherly skills.

"What's going on?" Jason asked.

"I think they are looking for wild mushrooms and berries," Cam said, keeping his voice low. "It seems to be part of a lesson on plants and foraging. Looks like she's teaching them life skills."

Jason smiled. She was concerned with the health of her pack. Teaching them how to forage for food and healing herbs made good sense, especially considering the current state of the pack's leadership. While the pack warriors were definitely adversely affected by their leadership, the pups still held strong bonds with their fellow playmates, no doubt due to Phoebe's influence, as one would expect of a proper Luna.

"Keep an eye on the pups, make sure they don't wander too far," Jason instructed.

"Right. Good luck, Alpha. Go get her." Cam patted his shoulder in encouragement before slipping away.

Jason took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart as Lobo paced his mind. They were finally going to meet their mate. All his years of waiting were at an end. But what was he going to say?

Jason hesitated. How should he even approach her? He didn't want to be overbearing or overwhelm her with his aura. If he walked up to her and said, "Hello, Mate," would that be too much?

"I know you are there," she suddenly spoke. "Come out."

Shit.

"Miss Phoebe, can I take Jack? Please! I promise I'll be careful."

Phoebe finally relented at the young girl's urgent plea, handing over the two-year-old. In general, she knew the girls would take care of him and knew better than to intentionally place him in harm's way, but toddlers tended to find trouble easily enough on their own. She watched the pups carefully. There was no fear of them wandering too far, and they knew the safety rules, which she was confident they would adhere to.

The wind shifted, and Máni was suddenly on alert. Ever since last night, her wolf had been anxious and unsettled. Nothing seemed to help, and even her wolf didn't know the reason. But now, she caught the smell of dogwood and campfire that stirred a part of her she thought long dormant. But that couldn't be... unless...

"Mate!" Máni exclaimed.

"But, it can't be. Graham..."

"Not him! Our real Mate!"

"You mean, our second-chance mate?"

"Yes! He's here! He's here!"

"But why would the Moon Goddess give us a second-chance mate? I'm not... she wouldn't care about someone like me!"

"The Moon Goddess loves us! I told you so!" Máni said. "Oh, call him over and you'll see!"

Phoebe bit her lip and steeled her nerves before she slowly turned, "I know you are there. Come out."

"...Shit." was the muffled reply.

It was followed by snapping twigs as a tall, well-built male stepped into view. An undeniable alpha aura washed over her. Like most males, he sported a trim goatee and a bit of a five o'clock shadow. It wasn't easy for wolves to maintain a clean-shaven look, so most gave up. His dark brown hair fell over his forehead, making her fingers itch to run through it. Why? Why would the Moon Goddess do this to her again? Another alpha? She didn't know if she could survive another rejection.

"Don't think like that!" Máni admonished. "He won't do that!"

"Our last one did."

Máni whimpered.

"Um... hi," he said, his nervousness palpable.

Perhaps she caught him off guard by calling him out. She knew how important it was for alphas to be in control, but she didn't have any desire to allow another to walk all over her.

Jason hesitated, "I didn't mean to startle you. I'm..."

"I know who you are, Alpha Jason. The pack has been buzzing about your visit for a week."

Jason clenched his jaw at her dismissive and formal answer. He wanted her to call him by his name and only his name. There should be no titles between mates.

"So... do you want to do it here, or do you want to move further away?" Phoebe asked.

"W-What do you mean?"

"The rejection."

"What!" His eyes practically bulged from his head.

"That's why you waited until now, isn't it?" Phoebe asked. "You waited until I was somewhere alone so no one would see you."

"Why would you think that?"

"It is what my first mate did."

"Your first... Then I'm your second chance," he said. She could almost see the wheels turning. No alpha wanted leftovers, especially one that had already been rejected.

"So should we just get it over with now? Let's move away from the pups... I'd rather they didn't see..."

"No!" He suddenly closed the distance between them, taking her hands in his. There was panic in his gaze.

Phoebe blinked, as startled by his reaction as the electric charge of their bond tingling through her skin and up her arms.

"Please, no," he said more softly, afraid he scared her before stepping close. "I have been looking for you for ten years. You have no idea how many times I dreamed of this moment."

Phoebe stood speechless as his scent wafted around her, making her feel safe and warm. He bowed his head, resting his forehead against hers. Breathing deep, he sighed and she knew he was taking in her scent.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered. "I don't know what I did to please the Moon Goddess that she would bless me with you."

Phoebe remained silent. Did he really call her beautiful?

"Yes! Yes, he did!" Máni cooed. "I told you so!"

"Please say we can spend some time together," Jason said, slowly easing back, afraid he might be overwhelming her. He still gripped her hands as if afraid she would disappear if he let go. "Can we have dinner? I'm dying to know more about you. I want to know everything. Please..."